Hartenberger 250 TTL pros/cons?

Hi!

Who is using the Hartenberger 250 TTL?

Any pros or cons regarding this strobe?

TIA,

Helge ;-)=)

I would say Hartenberger provides excellent quality. The specifications are fantastic (0,3s recycle time for a full dump!!!!), the design and controlls are too. I used to dive with a buddy who uses the 250TTL with a Nikonos V. He never had any problems with it.

With some addional parts you break the $2k.... The only reason NOT to buy Hartenberger strobes.

I used the bigger 625's on my last trip and they were great. They're quite big and heavy, though. Question is, why use the smaller 250's when they're still virtually the same size and weight? Using the 625's at half power provides similar power and recycle time but gives you the extra stop of light when you need it. Both are neutral underwater. I think all the Hartenbergers are way too big as macro strobes. Fantastic build quality, though.

One characteristic I found of interest from reading the manual supplied for the Hartenberger line is the manufacturer's assertion that topside and underwater guide numbers are similar for their strobes.

Hartenberger explains that light emitted (beam angle) from the strobe is concentrated by the bending process that light experiences underwater. They state that this in effect increases the intensity of illumination. Therefore the limiting filtering process of water is offset by the concentration of light caused by the bending process.

No other manufacturer I've read suggests this characteristic of equal topside and UW GN's. I wonder if this is due to a unique characteristic in strobe lens design.

Can't imagine how that could be. They use a dome with significant curvature. The reflector, being in air, would perform the same either way.

Another nice thing about these strobes: the chargers are fast, universal types that are incredibly small and lightweight. The battery packs are changable unlike the Subtronics. Did I mention how big these strobes are?

Hi!

Thanks for the info. What I like from the specs is the fact that NiMH batteries are available as well as NiCd. Also the automated shutdown and discharge in case of flooding.

Nevertheless, it seems that the pricing per kilo is comparable to other strobes ;-)

Helge ;-)=)

Hartenburger recommends the NiCd pack over the NiMH despite the reduction in capacity. The extremely short recycle times mean that the packs can more easily overheat I suspect. I have the NiCd ones and 80 full cycles is about right. Of course, that's 80, 625 watt-second cycles! You can shoot at 2 frames per second continuous at 1/2 power, get 150+ shots and still have 300+ Ws of power. Very impressive! I'd like to figure out how to put a filter on one.

Hi!

I'd like to figure out how to put a filter on one

They have a filter holder as an accessory. There are also filters available in different colours. Have a look at their website.

Helge ;-)=)

I don't know this strobe and ask this question not in sarcasms: is there a logical reason why to buy such an expensive strobe? Is it so good or have some unique qualities that justify this price?

look, a Nikonos RS setup with 2*SB104 and some lenses costs $10k. If you get a nice hugyfot housing for your Nikon + some domes and lenses you're at $6k. Now you can add one or two Hartenberger strobes to reach the RS-limit.

And they just look sexy...

Ultrafast recycle is one reason to consider these strobes. The 625's are incredibly powerful as well. They offer a selectable beam widths and color temps and they're built like tanks. There aren't many strobes that will allow you to shoot 4 or more frames per second, yet Hartenberger claims the 625 can do 10 fps. Anyone who would house a digital SLR with several $1000+ lenses in a Subal or Seacam housing would not be deterred by the cost upgrade between these and lesser strobes. The enormous travel weight and size is another matter!