Port and lens planning
- Thread starter grantmac
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I assume you quit using it after going to a port/dome for the 10-17?
Before I can give it a proper test I will need to get some machine work done. Never easy now that I am retired. Maybe I can get it done when I get back before my next adventure. Waiting on a few other parts for my NA-R50 anyways so no big hurry.
Way before that. I started with a fixed-port SeaFrogs housing (the purple translucent one), then they released the interchangeable-port Salted Line A6xxx housing and I moved to that with a 10-18mm lens, then I got a good deal on a used UWL-09F and moved to that, and finally last year I got an A6700 and set it up with a Tokina 10-17mm.
So I've got a hold on where I'm going for ports to start (the macro for kit lens) and I'll look out for a used wet wide lens then some sort of bayonet adapters for that and my macro diopter.
Now I'm considering flashes. Again, all this is very much intended to be budget/used. I'm mostly interested in macro and CFWA in poor vis.
I THINK I want to drive the strobes manually and trigger them with fiber because that seems the most simple while being most interesting from a technical standpoint.
I've robbed a strobe from my ancient Sealife DC1200 to get a feel for the concept and I have that functional (on dry land so far).
Which brings me to the question:
Why not a pair of Sealife sl963? I know Sealife is hobby grade in general but I've been super impressed with the video light I have from them in terms of efficiency and robustness. The sl963 is made to deal with preflash, it's currently produced/supported and the used market is pretty cheap.
Immediate thought is no factory snoot or focus light. Am I missing anything else obvious?
Now I'm considering flashes. Again, all this is very much intended to be budget/used. I'm mostly interested in macro and CFWA in poor vis.
I THINK I want to drive the strobes manually and trigger them with fiber because that seems the most simple while being most interesting from a technical standpoint.
I've robbed a strobe from my ancient Sealife DC1200 to get a feel for the concept and I have that functional (on dry land so far).
Which brings me to the question:
Why not a pair of Sealife sl963? I know Sealife is hobby grade in general but I've been super impressed with the video light I have from them in terms of efficiency and robustness. The sl963 is made to deal with preflash, it's currently produced/supported and the used market is pretty cheap.
Immediate thought is no factory snoot or focus light. Am I missing anything else obvious?
They're roughly similar in overall output to Inon S220s, although the Inons have a wider beam. They also seem to have a proprietary mounting system for SeaLife's flex arms, although I believe adapters are available. SeaLife in general seems to be very USA-focused as a brand, with little presence in other markets. That said, while I don't have personal experience, I don't think they have enough power to shoot wide-angle with an APS-C camera - you really want something along the lines of Sea & Sea YS-D3 or Inon Z330 for that. Compacts shoot at wider apertures and can make do with less powerful strobes, but the larger the sensor, the more strobe power you need.
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