s-2000 OR ys-110ALPHA

[jdfmail]

They both seem to be about the same price and both have gotten great reviews. I have a Canon A570 and perhaps might upgrade in the future to a G10 or G12...in the distant future.

My question is this; What are the main differences between these two strobes? Th S-2000 is just so small and portable and I think it would be a great match for my little camera. Am I missing something?

I don't know about the YS-110alpha but I do know the S-2000 doesn't have a guide light. Is it really necessary? Would I be better off using a torch as a guide, an built in guide or no guide?

Obviously I'm a noob so any and all info/advice will be appreciated.

 

[jcclink]

With a built-in focus (guide) light you usually have to reposition strobe depending on distance to subject to put light on subject. This might be easier with a separate torch, but use one that isn't super bright so there will be minimum chance of effecting exposure. On the other hand, with focus light you know exactly where the strobe is aimed.

 

[jdfmail]

Does the YS-110a do anything that the S-2000 can't, or does it do anything better?

 

[diverrex]

The S-2000 is amazingly small, a real cool strobe. I could see it being great for traveling. But have you actually had one in your hand? I held one today and the first thing I realized is that the controls are so small and close together that I would have difficulty actually seeing the settings and moving the controls. Of course my eyes are old and I need to wear gloves in California waters.

 

[jdfmail]

Diverrex, Yes it is small...that's my attraction. I actually thought the same thing at first...too small. But I'm in tropical waters and I can dive sans gloves which is my preferred method. But perhaps I should put some more consideration into it. I'll go play around with it again. Anyway, I don't know much about strobes but I do know that I have bought some items in the past that I've regretted. I prefer to get this one right.

So, if I bought the S-2000, would there be anything that I would be missing that I could have with YS-110a? Any thoughts?

 

[Nemrod]

The S2000 is the same as the D2000 functionally except it does not have the LED aiming light and it lacks the External Auto Mode which is the mode I use 70% of the time with my Inon D2000. The D2000 is small, the S2000 is miniature so that may make up for not having the External Auto mode. The YS does not have that mode available either so in that case it should not affect your decision between the two strobes you inquired about. I think I would still go with the D2000.

N

 

[jdfmail]

Thanks Nemrod...COuld you explain to me what the external auto mode does and how it would effect me without having it?

Thanks

 

[Nemrod]

The external auto mode on the D2000 works in either manual exposure or Av mode on the camera. In Av you set the D2000 to external auto and then match the f stop setting on the camera to the strobe, in this case we are kind of using the D2000 as flash fill. Or, set the camera to manual mode and set both f stop and shutter. Match the f stop on the camera to the strobe. The D2000 has a light/exposure meter built in and in external auto that sensor is used to calculate the proper flash exposure. The external auto meter is the little round window at the 5 o'clock position of the D2000. Both of these methods are a sorta "flash fill on the fly" setting--for lack of a better description.

The S/D2000 also have a simulated sTTL mode and of course full manual mode and full power mode. Most people probably shoot both the camera and the strobe in the manual modes. However, the advantage to the using the external auto and the camera in Av (aperture priority auto) is that you can shoot fast with little fiddling and get half decent pics. If your camera does not have the manual or Av/Tv modes like the Canon A series have (had) then the external auto may not be that useful to you.

With the camera in manual and the D2000/S2000 in manual you and you alone decide the exposure, neither the camera's meter or the D2000's meter have any input.

N

 

[Ardy]

Thanks a lot Nemrod I am sure I would use that Ext auto mode a lot as well. Does it rely on a cable/optical connection or just read the light output and make a judgement on that?

 

[Nemrod]

Thanks a lot Nemrod I am sure I would use that Ext auto mode a lot as well. Does it rely on a cable/optical connection or just read the light output and make a judgment on that?

Yes, the D/S2000 use an optical cable even in External Auto in order to sync with the camera. I cover my camera's strobe with developed, exposed slide film and therefore visible light emission is eliminated. The D/S2000 trigger from the IR signal through the optical cable. This eliminates annoying flash from the camera and illumination of debris in the water.

Usually the D/S2000 come with some of the Inon "Clear Photo System" film which is the same thing. Below my 570 in Ike housing with homemade deflector which serves no purpose other than to hold the optical connector since my flash is covered by the film. Also installed is my pseudo homemade macro lens.

N