A few questions for the oracles at Wetpixel:
I’m currently using a Nikon D70 in a Subal Housing with two flash bulkhead connectors. One is wired with a 5 pin connector specifically to take a Subal housed Nikon SB800 Speedlight, and the other is a standard Nikonos 5 pin connector. I’m currently using the SB800 strobe on TTL and manual with fair success. I now wish to progress to a two strobe system and here the problems start. I also own an Inon D180 optically fired strobe and a Sea & Sea YS-25DX optically fired strobe from my days with a compact. Ideally I’d like to have a two strobe system with both strobes being able to be used with TTL simultaneously. Being from SA with a fast depreciating currency I’d also like to achieve this in a cost effective manner.
What are my options?
After a bit of research I’ve come up with the following answers:
1. Don’t go for TTL. Quite a few "wetpixellians" advocate using manual strobes only. In this case both the D180 and the YS-25DX work manually in slave mode in conjuction with the SB800. The YS-25DX is even able to compensate for the multiple preflashes from the SB800 if the SB800 is left on the TTL setting, but obviously then the SB800 doesn’t know that the YS-25DX is present and puts out enough light as if it were the only stobe. One strobe TTL/manual and one only manual. No new strobes necessary.
2. Find a strobe that has true TTL ability when used in slave mode and can accommodate the preflashes from the SB800. Don’t know if this exists, but this would be the easy solution to get both strobes working on TTL. Would have to purchase one new strobe.
3. Have a Heinreichs Weikamp iTTL conversion circuit (http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/indexe.htm) installed in the housing and connected to the 5 pin Nikonos connector. Use a Y sync cord to connect two new strobes to the 5 pin Nikonos connector. (I would leave the other flash bulkhead connector alone as I would still like the option of using the SB800 seperately). I’m not sure who could do this installation. Would have to purchase two new strobes and a Y sync cord as well as the conversion circuit. Both strobes would work on TTL.
4. Purchase a Sea & Sea TTL Converter for Nikon cameras (Product No. 50104). Presumably this can be plugged into any housing with a 5 pin Nikonos connector? Would have to purchase two new strobes (possibly these would need to be Sea & Sea?) and would have two strobes working on TTL.
I've seen the posts from those who successfully managed to get two SB800s working together, but am not interested in going that route.
Any suggestions from those in the know? What do you guys think? Any bright ideas that have escaped me or are the above my only options? If so, which option would you recommend? Why are the current generation of Subal purchasers (D2X & D200) using in lieu of lighting?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Jean.
