TTL systems in underwater photo

[davec13o2 7]

Hello Pavel,

 

Referring to the TTL converter for Sony a7Rii to be released, fitting it to a Meikon case, can you recommend a retrofit to the single hole in the top of the case for fiberoptic cables to two strobes? Or would the case have to be modified for two optical bulkheads? Below are diagrams of the Meikon case hole that fits their standard sync bulkhead.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

Hello Pavel,

Referring to the TTL converter for Sony a7Rii to be released, fitting it to a Meikon case, can you recommend a retrofit to the single hole in the top of the case for fiberoptic cables to two strobes? Or would the case have to be modified for two optical bulkheads? Below are diagrams of the Meikon case hole that fits their standard sync bulkhead.

Thanks for any help.

 

Yes, Meikon bulkhead has rather special shape mount. But there is no problem with it. For TTL-Converter usage, UWTechnics will suggest 3 optional bulkheads as replacement:

- Optical bulkhead / Sea&Sea style optical connector. For 2 strobes you can use HowShot Dual FO cable, for example, or another brand dual 613-core cable of new generation.

- Electric bulkhead / Nikonos style. For 2 strobes you can use Sea&Sea Dual sync cord.

- Electric bulkhead / Ikelite style. For 2 strobes you can use Ikelite Dual sync cord.

Edited May 17, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[davec13o2 7]

Excellent.

 

Thank you

[davec13o2 7]

I received two Z330s today. It took 6 weeks to deliver.

 

And ignoring the warning in the instructions, they work fine in parallel via a Y sync cable,as Pavel and others have said they would.

[anenomefish2001 0]

I just got a un technics converter today. Installation was easy.

 

I did a few test shots and they look good.

 

Odd, they recommend for the Em1 ii to set the flash compensation to +0.5, but I swear the camera goes from 0.3 to 0.7

Still it is cool to be able to + or - the light from the camera (I need to play with assigning a button for it.

 

I won't be able to play with the system in the water until my channel islands trip in August.

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

I just got a un technics converter today. Installation was easy.

 

I did a few test shots and they look good.

 

Odd, they recommend for the Em1 ii to set the flash compensation to +0.5, but I swear the camera goes from 0.3 to 0.7

Still it is cool to be able to + or - the light from the camera (I need to play with assigning a button for it.

 

I won't be able to play with the system in the water until my channel islands trip in August.

 

I also love this TTL-Converter for Olympus cameras. New generation TTL product, everything is optimized there.

Can you show some underwater images with that TTL, after your dive trip?

Edited July 23, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[davec13o2 7]

I modified my a7Rii Meikon case for the dual fiberoptic bulkhead connector that comes with the Seafrogs a6xxx Salted Line case.  I'm hoping to interface the UW-Technics converter with it so I can keep the standard synch cable connector as well.

 

Edited August 10, 2019 by davec13o2

[ChrisRoss 150]

On 5/14/2019 at 6:22 AM, davec13o2 said:

Hello Pavel,

 

Referring to the TTL converter for Sony a7Rii to be released, fitting it to a Meikon case, can you recommend a retrofit to the single hole in the top of the case for fiberoptic cables to two strobes? Or would the case have to be modified for two optical bulkheads? Below are diagrams of the Meikon case hole that fits their standard sync bulkhead.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

If it takes standard S&S connectors just use a double hole bushing:  https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj7kIOI7PnjAhXvH7cAHUvAAmkQFjAAegQIABAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backscatter.com%2FInon-Double-Hole-Rubber-bushing-for-fiber-optic-ca&usg=AOvVaw2Cil2iynFGuZBkfJi4USIJ

There is also a right angle version available.

[davec13o2 7]

Thanks Chris,

Since that posting, I've been using the adapter you show  in the right port of my Seafrogs a6500 case because the left side port doesn't get enough light diverted from the onboard flash to trigger a strobe reliably.  The commercial two-port plastic bulkhead adapter is all I could get for my a7Rii case.

I've also used the double hole bushing to relay trigger light to two strobes from a Nimar led trigger, and in that case neither strobe would trigger.  One strobe would trigger, although not reliably, with a single hole bushing, possibly because the fiberoptic cable was better aligned with the axis of the weak led.  These problems go away with both single and double hole bushings when used with the flood of light from the a6500 onboard flash.

[Barmaglot 251]

51 minutes ago, davec13o2 said:

I've also used the double hole bushing to relay trigger light to two strobes from a Nimar led trigger, and in that case neither strobe would trigger.  One strobe would trigger, although not reliably, with a single hole bushing, possibly because the fiberoptic cable was better aligned with the axis of the weak led.  These problems go away with both single and double hole bushings when used with the flood of light from the a6500 onboard flash.

