YS-27DX or YS-110?

Yes, another newbie with another which should I buy question!

I have an Oly C-5060 with a PT-020 case and I am looking at my first strobe (I'm going to the ABC's in June). I just want a decent strobe for fun and better pictures, I'm not trying to win a competition here.

I can get the Sea & Sea YS-27DX with tray, arm bracket and fiber optic cable for $395 or I can get the Sea & Sea YS-110 with the same items for over $700.

I am trying to save $ but I don't want to do that if I'm only going to be disapointed with the YS-27.

What is your recommendation? Thanks for helping another new guy out!

Rick

Strobe specs are very similar, except YS27 is slave only. The slave sensor is recessed so sometimes its a little trick getting light to it, but fiber cable solves that problem. If you upgrade your system in the future the YS110 will give you more options. I have both models - the 27 is a backup strobe. Just replaced my YS90DX's with the 110's. The "Strobe Finder" on digitaldiver.net is a good source for quick strobe info.

Thanks for the info. I did look over the table which was helpful.

Is the YS-27 being "slave" only a big deal? I understand the YS-27 doesn't work the the A setting or P&S options on my camera and there are 3 less settings compared to the YS-110. Also I noticed the ligting is 85' x 105' compared to the YS-110 at 105' x 105'. I am thinking the $300 extra for the YS-110 would not really be worth spending right now.

Is there anything else I'm missing?

Also are the Sea & Sea tray and 5.1" arms good to have or are there problems?

I'm not familiar with the S&S tray & arm, so can't comment here - sorry. A slave strobe is fine as long as you have a master strobe/built-in flash to fire it. My DSLR won't work with just a slave, so I need a master strobe to trigger it. The 27 should fire in any camera mode that will properly fire your on-board flash, meaning that it has to ignore any pre-flash. If this will all work for you, then go for the 27. It's a neat compact strobe.

From S&S webpage specs: Pre-flash control:Equipped with pre-flash cancel mode (ignores one pre-flash)

Strobe specs are very similar, except YS27 is slave only. The slave sensor is recessed so sometimes its a little trick getting light to it, but fiber cable solves that problem. If you upgrade your system in the future the YS110 will give you more options. I have both models - the 27 is a backup strobe. Just replaced my YS90DX's with the 110's. The "Strobe Finder" on digitaldiver.net is a good source for quick strobe info.

Hey Jim,

I know that the YS27DX is your back-up, BUT, have you given it a good work-out yet?

I am, for some reason, really keen to get a couple of these and make a nice compact macro/super macro

rig that's fired from my camera's flash. I have the Nikon D70S in the Nexus housing, as you know, and I have recently installed a couple of the Inon fibre optic 'windows' as Inon calls them...works fantastically well!

Anyone with any info on how these little strobes work, in close, will be gratefully received...

Thanks for taking the time guys,

Bruce...

Thanks for the info. I did look over the table which was helpful.

 

Is the YS-27 being "slave" only a big deal? I understand the YS-27 doesn't work the the A setting or P&S options on my camera and there are 3 less settings compared to the YS-110. Also I noticed the ligting is 85' x 105' compared to the YS-110 at 105' x 105'. I am thinking the $300 extra for the YS-110 would not really be worth spending right now.

 

Is there anything else I'm missing?

 

Also are the Sea & Sea tray and 5.1" arms good to have or are there problems?

DvrRick,

For where you are at the moment, I don't consider that the extra $300 is worth it...IMHO.

That extra $300 could buy you another YS27DX and then you could really get into strobe work..

As Jim said, make sure that you get the S&S fibre optic cable for the YS@&DX. I think from memory that it is called "Fibre Cable'L'."

As for the S&S arms and trays, I consider them to be overpriced 'junk' when compared to the gear available from ULCS. Don't even think about it. If you want some "real pretty" lookin' kit, then have a look at the 'Athena' web-site. They make some outstanding equipment for the Olympus 5060 and and the Olympus PT-20, and is second to none..IMHO.

But then again, you might want to ask someone who knows what he is talking about...

HTH,

Bruce...

BTW, I almost forgot...

