Strobe suggestions for Canon 50D/Ikelite housing

[joteesdale]

I've dabbled in UW photography for years with an old Sealife camera (amateur - on vacations once yearly). Photo quality was very poor and I was frustrated ...

I've bought an Ikelite housing for my Canon 50D. I'm wondering if anyone can give me any suggestions as to adequate lighting requirements to get good UW pics. Is one DS160 strobe enough, or should I buy a DS200 ... or do I need two DS160's? I'm a vacation diver that loves taking photo's (fish/coral) - usually at a depth of about 60-80 feet, and almost always daytime dives.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Karl_H]

Normally the number of strobes is down to which lens you'll be using.

For Macro photography there is not too much difference between1 or 2 strobes in most cases. However if you're looking at wide angle, particularly with a fish eye, then two strobes are usually needed to get adequate lighting - especially if you are in shallow water looking up at a bright surface.

If you are buying two strobes for wide angle there is also some potential saving in omitting the TTL system (if not included in the housing) as wide angle with two strobes is best done with manual setting over TTL.

Can't comment on the DS strobes but I have two Inon Z240s on my Cannon 50D (Hugyfot housing) and wouldn't change them for anything else right now

Hope that helps!

Karl

 

[bvanant]

To get TTL (if you want it) you will need IKE strobes. I would start with one DS160 or DS161 and see how it goes. If you need more light then get the second. I too use the Z240 and the S2000 from Inon but I am using optical triggering. With the Ike get their version of TTL and you will be good to go.
Bill