Strobe setup for Fuji F11

[localdivah]

I have gotten great photos from my F11 over the past few years, mainly by staying close (probably take about 80% of my photos in macro mode), shallow, and avoiding backscatter conditions. I do very little post-processing besides cropping and changing the balance.

But, I'm looking for the next upgrade and probably seems that a strobe would be the logical step. I'm not considering a DSLR at this point.

What do I need to go look for to get set up with the strobe?

My criteria is compactness (I must travel light and diving is often a target of opportunity as I travel for work), versatility, and then price, in that order.

Would there be any reason not to purchase used? I would have to purchase online because I'm not located near any LDSs. Any good online shops that have a good reputation for pricing and service?

Thanks!

 

[localdivah]

Oh, forgot, another consideration would be the ability to quickly attach/detach the setup in case photography becomes secondary to the other activity (lobster hunting, for instance).

So far, I'm seeing an active debate on whether I should go cheap (<$300) or whether the starting point should be something more serious (in the vein of "save your money and get any strobe by Inon or Ikelite, or a YS60 or bigger from Sea&Sea...")

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I had pretty good luck with a Sea & Sea YS-25 that I got from a friend. They don't make that model anymore, but the YS-27DX would give you all that and more. It's compact, and gives you a nice, wide flash. For a compact strobe, it's pretty nice. You can use it with an optical cable, or simply slave it to your flash (when it senses the flash, it fires).

Another option if you wanted to go low-end with reasonable performance might be the Ultramax UXDS-1 might merit some consideration. It's about half the cost of the YS-27DX but probably also about half the performance.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Puffer Fish]

Interesting issue... first off you have to decide if you want to go auto or manual.... any uw strobe that has preflash ignore feature (almost all uw strobes made today), can be used with the F11... and as you are shooting close, power is not that big of a deal

However... auto is sure nice...and one can take really nice images with just one strobe....

Regarding which one... well I would avoid the really low cost ones... or rather anyone where the battery compartment is not isolated from the rest of the unit... a leak with the open ones and you just lost a strobe.. a leak with the isolated ones, and a little clean up.. maybe a new cap and you are back in business.

But if small is what you want... then the inon is the way to go... and I believe that buying in your area of the world is a lot cheaper than here... the lowest cost inon that has light based TTL is really tiny.

To make in compact, you need a tray, and two arms (each about 140 to 180 mm long).. this allows you to get the strobe to the side and fold it up when not in use... I used that setup for years.. with a locking retractor hooked to my right side shoulder D-ring... Have caught many lobsters and flounder while taking pictures...

I need to look up the model number or someone I'm sure knows them by heart, but the new inon is tiny and very strong...nice unit.

Note: using the camera with a non- ttl system results in ever flash being at maximum from the camera.. not good for heat or battery life... using the TTl system saves both ...

 

[localdivah]

Thanks for the responses -- I'm very tempted by the Inon strobes based on their reputation and compact size. How does size/weight compare between the YS-27, Inon Z240 and S2000? If not too much, I might look at picking up a used D2000 if people are rushing to the S2000...

Manual vs. auto. Auto is only useful if the camera is varying the internal flash based on exposure and aperture settings, right? Currently, when I'm diving, I'm only shooting close (within about 2-3'). I know I should manually set the white balance, but I generally do not. The only settings I am changing are the shutter speed and ISO. Generally I have been reluctant to shoot anything about 400 ISO for fear of noise. Will the F11 control the strobe power/duration based on its own internal flash relayed through the slave cable? (In other words, I don't want to buy something that exceeds the capabilities of the camera). Puffer and Scottfiji, you make a good case for investigating the new Inon with TTL -- is that the Inon S2000?

I read also that TTL is not available when an electrical sync cable is used. I am assuming that with the manufacturer's housing that I am using, I would be looking for a fiber optic cable, not electrical. Is that right? I have just gotten a Panasonic LX3 that I may get a housing if I can find a good deal, and would want a strobe system that would work with that, but I will probably never bother going to a DSLR.

I would love to be able to shoot wider angles, but had always assumed that would not be possible with this camera unless it was a bright day in clear, shallow water. A strobe won't make a difference in allowing me to get much further out, will it?

What accessories will I need to get with any of these strobes? I assume a fiberoptic cable (though I think the Inon comes with a wireless), an arm, tray needed?

Finally, very curious as to worldwide pricing. I am currently deployed to the Middle East, so have access to buying US through APO (plus, I go back to the states a few times a year). I live in Shanghai, travel frequently to Singapore and Japan, where I would think that there would be a larger market for these strobes. Can anyone confirm that pricing would be better in Asia for either the S&S or Inon strobes? Inon S2000 currently priced in US for about $450.

