Just can't quite justify the cost...

Please note, this is a lament rather than a complaint, or rant.

Although I don't "need" new strobes, I have been intrigued by the Retras and thought it would be great to experiment with the HSS.  I don't need TTL but it is nice to have the option, and that is why I paid to have a TTL compatible trigger in my D500 housing.  I actually came very close to buying the first iteration of them, but missed some early discount dates and decided to wait, and then they were no more, etc.

I was recently thinking (and I guess, still am, sort of) of getting a pair of the Retra prime before my next trip.  But then I did the math.  OK, the strobes are expensive, but I understand that and am OK with it.  So roughly $2k for the pair.  Then there are the bits and pieces; bumpers, beam narrowing rings, reflectors, maybe superchargers, so now we are more like $2800.  And then I remember that I also need to upgrade my trigger in order to use HSS or TTL, so now we are up over $3000. (US$)

I find my enthusiasm waning.  Again, this is not a criticism of the prices, just a lament.  Since I have strobes that work fine,  I think this is an extravagance I can't really justify.   I may give in and get the strobes and just wait a while before upgrading the trigger, but even then, the price is a bit beyond my "thought it would be fun" budget.

If anyone has a discount coupon for Retra lying around,  let  me know.   Or even just words of encouragement, condolences, etc.

I am in exactly the same place. What I have works fine (except the snooting situation which is dire, but could be solved with just the Backscatter Flash). The Retras are not in any way overpriced. They seem to be one of the best strobes in the markets and for me certainly the most desirable one. 

Hey Draq and Hyp

Been there, felt that. Had a pair of Inon Z240s which I thought were great. Apart from the snooting thing. 

Then I thought I'm only passing this life once - I'm quite a good bit into it too. Then I thought "sod it", I'm ordering a pair of Retra Primes - with the bits. And yeah, price for the strobe is fair enough. They are serially high quality. Then I added the bumpers, the neat little neoprene overcoats..... 

Do I regret it. Nope. I am utterly delighted with them. Maybe a bit poorer in the bank account. But hey.......

And..... then I bought the supercharger, the reflector and narrowing ring. I think I might just get my bank to send my salary to Retra, Subal, Nikon and Scubapro and see if, between them, they will give me an allowance. 

I am on the same page OP.

I have a pair of YS-110a's, and decided to use my 2020/2021 scuba budget on a new housing, ports, new reg, new computer, and new bcd, and the rest for travel. That 2-3k strobe budget pays for 2 trips to cozumel and my 110a's still work great for now. 

Strobes are next year but I am still torn between retras or YS-D3's. 

In a similar situation here, though I was pretty set on the Z330 and then changed my mind after some advise from people here with first hand experience with the Retras. I was set on Retras but they have gone out of stock and may not come back at all?

I am now back to the very beginning and thinking of getting the Z330. I am confused and it seems that Retra's not being available makes it easier to go with Z330s.

Orders for the Retra Flash will be open very soon. We have been planning something special for the 10 year anniversary...

" Orders for the Retra Flash will be open very soon. We have been planning something special for the 10 year anniversary... "

Oh, fine...more temptation.

Actually, I think I have a plan.  I have a bunch of micro four thirds lenses, ports, housing, etc. that I am not using and have never bothered to sell.  I hung on to it when I went to a D500, but I think it is time to say goodbye to it.  I am going to put it on ebay and that will probably cover the cost, or much of it.  Hopefully.

Still an extravagance, but at least it won't be "new" money going into the sinkhole. 

2 hours ago, Oskar@RetraUWT said:

Orders for the Retra Flash will be open very soon. We have been planning something special for the 10 year anniversary...

Unless that special something is a 70% discount, I'm probably not in. That said, this is not because your products are not worth what you're asking for.

3 hours ago, Oskar@RetraUWT said:

Orders for the Retra Flash will be open very soon. We have been planning something special for the 10 year anniversary...

Oh lord, I can feel the siren call of my credit card.....

Hey Oskar, has the LSD case been withdrawn? Any plans to develop a new one? I could offer some design thoughts! I'd quite like to be able to remove it once in a while during a dive and know it was secure rather than just dangling...... same with the masks.

