using older film strobes with housed d200

This is my first post here. I have been an u/w photog for over 10 years but haven't done it in the last 2 years. My last system was S&S with a N90s, so I have no experience with digital underwater (although I've shot topside for 4 years with it). Can I use older Ikelite SS100 or SS50 strobes with the D200 in an Ikelite housing underwater. I've always shot manual with strobes so TTL doesn't matter. Can I use these strobes manually? Would I use a manual sync cord rather than a TTL cord? I know my d200 works in manual with an older Nikon speedlight, so I'm assuming it would work with these older strobes. Thanks very much, in advance for your help.

Scott

The short answer is yes, BUT....

I don't know the precise details of the older strobes you have. Essentially I would suggest that you need to trigger any manual strobes using only the two connections required to fire them, so you may need to check whether this is possible. Depending on your ability to modify this can be straightforward or very difficult. My own preference would be to use a cable from the camera's PC sync socket to a hot shoe adapter which (assuming that there is room) fits into the hot shoe connection on the housing (see http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=4...tor+%2D+PC+Cord as an example of what I mean). This will stop many potential problems with the multi connections on the camera's hot shoe from taking place. Before you do anything however, I'd contact Ikelite to check that none of your flashes use any voltages in the sync circuit which might damage your camera!

I use a pair of Ike SS200s connected via a TTL cord to my Aquatica D200 housing. No problems.

(note: the sync port on the Aquatica d200 housing has 5 pins. Only 2 are connected: fire and ground)

All my strobe exposures are Manual via:

-power dial on strobe (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full)

-adding/removing diffusers (2/3 of a stop)

-changing strobe-to-subject distance (roughly 1 stop per 30cm/1 foot of water)

I don't know if the Ikelite D200 housing allows you to use nonTTL mode with Ike's pre-digital strobes.

I actually picked up my Ikelite D200 housing today.

The instructions in the box say you can use older strobes, but that the conversion/TTL circuitry won't work.

As long as you're willing to forgo TTL and set the strobes manually, you should be good to go.

The older strobes worked fine with my Ikelite D100 housing as manual strobes.

The short answer is yes, BUT....

 

<sniped> My own preference would be to use a cable from the camera's PC sync socket to a hot shoe adapter which (assuming that there is room) fits into the hot shoe connection on the housing (see http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=4...tor+%2D+PC+Cord as an example of what I mean). This will stop many potential problems with the multi connections on the camera's hot shoe from taking place.

...

7 Dayshop also has the same connector. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_in...roducts_id=7847

and it is a way of quickly changing from 5 to 2 pin if needed.

Charles

Actually, the answer is...it depends.

Older Ikelite SS strobes made before 6/2001 need a conversion. Even after conversion, they will not do TTL with your D200. You can "modify", i.e. cover some connection on your hot shoe, or disable the TTL connection on your sync cord, or just buy an Ikelite non-TTL sync cord.

I suggest you contact Ikelite with your serial numbers and ask. I can't find the old page on SS200 conversion on their site anymore. I had to send in my three SS200s for a conversion when I got my D100.