Ike DS 200 - It's massive!

Hello boys and girls.

My late Christmas present to myself arrived today, an IKE DS 200 strobe kit

I unwrapped the box and, whilst I was expecting something big, it's massive!!

Not overly heavy once the battery is out (for travel) but it's quite bulky.

Now, I aim to have a matching pair of these, but was wondering is it necessary?

My gut feeling is yes, for wide angle, but for Macro 1 will be enough.

A little bit about the setup and what I intend to use it for;

• Ike housing with Nik D90
  
• 10-24mm lens for WA
  
• 60 & 105mm for Macro
  
• Will be diving mostly in the UK, inland (read muddy and silty) and at the coast.
  
• Travel a bit, but never ever via the States (me & US immigration don't see eye to eye)
  

I am not overly fussed by the weight factor, as I only go on a decent trip once or twice a year, but I do go on a few extra short haul (less than 4 hours) trips.

Sorry for all the numpty questions, but I'm new to UW DSLR, my last setup was a Canon Ixus 960.

Cheers

Sean

I unwrapped the box and, whilst I was expecting something big, it's massive!!

If you think the DS200 is big, try finding a SS400, now that is big! (and no longer in production)

I aim to have a matching pair of these, but was wondering is it necessary?

No, not necessary, but very desirable, especially for wide angle.

Your local conditions sound a lot like mine minus the saltwater, it's all freshwater over here.

The strobe(s) should work well in the conditions you mentioned.

Some sacrifices in the clothing department of your baggage may have to be made to get your strobe(s) overseas.

It's amazing how far three T-shirts and 2 pairs of shorts can get you when traveling with underwater photographic equipment.

P.S. If and when the strobe does breakdown, just mail the strobe back to Ikelite with a brief note as to what is wrong. It is far easier

doing it that way then sending it back to your dealer first. The people at Ikelite are very good at rectifying problems and meeting tight deadlines.

Hope that helps.

I know all about the cutting down on clothing, to be able to carry camera gear. I spent a month in Peru (4 technical T-shirts, 2 pairs zip off trousers and fleece. Plus grundies of course) and including my rucksack, wash kit etc. it was 7kg. The other, smaller rucksack, with camera, lenses and laptop also weighed 7kg!!

The next 'proper' trip is to Mozambique and South Africa . I get 30kg of hold allowance, but only 8kg cabin baggage. The question is - what do I risk in the hold.

I have had a good read through the threads on here regarding travelling with kit, and will be investing in some combat trousers with massive pockets. No way are my lenses going in the hold. I think I have it mostly sorted in my head;

• Carry on D90 with 80-400 lens (going to Kruger as well)
  
• Girlfriend carries on Spare D90 with 10-24 lens
  
• 18-55, 60 & 105 lenses in trouser/jacket pockets
  
• Ike housing with 8" dome, plus other ports etc in backpack (open housing), plus strobe arms, D90 charger, spare batteries, memory, laptop etc.
  
• Strobes, plus charger in GF backpack.
  
• Dive kit (if we bring it) plus clothing in big bag in the hold.
  

I think we should get the bags under 8kg each. If not, I'll put a d90 in the housing, complete with port and hand carry it And I will do this in front of the check in girl.

Handiest thing I did was encourage my GF to learn to dive. She now gets 10kg extra allowance as well, and she can also travel pretty light (for a girl )

As for service, the DS 200 came from Ebay, along with an 8" port, plus one of the extensions I need. All for about £550, which I am well pleased with. Just got to find a second DS 200 now. Although I have 5 months till I go, and still need to get the housing

Cheers

Sean

Wear your BC.

The DS200 is a great flash with good color temp and a very wide angle. It recycles fast and gets around 300 shots from a NiMH battery pack.

As to whether you need two - that depends on your shooting style.

Cheers

James