some dumb digital camera/strobe questions....

I use strobes only once, every other blue moon or when I go on a live aboard trip with night dives, and haven't used any strobe since I converted to digital from my film Nikon 8008s. Ergo, I have some "stupid" questions, I haven't quite been able to clear in my head.

I have a stock Sea and Sea DX D50 housing w/Nikon D50. It has not been upgraded to ttl, etc so it has the stock strobe connector and wiring.

From my film days, I have an Ikelite Substrobe 50 and synch cord to my Stromm(Nikonos) Nikon 8008s setup.

I'd like to set up the Sea & Sea for some basic macro shooting (60mm) while on my trip.

questions and cheapest option:

* Can I use my existing Ikelite SS50 in manual mode with my S&S and D50?

* If so, can I use my existing film synch cord? If not, what synch cord would I need - an Ikelite one or a Sea & Sea one?

2nd question and not as cheap option:

* failing above, are the options a S&S Y-110 and S&S "N" synch cord?

or

* Ikelite SS DS-51 strobe and what synch cord? I can't seem to find a synch cord on Ike's site that connects an Ikelite strobe to a S&S housing

I so understand none of this will get me TTL and I will be shooting manual strobe only

thx very much in advance

Paul

Yes, you can use your old strobe on manual with this set up.

Is your old synch cord an Ike to Ike connector? IE: was your old housing an Ikelite? Then yes, you will need a new synch cord.

Ike sells cords that have an Ike socket at one end for the strobe and a classic nikonos style 5 pin on the other end, #4104.6. THis should fit your sea and sea as long as the housing is the standard 5 pin (or less) connector.

However, i could be wrong here as i can't recall what the synch socket on the Sea and Sea looks like, whether it is a standard one or the larger diameter design of the Sea and Sea strobe connection.

Perhaps a Sea and Sea housing owner will reply, or better yet attach a picture of the synch connectors on your housing...

Yes, you can use your old strobe on manual with this set up.

 

Is your old synch cord an Ike to Ike connector? IE: was your old housing an Ikelite? Then yes, you will need a new synch cord.

 

Ike sells cords that have an Ike socket at one end for the strobe and a classic nikonos style 5 pin on the other end, #4104.6. THis should fit your sea and sea as long as the housing is the standard 5 pin (or less) connector.

 

However, i could be wrong here as i can't recall what the synch socket on the Sea and Sea looks like, whether it is a standard one or the larger diameter design of the Sea and Sea strobe connection.

 

Perhaps a Sea and Sea housing owner will reply, or better yet attach a picture of the synch connectors on your housing...

thanks for the response. The old synch cord was a "Stromm housing to Ikelite strobe" cord. The Stromm housing used a classic Nikonos style connection. I will see if can find a part # on the old cords, as well as post a pict of the S&S strobe connection.

....later update....

the synch cord is #4104.5.....but can't tell what the diff is between the #4104.5 and #4104.6 except maybe length? the connector of this cord *does* fit into the S&S housing strobe port and screws/tightens appropriately.

Paul

Did you test it? Does it fire?

You might need to tape off all but the middle connections on the hot shoe of the camera so that you only get the middle connector connecting

Did you test it? Does it fire?

 

You might need to tape off all but the middle connections on the hot shoe of the camera so that you only get the middle connector connecting

a followup:

set up the rig and strobe - had to refresh the capacitors in the ss50 - and indeed it DOES FIRE. Ran thru a couple of settings in manual mode to make sure exposure was changing and it indeed does seem to be working.

could it really be that simple?

anyone have any tips for a complete novice to manual strobe shooting (prior film-life used TTL only), on settings to use for the D50 (camera menu), or technique? 60mm is the intended lens, but since this was *so easy* ;-) I might have to revive my Ikelite Ai and try it with my 12-24mm.

thx in advance

Paul