Are you using single- or multi-core fiber optic cables? I've seen multiple recommendations to use multi-core cables (typically 613 strands) with LED triggers and/or less sensitive strobes because they transmit light more efficiently.

[davec13o2 7]

I use the Howshot cables for Inon strobes from Diversion.  I assume they're multicore, but I haven't verified that.  I get the same results with Meikon cables and with unknown brands from China via ebay.

[JohnLiddiard 31]

I ran a pair of Z240's through a Sea&Sea Y cable without any issues before moving to optical connections. (I have a couple of Y cables and a couple of direct cables available if anyone wants to make me an offer)

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

On 8/11/2019 at 2:17 AM, davec13o2 said:

I modified my a7Rii Meikon case for the dual fiberoptic bulkhead connector that comes with the Seafrogs a6xxx Salted Line case.  I'm hoping to interface the UW-Technics converter with it so I can keep the standard synch cable connector as well.

 

Good job!  And good idea!

Please advice, where did you buy that transparent spare part? I also need it.

By the way, UW Technics is developing now TTL converter for Seafrog A6xxx housings. It's LED board is purposed for installation on this transparent part (inside the housing).  TTL converter has LED and Electric outputs, as usual. So, you could more easy use both type connectors (Optical/Electric) on your A7RIII housing, using that transparent part you has installed and Nikonos bulkhead simultaneously. 

Edited August 12, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[Barmaglot 251]

2 hours ago, Pavel Kolpakov said:

Please advice, where did you buy that transparent spare part? I also need it. 

SeaFrogs sell it here: https://seafrogs.com.hk/collections/spare-parts/products/fiber-optic-port

[davec13o2 7]

Here are the dimensions I used for milling my case.  Note the shoulder that makes it a bit more complicated.

 

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

Thanks for the info guys!

Edited August 12, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[JohnVila 3]

I wanted to give a shout out to Pavel Kolpakov for his outstanding contributions on the Wetpixel forum and to me personally. I have been using the UW Technics TTL converter for a while now, but confess that I ditched TTL long ago and only shoot manual.

On trip to Fiji recently the converter froze with the LEDs on. The only way to turn them off was to remove the batteries, impossible underwater! Pavel guided me through at the time and with his advice I completed the trip without losing too many shots. On returning home I have still experienced the problem on most dives but turning the camera on and off usually solved it, until last weekend when it  froze up completely again.

I contacted Pavel again and have to say I was blown away by his assistance, which was almost immediate.

Pavel you are a true credit to the industry, it really is breath of fresh air to meet a person that is so willing to help and share their knowledge, and to resolve a technical issue when the need arises. The Wetpixel community are lucky to have you and I am truly grateful for your help.

Regards

John

[TimG 62]

4 hours ago, JohnVila said:

Pavel you are a true credit to the industry, it really is breath of fresh air to meet a person that is so willing to help and share their knowledge, and to resolve a technical issue when the need arises. The Wetpixel community are lucky to have you and I am truly grateful for your help.

Regards

John

Add another vote to that. Pavel, you are just terrific. Don't go away. We need you!

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

Thank you for kind words guys! 

I am happy to help when i can.

[gyrex 1]

Hi, I've got a Sony a7R3 and a Seafrogs housing (I used to have a meikon housing for my a7R2 and it was fantastic too) and came across this thread and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. I've taken this housing diving and it's a sensational rig but I'd love add some strobes to my set-up but I'm new to this and not really sure how to configure it. I saw that there's a turtle TTL converter for Sony. Do I need to replace the bulkhead for TTL? I'll probably start with a single strobe but if I wanted to add another in the future, is it as simple as purchasing a y sync cord and another strobe? Anything I should be wary of? Any tips? I love that fibre optic addition/hack to the meikon housing by @davec13o2 - was this difficult to install?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

UWTechnics currently produces Optical Bulkhead and Electric (Ikelite, Nikonos) bulkheadfs for Seafrogs housings. Those bulkheads have special shape mount side, the same as Seafrogs / Meikon original.

 

TTL circuit for Sony A7-A9 Seafrog housings:

Edited October 21, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[gyrex 1]

1 hour ago, Pavel Kolpakov said:

UWTechnics currently produces Optical Bulkhead and Electric (Ikelite, Nikonos) bulkheadfs for Seafrogs housings. Those bulkheads have special shape mount side, the same as Seafrogs / Meikon original.

