Strobe System for Canon S40 and Canon D60

Hi,

i'm planning to buy double Strobes.

At the moment I use a Canon S40 with the original Canon Housing (I think its WPC-300) but i plan to buy a Canon D60 with a Housing (maybe UK-Germany, but it's very expensive) this or next Year.

I need now two strobes and a Sensor that can be connect to both of them at the same time but strobes that can also be connected to the D60 later on.

Which sensor should I Use?

Wich strobes should i use, that i can also uses the to directly connect to the D60 in the future.

Bye from Germany

Simon

Consider Canon System (surface flash guns) in housings. These units allow you to utilise all of the functions of the camera acurately without the need for extra sensors.

For a $300 + Housing you will get the equivelent of a $2200 strobe that is dedicated to your camera system.

One problem is, that the S40 has no Flash connector (thats why I need sensors).

The other is, that as far that I understood the light of a surface flash don't have a good color temperature for underwater photography. Is this right?

Simon

I think Eric is still selling his UK housing. Check that category out. He is still away for another week I believe.

One problem is, that the S40 has no Flash connector (thats why I need sensors).

 

The other is, that as far that I understood the light of a surface flash don't have a good color temperature for underwater photography. Is this right?

 

Simon

Hi Simon,

Surface strobes are perfectly ok - More so in fact.

Buy a sensor for now until you get the DSLR system, this will still work for the housed strobe/s and then sell it off later.

This image was taken using a dedicated surface flash in a home made housing. An SB 28 with a 90X in October last...

Hello Bob,

First, it’s a greate shot.

Second, can you write more details about the home made housing you have, what materials you used and so on....

If you have a pic of it even better.

Thanks, Arnon

Yes I'd also be keen to find out about it.

I have the mighty "Return to Truk Lagoon" trip planned for March and I need to get some decent lighting for my S40 too (if the wretched thing doesn't fog up again). The Epoque fibreoptic setup seems ok but I get the feeling it just isn't going to cut it, so the Canon system surface flash might be the way to go. If my budget allowed for it, perhaps I should 'assist' with a nice 25w equivalent light like a UK100...:-)

(I have to avoid the temptation to take the Canon on the deeper wrecks too, as the casing is only to 30m...)

Looking forward to any helpful tips. And yes, I probably will end up investing in a better camera with a sync connection some day!

A friend of mine made the housing in his garage using a resin based material - This sets transparent allowing an LCD screen viewing window to be left after it was painted. A neutral class lens was added with O rings & an aluminium rear access plate with operating switches (similar to Ike's). Finally the sync cable added.

UK Germany do these types off the shelf. You will have to specify syncs etc.

You could house a simple cheap slaveable unit - These cost around $30!

I'm sure that Bob's homemade housing works great. The Photo he submitted is definately impressive. But if you aren't the do-it-yourself type, I would reccomend either the sea and sea ys90dx or the Ikelite ds120. The Ikelite is better but more expensive. I own a canon s300 in a wpc 100 which is very similur to the s40 and have had success with the Ikelite strobe using the digital TTL sensor.

I chose the Ikelite because it is a bit more powerful than the Sea and Sea, it has a TTL option and a modelling light. I also like the rechargable battery. One charge lasted me 4 dives with no problems. Although TTL is a nice feature, I found that it didn't work well underwater. Most of the photos came out underexposed. Instead, I used the manual settings exclusively, setting the camera WB settings to -2ev. Ikelite has a new manual sensor out that will give you full manual control. I would recommend this as opposed to the TTL sensor since the 1/8 setting was a bit too much light for most of my shots. I could have gone down a stop but 1/8 was the lowest setting available on the strobe itself. The manual sensor gives you more settings. I found that with digital it is easier to play and review than to mess with the simulated TTL. I'm sending my TTL sensor back to Ikelite to exchange for a manual sensor.

I believe you can connect two of these strobes via a T connector from the single sensor. (call up Ikelite for specifics) Their tray systems work well with the canon housings. Once you upgrade, you can purchase a TTL sync cord in either nikonos or Ikelite standard to connect to the manual sensor and use the cameras TTL or the micro-manual adjustment.

Chris