I found the perfect strobe

We've got 2 in the mail also. Trying them out, if we like them we'll replace all our YS90DX's with these. When im in the VI in 8 weeks I could do some tests comparing the YS110s with the YS90DX. If no one beats me to it..

Cor

Ah Ha, I've got two right here!!

They are a little heavier in the water than the YS90s, and smaller. Ryan Canon did just a very quick test of their specs, and it turned out less than advertized by the manufacturer - but that is not uncommon.

I got them cause my Inons were just too heavy and with the Sea and Sea 110s I've now saved 10oz over the Inons, 10oz less negative for my rig. Still the YS90s would have given me even more margin.

I haven't shot them yet, will test in pool this Sat and maybe use them where the manatee are next Monday.

The 110s sure are sharp looking, snazzy and glittery! But I suspect they might be a little short in the power and beam department, probably very similar to my previous Inon D2000Ws.

Carol

I've weighed my YS110 and it is just over 40 g lighter than the YS90. It is physically a bit smaller so could well be a little more negative underwater.

One nice feature is the new LED target light which does seem quite bright. They have now included a small on/off button for this light within the center of the slave on/off switch. The rear section of the strobe otherwise appears to be the same moulded unit as on the YS90. It is the front half that has shrunk in size.

One observation though - when the LED light is put on it seems to flicker slightly - a sort of regular pulsing. Initially I thought this might have been due to a set of bad batteries but it does the same with fresh ones. I am not sure if this is normal or not. Can anyone tell me if theirs does the same thing?

I've weighed my YS110 and it is just over 40 g lighter than the YS90. It is physically a bit smaller so could well be a little more negative underwater.

 

One nice feature is the new LED target light which does seem quite bright. They have now included a small on/off button for this light within the center of the slave on/off switch. The rear section of the strobe otherwise appears to be the same moulded unit as on the YS90. It is the front half that has shrunk in size.

 

One observation though - when the LED light is put on it seems to flicker slightly - a sort of regular pulsing. Initially I thought this might have been due to a set of bad batteries but it does the same with fresh ones. I am not sure if this is normal or not. Can anyone tell me if theirs does the same thing?

I just picked up the YS-110 this week and noticed the same thing about the LED light. It seems to flicker about every 2 seconds or so. I thought it was a defect and was going to take it back, but it sounds like this may be normal? Do you think they did this to remind you that the light is coming from the LED and not from your dive light, to maybe save battery life on the strobe?

I noticed that my Inon's similar target light used to slightly "flicker" like you describe - above water only. I never noticed it doing that underwater.

I don't know if this has any relevance.

As said I'll shoot the 110s u/w on Sat and maybe Monday.

C

Yeah, I haven't gotten mine in the water yet, so maybe it is only an issue when dry. I'm hoping to get in this weekend as well, to try it out before leaving for the Similans next week.

Mine flickers too, and I notice it "ticks" softly as it does so. Probably some thing to do with the operation of the circuit that turns it off during exposure. Seems very similar to the Inon flicker.

I did a quick test of the illumination from the YS-110 vs the YS-90. For the centre of the beam, without a diffuser, at the same distance of approx 1m, using a Sekonic 558 on incident:

YS-90 -> f/9

YS-110 -> f/11

Please note, I did this in a hurry this morning and I can't remember what ISO my meter was on.

I'll do the same test with Alex's D-2000.

Martyn

I've received my pair. Maybe I'll test them this sunday (hope for the weather )

I'll be waiting for your feedback

I've received my pair. Maybe I'll test them this sunday (hope for the weather )

 

I'll be waiting for your feedback

I received my pair two weeks ago, packed em up and went to Belize last week for a trip on the Aggressor. Some initial impressions versus the YS90s (which I owned previously). Please note all shooting was TTL with the Heinrichs board, so I haven't given them a real run in Manual yet (which I will!). I was using 2500mAh NiMH batteries.

- They worked seamlessly with the TTL circuitry

- Recycle times seemed slow to me, even with freshly charged batteries.

- The target light is exactly that....a target light. Its a friggin laser beam that tells you exactly where your strobe is pointed. This is somewhat helpful, but I would have preferred a more diffused light so it could double as a focusing light (that turns off when the strobe is fired) and I can leave the dive light/focusing light in my pocket.

- Some target light flickering on land...didn't notice it underwater (maybe too many distractions)

- For some inexplicable reason, theyve cut a hole in the diffuser so the target light remains a laser beam, even with the diffuser on. Now I have to codge together something to diffuse the target light.

- The target light indeed shuts down when the strobe fires and waits for the strobe to recycle before turning on again. Its an easy way to measure recycle times.

- Pretty neutral in the water. They actually float in the rinse tank without batteries in them.

- Unlike the YS90s with wide angle, I didn't have to worry about strobe beam orientation, as the light beam is now circular.

Sounds like small circles of milk bottle for chidiver. It should be straightforward to get the spread you want on the aiming light with a bit of diffusion.

I actually like the "frikkin laser beam", because if I want focus light I want it near the lens, with a controlled beam that stays in the same place no matter what I do with my strobes. I may be pointing the strobes in a wacky direction, largely away from the subject to get the quality of light I want, so my focus light needs to be dedicated to focusing.

It's very nice having the frikkin aiming lights turn off while the strobe recharges. I've always like this feature of my Bowens studio heads. A) you can tell if all the lights popped and B) you can see when they're ready again.

I'm glad to hear they're neutral in the water.

Cheers,

Martyn

Nihao Alex

I am a newcomer to the community and the post I am replying to is pretty old so I hope you are still around there on the island.

I am in Guangzhou if it matters and what I am wondering about is well, the shop (DiverVision) might be nice but they leave absolutely - I mean really aseptically zero information about themselves on their site. No address, no registration data, no telephone (a number would be a pretty flimsy evidence of their being for real but still better than nothing) - and, errrr.... I'm well into my 12th year in China, I am used to thinking people/businesses don't hide for no reason.

On one hand I would be interested in getting smth from them (such as Oly TTL converter) but on another hand...

If you are still there and pass by the shop every now and again, would you mind asking them for at least a business card scan or anything?

I'd feel a lot more relaxed if I could see more than a shadow in a direction I'm going to send my money to.

Thanks a lot.

Mark