iTTL adaptor...?

I recently ordered a Subal ND2 (Nikon ND2Xs) housing and at the time of ordering hadn't decided which strobes to use. I read a lot (especially on Wetpixels) and after a couple of weeks decided on Hartenberger 250's. When I placed the order for the strobes I received a note from them which read "make sure you have iTTL adaptor in the housing"...?

Panic...., should I have been asked at the time of placing the Subal order..? Is it too late to have one fitted..? I understood from all that I had read that TTL wasn't an option with the majority of DSLR's that it would all be manual from here on out..

Can anyone explain in relatively simple terms why I would need the adaptor.

thanks in advance.

I think th ettl converter they refer to is here: http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/indexe.htm

I dont think Subal offer it as standard but it doesn't hurt to ask. If not i t looks reasonably simple to fit if you have a soldering iron and a few tools.

You should still be able to use them in manual without this option though. I just think that Subtronic assumed you wanted ttl if you went for their strobe.

Simon, thanks for the quick reply and the link. I have some serious reading to do and will contact Subal/Hartenberger on Monday when they open for business.

Checked out your website link, amazing photo's, you deserve all the accolades.

On a different subject, I thought I had a strong stomach until I clicked play on your Japanese dolphin slaughter video. It brought tears to my eyes. How in the name of all things sacred could anyone do that to dolphins. I have signed petitions against this and shark finning in the past but still it goes on. When will they (Japanese) ever learn that the oceans are being rapidly depleated and this carnage is the most despicable form I have ever seen......

I think if you can get the TTL feature for a little more money then do it, it's only going to be a small % extra compared to what you're spending, and getting it fitted by Subal would be great. Heinrichs converter is available from the factory in sea and sea, aquatica and hugyfot housings, so it is being used a lot and isn't a fad.

I would love that feature for fast moving stuff, but now that i've been shooting manual for a few years i don't mind it.

Mike Veitch <sp> and i were shooting with one of our friends who was using an Ikelite ttl housing in the Philippines last year. With their ttl protocol he was nailing some shots that we would have missed due to having to change strobe position / power.

On the dolphin video - yep, it's terrible, it puts some people off who look at my site for studio stuff, but i don't think i've lost any customers - yet. I'm not taking it down though!

Befor you purchase the adapter, make sure a knowledgeable person explains how you turn off the adapeter to do manual. I believe you must open up the housing to turn it off.

Thanks Okuma,

Hartenberger have asked me to call when they open on Monday. I'll be sure to get as much information as I can.

Befor you purchase the adapter, make sure a knowledgeable person explains how you turn off the adapeter to do manual. I believe you must open up the housing to turn it off.

That depends on the housing you are using. I have a converter in a Nexus D70 housing, and have modified the lens release control to activate the flash control button, which the converter uses to switch between iTTL and manual modes. I expect to do the same on my new Nexus D80 housing. Housings without the lens release control, or other controls near the flash control button, may nee to be opened to make the switch.

Dave

Dave, isnt the D80 housing the same as the D70, just with a few minor differences? I'm sure you can get a conversion kit. If Nexus USA don't stock it maybe Nexus Japan do. I'm sure i saw a factsheet about that on the Japanese website.

Befor you purchase the adapter, make sure a knowledgeable person explains how you turn off the adapeter to do manual. I believe you must open up the housing to turn it off.

Some input on a HW TTL-converter with Nikon D200 and Inon Z240:s.

You can switch between manual/TTL by changing the sync curtain on the flash control - but you need to be able to reach that button - not possible in all housings (unfortunatelly not in my Hugyfot). To turn the converter on or off, one has to open the housing.

However, I don't see it as a big problem as you actually shoot mostly manual in the 'manual+TTL'-mode, where you manually dial in the power you want on the strobe and TTL only 'steps in' if you overexpose - still possible to underexpose and possible to shoot subjects that does not fill the frame with the converter on.

Want to add that I'm not sure how it works with other strobes, but if they are compatible (I think the Hartenbergers are?) it should be similar. Other converters may function differently.

cheers