James Emery

The release date of the Flash Trigger is approaching soon. We did not have a prototype of the snoot on display, and this item will be available next year. To clarify, the Hybrid Flashes do not use "slave TTL." Instead, they are designed to support true TTL for Olympus and Sony camera systems, ensuring more accurate and consistent exposure control. Slave TTL refers to a generic system where the strobe simply reacts to the camera’s built-in flash. It mimics the flash output but lacks a direct communication link to the camera’s TTL protocols, which can result in less consistent exposure as the strobe is essentially “guessing” the correct output. In contrast, systems like Olympus RC TTL are far more advanced. With Olympus RC TTL, the camera sends a coded signal directly to the strobe via a dedicated receiver, such as the Backscatter Flash Trigger. This allows for true TTL communication, enabling precise and consistent automatic exposure control based on the camera’s settings, like aperture, ISO, and distance. By using true TTL with the Hybrid Flashes for Olympus and Sony, we ensure the highest level of reliability and exposure consistency, far surpassing the limitations of standard slave TTL systems. In the future, we will look at options for other manufacturers. I hope this clears things up!

Inon S220 Underwater Strobe Review The Inon S220 is the latest flash from Inon, sporting a compact build, guide number f/22 flash power, and a dome diffuser system. The Inon S220 is the successor to the Inon S-2000, with a brighter, wider flash beam and larger improved controls, making this strobe much easier to use in cold water with gloves than its predecessor and easier to use in general. The Inon S220 is competitive with other entry-level strobes, making it an appealing option for macro, close focus wide angle, and smaller wide-angle scenes. In this video, we break down the Inon S220, everything you need to know about it, and how it compares to all the other strobes on the market right now. At Backscatter, we take the testing of strobes very seriously in order to provide our customers with the most accurate comparison between different models. As there isn't any industry standard for measuring strobe performance, we rely on our in-house testing process. Our testing process includes underwater testing of the strobe's guide number and beam pattern using a professional light meter inside a custom-made housing. We also conduct on-land testing of the strobe's color temperature, recycle time, and flash duration using a light meter and a spectrophotometer in a controlled environment. With this information, we are able to compare all of the strobes we sell on an even playing field. CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING AND WATCH THE VIDEO

Hi everyone, I wanted to give everyone an update: We have started shipping the Hybrid Flash today! Not all orders will be filled today, but they will continue in the next week or 2. If someone ordered through one of our authorized dealers, please check in with them, as some dealers are already starting to receive shipments or will be very soon. Here is a link to our support page that includes the instruction manual and informational and how to videos: backscatter.com/HF-1-SUPPORT

Key Features ƒ40 Guide Number 5,000 Lumen Video Light Spot, Wide, and Red Lights Selectable Angle of Coverage, with Included Flat Diffuser and Optional Dome Diffuser—120°, 140°, 160° Selectable Color Temperature with Optional Filters—6500K, 5500K, 4500K Smart Control Automatic TTL Flash Power for Sony, Olympus, and OM System Cameras HSS Compatible Wireless Off Camera Remote Control – Mix and Match with Mini Flash 2 SOS and Emergency Signaling Modes Requires Two 21700 Lithium Ion Batteries Read the full article here: Backscatter Hybrid Flash Review

Hey Kirsty, if you make it to Monterey, I will take out shore diving

SEA & SEA YS-D3 DUO UNDERWATER STROBE REVIEW The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo is the latest strobe model, and it comes with a few new features compared to its predecessor, the YS-D3. The most significant change is that the Sea and Sea YS-D3 Duo now supports Olympus and OM System RC Automatic TTL Flash Power. This is great news for those who use TG, Pen, and OM cameras. If you already have a YS-D3, the power and beam pattern are the same, so if you are not using an Olympus or OM camera, there is no difference in performance. At Backscatter, we take the testing of strobes very seriously in order to provide our customers with the most accurate comparison between different models. As there isn't any industry standard for measuring strobe performance, we rely on our in-house testing process. Our testing process includes underwater testing of the strobe's guide number and beam pattern using a professional light meter inside a custom-made housing. We also conduct on-land testing of the strobe's color temperature, recycle time, and flash duration using a light meter and a spectrophotometer in a controlled environment. With this information, we are able to compare all of the strobes we sell on an even playing field. Watch our first-look review of the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Underwater Strobe. CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING

I have used the Remote Lighting Muck Stick successfully in a variety of environments - from soft and silty sand to hard rubble with no issues. Surprisingly, many people in the field are unaware that the Sand Anchor can adjust its position up or down to suit different sand types. Although I have encountered a few instances where the sand was excessively silty, which made it difficult to hold the muck stick in place, such occurrences were rare. I always carry a third MF2 attached to the muck stick and use a double ender to secure it to my BC D-ring. This way, it is always ready to deploy when I find a suitable subject to backlight or create fancy colored bokeh bubbles. Also, be sure to check out this video to give you more of an idea

I'm James Emery, originally from the UK but now living in Monterey, California I previously worked as a photo pro for 11 years around Asia. Now working for Backscatter.