Ikelite DS 200 strobe "warm"

Hi guys,

After recent discussions in the forum regarding the 'colors' and 'temperatures' of different strobes,

I was wondering if the Ikelite DS 200 strobe would be described as being 'warm'? The strobe itself has an advertised temperature of 4800'K compared to the DS 125's 5500'K. I remember that Alex recommended 'warmer' strobes for macro work and my question at this time would be as to whether the DS 200 would be an 'ideal' macro strobe?

I am considering putting this strobe on my Nexus/D70S along with Ike's new i-TTL convertor...

Open house boys, go for your lives! Your opinions are always gratefully received.

Bruce

I can't say whether this would be the best choice for you. But I can tell you this. I used to shoot SS200s with film and found the color temp just right.

By my second trip with digital, I had switched to DS125s for the weight and size reduction. I preferred the color temp of the SS200. I generally "warm" up my shots a little in PS.

The color cast of a underwater shot, within reason, is a very personal consideration. I like mine a little warmer than most. I'm not sure it really matters in digital, since tweaking it a little in the RAW converter is pretty simple.

I doubt it will be an ideal macro strobe due to it's size, its big and heavy.

For a little bit more you could get 2 DS125's. That might be a better option for macro, and still keep things warm.

Simon

.......... compared to the DS 125's 5500'K..................

Bruce,

DS 125 is also rated at 4800°K

hooroo,

b

Bruce,

 

DS 125 is also rated at 4800°K

 

hooroo,

b

to insure no confusion, when discussing warmer or cooler characteristics in strobes, we're commenting on color of light, not temperature, even though it is expressed in degrees...............therefore, 4800°K is considered "warmer" (in color!) than 5500°K.

The hotter the temperature in degrees, the closer to "white" in color........the lower the temperature, the closer to "red" in color..................

Think of it this way, when watching a ceramic kiln rise in temperature, after black, dull red is the first color to appear............and as the kiln continues to rise in temperature, the color inside goes to orange, yellow, etc.............

not that i know anything about ceramic kilns......

The Ike DS200 is an ideal wideangle strobe. I have two of them and I've used them for wideangle and macro shooting. They are a bit difficult to use for macro shooting as they are big and a bit buoyant. When you push them out in front of your housing, it creates a torque which you have to control and can be a bit tiring.

The color of the light is wonderful though, and it's not too hard to use just one for macro and get great results. Put the strobe just above your port.

Cheers

James

Hi Guys,

Great to hear from you BobbyF...

James,

When you used the Ds200 for macro:

1x did you wish that you had another strobe for the job?

2x did the DS200 have a noticeable hotspot in the images?

3x do you have any experience with the smaller Ike strobes for the purposes of macro? I think that I remember you having a couple of DS125's. I am also interested in an honest opinion of the DS51's capabilities as a macro shooter??

Thanks for taking the time,

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

No hotspots w/ the 200's. The big round tube takes care of that. It also helps when only using a single strobe as the light source itself is bigger.

The DS125's are great for both macro and wideangle - much better suited for macro. The 200's have about the same power at any given point in the spread but they are much wider.

I haven't used the DS51's yet but I hope to soon.

Cheers

James