Manual Strobe Help

[DiverChix]

I just updated my Sea & Sea system to the DX-8000G. The strobe the sea & sea distributer sent with my camera is a YS-27DX. I am having problems adjusting the strobe. It is over exposing everytime I use the strobe. I have tried adjusting the fstop number to match the camera, on several different types of dives. I really liked my old strobe, it seemed to work every time I needed it to. It was automatic, and I guess I got used to that. When I look at the setup online, this strobe they sent me isn't one of the strobes they recommend for this camera. This is my current setup:

DX-8000G
YS-27DX
Sea Arm Light Double Set
Fiber Optic Cable

My old setup was:

• DX-3100
• YS-25 AUT0
• Fiber-optic Cable for YS-25
• DX Arm
• DX Stay
• MX-10 20mm Wide Conversion Lens Kit
• Lens Caddy for YS-25

What can I do to help this situation? Can I go back to using my old strobe and the new strobe? How do I set up the strobe so it doesn't over-expose the photos? My photos come out looking like a blob of white.

Thanks,

Tessa

 

[cfelliot]

I have this strobe on a Ikelite housing and Canon G9.

I started at ISO 200, 125th and 5.6 and then adjusted the intensity knob on the strobe until I got a good histogram and exposure.

 

[SEA&SEA]

Hi Tessa-
Thank you for your inquiry. Changing a strobe or system is usually never a smooth transition and as you know requires some patience and experimentation! To answer your immediate question, the YS-27 is completely compatible with the DX-8000G.
The YS-27 differs only slightly from the YS-25 in such that the 27 has a higher GN (20 compared to 15) and a wider beam angle (105x84 compared to 80x90) and it is a manual strobe. The YS-25Auto once adjusted to your cameras f-stop, will automatically adjust the output for the correct exposure. The YS-27DX is a manual strobe and requires manual adjustment, which is leading to some overexposures initially on your images. Power adjustment is 9 step from 1.7 to 20 on the YS-27, the YS-25 from 2 to 11 in 6 steps.
We echo cfelliot's comments on using the histogram and experimenting on the f-stops and shutter speeds until you get the settings you prefer.

 

[DiverChix]

Hi Tessa-
Thank you for your inquiry. Changing a strobe or system is usually never a smooth transition and as you know requires some patience and experimentation! To answer your immediate question, the YS-27 is completely compatible with the DX-8000G.
The YS-27 differs only slightly from the YS-25 in such that the 27 has a higher GN (20 compared to 15) and a wider beam angle (105x84 compared to 80x90) and it is a manual strobe. The YS-25Auto once adjusted to your cameras f-stop, will automatically adjust the output for the correct exposure. The YS-27DX is a manual strobe and requires manual adjustment, which is leading to some overexposures initially on your images. Power adjustment is 9 step from 1.7 to 20 on the YS-27, the YS-25 from 2 to 11 in 6 steps.
We echo cfelliot's comments on using the histogram and experimenting on the f-stops and shutter speeds until you get the settings you prefer.

I looked online to see if Sea&Sea had any manuals or instructions that would be helpful and I couldn't find anything. Do you know where I can find better instructions or guides for that particular strobe and camera setup?

Thanks,

Tessa

 

[SEA&SEA]

Hi Tessa-
Product user manuals are available online here: SEA&SEA User Manuals in PDF
you will also find suggested DX-8000G camera settings on that page.

 

[DiverChix]

Hi Tessa-
Product user manuals are available online here: SEA&SEA User Manuals in PDF
you will also find suggested DX-8000G camera settings on that page.

Thanks, I think I am getting more clarification now. One more question, please? What is the Fiber Optic Cable Adapter for? Would this help me if I decide to use both automatic and manual strobes at the same time?

Thanks,

Tessa