A Question about strobes for the G9

Hi All,

Ive just purchased a new G9 at last to replace my old ixus 850. Ive gone for the cannon housing as my budjet is very tight - particularly as I will probabyl only use the setup once a year. Im looking for a strobe to go with my setup, ive read loads of posts on here but not been able to answer my question.

Ideally I would like to get an Inon d2000 as ive had one before and its probably the best solution for my needs - I like the sttl it offers as well. I was wondering what my other options are, ive been scouting ebay and the for sale board here for some time and the Inon's are like gold dust. I see a lot of the Sea & Sea strobes going quite cheaply and was wondering what you would recommend for my G9 with canon housing. Im mostly interested in shooting macro stuff, with the occassional larger stuff. I know im not going to be upgrading to an SLR, the G9 is my happy medium for my budget and how frequently it will be used. I appreciate I cant add any extra glass to my setup with this housing which is not a problem.

Ive read a fiar bit about the S&S 110, but ive heard mixed reviews about its comptibility etc with the G9. Is there any other strobe that offers simmular functionality to the Inon d2000 with its sttl?

I would also be interested to know what settings people are using with their G9's. Again ive done a fair bit of resurch, but would be interested to know what settings everyone is using for macro, and then the wider stuff.

Thanks

Mark

Hi ...

I use two Sea & Sea strobes with my G9 - a YS-110 and a YS-27dx. I don't use the TTL functionality and just shoot in manual all the time.

I use C1 on the dial as my starting point for Macro - I start with the lens zoomed just a smidge to get past the vignetting caused by two stacked INON UCL-165 close-up adapters I have and the exposure set to ISO 80, f8 at 1/1000th. Strobe power is a touchy-feely thing depending on how close I am and where the strobes end up. As a general rule, I usually start with each one at 1/2 power. This setting will give you black water. Slowing the shutter down with get you bluer water.

Here's black:

Here's blue:

I use C2 on the dial as my starting point for Wide Angle - the lens is zoomed a touch more than the Macro setting to get past the vignetting caused by the INON UWL-100 Wide Angle adapter I have and the exposure is set to ISO 80, f5.6 at 1/125th to start. Strobes are general set to full power to start.

Here's an example:

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for your informative response. The first Macro shot is very impressive! I have actually just managed to get a very good deal on an Inon z240 which im waiting to arrive in the post! I only have the Canon housing so wont be able to get any wet lenses, unless I decide to go for a Macro one as ive seen another member on here has modified the housing with an adapter ring. Do you find these make much of a difference?

I used to have an Ixus 850 with an Inon 2000 strobe and I used the blue diffuser that came with it, I found it gave better results. Will I need to use the blue diffuser with the z240 and G9 do you think or would the white be suitable? With the z240 im hoping to use the S-TTL function which I found very good with my old setup.

Those settings you are using look good, I will have to have a play with the camera although I only really get in the water once a year!

Thanks again,

Mark