Trouble Shooting DS160 Strobes using Fibre Optic converter to fire

Ahh, fair enough. Just a thought. Hope you can find a quick fix. Sounds pretty annoying. 

Thanks Jon,

I tested your method.  

Camera on, flash on (fill flash mode on Z7II) strobes on and set to full power.  I took 20 or more pictures and no success. 

Again the strobes and the cords work when I shine other light sources like an underwater flashlight.  But not hooked up to my camera housing.  

I have to tell you that even I was able to repeat your experience it would be very frustrating to have to shoot several images just to get my strobes to work and repeat the process for every setting change or when my camera goes to sleep between shots (which could be corrected in the camera likely). 

One last test if I can find some optically fired strobes (borrow YS-D3's or similar) just to eliminate the housing (light source) and cords and narrow to the adapter as the issue as all other parts work.  

Rob

Thanks Chris,

I now see the adapter you are referring to.  The vendor I bought my system through and had the parts dropped shipped to my home tells me that Ikelite typically doesn't take returns.  I am not excited to fight a return policy if these other adapters don't work and spend another $300 I won't get back.   If I can get my system to fire an optically fired strobe YS-D3 for example then I am going to start shopping...lot's of great examples (as you know as you provided most of them) already provided throughout this thread from Retra to Inon and all in between including the DS series from Ikelite. 

much appreciated as always...

rlopes

4 hours ago, rlopes said:

I have to tell you that even I was able to repeat your experience it would be very frustrating to have to shoot several images just to get my strobes to work and repeat the process for every setting change or when my camera goes to sleep between shots (which could be corrected in the camera likely). 

It's only when I initially turn everything on. if the camera goes to sleep it's not a problem, it wakes up and on we go. But if you turn the camera or the strobes off then there's one (usually) initial trigger before the strobes fire.

Sorry it's not working for you.

The Ikelite adapter part I have is: 4401.3 (Fiber Optic Converter - 3rd Gen).

Jon

8 hours ago, rlopes said:

Thanks Chris,

I now see the adapter you are referring to.  The vendor I bought my system through and had the parts dropped shipped to my home tells me that Ikelite typically doesn't take returns.  I am not excited to fight a return policy if these other adapters don't work and spend another $300 I won't get back.   If I can get my system to fire an optically fired strobe YS-D3 for example then I am going to start shopping...lot's of great examples (as you know as you provided most of them) already provided throughout this thread from Retra to Inon and all in between including the DS series from Ikelite. 

much appreciated as always...

rlopes

I would think you have a good case that the adapters are not working as promised .  The returns policy is here:

https://www.ikelite.com/pages/shipping-returns

sounds like if it's within 30 days they should accept returns if it has not been in the water.

Update - 

I found a friend with YS-D2 Sea&Sea optically fired strobes.  With my Sea&Sea fiber optic cables, my housing and his strobes I was able to fire the strobes.  To be complete I retested with his fiber optic cables and the strobes fired as well.  Based on Jon's experience above and not wanting to go back to electrical sync cables to use my Ikelite strobes (I love that I can build my own fiber optic cables and replace quickly while on a dive trip as needed) I am going to pick up some optically fired strobes (Sea&Sea YS-D3's or Inon likely) and return the adapters as I now know they were they culprit in the system. 

I am strongly considering selling my Ikelite DS160's (3 strobes 2 brand new batteries) and my Ikelite electrical sync cables as I have tested all of them and they are working perfectly as designed.   I also have an Ikelite housing for a Canon 50D that is in great shape but my 50D camera doesn't work and I can't get it repaired, so I would sell that housing if someone has a 50D and can use it.  Otherwise it is nostalgically displayed on my book case next to the 50D body. 

Thanks for all of the advice, input, and deep knowledge...I have learned a ton about fiber optic's and associated strobes. 

Lopes

6 minutes ago, rlopes said:

I am going to pick up some optically fired strobes (Sea&Sea YS-D3's or Inon likely)

Keep in mind that YS-D3s are known for poor sensitivity to optical triggering. Mark II are better, but still not perfect. See this thread; I recommend reading it from start to finish:

View archived post in: Sea&Sea YS-D3 doesn't work with UWT TTL trigger?

Hi, if it was my housing, I would pair it with a used Canon 50D (there are several low priced ones advertised in Google) and give it to a friend, or to your dive guide, on your next dive trip. 

As for Sea&Sea YS- strobes, I have half a dozen no-flash ones in my cellar, should you want some. Otherwise, the best buy may be a pair of Inon Z330 strobes from Fun In Underwater Photo in Taiwan, $629 each.

https://www.fun-in.com.tw/en/index.php?route=product/product&path=95_25_119&product_id=3563