Focus lights

Hello everyone.

I'm about to purchase a Focus light and was wondering which is considered best for a Canon 7D/Subal/Tokina 10-17 kit.

I'm leaning towards two types.

* FIX LED 1500DX

* Light & Motion Sola 600

Would one prefer the battery(s) of the FIX 1500DX over the L&M Sola 600?

Is the build quality of one superior to the other?

I plan on using the focus light for video also.

Any and all info/opinions on these two focus lights are much appreciated.

I had the FIX 500 focus light, have since replaced it with SOLA Photo 600 light after having my hands on one for a sea trial. Highly impressive. There is a review on it in the latest issue of the Underwater Journal.

I use the Sola and a buddy of mine the FIX. I prefer the Sola very much to her FIX. It is smaller and seems better built. I have used mine for about 150 dives with no problems.

/Bent C

Thanks very much, guys!

I think I'm going with the Sola 1200. Maybe I can get some good video out of a focus light too.

... on another note, since I have some helpful attention...

Does anyone here ever find the Inon Z-240's coming up short on light compared to YS-250's? This is about the only dilemma I have before I drop the bank on a new dslr kit this week.

Being lightweight & compact is great, but what is it worth if the shots are substandard?

Does anyone here ever find the Inon Z-240's coming up short on light compared to YS-250's? This is about the only dilemma I have before I drop the bank on a new dslr kit this week.

Hi partner,

The folks at Backscatter did some testing that showed the difference between the two is not quite at big as the published guide numbers would suggest. You can see that review here. The 250's have the added advantage of a faster recyle time and it can be significant since you can shoot them at much less than full power most of the time. The 240 (or the 110A from Sea and Sea) have the advantage that they can be triggered optically in TTL mode where the 250's are fired electrically and manually adjusted. The YS250's are wonderful tools to have when you need to reach out and touch big animals and are amazing useful for multiple quick sequence fish or macro images. The 240's are a solid light weight solution for most folks general use (if you can figure out the manual).

The 250's have a dedicated battery (expensive if it gets wet) where the 240's/110A's use AA rechargeables.

You get to pick.

Good luck!

Steve