Anyone have their DS-125 strobes upgraded by Ikelite to DS-160's?
http://ikelite.com/f...obes.html#ds161
DS-125 upgrage to DS-160
Started by meister, Mar 19 2011 06:04 AM
11 replies to this topic
#1
meister
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Posted 19 March 2011 - 06:04 AM
#2
BigJeff
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Posted 19 March 2011 - 06:25 AM
I've just had the first DS-125 upgraded to DS-161, second is with Ike now.
Seems like good value to revive an older strobe when considering moving to a camera with Video capability.
Seems like good value to revive an older strobe when considering moving to a camera with Video capability.
Edited by BigJeff, 19 March 2011 - 06:29 AM.
Jeff (Sony SLT-A65, Ike Housing, 2 x DS-161)
#3
cpadiver
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Triggerfish
Posted 19 March 2011 - 08:44 AM
Yes, I did.
I have not had them in the water yet, but they look great.
I think it is a good idea as well. Strobes are all updated.
I have not had them in the water yet, but they look great.
I think it is a good idea as well. Strobes are all updated.
#4
jlyle
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Posted 24 May 2011 - 01:58 PM
I sent in two of my DS-125s for upgrade to DS-160s. Ike's website says the upgrade is $300-$475. Both my strobes are in good, working condition. I just got the quote from Ikelite - they want $500 each to upgrade the strobes! WTF?
Olmpus OM-D EM-5 in a Nauticam housing with dual Sea and Sea YS D1 strobes
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
#5
johnspierce
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Posted 24 May 2011 - 04:24 PM
I sent in two of my DS-125s for upgrade to DS-160s. Ike's website says the upgrade is $300-$475. Both my strobes are in good, working condition. I just got the quote from Ikelite - they want $500 each to upgrade the strobes! WTF?
I thought the price was based on the serial number and age of the 125's? Older ones being more expensive that is...
Nikon D7000 | Aquatica Housing | 8" dome/4" dome/macro port | Nikon 105mm | Nikon 60mm | Tokina 10-17mm / Tokina 12-24mm | Dual Ikelite DS-160 | Stix Floats | ULCS arms/clamps | Fix LED1000 focus light | Aquatica +5 and +10 diopters
#6
jlyle
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Posted 24 May 2011 - 05:58 PM
That's not what it says on the Ike website.
"Upgrade prices are based on a fully working Substrobe with no signs of abuse, water damage or other non-warranty issues. Non-working and/or damaged Substrobes will result in increased cost to upgrade."
"Upgrade prices are based on a fully working Substrobe with no signs of abuse, water damage or other non-warranty issues. Non-working and/or damaged Substrobes will result in increased cost to upgrade."
Olmpus OM-D EM-5 in a Nauticam housing with dual Sea and Sea YS D1 strobes
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
#7
jlyle
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Posted 25 May 2011 - 06:16 AM
Ikelite needs to update its website. They now say not only non-working and/or damaged Substrobes, but also older strobes, strobes that are out of warranty, and ones that require electronic updates will result in increased cost to upgrade. If I had known that, I wouldn't have sent my strobes to them for upgrade.
Olmpus OM-D EM-5 in a Nauticam housing with dual Sea and Sea YS D1 strobes
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
#8
scorpio_fish
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Posted 25 May 2011 - 11:12 AM
Why upgrade?
I have three 125s. I don't know why I would upgrade. Seems like a lot of money for marginal power increase and more settings. I don't use the strobe for a modeling light anyway.
I have three 125s. I don't know why I would upgrade. Seems like a lot of money for marginal power increase and more settings. I don't use the strobe for a modeling light anyway.
"Me, fail English?.........Unpossible!"
#9
Aussiebyron
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Posted 25 May 2011 - 07:14 PM
I sold off my Ikelite Ds125's and replaced with new Ds161. It worked out cheaper to sell them off on ebay and use that money towards the new DS161. I get warranty and brand new battery packs with the new strobes.
regarding Marginal power increase: going from 110w/s (Ds125) to 160w/p (Ds160) is a decent power increase
Regards Mark
regarding Marginal power increase: going from 110w/s (Ds125) to 160w/p (Ds160) is a decent power increase
Regards Mark
Nikon D7000 with Aquatica housing called "Deedee", Tokina 10-17,Nikkor 60mm, Nikkor 105mm, Sigma 17-70, Ikelite DS161
http://www.flickr.co...s/22898788@N04/
http://www.flickr.co...s/22898788@N04/
#10
scorpio_fish
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Posted 26 May 2011 - 08:20 AM
regarding Marginal power increase: going from 110w/s (Ds125) to 160w/p (Ds160) is a decent power increase
Regards Mark
The 40% increase in power only has meaning if you find yourself firing at full power on the 125s and not getting enough light. I find myself shooting at half power most of the time.
"Me, fail English?.........Unpossible!"
#11
johnspierce
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Posted 26 May 2011 - 08:35 AM
You can never have too much power - Jeremy Clarkson. 
Seriously though, I have dual DS-125's and there have been a few situations using the 10-17 where a full dump was just not quite enough - I'm planning on doing the upgrade. I would agree for most of my photos using the 125's works well, particularly macro or fish portraits.
Seriously though, I have dual DS-125's and there have been a few situations using the 10-17 where a full dump was just not quite enough - I'm planning on doing the upgrade. I would agree for most of my photos using the 125's works well, particularly macro or fish portraits.
Edited by johnspierce, 26 May 2011 - 08:42 AM.
Nikon D7000 | Aquatica Housing | 8" dome/4" dome/macro port | Nikon 105mm | Nikon 60mm | Tokina 10-17mm / Tokina 12-24mm | Dual Ikelite DS-160 | Stix Floats | ULCS arms/clamps | Fix LED1000 focus light | Aquatica +5 and +10 diopters
#12
meister
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Posted 29 May 2011 - 12:11 AM
Though I'm quite content with the current function and output of my current DS-125 strobes, with the DS-160 upgrade I was looking for improved performance for an upcoming and repeat JASA trip, specifically a potential increase in my ability to successfully fire off repeat shots with the strobes at at say one-half power... I didn't keep the return email regarding the estimate for the upgrade cost, but my conclusion at that price I was quoted, I'd be about better to sale off my current DS-125's and purchase new DS-160's for the minimal price difference.
However, I'd already sent in my DS-125's for the upgrade estimate, so while declining the upgrade option, I asked the strobes be serviced and any upgrades be completed as long as the strobes were already at Ikelite. Aside from the cleaning as could be evidenced by a control knob which had become a bit sluggish in operation and after service now functions as new, judging by the return paperwork, o-rings were replaced as well as several parts replaced which I hadn't realized needed replacement. All of this was completed for $100 with the strobes returned in a very, very minimal of time. I couldn't be happier with the service I received, despite not receiving the upgrade...
However, I'd already sent in my DS-125's for the upgrade estimate, so while declining the upgrade option, I asked the strobes be serviced and any upgrades be completed as long as the strobes were already at Ikelite. Aside from the cleaning as could be evidenced by a control knob which had become a bit sluggish in operation and after service now functions as new, judging by the return paperwork, o-rings were replaced as well as several parts replaced which I hadn't realized needed replacement. All of this was completed for $100 with the strobes returned in a very, very minimal of time. I couldn't be happier with the service I received, despite not receiving the upgrade...
