Strobe suggestions for SP-350

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

saltdog55

Registered
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
Hello all,
I haven't been on this board in a long time and discovered that my login no longer works so this is my first post again. I am new to photography in general and have been shooting my SP-350 w/ fl-20 flash excusively using the underwater modes for the last year. I've taken some really good shots but I think it's mostly by luck or shear numbers. I have been doing some reading lately and am ready to try experimenting with manual settings and I think the fl-20 needs to go in favor of a more powerful strobe.

Can anyone recommend strobes that would work with my Olympus housing as well as being able to work with a future camera/housing upgrade. I may want to also add a second strobe later this year. I like the fact that the fl-20 uses the oly ttl but I'm not sure if it's worth buying the ttl conversion cable that's available to keep this function.

If I did want to add a second strobe how do you set this up to fire?

I hope this makes sense.

Thank you,
Jason
 
How much money do you have? Strobes are $$$$, but will grow with you. If I were you, I would buy an Ikelite DS-125 with an EV controller (slave strobe with 10 control levels). You won't have TTL, but once you dial in the parameters, it's easy to adjust the output for great results. You can never have enough light under water. Don't buy a smaller strobe, only to replace it later with the one you should have purchased in the first place. To add a second strobe, get another DS-125 and EV controller. Both will slave off the SP-350's flash.

camera600.jpg


camera2.jpg
 
I'm not wealthy but I know I am willing to spend money to get better pics. I would rather pay a little more for a strobe that will work better and easier than skimp on something that I will need to continually adjust.

I appreciate your input.

Great website by the way. I hope to get pics like that on a regular basis some day.
 
Hi Jason
I would also consider Inon strobes, they are smaller and lighter than Ikelite, and are very reliable. They run off of AA batts, have very good power and angle of coverage.
Two models worth considering are D2000 (or D2000S) and Z240.
The D2000 series connect only with Fibre Optic cable, while the Z240 can be used with Optic Fibre or traditional wire sync cords, this akes it ore compatible with a greater range of DSLR housings/cameras, but some do now have fibre optic connection . The Z240 is also more powerful than the D2000.
Both work with S-TTL using the fibre optic cable connection.
Adding a second strobe is as simple as getting another fibre optic cable and a double connection adaptor at the housing end.
 
Great website by the way. I hope to get pics like that on a regular basis some day.

Thanks. Photo tips of the day:

Look through the viewfinder; when you see something that looks like a page out of National Geographic, push the button.

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while; shoot until your finger bleeds.

Warning: underwater photography is a bottomless hole into which we throw
money.

If you buy strobes that will take sync cords, you will be able to use the TTL capabilities of your dslr & housing, when you upgrade...

DSAO,
Jim
 
Thanks Jeff and Jim,
I really appreciate the info. I think the Inon Z240 sounds good to me because of your points that it is more compact and versatile for future use on a different setup. I am looking on reefphoto at a package deal for the Z240 and it includes 3" and 5" arms. Would you guys recommend longer arms for macro shots? Any other recommendations on accessories to get with it?

Thanks again,
Jason
 
I would vote for the DS-125! Right size! I have both the 125 and the 200 and think I like the 125 the best! I also use Sea & Sea YS-125 and YS-90 also have a 60! all good and a friend shoots with the Inon's so there you go!
 

Back
Top Bottom