Dual Stobes in the Galapagos??

I'm headed to the Galapagos next month and am really torn on whether to dive with a single Ikelite SS200 or two of them. I'm shooting a 5D with Canon glass 16-35 and/or a 14mm.

 

All the discussions I've read indicate that current can be an issue even descending to some of the dive spots. As you all know pushing a large rig with 2 wide strobes thru any type of current is a challenge so I'm wondering...

 

Opinions?

Hi Mark,

 

I would recommend multiple strobes for many reasons. Hopefully you'll be shooting lots of big animals, which is wide angle. There is very little macro. It still may be a bit cloudy this time of year and darker underwater. Most dive boats do the first dive VERY early in the morning when there is less light.

 

Also, even if you do like shooting large animals with one strobe, you don't want to be stuck out there in the event of a failure. I personally would bring 3 strobes and always shoot with 2. Be aware that overweight baggage costs around $1.75 per pound, but the cost of not having them would be much greater.

 

Bonnie

Shoot with 2. Descend with strobes in tight to reduce drag, then deploy. With those strobes I would add diffusers. Don't go bonkers on long strobe arms. Better to be a little closer and pointed out a little to reduce backscatter.

 

 

Remember, if you need to swim through current while strobes are deployed, turn the rig so you aren't dragging it, i.e. one strobe arm in line with your head and the other pointing toward your crotch.

I'm headed to the Galapagos next month and am really torn on whether to dive with a single Ikelite SS200 or two of them. I'm shooting a 5D with Canon glass 16-35 and/or a 14mm.

I enjoy shooting big pelagics with one SS200 and I like the resulting images. I wouldn't do that with any of the small digital strobes, but with a big gun like the SS200 I am able to light the subject and put the light where I want it. In galapagos you will almost certainly have the opportunity at salema schools as well as other smaller fish, so for me two strobes is necessary in that situation. I use a couple Z240's for double strobe and a SS200 for single strobe use, usually hand held. I have found the big pelagic schools very difficult to light fully so purposefully placed light from a single strobe renders images I enjoy more than blanket coverage from two strobes that falls short of complete coverage. For my eye a splash of light works better than a blanket of light that falls off at the edges and implies a vignetting (that's just my own personal perspective, not a lot of photographers agree with me ).

 

If you are concerned about heavy currents keep in mind that they vary from day to day and site to site. I've seen darwin when it had no current and have seen it when I could not get a strobe arm to stand up. So it might be advantageous to take two or three strobes and then use them in numbers or combinations you are comfortable with for the given conditions that day at that site. And then, of course, the redundancy consideration is applicable as well.

 

Have a great trip. I hope the fishes and conditions cooperate with you!

I just got back from Galapagos. No strong currents. Shot with 2 strobes. No problem. If I were you, bring 3 in case 1 packs up! You won't be able to light up a whale shark from the front with 1 strobe. Also you will have sealions zooming by you. You won't have time to aim your strobe. Here are some examples.

Hi guys,

 

thanks for your help. I'm heading to Galapagos next 21thOct. Sure I'll follow your advice and bring my 2 strobes, WA setup and short arms.

 

What about using reef hooks for the currents?

Thanks for all the info.

I do always pack 2 of the SS200s but am becoming fond of shooting with a single one handheld.

I'll probably stick with a single set of 12" arms on either side when shooting with both and I've become guite good at swimming with the rig tucked up against my body.

 

Still, I can burn quite a bit of air trying to make it to the "safe spot" in strong current.

 

I'm looking forward to the trip and have no grand expectations - other than getting porked for baggage overages Going to Machu-Picchu for a couple of days on the way home too!