Inon z-220 and Epoque Strobes

[Dave H 0]

I am asking this question on behalf of a mate who is using the Olympus C5050 in the PT-015 housing.

 

He would now like to purchase some strobes but unfortunately he's on a tight budget. I recommended the Ike DS125 but he can't afford it. He is now investigating buying a Inon z-220 or an EPOQUE ES-DS150 Strobe.

 

Does anyone have any experience with either of these strobes? And would they be suitable for use with the Olympus C5050 (I'm not familiar with this setup).

How would they connect as I'm sure the PT-015 housing doesn't have a strobe port.

 

ta. B)

[craig 0]

I have used the 5050/PT-015 with a single Inon Z220 and was quite pleased with the results. I didn't have time to set up a fiber before the trip so I used it as a passive slave. A fiber connection is available but you'd have to adapt it to the PT-015 housing.

 

With this combination you have to turn off preflash, set the internal flash on its lowest setting and operate the Z220 manually. Most of the time I used it at full or nearly full power since there was only one strobe, but one Z220 is entirely adequate power-wise. I am very pleased with the quality of the Inon strobe.

[marscuba 0]

I have sold the Epoque strobe with the fiber optic cable. It is the most inexpensive solution.

 

What is your mate's budget?

 

In my opinion, the Ikelite wireless TTL is a much easier solution.

 

Also, the guide number (GN) of the Epoque is much less than the Ikelite DS50. Wish everyone would have the same numbering system (watt seconds, or GN in feet/meters, whatever, but just the same).

[ReyeR 0]

Dave, how're you going? Been seeing some your cool pics on diveoz and here.

With the C5050 and PT-015 any strobe that has an optical sensor/controller/fibre optic cable will work but only in manual mode, simply because you can disable the pre-flash on the C5050.

Currently the only tried-tested-working TTL solution is the Ikelite DS-125 and DS-50 with the TTL slave sensor.

The DS-50 with a manual controller would be my first choice on a budget.

The S&S YS90DX my second.

[herbko 0]

I have used the 5050/PT-015 with a single Inon Z220 and was quite pleased with the results.  I didn't have time to set up a fiber before the trip so I used it as a passive slave.  A fiber connection is available but you'd have to adapt it to the PT-015 housing.

 

With this combination you have to turn off preflash, set the internal flash on its lowest setting and operate the Z220 manually.  Most of the time I used it at full or nearly full power since there was only one strobe, but one Z220 is entirely adequate power-wise.  I am very pleased with the quality of the Inon strobe.

Craig,

 

Is it possible to use the strobe's modeling light and laser with your setup?

[craig 0]

Yes and no. The laser is always on, so if you use it for aiming you have to mask it off before shooting. They provide a little lever for that. That's how it works for most setups, actually. The modeling light will work. It turns off when the strobe fires, then comes back on after it recycles.

[Turbonium 0]

I just recently attended ADEX 2003 in Bangkok Thailand. I visited a booth and asked about this very subject and recommends that I go with the Inon D-180 because it was designed for digital camera. When asked about the Sea and Sea, the store owner said Inon was a much better solution.

 

Any comments?

[craig 0]

The 180 does not support hard wiring, so it's not very flexible. It's also a 1/2 stop less powerful. If you only use one strobe, the power difference with the 5050 is significant. I would consider the 220, not the 180.

[Turbonium 0]

Other than the hard wired capability of the Z220 are there any other differences between D180 and Z220?

[craig 0]

I don't know. I only have experience with te Z-220.