Strobe for Canon G11 with Canon WP-DC34 housing

[durandal]

No strobe will work effectively at 20 feet distance. Effective strobe range is usually just a few feet, that is why wide angle capability is so important.

The strobe will reach out to 20' with just blue light getting back, but yeah it seems the usable range is just a few feet. I found it somewhat tricky to get the exposures right with the manual strobe. I would vary my distance and angle the strobe around. These pictures are my first underwater shots

Setup:
-Canon A720is with CHDK firmware shooting raw
-Intova ISS-2000 slave strobe with fiber optic sync cable

Overall I'm happy for the price, $130 with mounting arm. Recycle with nice batteries was 8seconds which seems like forever when you're fighting the current off Cozumel.

rest of album

 

[Scuba-junky]

Inon D-2000 is about $130 cheaper than the Z-240. It's virtually the same as the strobe I use (D-2000w) and I never feel let down by the strobe (although a second strobe would be welcome).

Inon S-2000 runs about $470. I've never used one, but it would be my first choice were I not in love with the "Auto" function of the D-2000/Z-240. It's very powerful for it's size, and you can fiber-optic it for S-TTL. Downside is no internal focus lamp (which could be an upside if you shoot a bunch at night and want a separate focus lamp that uses a different set of batteries), no auto.

A buddy just picked up an Intova strobe, and upon first impressions, I'd say they are worth a second look.

Are you saying the Inon S-2000 doesn't have the "Auto" function that the D-2000/Z-240 does?

I don't know much about this stuff yet and am busy learning as much as I can. To me, the S-2000 looks great for travel. I'd just like to know if it has the "Auto" function your refering to and if many people actually use strobes in Auto or generally stay in full manual mode. Since the S-2000 is SO SMALL, I'd think fumbling around with the switches in manual mode, especially with gloves, would be a pain in the butt. Auto mode sounds appealing if not absolutely necessary with such a small strobe. HELP?

 

[coralcruiser]

Are you saying the Inon S-2000 doesn't have the "Auto" function that the D-2000/Z-240 does?

I don't know much about this stuff yet and am busy learning as much as I can. To me, the S-2000 looks great for travel. I'd just like to know if it has the "Auto" function your refering to and if many people actually use strobes in Auto or generally stay in full manual mode. Since the S-2000 is SO SMALL, I'd think fumbling around with the switches in manual mode, especially with gloves, would be a pain in the butt. Auto mode sounds appealing if not absolutely necessary with such a small strobe. HELP?

I have the S-2000 and it definitely has auto function... I used it in full auto mode with mu G10 this past December and got great results. I absolutely would recommend your buying that strobe!

 

[vogelm755]

The Ds-51 is a nice strobe, however the additional cost of the EV controller makes it nearly as much as a better strobe.

The G11 is a fantastic camera, and does both excellent Wide angle and macro. If you have any intention of getting an accessory wide angle lens for the camera in the future, then a 110a or one of the Inon strobes would be the way to go. The G11 is a camera you can definitely grow into...so I would not short yourself from the start with it.

Does the Canon housing for the G11 provide the option to add wide angle option. What about macro - inherent in the camera or are there add-ons to be considered and can they be added to the Canon housing?

With the Canon housing do I still need to use the Fibre optic cable to set off the external strobe? If so is there another housing that does not rely on the flash of the camera to set off the external strobe? I ask as my current Canon A520 has a long recharge time for the flash.

 

[Nemrod]

Does the Canon housing for the G11 provide the option to add wide angle option. What about macro - inherent in the camera or are there add-ons to be considered and can they be added to the Canon housing?

With the Canon housing do I still need to use the Fibre optic cable to set off the external strobe? If so is there another housing that does not rely on the flash of the camera to set off the external strobe? I ask as my current Canon A520 has a long recharge time for the flash.

There is no way to fire a flash with that camera other than via slaving either with an optical cable or without. That is not due to the housing but to the camera, there is no hotshoe.

Your camera should have the ability to set manual flash control under menu and then set the power level to low 1/3. Read the manual that came with your camera for specific functions. Shoot in Av or Manual with flash set at manual and 1/3. The recharge and shooting rate will be greatly improved as will be battery life.

N

 

[supajaydub]

Nemrod, are you saying that the G11 doesn't have a hot shoe or the A520?

I'm pretty sure the G11 here next to me would be very offended if you told her she didn't have a hot shoe.

 

[Nemrod]

Nemrod, are you saying that the G11 doesn't have a hot shoe or the A520?

I'm pretty sure the G11 here next to me would be very offended if you told her she didn't have a hot shoe.

I am talking about his A520, yes, I know the G11 has a hot shoe.

His camera has a long recharge time because it is likely improperly configured, I would also install Eneloop batteries.

Thanks for clarifying.

N

 

[vogelm755]

Sorry for being unclear.

I have a A520, Canon housing and external strobe (Sea and Sea). I do use manual flash mode. Thanks for hint on batteries.

I would like to upgrade camera - to G11. I do not want to pay the extra money for a 3rd party housing and was wondering if the Canon housing with G11 allows me to trigger the flash w/o optical cable - use the TTL mode of the external strobe.

 

[sevac]

Sorry for being unclear.

I have a A520, Canon housing and external strobe (Sea and Sea). I do use manual flash mode. Thanks for hint on batteries.

I would like to upgrade camera - to G11. I do not want to pay the extra money for a 3rd party housing and was wondering if the Canon housing with G11 allows me to trigger the flash w/o optical cable - use the TTL mode of the external strobe.

YES IT DOES!
As you can see I was part od this discussion at the beginnig. Also with your help I bought, what I think is perfect cos-effect end resoult which shows in pictures too:
- G11
- wp-dc34 (much cheaper than compared modells)
- wide angel FANTASEA lens for wp-dc34
- s&s 110a (conets with camera via fiber optics cabel and with the help of s&s strobe mask - which has to be modified for wp-dc34)

Here are the results (unfortunatelly I cant post links yet)

BR

 

[promocop]

How does the Fiber optic cable attach? I have a G-10 and S&S strobe and it attaches to the Fisheye FIX with a neat little screw in thingie int he flash window. Thinking of moving up to the G11 and the Canon housing (to save money. The FIX housing is great but too expensive)