Which Strobes Do You Use?

Which strobes to you currently use and which you may have used in the past?

Which strobes to you currently use and which you may have used in the past?

The Ikelite predecessor to the DS-50 (for my Nikonos) - no longer have

Ike DS-50

Ike DS-125

Sea & Sea YS-90DX

Got the first Ikelite (used) for my Nikonos

Then got a YS-90DX for my first Digital (Olympus 3040) which needed Fiber Optics

Got the DS-50 when I got my Olympus 8080 and Ikelite Housing.

Then started Slaving the YS-90DX with the DS-50 on the Ikelite to get Dual Strobes

Then figured two Ikelites on the Ikelite Housing would work, so got a DS-125

Picked up the other extras (YS-90DXs and DS-125) to have matched pairs.

Usually carry 3 or 4 strobes (the YS-90s use "AA" which I like to have at least one of when traveling) plus assorted synch cords as back ups.

Right now will run Dual DS-125s on an Aquatica 30D (used YS-90DX as slave a couple of times prior to getting the second DS-125)

I like the modeling light on the DS-125s and the power, but never a fan of chargers and the rest (I think we all have too many of those ) and they are heavier than the S&S. Like the fiber optic/slave of the Sea & Sea, "AA' and weight/size of the Sea & Sea, plus more settings on the dial (which the new DS-160 has on the Ike side). Miss having a modeling light on the Sea & Sea. There were a couple of dives where I used my Ikelites as a dive light towards the end of night dives when I had to pass off my light and spare. Worked fine. Very cool.

I currently use 2 x Ikelite DS-125 with my Ikelite Housing. I like the power and the modeling light. For night dives the modeling lights on my two strobes are my main lighting and I just have a UK Mini Q40 eLED on my mask to light the camera. I don't mind the chargers.

I previously used a DS-50 with my old P&S.

using Inon Z-240 now and like it. Small, plenty of power, optical trigger, TTL software that seems to work. Planning on getting a second one.

Have a YS-25, small and light but not enough power and angle coverage. Has optical trigger and like that feature.

Had YS-60 long ago. was with a MMII camera and sold both together. Worked ok. camera housing leaked once at strobe connection. Sent me toward optical triggering, which I use now.

Had a big Ike strobe, Ike DS-200 predessor if I recall correctly, way too big and heavy for me to want to use. Was a few yrs ago and did not keep it long.

used to use one Ikelite DS-50 with my compact camera (Fuji F810 with Fuji housing) & a Ikelite manual controller. This set up worked well for macro and I used natural light for w/a. All held on with Untralight tray & arms. For night dives I used a mini q40 torch attached to the rig with a 3-way ultralight clamp & torch holder clamp.

Now have Nikon D300 in Subal housing and 2 Inon 240s and I like them very much. They seem more powerful. I still use them manually just because I’m used to that and it seems t give more creative flexibility than I’ve heard you get with TTL. I’ve not done a night dive with this rig but I still use ultralight arms so I’ll probably still attach the mini torch rather than use the built in strobe light.

2x ds 125 with 6'' add 9'' arms on both. because the i-ttl works and that's one less thing to think about, aiming lights are pointless as i rarely point the strobes at the subject.

2 X SB-105

They very cheep this days, give light as the most strobes in the market, use AA batteries that its very comfortable for me.

When i bought them I didn't have an option for ITTL in the old Ike's D70 housing and I don't miss it from then.

Disadvantage: slow recharging time.

Owned and used Nikonos SB105:s, Sea & Sea YS60:s, YS90:s and 120:s. Also tried 110:s.

Now using Inon Z240:s. They are smaller, faster and equally powerful than the ones I have used before. Also more expensive. But I do travel with them and probably earn it back in less overweight to pay for.

/c

Really like shooting WA so have a pair of Subtronic Novas, great coverage and I like the color they put out.

Pair of Inon D2000. Great for traveling, quick to recycle and my pick for macro in tight spaces.