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Lights, Strobes, and Lighting Technique / Archived topic

Strobe question...which one should l buy?

Started by Sarah13 ·

  • 5Posts
  • 5Replies

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Strobe question...which one should l buy?

5 posts
  1. So I am building my first underwater camera set (only online so far, nothing purchased), am I am concidering the following.

     

    For my Cannon PowerShot SD800 IS, I am thinking about the Ikelite 6147.8 UW Housing.

     

    257636773.jpg

     

    Or should I get the Canon brand underwater housing?

    I have a Canon 30D, but I am not able to invest the money for that housing yet.

     

    For strobes, again I am looking on the economical side (just something to give me light to play with), and I found these two that are in my price range, but I know nothing about them. Would they work with my camera and housing? I am brand new to underwater photography and just want something fun to play with on my Liveaboard next month.

     

    Bonica Neon Strobe

    257636769.jpg

     

    Sealife Digital Strobe SL960D

    257636783.jpg

  2. Neither. They are both crap. If you want to save money now, at least buy a Sea & Sea DX27. It has one thing that these others don't have, a power setting.

  3. Sarah,

     

    Keep in mind, the pre-flash sequence of your Canon camera will need to be accounted for correct use of your strobe of choice. The Bonica will trigger of the first slave pulse but your camera may not take the picture at the right moment based upon its sequence of preflashes.

     

    The SeaLife you have a picture of listed is not the Digital Strobe (though you labeled it so and may have not foudn a picture of it at that time?). What you have shown there is the Analog strobe. The difference being is that the Digital version (look for it in black) has a power output setting (sorry scorpio_fish) on the back of it that you can dial in for more or less output. Both will work with your camera. scorpio_fish is correct whereas the analog version does not have access for power settings.

     

    A better option for your camera and future use for other cameras beyond would be the Inon Strobes, particularly the D-2000 and D-2000S. Get the D-2000 if you would like a modeling light. These are probably above your expected price range right now but would be a more practical and complementary investment beyond thinking about today.

     

    Lastly, similiar to that category would be the Ikelite DS51 strobe, but you will need the manual controller along with it for use with this camera. Though, I believe the Inon's would provide a much cleaner set up, more power and range, and the fiber optic option is very easy to use.

     

    Good luck with your choices and don't be dissapointed in spending a little more in investing in something that has better range and one that will provide more enjoyment and less frustration for a longer time period.

  4. Sarah,

     

    The SeaLife you have a picture of listed is not the Digital Strobe (though you labeled it so and may have not foudn a picture of it at that time?). What you have shown there is the Analog strobe. The difference being is that the Digital version (look for it in black) has a power output setting (sorry scorpio_fish) on the back of it that you can dial in for more or less output. Both will work with your camera. scorpio_fish is correct whereas the analog version does not have access for power settings.

     

    You are correct. Sea Life has a new strobe with power settings. I have had customers using the previous digital setup and strobe. I'm still not a Sea Life fan. We stopped carrying them.

  5. Thanks guys for all your help. I suspected that the prices were too good to be true. With many things in life (especially photography) it costs more beacuse it is better...oh well. A dive shop near my house sells some photo gear so I am going to pop by there and see if they have some of the strobes you suggested.

     

    I am excited about the housing, eventhough my PowerShot is essentially a point and shoot it does have a manual setting that allows me to adjust the shutter speed a little, and it looks like the housing allowes me to acsess that. Thanks for all your help. I am getting super excited for my trip.

    Edited by Sarah13
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