Strobes in Burst Mode

Hi,

I've recently started using my new 40D with DS125 strobes and have found the camera excellent. The 40D has a high speed burst mode that the strobes seem to keep up with when set to a low manual power setting. This only applies to limited bursts of shots (e.g. 4-5), as any more and the strobe cycle time is not fast enough.

My questions is whether firing the strobes in such quick succession is wise? I've found it handy for shotting fast moving critters but have been reluctant to adopt the practise for fear it may overheat the strobes or be pushing them too hard.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

thanks, damien

Great question - I've been thinking about the same thing in anticipation of a couple trips where there will be fast action...

Great question - I've been thinking about the same thing in anticipation of a couple trips where there will be fast action...

This may sound silly, but wouldn't it be a great idea to ask the manufacturer of your ttl strobe this question? (and then report back to us!).

What, you mean go to the source? Just sent the email to Ikelite and I'll post the reply...

I've done this at 8fps for extended periods of time (1/8 power). I also took over 180 shots in a row at 10fps (1/8 power) back in March. Here's Don Kehoe and me making a video of the test:

[veoh]v64416847Q6h5TRR[/veoh]

(this video probably doesn't work in Safari)

It didn't miss even a single frame! Impressive. (hard to see in the video because I used a crappy handheld P&S camera for the video and I couldn't set shutter speed to capture all the flashes).

Note that I am not advising you to do this. I've heard anecdotal stories of strobes dying after being "burned out" even though it's never happened to me, even after hard use. Specifically, Jim Watt used to say that he burned out a lot of Ike DS-125s. Then again, he wasn't known for being kind to his gear, in general...

My Ike DS-125 strobes have been on hundreds, if not thousands of dives shooting upwards of 200 shots per dive...

I'm glad to hear others have done this and not blown up their strobes, though it sounds like some may have. I don't think I'll be doing it too often, but...

It'll be good to hear what the official word is from Ikelite once Phil posts his reply.

Eric, thanks for posting your test. Now I feel a little more comfortable trying it out in the right situation. BTW, no reply from Ike yet...

The manual for the DS-125 says that if you shoot in rapid succession for 15 shots that you should let the unit cool down for ten minutes.

It does not mention their recommendation if you took say ten shots in rapid succession.

15 shots!?

What happens if you take 180?

15 shots!?

 

What happens if you take 180?

Let's see.

180/15 = 12

12 * 10 Minutes = 120 Minutes

I think you need to cool them down for 2 hours then.

One series of 180 and you will be in Deco

15 shots!?

 

What happens if you take 180?

Not knowing anything about it, I can only assume the 1/8 power is the key.

I am also assuming the manual refers to full power, but what do I know.

180 is still a lot of shots.

Here what I got today:

Sir,

Thank you for the inquiry.

1/8 power or E-TTL II mode with a larger aperture like F5.6. Recycle times of course will be much better with these lower power settings. At full power no strobe will be able to keep up with the high burst rate since the recycle time will be one second at best.

If one gets carried away with the burst mode it is possible to overheat the strobe and have a malfunction. We have guidelines in the strobe owner's manual regarding how many times the flash can be fired in rapid succession and how much cooling off is required in between bursts. We have not had any reports of malfunctions due to rapid firing but still it is possible.

Regards,

Rhonda

Ikelite - Customer Service