THE IKELITE DILEMMA

[AMW 0]

If you were a recreational P&S UW photographer and only shot macro and portrait images,

what would you choose:

 

ONE Ikelite DS-125?

 

OR

 

TWO Ikelite DS-51s?

 

 

Through excellent information on this forum I am well aware that dual DS-125s are the best option,

but currently I am not willing to make this investment because I only dive twice a year and would prefer

to spend this cash on the dive trip itself.

 

What is your vote?

 

Thanks for your time and expertise!

Edited February 18, 2008 by AMW

[rtrski 20]

If those are the only options you'll consider - I guess I'd go with the 2 DS-51's myself. More than enough light for macro and fish portraits with a 51, but having 2 gives you a bit more placement flexibility.

 

I however am a noob, and likely don't deserve an opinion (what movie was the line from...."when I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you!")

[Deep6 7]

AMW,

I prefer two strobes. You may not need the wider coverage, but you get more flexibility in your lighting set-up. Also, carry a single cord and you can have a back up if one fails.

 

rtrski,

 

I think that was a quote from your neighbor in College Station: Chuck Norris in “Code of Silenceâ€. De que parte de DWF es tu? I love this country, no (apparent) qualifications to vote or run for office and look what happens! ;0)

Edited February 18, 2008 by Deep6

[KenByrne 0]

I went with 2 DS-51s. I like the flexibility of two strobes. You tend to get harsher shadows with 1 strobe and some people prefer this look.

 

With diffuser the DS-51 has 80 degrees coverage the DS-125 has 100 degrees so 2 DS-51s gives you 60 degrees more coverage.

[jlyle 8]

If you only shoot u/w a couple of times a year, and shoot mostly macro, then the dual DS-51s are probably right for you. If you were diving more often and shooting WA, then dual DS-125s would be a better choice.

 

FWIW, my wife shoots a single DS-125 with her p&s...

[TomR1 5]

I shoot a single Ds-125 for macro. I tend to keep the strobe even or slightly above the plane of the camera and fully extended on two, eight inch arms. The effect is essentially side lighting with a significent shadow to define the subject. Some people don't like this treatment.

 

The DS-51 is rather wimpy (I have one) and dual strobe placement will likely be a pain for someone who seldom dives.

 

Tom

[davehicks 89]

If you were a recreational P&S UW photographer and only shot macro and portrait images,

what would you choose:

 

ONE Ikelite DS-125?

 

OR

 

TWO Ikelite DS-51s?

 

Buy one DS-125 now. Buy another one when you decide you need it.

 

If you buy two DS-51's now, you'll end up spending a lot more money in the end when you ultimately upgrade to the dual DS-125 setup. (Which you'll probably do in the end!)

[crcdiver 0]

The other thing to consider is getting one DS-125 and adding another in a year or two thus saving you money in the long run when you replace the 51's with the 125's (thats what I wound up doing).

[drevil 0]

The other thing to consider is getting one DS-125 and adding another in a year or two thus saving you money in the long run when you replace the 51's with the 125's (thats what I wound up doing).

 

What camera are you using? If it is a cropped sensor dSLR then you can get away with one strobe more than you could with full frame due to the cropped FOV on wide angle lenses. Macro, you only really need one anyway.

 

The other thing to consider is that you have one strobe and it malfunctions then you are much more screwed than if 1 out of 2 strobes malfunction.

[markdhanlon 0]

I went down this road as well. In the end I purchased a DS-125. However, while I was on vacation I broke it. Thankfully I was able to replace it while only missing one day of diving (I still dove, just sans camera). Then once I was back in Canada I sent the broken one in for repair. Now I have two and am quite happy with them. I didn't have much problem with one strobe. I sometimes prefered the contrast that it provided.

[CADiver 2]

I too agree, one DS-125 would be the way to start and buy another one later. That's how I did it anyway. DS51 is weak. W/ P&S, it's very easy to shoot a 6 inches macro shot here and then next aim and shoot something 3 ft away. DS125 will reach that distance that the DS51 may not.

[ATJ 1]

Buy one DS125 and then buy another one later, as has been suggested.

 

I went for ages with a single DS50 with my P&S and then when I switched to a dSLR I had to buy 2 x DS125. (Note that I did this over a couple of years but I still end up with a superfluous DS50.)

[Cerianthus 55]

I have two DS-51's. I am happy with them now, but I can see I will eventually get DS-125's because of the wide angle coverage (I need diffusors to cover my 15mm FE nicely and would like the 10-17mm one day)

 

But for portraits and macro? I dont think the DS-125 is that much more powerfull. There is a 28 -> 32 feet increase in underwater guide number.

[betti154 5]

given the choice, I'd go 2 x DS51s

[AMW 0]

Thank you for all your votes and recommendations WETPIXEL members.

 

With all the votes tabulated, the verdict is that I should go with the single Ikelite DS-125 and then in the future add a second DS-125.

 

With out WETPIXEL forums I would still be contemplating THE IKELITE DILEMMA!

Edited March 2, 2008 by AMW