All very exciting, but a bit much to fully digest. I wish I lived near a store...

 

[RAWalker]

Myself, I decided on small and cheap for a compact underwater photo outfit.
I started with a Fuji F-700 w/ housing and then added 2 Pixtreme PX21 slave stobes.
I've since moved on to the Fuji F50fd with the same strobes and am ver pleased with the results I've acheived.
Theses are the same as the Fantasea Nano stobes but I was able to find the kit with tray, diffuser filters and flex arm for $100 each. Add in a pair of fiberoptic sync cables at another $15 each and it was ready for use.
These little strobes are great for up to 10' or in tight for macro work but if you are adding a wide angle adapter lens to your kit then you may want to move up to the next least expensive strobes I've found the Intova ISS2000. This strobe is significantly more powerful than the PX21 and covers a wider angle.

 

[Puffer Fish]

The S2000 is a tiny strobe.. with a surprizingly high output.. and I understand it comes with the wireless adp (not seen or tried it).

I do mostly macro shots also, and sTTL (the optic cable version) is wonderful to use... as strobe light has to go out and then come back... closer is actually more difficult, as the percent distance change for a small movement is greater.

I use YS110's (now updated in the YS110a)... they are large, work well and durable... and I used them with an F11..thru F50..and now a G10...

I would never go back to manual.

What I don't know is the wireless stuff, and how well it works... but if it did, would be nice..but fiber optic cables work.

With an Inon S2000 (much smaller than the D2000, by the way)...you get small, light weight and lots of power....

Had they been available at the time, I would have gotten them.....

I see a price in Japan of around $400... but the trick is to find someone in say Singapore or Japan that sells them... perhaps checking the Inon site might show dealers.

 

[localdivah]

Puffer, thanks for the info.

I've got back to back trips coming up in the next month (Utila and Bohol, Philippines), so need to order a package within the next week if I want to get it in time. Guess that means that unfortunately, won't be able to shop Singapore/Malaysia/Japan in person.

Two options I've narrowed it down to are the Inon S2000 as a few of you have suggested and gets great reviews online. As I understand, I need to get a tray, arm, diffusers, but not any sync cables. Package price that I've been quoted is around $700.

Other option is Fuji's own strobe setup (Fuji SS-120N Slave Strobe). This only has a guide number of 12, much less powerful, but I wonder if it's the 80% solution for my near term needs and it is extremely light at only 150g. It runs around $180, but I've only been able to locate it from UK shops.

Strangely, the strobe itself appears to be the Fantasea Nano, which can be had for about $130 in kit form. The only difference is that the Fuji claims to be wireless, while the Nano recommends the fiber optic cable. Is this really just the same setup? I've attached photos below -- Fuji is on the left, Fantasea Nano on the right

Fuji SS-120N / Fantasea Nano:
Compact Slave Strobe, flash triggered.
3 power setings, depth to 60m
Guide Number (ISO 100) 12
Recycle Time Approx 0.5-8.0 seconds
Number of Flashes 80-200 (Alkaline)
No cables required
Unit triggers from camera's flash
Requires 2 x AAA Batteries
Weight approx 150g

Includes:
Mounting Bracket (Tripod fitting)
Flexible Arm
Flash Unit
60 metre U/W housing (for Flash)
Diffuser Panel
Spare O-ring

--------------------------
Is there a way to get the Inon S2000 package price down? I know that the strobe runs about $430 -- do I need Inon-branded components for the rest of the system?

Based on what I'm doing, will the S2000 be worth 5x the cost of the Nano setup? (the eternal question...)

 

[Puffer Fish]

You can use different tray and arms and save around $100.

Huge cost difference I know... and very big performance difference... if you are taking just macro pictures, and you learn to adjust it manually.. then the fuji would work fine..(rather nice unit actually,forwhat it is)...if you can afford it.. the Inon is really nice and would work well with any camera you have...

 

[JackConnick]

I've been shooting the Fuji F200EXR and two of the new Fantasea Remora strobes. They are much better than the NanoFlash, and larger. Very adjustable output.

About my only two complains, ok 3, are:
- no sealed battery compartment
- a rectangular flash output, you have to watch which way you spin them, I use mine upside down/angled pretty often.
- Controls on the side. again depending on their orientation you have to really bring the whole rig down to see the adjustment. You can spin them without looking, but a couple of times I adjusted them the wrong way. With use, you'd get used to them.

All that said, they are a decent strobe for the money, and you can mount a focus light on them. I have to honestly say I prefer the S&S YS27DX.

All of these need a sync cord.

Here's a couple of pics, the F200 has some quirks, but a great sensor and lens.

Jack