DS-50 and TTL Sensor Problems

I just recieved a new DS-50 package for my Oly c5050 in a PT-015. I have a trip to Bonaire planned later this month and I'm having issues getting the setup to work correctly. Either I get overexposed pics or underexposed depending on how the TTL sensor is set. I've read the manual and all posts I can find. I've also read all the FAQ's on www.ikelite.com, but I still can't correct the problem. I also sent an email to Ikelite support a couple days ago but I haven't received a reply yet.

If anyone could offer advise I would be gratful! Here's my setup:

C5050 My Mode settings:

forced flash Slow 1

ISA 64 and tried 100

Macro

White Balance "Cloudy" and tried "off"

AF=spot

SHQ

DS-50 settings: TTL

TTL Sensor: Max sensitivity also tried Min and everything between.

Preflash switch set to preflash yields underexposure. When set to no preflash yields overexposure.

I get perfect exposure when turning off the DS-50 and using the internal strobe alone. I'm testing at ranges from 1-2 feet. I covered the flash internal strobe with a piece of foil when testing with DS-50.

I'm really starting to think I should have purchased the Manual controller instead of the TTL sensor. Let me know if there is anything else I can try.

thanks in advance!

When I got my first digital camera, an Oly 3040, I went TTL with a DS125 strobe. I thought I could abbreviate my learning curve by letting the electronics do my thinking for me.

But I couldn't get the lighting to do what I wanted. Under reefs and in dark corners, TTL seemed to work ok. In the open the pictures tended to be overexposed.

So I went manual with the camera and got myself a manual controller. The quality and consistency of my pictures improved immediately.

Based on my experience, I think that manual is not only a better way to go but also easier to learn since one does not have to spend a lot of time figuring out what is going wrong.

Furthermore, I think that TTL may never work right for underwater photography since there is need for light to bring out colors that is independent of the need to get the proper brightness.

Thus my bottom line recommendation is to forget TTL. Go manual all the way. By so doing you will get better pictures from day one on.

For details on using your current rig in manual mode see the following URL.

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