ikelite strobes ds50 or ds125

For macro photography which is the best strobe the ds 50 or the ds 125?

I can only buy one strobe and I was going to buy the ds50 but I want some info from all of you that have more experience.

If you are only buying one strobe...I'd get the DS-125

what camera? what housing? how will it be triggered? and finally, do you have any long term goals?

When it come to strobes more powerful is better.

If you have any possibility to aford the 125 get it. You will probably resent to get a weaker strobe later.

The 125 is compact enough for Macro and Powerfull enough for WA

If you really can't afford the 125 the 50 is also a nice strobe but you probably want to have the 125 later anyway.

Simon

I agree with Simon.

Actually I own a DS-50 and now I'm preparing myself for a DS-125 soon!!

The DS-125 has a built in modeling light, which makes life easier. Actaully, the modeling light is so powerfull that when you take off the diffuser is a VERY powerfull flashlight. When using it, you dont need a free hand for a flashlight (very unconfertable with a big camera).

I own both a DS-50 and a DS-125 (theoreticly, the DS-125 is on it's way to Ike ). It was hard to point the DS-50 at the right spot when i started using it, so i managed to attach a small flashlight to the strobe. It wasn't ideal, but it did a good job. It was a lot easier with the DS-125 and the modeling light. Now i dive with a DS-125 with a diffuser on) and a DS-50 (with a flishlight on, plus a small diffuser that i made for it) so i dont need a free hand for a flashlight.

There is a plus though for the DS-50 - The battery compartment is isolated, so when you are stupid enought not to close it ( :oops: ) a good rinse in the old bucket, nice dry air, and it's ready to shoot again

Oh, another plus is that the DS-50 is MUCH lighterthen the DS-125 (at least outside the water). I carried a Oly-010 + DS-50 + strobe arms on my back during a 5 month trip. Can't imagin carrying a DS-125.

If your budget allows it, go for the DS-125.

what camera?  what housing?  how will it be triggered?  and finally, do you have any long term goals?

Canon 300D, ikelite 6870.1 with E-TTL triggered by a sync cord.

I just love UW Photography, if I can get some of my photos on a magazine that is a goal.

I bought the DS-50 at the beginning and regret now that I did not invest a bit more into the DS-125... DS-50 is fine but you can´t have too much power UW...

Is the DS 125 a better strobe? Or does it just have different characteristics. Although I agree with the majority opinion here (buy the DS 125), I'd like to offer an objective approach. Based on how strongly you feel towards the original parameters you stated, the final decision may become clearer to you.

Relatively speaking, the power ratings of the DS 50 and DS 125 actually are very close ( DS 50 GN 9 vs DS 125 GN 10, ISO 100, underwater, measured in meters). What separates them mostly imho is their physical size and their angle of coverage ( beam angle ). Then there's also the greater power storage and faster recycle times of the DS 125's proprietary NiCad pack compared to the universally accessible DS 50's AA power source.

What we're doing here I believe though is comparing two strobes that each excel at what they were designed and intended for. A sports car vs a full size pick-up truck. If you wish to capture macro images, the DS 50 will illuminate your target with enough light that will allow you to utilize small apertures to capitalize on DOF.

But when and if you (like most of us have) decide to add wide angle lenses to your arsenal, you may wish you also had the versatility of the DS 125's coverage capability. Will the wider angle of coverage make it easier (also allow room for error) to illuminate compositions with the DS 125? Yes. But should we expect to see a major difference when capturing macro images of nudibranchs?

imho, a DS 50 will suit your needs for macro photography (that was the parameter you set). Considering the size and quality of your rig though, you'll never regret buying the DS 125. Either way, both strobes are built to last. Which brings up another point.

I, too share a similar path as others here. I also began with a DS 50. It is designed to adequately cover the field of view offered by a normal lens underwater. I added a target light to help with aiming (an ike mini c with the #4073 Ike attachment worked well). When it came time to add a wide angle lens to my camera bag, I added my first DS 125 ( dual strobe coverage) to help cover the new field of view offered by the WAL. The following year I sold my DS 50 at a fair price and used the proceeds to help pay for a second DS 125. My point is that if treated well, your investment in quality will hold it's value and you can always upgrade later if funds are currently under pressure.

But if the scuba bucks are there, and since you're not combining the size of the DS 125 with a tiny point and shoot, carry in your pocket, auto everything instamatic (why I originally asked the preliminary questions) I too say go for the DS 125.

hth,

b

How about getting a DS-50 now, and when budget allowed get a DS-125. Then u can get a dual strobe setup somehow and wouldn't drain your bank account. (Actually I'm doing this myself! )

Rin,

I don't think you will be happy with this long time. When you have a 125 you probably want replace you 50 soon.

How about getting a DS-50 now, and when budget allowed get a DS-125. Then u can get a dual strobe setup somehow and wouldn't drain your bank account. (Actually I'm doing this myself!  )

Did that, ended up getting a second DS-125 a very short time and sold my DS-50. Don't get me wrong, I loved the -50, and it was plenty bright. In the end though, I ended up wanting to only deal with one type of battery and charger for my strobes instead of two, and wanted the controls to be exactly the same. I also wanted more coverage than a -125 and a -50 could provide.