Power of 2 Strobes v 1

[WindWaternWaves]

Looking at the new lower power Retras on sale v their full power ones.

 

how is the light output using 2 x 90Ws strobes v 1 x 140Ws.

 

 

[Chris Ross]

In general two strobes are not additive because you generally don't point them at the subject UW, rather have the edges of the beams overlap a little in the centre so each strobe lights mostly it's own side of the image and fills in the shadows created by the other strobe. 

 

Whether you need the extra power depends.  At one extreme shooting a full frame camera with an MWL lens at the recommended f16 needs plenty  of power, compared shooting the same scene with a 180° diagonal fisheye at f8 or even f5.6 on m43.  Likewise shooting full frame big animals at f13 with athat don’t get that close is also power hungry.

 

Macro on the other hand you can shoot at f22 with a single small strobe as you are so much closer - a single MF-2 or Inon S220 can work just fine.

[CaolIla]

47 minutes ago, WindWaternWaves said:

Looking at the new lower power Retras on sale v their full power ones.

 

how is the light output using 2 x 90Ws strobes v 1 x 140Ws.

 

 

I will not hesitate take the full power strobes.

I use more an more the power of my Retra Pro X. 2 years ago I was rarely at max power but now it's more and more. But my photogrphic technic evolve and I need more light.

That's one of the reason I ordered 2 new retra Maxi with the viedo light in the middle. It will be possible to remove the 2 bigblue light I have on the side of the retra.
I'll also try to dive with 4 retra  for ambiance photo in clear water. Power and a nice coverage with 2 retra on each side 
But that's not the target of the 2 new one... but If I can try... i'll do that "for the fun" If i'm happy with this setup why not dive with it in the future. (I'm only sad that my next trip to Raja Ampat will be only with the 2 old Pro X... probably not enough light in some situation..

[Oskar - Retra UWT]

The Prime+ has about 35% less power than the Pro Max (90Ws vs. 140Ws). In practical terms, this difference is around 0.4 F-stops or one click on the power dial. So, if you set the Pro Max one click below full power, it will produce the same light output as the Prime+ at maximum power.

[CaolIla]

20 minutes ago, Oskar - Retra UWT said:

The Prime+ has about 35% less power than the Pro Max (90Ws vs. 140Ws). In practical terms, this difference is around 0.4 F-stops or one click on the power dial. So, if you set the Pro Max one click below full power, it will produce the same light output as the Prime+ at maximum power.

And how is the difference beetween the MAX and the Pro X ?

[Oskar - Retra UWT]

They are the same.