Inon Z220 and Olyc5050

Hey...

How does the Inon Z220 stack up against the competition?? (Ike/S&S)

Has anyone used it with the Olympus C5050/PT015?? TTL?? Manual??

Any feedback will be great.

Dave

Craig has a few of these - and he also has an Oly 5050. Hopefully he'll chime in here.

I've used one of his before as a slave and it's quite powerful for its size.

Sincerely,

James Wiseman

I've used a single Z220 with a 5050/PT-015 without a fiber (none available at the time) and was very pleased with the results. You would use it in manual mode.

The setup was used as a loaner for new photographers and everyone who used it instantly got good shots. Using two strobes might have been a little harder, but don't be too worried about using the strobe in manual.

I use that combination also. The fiber connector for it is now availble. I really like it. For use with the PT-015 save a few bucks and get the Z-220s, it's the same strobe without the modeling light and laser neither one works with the optical fiber. The alternative that Inon recommends is the D-180. It's half the power, same strobe with one capacitor instead of the two in the Z-220, but the modeling light works and has an auto mode where the strobe's light sensor measures the reflect light and cuts off according to an aperture setting that you adjust.

Inon's loan me a couple of D-180s to evaluate. I've now made 4 dives with them in condititions that were not that great for photography. So far, as someone who's always shot manual, I'd give it a mixed rating vs the Z-220. The auto mode works reasonable well when you aim the strobe directly at the subject on closeup and macro shots, but needs large offsets under lots of other conditions. I'll use them more in the next couple of weeks and see. I may send them back for a Z-220.

I sold a pair of YS90DX and changed to the Inon strobes because the Inon's are smaller and more powerfull. See my tests here:

http://uwdigital.home.comcast.net/Strobe_S...e_Shootout.html

I don't have a DS-125 to compare against. According to published spec the Z-220 and the DS-125 has the same guide number and beam angle. The Z-220 is less than half the size and weight.

Herb,

Thanks for posting the comparison shots. Now there's some useful information!!!!!

I posted a similar shot of the 90DX and SB102 firing at the same time in a pool - but no one believed me... I guess it wasn't exactly a scientific test. :-)

Cheers

James

This is good guys...

Has anyone had any problems with the strobes??

On the Z-220s the modelling light and laser pointer will not work with the c5050??

What is the prefenence for firing these strobes?? Is the fiber optic cable better than a slave sensor??

Good info here.. Thanks (keep it up!!)

Dave

As recall, the modelling light worked OK but I may be mistaken. The light turns off when the strobe fires and doesn't turn back on until the strobe's recharged. The laser is always on and must be masked by a little lever. That's how the laser works for wired Nikon connections as well. You should view the laser as something you use to set up your rig rather than something you use on every shot.

Fiber is preferred because it prevents the strobe from triggering from nearby photographers. I didn't have the fiber when I used the combo but I would definitely get it.

The only trouble I've had is making sure the batteries seat properly. Always turn the strobe on after changing the batteries to make sure they are installed properly. Otherwise the strobe is built like a tank.

So, just to clarify, can all three models use an optical fiber link? And why does this cause a problem for the light and the laser?

I know one of the local dive shops has a 180, and I think I'll go and ask them about the others tomorrow...

All three have the fiber interface. I don't know about any problems with the light or the laser. I'm certain the laser's always on though.

So, just to clarify, can all three models use an optical fiber link?  And why does this cause a problem for the light and the laser?

 

I know one of the local dive shops has a 180, and I think I'll go and ask them about the others tomorrow...

I don't understand the light and laser design of the Z220. The light and laser will only come on when there's light at the sensor. The fiber connector covers up the sensor completely, so it'll never come on while the fiber is attached. Even if you use it without the fiber, the light does not work when it gets dark!

What is the prefenence for firing these strobes?? Is the fiber optic cable better than a slave sensor??

Manual only.

Yes.

So, just to clarify, can all three models use an optical fiber link?  And why does this cause a problem for the light and the laser?

 

I know one of the local dive shops has a 180, and I think I'll go and ask them about the others tomorrow...

I don't understand the light and laser design of the Z220. The light and laser will only come on when there's light at the sensor. The fiber connector covers up the sensor completely, so it'll never come on while the fiber is attached. Even if you use it without the fiber, the light does not work when it gets dark!

Aha! That explains why I haven't had problems. No fiber and no night dives with the 5050. I get both when I use them with the D100 though.

The Z-220s features the same coverage and intensity as the Z-220, without the laser and mod lights. It is much more appropriate as a slave strobe, since these features do not work properly unless hard wired.

I'm not a huge fan of auto technology, either. The D-180 is, however, a nice blend of features for consumer digicams. Combining auto exposure with 4 stops of manual control in a very compact package will make this a popular strobe in the US.

Inon also has a much better fiber optic system than their competitors. The clear flash diffuser, which is essentially an exposed piece of film, and a very reliable sensor mount that blocks the D-180 from firing with other strobe or sunlight is very cool.