SeaLife Reefmasters And Lighting Question

[terrydarc]

Margaret,
I've got a Reefmaster RC too, but no strobe - yet. Can't figure out how the strobe is supposed to work since there isn't any sort of electrical connection to the external strobe. Does it fit over the little internal flash and activate off of it?
Terry

 

[The Chairman]

Well, I am not sure that Reefmaster has figured out how the strobe should work either. I am fast becoming frustrated with their products. On this apst weekend's dive it flashed only half the time!!!

To answer your question there is a reflector that sits in front of the camera's flash and directs it up to the strobe. The sensor in the side of the strobe is SUPPOSED to pick up the signal and flash as well. As I hasve said I am not impressed with their equipment OR their answers to my questions about how to have their "crap" serviced.

:tease:

Now that Nikonos has gone belly up, what am I supposed to do?

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

NetDoc, that's easy Take my info and buy a canon with an ikelite housing. joerc noted that I am very fond of my housing in the past.


Ed

 

[Tavi]

You musta got a lemon. I have had no problems with mine. The strobe fires every time.I'd give them a call or check with your dealer.

Tavi

 

[sactomags]

As I mentioned, I had some trouble with my strobe firing. I have had no problems with service on my camera. In fact, my husband got it for me from one of the online vendors and I then took it to my local dive shop for service. They handled it all. Although it seemed to take forever (probably about 4-5 weeks), when I called to find out what the status was, I was told it was ready. My husband picked it up and brought it home -- I was amazed to see an entire new system (minus the macro lense as I didn't have mine connected to the camera when I took it in for service). And, more amazing, it was FREE. I got no complaints about their service ...

And, terrydarc, the strobe screws into the bottom (at least the one I have does).

Only a little over six weeks until our trip to St. Maartin-Saba-and Florida Keys. Can you say "ready for warm water," hmmmm??

Margaret

 

[terrydarc]

Netdoc,
First, thanks for confirming how the strobe is supposed to work. Couple observations on why your external strobe may not be firing. I noticed my Reefmaster didn't always fire it's internal flash, especially when I tried to take a couple shots in quick succession - that'd cause an external flash to fail, too. The internal flash should *always* fire as far as I know, but if the flash hasn't cycled up to ready (as evidence by the flash ready led), the external flash would natuarally also fail.

But I believe that was related to less than fully charged batteries in my case, so you may want to start every dive with a pair of fresh AA's.
Terry

 

[neilstewart]

In July I had the oppertunity of trying my RC kit for the first time. On first day I used without stobe. 2nd day with to compare results. Yes you ought to get the strobe. No one has yet mentioned the colour correcting x3 lens. I somehow managed to lose this lens on day 4 and boy does that make a difference to your shots. Last two days rolls were a right off. I would rate the lens as more important than the strobe, at least you will get decent shots in shallower/sunlit water.

Does anyone have any good methods of making the lens fit a little tighter?

Neil

 

[terrydarc]

Neil,
Someone here recommeded the 3x closeup lens before we ever used the RC, so we indeed took it on the first trip to the Bay Islands. Those shots using it came out much better (thanks to whoever suggested it), since you can't get any closer than 4' w/o the closeup but within 2' with it. So I'm happy with mine...

The only problem was remembering whether the dingblasted 3x was on or dangling from its lanyard. My 3x fits very tight, but might be possible to get it on slightly sideways: I can't begin to guess how that would affect shots. The stock Reefmaster 3x came with a lanyard and that got attached to the camera strap, so it was in no danger of getting lost. Not the most expensive thing that will sink if you drop it, but at $35, I'd hate to have to even worry about it.
Terry

 

[neilstewart]

Terry, I too had the stock 3x lens with lanyard attached. Still managed to drop the thing and I cetrtainly know the is it on or not scenario. Just as you are about to get a storming shot you notice it's detached itself so you fumble around a bit and by that time your subject has dissapeared. Iwas thinking maybe coating the rubber that it sits on with something like nail varnish to thicken the mounting a little.

Neil

 

[terrydarc]

Neil,
At least you NOTICED the macro dangling! I got back shots in which there were teeny-weeny little spots of color, supposedly fish or else some large blurry, generally colorful object in the foreground and deduce that maybe the macro was/wasn't on as the diver-in-charge had thought.
Terry