Ikelite strobes

I am fairly new to underwater photography and started out with a Ikelite housing for my Canon 10D and a single DS-125 strobe. After 100+ dives of shooting I upgraded recently to the Ikelite 5D mark II housing and now Im cosidering a second strobe. So Im wondering if I should buy a second DS-125 or should I go for the DS-160?

I know I'll use it that much so I dont really consider the difference in price to be an issue. Im just wondering if I'll run into some problems using two different (1XDS125 and 1XDS160) strobes at the same time?!?

If you are willing to share your thoughts and experience on the matter I would appreciate it!

Read this thread

.125 vs. 160

It discusses the same topic.

Do a search of the forum and you will find more on these strobes.

To add another wrinkle to the mix, have you considered adding an Inon Z240 strobe instead of another Ikelite? When I had only one strobe, which in my case was an Inon Z240, and I discussed the issue of adding another strobe with Ryan at Reef Photo, he let me know that it was possible to add a strobe of a different brand, such as an Ikelite DS-125.

I'm guessing this wouldn't work if you have only one bulkhead connector, but if you have two, then I believe it can be done.

Ellen

I am also still using a single DS125, so what do I know.

Just a thought though - some degree of intensity difference between the primary and secondary strobe may often be desirable on out of the box TTL. On the surface, photographers go to some trouble, varying the strobe power side to side, to get the effect of light modelling into their work.

Please shoot me down on this because the mixed DS160 / 125 route is one I'm considering.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the Inon Z240.

But as Balrog pointed out having two different light sources might make it look more natural in some scenes. But I wasn't sure if I would even spot a difference (except manually which I could also do with two DS125s). Having two strobes at the same kind would probably just simplify my life a bit. So then its just a question of LED vs halogen focus light.

...I'm guessing this wouldn't work if you have only one bulkhead connector, but if you have two, then I believe it can be done.

The OP said he had the Ike housing, which has only one bulkhead, as far as I know (checked the Ike page and could only see one). Guess if you went cross-brand on strobes you could link the 2nd optically to the first with FO or something.

I'm a complete noob so have no advice for the OP, but think that sounds like more trouble than it's worth; in essence you're daisy-chaining your firing, vs. triggering from the same source.\

p.s. to fish: If you still consider yourself "new" to UW photo after 100+ dives with one camera and upgrading to a 2nd, then I guess I'm still gestating!!

To add another wrinkle to the mix, have you considered adding an Inon Z240 strobe instead of another Ikelite?

I'd skip this wrinkle even if it were possible, which it isn't on an Ikelite housing, other than as a slave.

Now you have two types of batteries to charge. You would also have strobes with different color temperatures. It may allow one more lighting possibilities, but there is a cost to it in ease of use.

I almost forgot, conventional wisdom is to get a DS160. When faced with a similar choice, I chose the DS125.

Whichever you choose, don't fret over the decision. If after a year you feel like you made the wrong decision, you still won't lose any sleep over it. It's not like the condo in Destin my buddy decided to buy two years ago.

Just finished a trip with my 2 Inon Z-240's. Light, easy to pack and carry, plenty of light. One day on the boat, another guy had 2 125's. I looked at the huge size of his strobes compared to mine and the considerable wt difference when I helped him with his gear and I was really glad to have 240's...for what its worth. Cannot comment on performance differences as I have not shot 125's.

Just finished a trip with my 2 Inon Z-240's. Light, easy to pack and carry, plenty of light. One day on the boat, another guy had 2 125's. I looked at the huge size of his strobes compared to mine and the considerable wt difference when I helped him with his gear and I was really glad to have 240's...for what its worth. Cannot comment on performance differences as I have not shot 125's.

The recyle time of the DS-125 is faster in practical usage. But I like the Z240 better too, size & weight, etc. I sold my DS125 and buying 2 Z240 :-)

I don't really need very rapid firing underwater, Z240 is slower but not too much slower. The weight and size and flexiblilty is hard to beat. The new S2000 is very interesting too, seems perfect for simple p&s set up.

Cheers !

I just love the DS125 because of its quick(er) power recycle time! I think it's always a good principle to use the same strobes for generic UW-photography...

The 160 has a lot better specs with not much more $'s. As others have said, read the pro/con forum conversations. Personally I went for the 160.

Dan

I was told that if you want to rely on TTL, you have to go with the Ikelite strobe, is that true?

I am currently shooting a G10 with an Ikelite DS51 TTL. I was considering adding a second strobe, and going with the new DS160.

Can I have both the 51 and the 160 be synced with TTL? Or will the 160 only sync with a 125/160?

Have used a DS-51 for last 2 years- took plunge and got a DS-125.

love it!!!- the recycle time is bloody brill!!- but it is heavy.

still - now I dont have to bring aa batteries on holidays anymore!!!

I love my ds-51.............but I love my ds-125 more...............just have to use it properly!!!

happy snappin!

Ikelite have a double sync cord for you to that goes from the single plug on the housing and then splits to the two Ikelite DS strobes (4103.52). They also do sync cords or the Inon and sea and sea strobes to then plug into the Ikelite housing. Check out there web site.

Can I have both the 51 and the 160 be synced with TTL? Or will the 160 only sync with a 125/160?

I use a DS125 and a modified DS50 (equivalent to 51) with Ikelites double synch cord, It all works fine. With the double cord it matters which cord is in which strobe RTFM.

regards Tim Digger

I'm guessing this wouldn't work if you have only one bulkhead connector, but if you have two, then I believe it can be done.

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