We stopped making the LSD bag about 3 years ago. There was not enough interest for this item since most photographers make use of their existing carrying solutions, mainly the diving pockets, or they attach more ropes and clips to the Optical tube.

Thanks, Oskar. Yeah, I'm on the Paracord and carbiner trail.

On 3/21/2021 at 4:26 PM, Draq said:

Please note, this is a lament rather than a complaint, or rant.

Although I don't "need" new strobes, I have been intrigued by the Retras and thought it would be great to experiment with the HSS.  I don't need TTL but it is nice to have the option, and that is why I paid to have a TTL compatible trigger in my D500 housing.  I actually came very close to buying the first iteration of them, but missed some early discount dates and decided to wait, and then they were no more, etc.

I was recently thinking (and I guess, still am, sort of) of getting a pair of the Retra prime before my next trip.  But then I did the math.  OK, the strobes are expensive, but I understand that and am OK with it.  So roughly $2k for the pair.  Then there are the bits and pieces; bumpers, beam narrowing rings, reflectors, maybe superchargers, so now we are more like $2800.  And then I remember that I also need to upgrade my trigger in order to use HSS or TTL, so now we are up over $3000. (US$)

I find my enthusiasm waning.  Again, this is not a criticism of the prices, just a lament.  Since I have strobes that work fine,  I think this is an extravagance I can't really justify.   I may give in and get the strobes and just wait a while before upgrading the trigger, but even then, the price is a bit beyond my "thought it would be fun" budget.

If anyone has a discount coupon for Retra lying around,  let  me know.   Or even just words of encouragement, condolences, etc.

 

Hi Draq,

Just my thoughts: Instead of investing 3k for experimenting with HSS, you could experiment with ND filter on the lens for few $ and report here. As far as I understand the HSS issue, the outcome should be the same (darker background as the fastest non-HSS sync. speed, lowest ISO and smallest tolerable aperture allow). And unless you have in mind what to do with TTL, you do not need it, most UW photographers never use it...

In case you suffer from GAS (I also have severe attacks from time to time), there is no other choice than to go for the new equipment. As you already say you can sell the old gear to limit the losses...

Wolfgang

6 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

Hi Draq,

Just my thoughts: Instead of investing 3k for experimenting with HSS, you could experiment with ND filter on the lens for few $ and report here. As far as I understand the HSS issue, the outcome should be the same (darker background as the fastest non-HSS sync. speed, lowest ISO and smallest tolerable aperture allow). And unless you have in mind what to do with TTL, you do not need it, most UW photographers never use it...

In case you suffer from GAS (I also have severe attacks from time to time), there is no other choice than to go for the new equipment. As you already say you can sell the old gear to limit the losses...

 

Wolfgang

Mostly GAS, I am ashamed to say.

45 minutes ago, Draq said:

Mostly GAS, I am ashamed to say.

You're on the slippery slope, Draq.

You called the original post "can't quite  justify the cost". Can we ever? Don't we just rationalise it?!?!  

On 3/22/2021 at 3:50 PM, Lewis88 said:

Strobes are next year but I am still torn between retras or YS-D3's. 

I get surprised at every time I see folks comparing the new Retras Vs the YS-D3's. Just make a search here on WP about S&S strobes. If you want to save some money better think about the Inons.

On 3/22/2021 at 7:50 AM, Lewis88 said:

Strobes are next year but I am still torn between retras or YS-D3's. 

Picking up Joss' point, do have a search around on WP for views on the YS-D3 before you buy......

Just ordered the new Prime X.

I think I need to start going to meetings.  Hi, my name is John and....

Just saw the news. I'll take all your now outdated Original Retra Primes/Pros off your hands for 50% off. I'm sure they are completely worthless now that better ones are out.

PS: Offer only stands on the first two strobes coming my way!

29 minutes ago, Draq said:

Just ordered the new Prime X.

I think I need to start going to meetings.  Hi, my name is John and....

 

LOL, brilliant!!! Congrats.... 

1 minute ago, hyp said:

Just saw the news. I'll take all your now outdated Original Retra Primes/Pros off your hands for 50% off. I'm sure they are completely worthless now that better ones are out.

 

 

PS: Offer only stands on the first two strobes coming my way!

It begins...... Oskar has just chucked a hand grenade into WP.