Fibre optics and TTL

[TimG 62]

Following comments from Pavel and Eyu I emailed Subal to ask them about installing the V2 TTL system in my Subal housing for the D800. I should explain that my housing contains no electronics or hotshoe. I'm currently using the D800's strobe to initiate two Inon Z240 strobes via fibre optic cables plugged into the Subal fibre optic sockets. As I say, no hot shoe.

 

Subal replied that in addition to the V2 unit, I would need a hot shoe to V2 cable = €105; plus an "optical unit" at €120.

 

Subal also suggested using the Turtle for Nikon unit which includes all the necessary parts in one package.

 

It's not clear to me if you can buy the Turtle directly from Subal - and I can't find it on their website - but you can buy one directly from Turtle. If Subal are suggesting it, I would feel pretty confident that it will work fine.

[Pavel Kolpakov 74]

.... an "optical unit" at €120.

Tim, in continuation of your dialog with Subal, please ask to show a picture of that "optical unit". It would be interesting to look that new part.

For the same aim I used standard clear inserts which you have in your D800 housing, little bit modified rear end (to fix the LED). This is easy.

I also made similar new inserts by lathe, for my friend's TTL. I can send you the drawing, if you need.

Edited April 25, 2017 by Pavel Kolpakov

[TimG 62]

Tim, in continuation of your dialog with Subal, please ask to show a picture of that "optical unit". It would be interesting to look that new part.

For the same aim I used standard clear inserts which you have in your D800 housing, little bit modified rear end (to fix the LED). This is easy.

I also made similar new inserts by lathe, for my friends TTL. I can send you the drawing, if you need.

 

 

Yep, will do, Pavel.

 

I'd welcome details of how you modified the optical inserts; and the drawings! Thanks!

 

Do you have any thoughts on the difference between the V2 and the Turtle?

[eyu 27]

Tim,

 

I believe one major difference btw the V2 and Turtle is the amount of flashes per battery charge.

I read somewhere that the Turtle is charged by a usb connection and would require recharging at the very least daily while the V2 battery would last more than a dive trip.

 

I have a V2 on order at Reef Photo with the fiber optic connector

 

Elmer

[TimG 62]

Thanks Elmer

 

Yep, Turtle is indeed USB charged whilst the V2 has replaceable flat batteries. A quick read of the Turtle website - showing the new model - seems to indicate a pretty healthy battery live certainly beyond a day - I'd have thought.

 

I'd be really interested to know how you get on with the V2. Do you have the hot shoe connector already?

[eyu 27]

Tim,

My ND800 was originally setup with two Nikonos 5 pin bulkheads, electronic circuit board and hotshoe.
When I was in Alors my Sea & Sea TTL died as well as my backup.

So I switched to the pop up flash with fiber optic cables.

Enclosed is a pic of the V2 with optic connections

 

Elmer

[TimG 62]

Thanks, Elmer

 

Did you see much difference when you had to revert to using the pop-up to initiate the TTL?

 

The V2 photo is the same as the image on the Subal website. I assumed that the price advertised included the fibre optic cables. But maybe they are the "optical unit" Subal refer to at an additional cost of €120 on top of the V2 cost.

[Pavel Kolpakov 74]

Yep, will do, Pavel.

I'd welcome details of how you modified the optical inserts; and the drawings! Thanks!

Do you have any thoughts on the difference between the V2 and the Turtle?

Tim, it's Ok, i will send the drawings to your e-mail.

Regarding any TTL converters comparison ... , - you can compare the specifications, almost all of them are different, nothing common. Those are very different devices. It is for your own choice.

 

Subal V2 specifications:

 

§ Compatible photo cameras: all Nikon cameras

§ Compatible underwater housings : SUBAL

§ Compatible TTL strobes: Z-240, YS-250, YS-D1,YS-D2; DS-161, DS-160

§ TTL outputs: 2 optical, 2 electric

§ ISO camera range: 50….25600

§ Continuous shooting mode (CL / CH) support: yes

§ Rear Curtain mode support: yes

§ Switching “TTL / M” modes underwater: yes

§ (+/-) Flash Exposure compensation: yes

§ Switching power “ON/OFF”: automatic

§ Battery type: CR2032 (2pcs.)

§ Current consumption in continuose standby working mode 0.01 mkA

§ Battery capacity (+20°C): 75 000 flashes, or 5-7 years

§ Maximum Fiber-optic cable length for “TTL” operation: 3m

§ Maximum Fiber-optic cable length for “MANUAL” operation: 35m

§ Recommended Fiber-optic cable: Nauticam #26211, #26212

§ Optional Electric Bulkhead type: Nikonos-V, S-6, Ikelite

§ Dual Electric cables support: yes

§ Indication: 3-color status LED

Edited April 26, 2017 by Pavel Kolpakov

[eyu 27]

Tim,

 

The V2 is on order. Reef has received the circuit board, but the fiber optic LED's are pending from Subal.

The optical unit is extra as well as the Nikonos 5 pin unit. I plan to hook up both.

Will let you know when it arrives and I get it working.

 

I am going with the V2 because of it's battery life vs the usb recharging with the Turtle.

 

Elmer

Edited April 26, 2017 by eyu

[JohnnyQuest 8]

This is all great information. But does anyone know how long the discrimination against Canon shooters will continue?

[TimG 62]

This is all great information. But does anyone know how long the discrimination against Canon shooters will continue?

 

 

Canon? What's that??

 

 

(just kidding!)

 

Actually there is a Turtle for Canon; and don't Nauticam do a TTL system for their Canon housings. And the Subal V2 fits in a Canon housing too I assume...... so are you guys badly done by? Or am I missing something?

[JohnnyQuest 8]

Maybe I'm missing something. I've contacted Turtle and they have not yet been able to get their device to work with the 5D Mk4. The Nauticam unit does exist, but it seems to only fit their housing. I'm looking for a smaller unit like the V2 that will fit in nearly all housings. It seems that the V2 unit "is underdevelopment" for the 5D mk4, but it still isn't available. It's really terrible having money to spend, but not being able to...

[TimG 62]

Maybe I'm missing something. I've contacted Turtle and they have not yet been able to get their device to work with the 5D Mk4. The Nauticam unit does exist, but it seems to only fit their housing. I'm looking for a smaller unit like the V2 that will fit in nearly all housings. It seems that the V2 unit "is underdevelopment" for the 5D mk4, but it still isn't available. It's really terrible having money to spend, but not being able to...

 

First World problems, JQ.

 

I didn't know that the Turtle wouldn't (yet?) work with the 5DMk4. I'd only see that there was a Turtle for Canon. There might possibly be a way to get the Nauticam one to fit in another housing (some über-clever people in the Wetpixel crowd) Anyone know?

[Ferit 0]

Does anyone know if any manufacturer is working on a similar TTL device for Canon? More specifically, for the 5D Mk iv?

[Pavel Kolpakov 74]

Does anyone know if any manufacturer is working on a similar TTL device for Canon? More specifically, for the 5D Mk iv?

UW Technics is preparing TTL Converter for Canon. It works with 5Dm4.

Edited May 30, 2017 by Pavel Kolpakov