strobes with digitals

I'm using the ike ds-50 package, (strobe and optical slave), which is working great, with my Canon G2. I've also seen it used with the oly's.

The ike system is the only one currently, which does full truely compatible "ttl" flash automation with all the various digis.

Utterly reliable and utterly great support and service too. I've been dealing with them for close to a decade with film SLR housings and strobes.

Don

Having owned quite a few of the Ikelite stuff, I will say it works very well.

When I need support from dealers or Ikelite themselves, they all offer great service. Things are repaired very prompt.

I've just came back from a short trip with my new ES-150-DS with my Sony P1, and here is my experience, considering also my experience with other strobes and this camera:

* Since it's a slave flash, it works because you can set it up to not preflash.

* Workability is limited to the capabilty to reflect the light to the sensor. You depend on a hand made deflector and/or your arm.

* Main problem is always the same: the camera doesn't know you have an extra light source, so all settings are according to no extra light, so you can suffer overlighting most of the time. Is you reduce it then you're only getting less backscatter than with the internal flash (not such a big impact).

Conclusion: someone should test a good video light with this camera...

I have an Ikelite Pro-videolite II for sale...it uses either 50w or 100w lamps....:-)

I don't think I'll be using it w/ my Coolpix anymore...

Seriously though...email me if you're interested.

Cheers

James

I have been trying to get this setup to work for several weeks now, and am about to give up and just shoot manual. Any help would be appreciated.

Not a complete novice - have been shooting Nikonos 5 rig for about 20 years, but new to digital. Have Canon G2 in Ikelite housing with Slave TTL sensor and a DS-125. Everything works fine in manual, but any of the TTL modes are a waste of air - all underexposed in either position of the little switch on the TTL sensor.

Bottom line is exposure in TTL depends on aperture chosen, and at wide open (f/2) take a shot where 1/8 power on the flash in manual overexposes the picture, but on TTL the pic is at least two stops underexposed. Can get a properly exposed photo by orienting sensor towards rear of camera, but have to redo this adjustment for each photo (not an option <G>). My impression is that the sensor is confused by the DS-125 flash and/or is triggering out of synch with the camera shutter.

Have spoken with Ikelite but their suggestion, return sensor plus flash, is not practical for us overseas folks. Besides, if this sensor is a turkey, its time to move on to a different rig!!

My questions is - I have seem lots of posts from people who COULD not get the sensor to work in TTL mode - is this just a waste of time or should I pursue trying to get TTL to work - so input from folks who DID get it to work, especially on a Canon Gx, would be welcome!

Perplexed in Manila

rick mcgonegal

rmcgonegal@ppmi-group.com

Re "My questions is - I have seem lots of posts from people who COULD not get the sensor to work in TTL mode - is this just a waste of time or should I pursue trying to get TTL to work "

I have Oly 3040 and 5050s with DS 125 strobes. I never had any luck with TTL. So I went manual and got great pictures.

Now I have the new Ikelite TTL conversion circuitry for the 5050. It works great and I now use it all the time.

As I see it, TTL has the following advantages, if it works.

* New photographers should be able to get good shots without knowing a whole lot about what they are doing.

* Experienced photographers should be able to spend more time finding and composing subjects and get more keepers.

But, I would not consider it a disaster to go back to manual. For me it sure beat trying to get "sort of" TTL working.

For more of what I have learned, see my web site at the following URL.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...aphy/index.html

Rick,

Can you set the power manually on the strobe and just use the sensor to make it fire? Sorry, I'm not familiar w/ that sensor and camera combo.

The DS125 has a goodly number of manual power settings, so you should be able to get good exposures that way.

Cheers

James

rmcgonegal: TTL Sensor works fine with the G2 Canon. Sensor can not see the strobe to which it is attached as you noticed. Start by reading suggestions in the following URL:

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/qdigital.html

will the new digital nikon n70 do true ttl with the ik. 125s, or only with a housed sb800 or similar flash

Only with a housed SB800 or SB600.

Yes - manual mode works fine (DS-125 has full, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 settings). However the reason I chose this rig was because it had TTL capability. I had kinda hoped not to have to give up capability moving from my Nikonos V to digital !! Guess I rack it up to an expensive lesson learned - not clear if I bought the wrong camera or the wrong housing/strobe.

Rick,

 

Can you set the power manually on the strobe and just use the sensor to make it fire?  Sorry, I'm not familiar w/ that sensor and camera combo.

 

The DS125 has a goodly number of manual power settings, so you should be able to get good exposures that way.

 

Cheers

James

Yes - manual mode works fine (DS-125 has full, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 settings). However the reason I chose this rig was because it had TTL capability. I had kinda hoped not to have to give up capability moving from my Nikonos V to digital !! Guess I rack it up to an expensive lesson learned - not clear if I bought the wrong camera or the wrong housing/strobe.

IMHO.

The ikelite TTL sensor, although supposed to work with many, (but not all) cameras, seems to produce very unreliable results at very best. I found it very frustrating to use. My honest advice to Ike would be to give up on this product and stick to the EV (manual) controller which works well with it's 10 power level settings. Having been used to the luxury of true SLR TTL before going digital I did not find using the manual controller any handicap and you quickly learn the appropriate settings for most situations.

You have a good camera and an excellent strobe just change the TTL sensor to the EV controller for great results!