XZ-1 + UFL-2 + UFL-1: Guidance Wanted

[Randallr]

I'm still a relative newbie to underwater photography, with two years and maybe 15 dives with my XZ-1, PT-050 housing, and small UFL-1 strobe under my belt. I've been ecstatic at some of the pictures I've been able to take. But it's clear I need a more powerful strobe. The recommendations I've received have centered on the Sea & Sea YS-D1 and Olympus's own UFL-2. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the UFL-2: It's less expensive, and I assume it will integrate flawlessly into a master-slave setup with the UFL-1.

My question is: Am I right - can I set up the two flashes via TTL as simply as I think? Or is this more complicated than I understand?

Also, in reviewing these boards, I get conflicting notions about whether the YS-D1 has full TTL functionality with the XZ-1. That's another reason (in addition to price) that I'm passing on it. Does anyone know the full story - and if so, can you explain it in terms a noob would understand?

Final question: Anything else I ought to know about moving from a single, low-powered strobe setup to a dual-strobe setup with a higher powered lamp?

I appreciate anything and everything you have to offer.

 

[R-balljunkie]

I tried the UFL-2 with the XZ-1. I wasn’t too impressed with its performance. The XZ-1 is an oddity when it comes to TTL compatibility. It doesn’t seem to work with a long list of strobe manufacturers TTL. You can check sea and seas website for the compatibility list.

SEA&SEA |

if it were me, I’d also look at the Inon strobes too.


there's some smoking deals on the EPL-1 and EPM-1 going on right now. i purchased the EPL-1 for 399 and have to say the picture quality and ease of use surpasses the XZ-1 and hte TTL works great with a variety of strobe manufacturers

might throw out the option of a new camera and housing into the mix, sell your xz-1.

 

[Randallr]

What didn't you like about the UFL-2? What couldn't it do that you wanted done? I'm asking because, if it's that questionable, maybe I'll do my next trip with just my low-powered UFL-1 (which I'm getting used to), rather than go higher.

As far as upgrading, I've loved the XZ-1, and I'd rather get to know it better for a few more trips before I consider upgrading. But I will take your suggestion and check on the resale value of the whole rig after I get back from the next trip, and if I can recoup enough, I'll consider the upgrade.

---------- Post added April 4th, 2013 at 12:26 PM ----------

Let me ask you another quick, stupid question: In looking at the YS-D1 compatibility list you linked to (and thanks for that!) it says that strobe isn't compatible with the XZ-1 when the strobe is in DS-TTLⅡmode, but it is compatible in slave mode. Can you explain in layman's terms the difference? It sounds as if the YS-D1 won't work as part of a two-strobe setup, and can only be used as a single strobe, fired by the camera's built-in flash. Is it something other than that?