Thanks so much for your prompt reply Pavel. As I mentioned, whilst I'm relatively experienced above water and somewhat experienced taking a bare housing down, configuring these systems is proving somewhat challenging. Could you please help me with the following questions?

1. Should I stick with electric sync cords or should I go with fibre optic cables?
2. If I want TTL on my Sonya7R3, do I need to replace the bulkhead as well as installing a TTL converter? Or if I stick with electric sync cables, will the original bulkhead be ok for TTL (or does it require more pins)?
3. Can your replacement bulkheads play with the Turtle TTL converters? Or would I need to re-crimp them?
4. I noticed that UWTechnics also sells TTL converters. What's the difference between the Sony Turtle TTL converter and UWTechnics? I noticed there's quite a price difference between the two...

I'm a bit confused about the TTL circuit you've shown above. It seems to show some connection to the in-built Seafrogs moisture detection system?

Thanks again for your help mate!

Edited October 21, 2019 by gyrex

[Pavel Kolpakov 78]

2 hours ago, gyrex said:

 

1. Should I stick with electric sync cords or should I go with fibre optic cables?
2. If I want TTL on my Sonya7R3, do I need to replace the bulkhead as well as installing a TTL converter? Or if I stick with electric sync cables, will the original bulkhead be ok for TTL (or does it require more pins)?
3. Can your replacement bulkheads play with the Turtle TTL converters? Or would I need to re-crimp them?
4. I noticed that UWTechnics also sells TTL converters. What's the difference between the Sony Turtle TTL converter and UWTechnics? I noticed there's quite a price difference between the two...

I'm a bit confused about the TTL circuit you've shown above. It seems to show some connection to the in-built Seafrogs moisture detection system?

This TTL-Converter is purposed for installation instead of Seafrogs leak detector in the housing. That is why, it includes also a Leak Detector onboard, in addition to TTL electronics. By the way, the Leal Detector is better than original.

You can connect Optical bulkhead or Electric bulkhead to TTL-Converter, dependently of your preferences. TTL works the same in both variants. 

In case of Optical bulkhead,  you can use HowShot 613L or Nauticam #26216 fiber optical cable. Those are new 613-core cables with the best transmission index now. Dual FO cables are supported as well.

In case of Electric bulkhead, you can use Sea&Sea (Nikonos) or Ikelite sync cord. Dual sync cords are supported as well.

Original Seafrogs electric bulkhead (factory preinstalled) does not have enough pins, it cannot be used in TTL system.

Regarding TRT products, please ask manufacturer directly. Sorry, I don't have enough technical information.

Edited October 21, 2019 by Pavel Kolpakov

[davec13o2 7]

10 hours ago, gyrex said:

Hi, I've got a Sony a7R3 and a Seafrogs housing (I used to have a meikon housing for my a7R2 and it was fantastic too) and came across this thread and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. I've taken this housing diving and it's a sensational rig but I'd love add some strobes to my set-up but I'm new to this and not really sure how to configure it. I saw that there's a turtle TTL converter for Sony. Do I need to replace the bulkhead for TTL? I'll probably start with a single strobe but if I wanted to add another in the future, is it as simple as purchasing a y sync cord and another strobe? Anything I should be wary of? Any tips? I love that fibre optic addition/hack to the meikon housing by @davec13o2 - was this difficult to install?

Thanks in advance for any help

I modified both the original Meikon case and the Seafrogs NG case (Sony a7RII) for the plastic fiber optic ports in anticipation of using the UW-Technics converter. You need a small milling machine to do the case mod - requires care and precision cuts - not recommended unless you have machine shop experience.  Strongly recommend the UW-Technics bulkhead replacement instead that can trigger 1 or 2 strobes by fiber optic depending on type of exterior rubber bushing.

Edited October 21, 2019 by davec13o2

[gyrex 1]

1 hour ago, davec13o2 said:

I modified both the original Meikon case and the Seafrogs NG case (Sony a7RII) for the plastic fiber optic ports in anticipation of using the UW-Technics converter. You need a small milling machine to do the case mod - requires care and precision cuts - not recommended unless you have machine shop experience.  Strongly recommend the UW-Technics bulkhead replacement instead that can trigger 1 or 2 strobes by fiber optic depending on type of exterior rubber bushing.

I definitely don't have the experience nor confidence to embark on a project as intricate as this - kudos to you for such a marvellous job on the housings mate. I'll take your advice and get the bulkhead replacement

Edited October 21, 2019 by gyrex