quick question on Ikelite DS125 strobe and Oly PT010 housing

[ssra30]

I am now waiting for my DS125 strobe to arrive to use with my Oly 4040Z/PT010 setup. I have a couple of quick questions though. What is the best way to cover up the internal flash of the Oly. Ideally it would also be nice to have the option to use the internal flash only as well, especially for close up, to conserve the strobe battery.
Secondly, on Ikelite site, it mentioned something like the battery for the DS125 when fully charged would be good for aroudn 150 flashes. With TTL where the flash fire twice, would that mean that basically it will be good for 75 shots or do they really mean 150 TTL shots.

Thanks for any info.

 

[ReyeR]

Some people just use tape. Some velcro.

Ideally it would also be nice to have the option to use the internal flash only as well

I wanted to have the option so I modified one of those flip-up spectacle clip-ons like this:

http://www.geocities.com/r_eye_r/DIY/flashblock.html

Just make sure you tie it to the camera....

Here's another way at http://www.jaytreat.com/Diving/Photography/mods.htm

Also see Dee's pages at http://www.allenhost.com/gallery/album09

the DS125 when fully charged would be good for around 150 flashes. With TTL where the flash fires twice, would that mean that basically it will be good for 75 shots or do they really mean 150 TTL shots

I think the DS125 would be good for 150 full dump flashes - something you won't do that often. The pre-flash is too short to make much of difference to your battery life. I had the aiming light on most of the dive and found it breezed through 2 dives without the fuel gauge flinching. If you haven't done so already I strongly suggest you get the smart charger. I found after the 2 dives it just topped up the battery in about 10-15 mins.

 

[ssra30]

Thanks for your help. I ordered the deluxe arm package which comes with the smart charger. Can't wait till the strobe get here as I plan a couple of dive trips in the next few weeks to try out the setup.

 

[Whaleman]

I have used the ds125 strobes for 2 years. On ttl you will get more flashes as the strobe does not fully discharge with each shot. They are a great strobe but the modeling light is a little weak compared to the 150 or 200 substrobes.