Retra's E-Opto to trigger MF-1 Strobe through Ikelite Electronical Sync Cord

[Hidroj 1]

I'm using a D800 Ikelite Housing (FL) and wanted to try the Backscatter Miniflash I initially had been using with a compact system. As Ikelite is not offering any way to convert their electrical signal into an optical one (obviously they want to sell their own strobes), I finally stumbled on Retra's E-Opto Converter. Although Retra says their converter is only working on their own strobe and no tests have been done with other brands, I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. I connected the E-Opto to the i5 Ikelite Sync-cord, the fiber-optic cable (which has the same diameter as the original one) to the MF-1 and the result is that the system works. As expected only manual sync (no TTL), but it works.

It's not that cheap, but in my case it has been the only way I found to use an optical much smaller strobe with modelling light for snooting on my Ikelite housing.

Some pictures added.

[Hidroj 1]

Hy!

There seems to be an issue when trying to trigger a non-Retra strobe with the E-Opto converter, depending on the fiber optic cable used between the converter and the strobe.

After I finished the first post, test with whom I "luckily" used the Mini-Flash's own fiber optic cable, I decided to dive the strobe using Retra's own fiber optic cable, basically because it is a bit shorter and I thought it would be less disturbing. And, oh surprise!, the strobe stopped triggering.

Retra's quick answer to my inquiry was, as expected. "The issue might be due to insufficient sensitivity of the optical sensors on the strobes. As mentioned we guarantee compatibility of the E-Opto converter only with Retra Flash."

My second test was changing the fiber optic cable, to see if there could be any difference, and after testing several of them, the third did trigger the strobe. It was Backscatter's Universal Fiber optic cable. Also Ikelite's fiber optic cables worked.

I really don't know if there are differences, maybe the diameter of Retra's fiber optical cable, but the issue seems to be solved. Next step will be testing again the e-Opto underwater, but this time with Backscatters Universal Cable. hope it works.

 

Photo attached with Retra's fiber optic cable on the right side, Backscatter's Universal one on the right.

[mr.simontemple 1]

Hi
I used the Retra convertor successfully with my MF-1 for over a year and I used the short fibre optic cable that came with the Retra convertor

It was always a bit temperamental however.  I often had to remove the cable from the Retra convertor while underwater to release air bubbles before it would trigger the MF-1

A few weeks ago the Retra stopped triggering my MF-1

I tested with friends MF-1s and it would not trigger them either (it would trigger if I held the convertor against the MF-1 sensor hole)

After lots of experimentation with different optic cables I concluded that the Retra had probably only ever just about triggered my MF-1 and a small tolerance change to the Retra had now stopped this permanently.  I asked Retra if there was a way to increase the power output or wether a newer version may help.  They said: "Unfortunately there is no way to increase the light output of the E-Opto converter. There is only one version of the E-Opto converter."

I'd say, if it works for you then great but be aware it may become an unreliable method of triggering the MF-1 (which does appear to need a stronger than most light source)

Not had chance to try with the MF-2 yet as I hear that requires a weaker signal to trigger.

 For now I'm using an old Sea&Sea strobe with the short fibre optic cable attached to the diffuser and it works well.. just makes my rig big and heavy!

[Hidroj 1]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing. Did you try new batteries for the e-Opto? You probably did...

[mr.simontemple 1]

Late reply...sorry... but yes, I replaced the two e-Opto batteries