Isotta K35 Service?

I have a pair of these strobes and want to know if any of you folks from the "other" continent across the pond know if

1. Isotta is still in business and

2. where I might get them serviced.

3. I tried going through a shop in Italy a few years back but had some communication troubles.

I need new batteries installed on both and one may need some other work to get it working again. I really like these strobes except for the battery which is not user replaceable.

Thanks! Keith

Persevere! A couple of years ago Isota were still going I believe but there is a camera repairer in Rome who handled a lot of repairs for these flash units (maybe this was who you tried). I have no idea where I put their address though! Try contacting Ocean Optics in London as they might be able to help with this. Alternatively, any good underwater camera repairer should be able to help I would think. If you are really stuck I may be able to sort out a repairer in the UK but I'm sure there is someone nearer!

Thanks Paul for the info, I will keep looking. I'm curious what others think of the Isotta strobes? I thought they were pretty clever, double o-ring seals, multiple power settings, compact, sleek, dome port and good power to size ratio and built in slave. Were they popular in Europe?

Thanks, Keith

I THINK that there were some reliability issues - also sevicing was and is a problem. That said, I used one for a time and it worked ok. Quite nice light from what I remember, but heavyish! Don't see many about these days in UK anyway.

Keith,

I have used the 33TTL for many years - Isotta are still very much in business (they have a website) but have been found to be very slow for servicing and repairs - one of the Reasons Ocean Optics gave up the dealership and the reason I stopped sending my guns to them.

I have sent my guns in the past to Equipesub (in Milan I think) for repair - they are an authorised Isotta service centre and have always done an excellent and quick job for me - my last was a battery replacement, which included an upgrade to higher capacity cells. I would send you their e-mail address, but unfortunately I am away from home working in Angola - back home around 15 Feb if you can wait until then. Please send me a personal mail to remind me.

As Paul says, these guns have a very nice soft light (reminds me of the old Subatec S100"s) - if you find them heavy buy a 1/4" cork mat, cut to size, steam it to soften and curve to the contour of the gun and slip it under the neoprene cover - you have a neutrally buoyant gun.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Mark Webster

www.photec.co.uk

Thanks Mark for the info. I will be in touch when you get back. I will be gone until the later part of Feb so it will be after that.

Thanks again, Keith