Strobe question for Olympus 5050

[blueline]

Hi,

I am currently researching strobes for my 1 year old Olympus 5050 camera (w/ Pt-015 housing). I have narrowed my search down to S&S Ys-25 Auto and the Ikelite Ds-50. I've read in a separate thread on wetpixel.com that the Ys-25 does not provide enough light for underwater applications(??) However, I like the fiber optic connection as opposed to the Ds-50's manual controller, which brings me to the question I want to ask. How does the manual controller fire the DS-50? From what I read, the camera's internal flash fires and the manual controller senses the light and fires the strobe. Do I have to mask the 5050's internal flash just like with a fiber optic connection? If not, wouldn't that create lots of backascatter? I called the vendor I'm interested in buying the strobe from and was told I would not have to mask/block the camera's internal flash. The flash would have to fire along with the strobe. This makes no sense to me and I would like to know If that is the case before I make up my mind to go with the Ds-50.:huh:
Also, I was told that the Ikelite tray(deluxe arm system) cannot work with the Olympus housing? IS that true? Will I have to buy a separate tray?

Please advise and excuse if this is redundant.. also plz feel free to provide any ideas as far as the Ikelite setup goes(i.e. TTL connection/Manual etc..)

 

[dbh]

When I shot a 5050 in a PT housing, I used Sea & Sea YS90DX's w/ fiber optic cables and they worked great. You definitely want to mask your cameras flash to cut down on backscatter. I would e-mail Ike directly and address your concerns. he is usually very quick to respond. You can easily use ULCS tray and arms. They make an adaptor to mount the Ike strobes. You will do yourself an injustice if you don't check out the Inon line of strobes too. I use 2 Inon z220's and LOVE them. If you are set on the 2 you mentioned....go with the Ike D50.

HTH,
Dave

 

[Diversion]

I also use the Sea & Sea YS90 (Auto) and the PT015. I got the fiber optic cable and mask kit together. Works Great. I picked the whole set up from scubatoys.com.

Good luck!

 

[SadiesMom]

IAlso, I was told that the Ikelite tray(deluxe arm system) cannot work with the Olympus housing? IS that true? Will I have to buy a separate tray?

Hmmm - if that's true, then there's something new going on. I've been diving my C5050 in my PT015 housing on an Ikelite tray for a year now. There is a piece that you can get (<$5) that keeps the housing from rotating slightly on the tray. And you'll need a longer screw than the one you have for the balance weight to screw the housing onto the tray...but you should be able to get that from Ike for next to nothing.

Mind you, I don't have a strobe yet (I should be buying a DS125 in the next few weeks), but I found that diving with my camera just on the tray was helpful for me in terms of handling it.

Good luck with the new strobe!

 

[slowhands]

[For my Olympus 5050 external strobe]...I have narrowed my search down to S&S Ys-25 Auto and the Ikelite Ds-50. ....I like the fiber optic connection as opposed to the Ds-50's manual controller, which brings me to the question I want to ask. How does the manual controller fire the DS-50? From what I read, the camera's internal flash fires and the manual controller senses the light and fires the strobe.

yes, aim it at the internal strobe, it fires the external strobe manually (at the power setting you select).

Do I have to mask the 5050's internal flash just like with a fiber optic connection? If not, wouldn't that create lots of backascatter? I called the vendor I'm interested in buying the strobe from and was told I would not have to mask/block the camera's internal flash. The flash would have to fire along with the strobe. ...

Yes, mask it from the subject, not the controller, or you have backscatter.

Also, I was told that the Ikelite tray(deluxe arm system) cannot work with the Olympus housing? IS that true? Will I have to buy a separate tray?

Yes, the tray is separate. Ikelite packages include the arm, but not the tray.

#3944.44 Digital Package ($ 500) includes:
...#4100.6 Manual Controller
...#4044 DS-50 SubStrobe
...#4075.1 Strobe Arm system

#3944.57 Digital Package ($ 650) includes:
...#4100.6 Manual Controller
...#4044 DS-50 SubStrobe
...#4086.61 Ball Socket Arm system

See: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/substrobe_dig50.html

The single handle tray is $75, double is $100:
...# 9523.01 Tray with Release Handle $75
...# 9523.02 Tray with Dual Release Handles ... $ 100
See: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/opt10dlx.html

There are lots of good arm/tray systems, in addition to the Ikelite. Most people prefer the Ultralight, or Aquatica TLC. These cost more.

 

[Gilligan]

IMHO I think you should also consider the Inon D-2000. It has a built in focus/aiming light that is a major plus. The one shown in the photo is the older D-180 model but looks the same as the D-2000 except for more controls on the D-2000. It is a fiber optic cable setup.

 

[fins]

Hi Bluline,

Regarding the Iklelite Tray and the PT-015. I also use this combination and have no trouble wth the housing remaining secure and stable. SadiesMom referred to another part and a longer screw to keep the housing from rotating, these items came with my Ikelite tray.

Just curious, have you looked into the Inon D-2000? I use the D-180 and love it. The built in focusing light is a great feature which works very well both on bright days in clear water and at night (or on dives with limited visibility). Anyway, just wondered what made you rule this out?

 

[domino22]

IMHO I think you should also consider the Inon D-2000. It has a built in focus/aiming light that is a major plus. The one shown in the photo is the older D-180 model but looks the same as the D-2000 except for more controls on the D-2000. It is a fiber optic cable setup.

oops ditto that.

 

[blueline]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I appreciate everyone's insight, however, I mainly have narrowed down my search to the Ikelite ds-50 and Sea & Sea YS90DX due to cost issues (I am also flying to Phuket in one month for some diving there).

Another question,..does anyone know if the S&S tray/arm offered with the YS90DX will work with the PT-015 housing for my Olympus 5050? I saw a compact camera with a YS-15 strobe on display so since then I've been wondering whether it would be wise to go with that set up, but I'm not sure if the PT-015 will fit in that tray?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[oly5050user]

if you think you will get a wide angle lens go for the ds125 now...