Substrobe for Olympus C5050 z

Hello. I'm new to this site and new to digital underwater photography. Recently purchased an Oly C5050 with Oly housing. Now that I'm comfortable with the camera, I'm trying to figure out what lighting combination is best--both from a quality and economic point of view. I have noticed that there are a lot of recommendations for the Ikelite DS-125. I am considering the DS-50 as a result of the price. Given my level of experience, would this be an acceptable choice?

I would recommend (and this is my personal opinion) the DS-50 with the Manual power controller. If you decide to move up to a larger strobe later, you can still use the controller.

The Sea and Sea YS90DX strobe has a manual controller built into it, but the adjuster knob is on the strobe, as opposed to down close to the housing (which I like better).

HTH

James Wiseman

I have been using 2 YS90DX strobes for 2 years now and they have been working flawlessly shooting manual and wide angle with my digital rig. The manual strobe control is on the strobe but I haven found it to be an issue even with cold water dry gloves on.

A big plus with these strobes are that they use standard AA batteries so you can carry back up batteries for next to nothing or find new ones when traveling. Price isnt too bad either.

Having said all of that I have some Ike strobes to that are great when you need a sun load of light.

Spring for the DS-125 Strobe with the manual controller, quick charger and the new 1 " ball joint mounting arm assembly --- retail price $1050. When you get this beauty, get the Ikelite tray that can hold two strobes --- it's easier to hold on to and if you ever want to add a second strobe you wouldn't have parts on the floor. But you will have to have a 1" slot machined into the tray to properly mount the housing.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...ipment_5050.htm

In addition to having awsome power, the recycle time is about one second. With Ikelite DS 125 strobes, I can set the Drive mode to Sequential* and take pictures at about 1 per second in bursts of two or three pictures while keeping the shutter button depressed. And the strobes keep firing! THere are a lot of action shots where this capability has gotten me pictures I would not otherwise have.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...up_settings.htm

Ikelite has made an adapter that is included in a dual handle tray especially for the Olympus as shown on following URL:

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

Machining is no longer necessary.

Does the WP-DC 300 (Canon S Series Housing) fit into the Double Tray?

Simon

Simon K

How did the S50 go with the Ikelite TTL sensor.

You were going on a dive that week I was asking about it..

Any news??

Dave

Does the new Ikelite Tray work with the Olympus PT015 housing or just the Ikelite one?

Cheers

Ade

Following URL shows the two trays that are specific for the Olympus PT-015 housing:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/opt10dlx.html

We would like to know how Simon K did with the Canon and our sensor.............

Thank all of you for your suggestions. As a result of your help and other posts to this great web site, I decided to get the Ikelite DS-125 with manual controller and dual handle tray. They arrived in great condition and I look forward to using them as soon as the tropical depression passes!