When using your 5060 with slave-fired strobes, set the internal flash to 'SLAVE', as this will remove all the pre-flashes, then the strobe can fire on the first flash, which will be the main flash. If you do this, you can also reduce the power of the 5060's main flash, via the menu, to give you extra battery time. This is necessary for two/three dives a day...woohoo, it's all starting to come back. I'm not brain dead after all...

I think the YS-27 is really looking like the way to go but I'm concerned about it not having a Target Light. Is this something I will need to add to the setup?

The tray, arm and cable come with the YS-27 for a really good price. About what others charge for the flash alone so I'll use that for now and upgrade late since it isn't really costing me more.

I guess I can live without it being TTL or Cable fired too.

Thanks for the tip on the flash. I expect to do 3 to 5 dives a day for almost two weeks in the ABC's and need all the battery life I can get.

DvrRick,

I dunno where you are getting your strobes from mate, BUT, you might want to have alook at divervision.com and talk to Sam. The YS27DX sells on his site for $295usd...

I doubt that anyone is matching that with an arm and tray package...

HTH,

Bruce...

I wouldn't be too concerned about the lack of a target light. Most folks don't use the built in target lights anyway due to the fact that if you have your strobe aimed directly at the subject, you'll likely light up any sediment between your subject and lens. Even a small dive light attached to the arms is a better solution.

The YS110 is faster, brighter, has a wider beam, target light and 13 steps of control vs. 8 on the YS27. Plus the ability to be used with a DSLR in the future. Price difference from MSRP pricing (YMMV) $550 for the YS110 and $399 for the YS27DX.

YS27 is smaller and lighter.

I have an article on my blog that may help: Buying a Strobe for P&S cameras.

Jack

Thanks for all the help Bruce and jcclink!

I decided on the YS-27 package with the Sea & Sea tray, arm and cable for $395 shipped. I can always upgrade later. The best I could do with the ULCS was almost $150 more. I just can't see doing that for a tray system right now.

Now I need to do some dives here to learn how to use it before I get to the ABC's in June.

Yes, another newbie with another which should I buy question!

 

I have an Oly C-5060 with a PT-020 case and I am looking at my first strobe (I'm going to the ABC's in June). I just want a decent strobe for fun and better pictures, I'm not trying to win a competition here.

 

I can get the Sea & Sea YS-27DX with tray, arm bracket and fiber optic cable for $395 or I can get the Sea & Sea YS-110 with the same items for over $700.

 

I am trying to save $ but I don't want to do that if I'm only going to be disapointed with the YS-27.

 

What is your recommendation? Thanks for helping another new guy out!

 

Rick

I too am in the same predicament. Trying to decide between these 2 strobes for my sony T100. Rick, I was wondering where you are getting your ys-27dx package for $395. I may be intereested in getting the same deal. Thanks.

I too am in the same predicament. Trying to decide between these 2 strobes for my sony T100. Rick, I was wondering where you are getting your ys-27dx package for $395. I may be intereested in getting the same deal. Thanks.

You have a PM.

Thanks for all the help Bruce and jcclink!

 

I decided on the YS-27 package with the Sea & Sea tray, arm and cable for $395 shipped. I can always upgrade later. The best I could do with the ULCS was almost $150 more. I just can't see doing that for a tray system right now.

 

Now I need to do some dives here to learn how to use it before I get to the ABC's in June.

No Problems Rick.

Of course you need to let us all know how you go and post the results...

We would love to read/see the results and the info might be able to help some other new learners...

Good luck on your trip...

Bruce...

Rick,

I have a C5050 and have been VERY happy with my INON 2000. You can check out my shots taken with that camera at www.scubarews.com. Most of the shots posted and ones that I sell are taken with that combo. I just recently went DSLR with the Nikon D200, but still use my 5050/2000. It is a very reliable and powerful strobe and easily conects to the 5060. I am not familiar with the strobes you were asking about, but I HIGHLY recommend the INON 2000 strobe with fiber optic sync cord and guarentee you can get award winning shots with that combo. I got mine from Marine Camera Distributors and they had a good deal at the time (3-4 years ago), but I am sure Backscatter and others also carry this strobe.

Best Fishes,

Ron

www.SCUBAREWS.com