DS125 and Canon A40

I recently purchased a Ikelite DS125 to go along with my little Canon A40 in a Canon housing.

I expected a learning curve, but this curve has turned into a circle!!!

I am having trouble with underexposure. I have read the posts regarding this problem and adjusted the sensor back and back further. Nothing is helping.

I was happy with the results I was getting BEFORE the strobe came onto the scene. Now that it's here, I'm frustrated and feel like I'm wasting my time - I'm on the verge of selling it because I feel it is hindering my photos, not helping them. I know my photos are not works of art, and wouldn't be even if they were properly exposed, but I thought the strobe would help with lighting in our murky Atlantic Canadian waters - and it hasn't!!

Take a look at before strobe photos:

Cranberry Cove, Nova Scotia

Port Mouton, Nova Scotia

Bay of Fundy

Now take a look at the photos that the strobe has helped with:

AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Frustration

So, as I mentioned, I have played around with the sensor, moving it away from the front of the camera, angling it differently - with no help. I have tried using all the settings on the strobe (TTL, Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8) - with no help.

What should I do? HELP!!!!

Kim

We reccommend our Manual Sensor with these smaller Canon digital cameras because of the extremely short preflash duration. The TTL Sensor has been used successfully, but requires some tinkering. Put the diffuser on the strobe, dial +1 flash compensation into the camera, and set interior switch for non preflash camera as per following URLs:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/dsenswitx.html

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/qdigital.html

Actually, I bought the TTL sensor on the recommendation of the folks at Ikelite - so unless there has been a change in policy in the last 3 months, there may be some miscommunication going on.

According to your description, I have to use the diffuser? Why? Isn't the diffuser just an option to use when you wish to soften the light? In the murky waters I dive in, I don't want to soften the light - I want it as bright as possible. I already have dialed +2 flash compensation in the photo examples I posted. +1 leaves everything in total darkness!!

Set the interior switch for non preflash - but then it won't light during the photo, correct? I was of the understanding that I required a strobe that would work with preflash... so why are you telling me to turn off that function?

I'm more than a bit confused, I guess. If you would like to take this off-forum, I can be reached at kiml@nb.sympatico.ca

Thanks.

Diffuser softens the preflash so camera will call for more flash in the picture. Following URL describes strobe use and complications with digital cameras. Setting the sensor switch to the left "non preflash" position produces a shorter (less intense) pre-flash with pre-flash cameras which provides a brighter main flash if desired. These suggestions should get you reasonably satisfactory results. If all else fails, email me (ike@ikelite.com) and we will send you a manual sensor. Remember strobe must be in TTL position, watching the camera, and not see the strobe to which it is attached. Read the following URL:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/dig_definitions.html