Need Help with Strobe And Tray

[LLKZ16]

I am looking to purchase a strobe and tray for my SP-350 with it's PT-030 housing. The issue is that I do not want to spend a lot of money but at the same time I want to get something that will work well. I mostly do macro and super macro photography.

Any suggestions on a good value decision. Also, will a focus light be necessary?

Thanks,
Lee

 

[JackConnick]

I have several lighting packages that will work. For a budget strobe to shoot macro, the Fantasea Remora will work pretty well as it's quite adjustable. If you can spend a little more the Sea & Sea YS27DX would be a better choice.

Any other trays and so forth can be mixed/match with any of the strobes.

Yes, I would recommend a focus light as it will greatly speed up acquiring focus lock and allow you to see to frame easier. Pretty essential for night dives.

Jack

 

[LLKZ16]

Jack,

Thanks for your help!

For the Sea & Sea YS27DX package, how does the sync cord attach on to the housing? Also, what would the full set up cost for the Sea & Sea YS27DX package pictured above.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[Jorgy]

Not sure about the total cost of a YS-27 with focus light....

The YS-110 has a built in focus light which in my opinion makes the whole camera package easier to travel with and handle underwater....

Hope this helps.....M

 

[RockyHeap]

Full TTL is (IMHO) way better than a fiber triggered strobe.

And I've had so many failures with Fantasea products I won't even comment on that cheap crap.

Dual handle tray is a plus for handling the camera underwater, as well as handing it up to the boat. Ikelite is very nice.

what-ever you do, have growth into your system in mind, what is happy for you now may be obsolete in a year from now. Spend the money once.

If you want a Sealife SL-960 strobe cheap, pm me and it'll come to you with a brand new fiber trigger cord.

 

[MJSmith]

Any suggestions on the focus light? Is it better to get a LED type? How strong a light source? Connect to the hot shoe or is it better to have the separate handle?

 

[Jorgy]

Which strobe are you thinking about or did you buy?

Not sure I follow "Connect to the hot shoe" the focus light is independent unless it integrated in the strobe then it turns off auto automatically when the strobe fires.....

M

 

[Doubler]

A Big Blue Focus Light shuts down with strobe fire. It is so bright I use it as my dive light on night dives. Is kind of freaky at first when it shuts off but comes back in 3 seconds. Jack carries them. Great light. As far as strobes go, look at the new Inon Strobe. Very compact and does not need a sync cord. Ikelight has a Strobe tray combo called the AF35, I believe, no cord required for this one either. I have done the whole cheap strobe thing, you get what you pay for.

 

[JackConnick]

I am not impressed with the Ike AF35 system, it's quite weak.

Yes, the YS-110a is a great strobe, I just bought two for my DSLR rig. TTL works really well with them. But the YS-27DX remains a favorite for size and cost for many P&S'ers.

Jack

 

[bmchugh]

I'll second Jack's arm set. I have had one on my DSLR for the last year, just changed the bottom tray, its held up really well. The YS110a also works great. I had one of the Fantasea 44LED lights and it works pretty well, especially for the price, I now have a Fisheye LED that is priced like its made of gold but is like a portable sun with a very even beam. I use that as my primary dive light as well as a focus light.

Brian