Best flash for under $400?

[TylerMoore 0]

I'm going to be getting an ikelite housing for my 20D here soon. I already have a nikon sb105, but I would like to get a second flash as well. I'm wondering what is another good flash for underwater that I could get for less than $400. How necessary is TTL underwater? It can't be any more accurate than above water, where I generally manually meter my flashes anyways. Should I just get a more powerful flash without e-ttl, or get a less powerful one with it?

 

 

Any opinions on different models to go well with the ikelite?

[james 0]

Hi Tyler,

 

Underwater flashes don't really "come with" eTTL - more like they are CAPABLE of performing the pre-flashes needed for eTTL. There are exceptions of course, like a few of the Subtronic and Seacam units that have the eTTL circuit built into the flash.

 

$400 is sort of a break-over point in that there aren't many choices under that amount. Most of the flashes <$400 are macro units - not really designed for all-purpose use.

 

Perhaps you should have a look at Ebay? I bet you can get a used DS125 for that much.

 

Cheers

James

[Cerianthus 55]

Ikelite (the housing you were going to buy) has the TTL in the housing, but only usable for Ikelite's own strobes. Be careful when buying second hand DS-strobes: check the Ikelite page to check the compatibility (serial numbers).

 

I dont think you can mix a digital TTL and a SB105 strobe though, so if you want 2: you might as well get another SB105 and shoot manual.

 

Gerard

 

(PS I chose to buy two small DS-50 strobes, but am now pondering if I should've got a DS-125 instead, because of the WA capabilities. However, I can light my 15mm FE.

[TylerMoore 0]

Ikelite (the housing you were going to buy) has the TTL in the housing, but only usable for Ikelite's own strobes. Be careful when buying second hand DS-strobes: check the Ikelite page to check the compatibility (serial numbers).

 

I dont think you can mix a digital TTL and a SB105 strobe though, so if you want 2: you might as well get another SB105 and shoot manual.

 

Gerard

 

(PS I chose to buy two small DS-50 strobes, but am now pondering if I should've got a DS-125 instead, because of the WA capabilities. However, I can light my 15mm FE.

 

 

So if I'm shooting with 2 sb 105's what would be my wide angle options? Could I use flash for wide angle at all if I was within 4 feet or so?

 

I'll look at the coverage area of the two flashes combined, and then of my lens to see if it will cover the whole area. Any body have experience shooting with a setup like this?

[ce4jesus 1]

I would agree that if you're buying an ikelite housing it makes sense to purchase the ikelite strobes. I would extend your budget a little and buy a used DS125. A good strobe for under $400 is the YS27DX from Sea&Sea...you can get them new on Ebay for about $280. They're completely manual but have 10 stops of adjustment.