Dual YS 300 Strobes, Olympus 5050, difusers, ....

[Don in Colorado 2]

I want to do wide angle photography in Belize.

 

Subject matter with be diver portraits and reef scenics, eels, turtles, and sponges.

 

I want to use dual YS 300 strobes.

 

I might use a wide angle lens, but I doubt I'll use a dome port. I am afraid dome ports distort divers too much. Wide angle lens, maybe, although even that seems to freak out divers, because you have to get too close.

 

So I want some mondo strobes ( I own 2 YS 300's already ), and minimal backscatter. I'd like the divers to not look blue.

 

I'd like to minimize backscatter. ( I really hate backscatter )

 

How long should the strobe arms be?

 

Should I use the diffusers?

 

Should I use a green filter over the strobes in combo with a Singh-Ray FL-B filter?

 

Thanks for your help

[Kasey 0]

I think only the tetra housing will allow you to mate those strobes with the 5050. Check with LMI.

[Don in Colorado 2]

No problem firing the strobes. I've got that figured out, and will write more about it after I know it works for sure. I believe I can do TTL and 1/4, 1/2, and full power using a digital adapter with a pt-015 housing, but I need to double check this (in water). So far (in air), it tests out fine, no Tetra case needed.

[james 0]

For a 95 degree lens, you will probably be OK with 2x 8" segments on each side. I personally like the diffusers so I'd use them. They increase the coverage angle, so let you point the strobes straight ahead or slightly outward which helps minimize backscatter.

 

I would use them without filters for your first wideangle trip. Get close - really close. If you have to pull the strobes back to cover the subject (because it's close) then do it.

 

Cheers

James

[divingbiker 0]

No problem firing the strobes.  I've got that figured out, and will write more about it after I know it works for sure.  I believe I can do TTL and 1/4, 1/2, and full power using a digital adapter with a pt-015 housing, but I need to double check this (in water).  So far (in air), it tests out fine, no Tetra case needed. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Is this the Adapter from Matthias Heinrichs? I have heard about it but I have also heard that it's a bit unreliable? Is this true or was a dodgy dealer trying to get me to buy new strobes?

[Don in Colorado 2]

"Is this the Adapter from Matthias Heinrichs? I have heard about it but I have also heard that it's a bit unreliable? Is this true or was a dodgy dealer trying to get me to buy new strobes?"

 

The adapter is from Matthias Heinrichs. The adapter with the Nikonos connection, as opposed to the Sea and Sea connection, seems to work fine. The Sea and Sea connector didn't work reliably. I haven't tried the strobes underwater with this setup yet, but it should work fine.

 

If you get an adapter for your YS 300's, get the Nikonos connection. The strobes will work with either type, in theory. Get the Nikonos connector to be sure.

 

I am using the adapter as a ttl controller only.

 

With my Sea and Sea YS 90 DX strobes, the Sea and Sea connector works fine, and I think the Nikonos endpiece worked fine as well.

 

If you get the adapter, I believe you will be pleased.

[satura 0]

If you are diving in Europe or Egypt at least one on your boat will have a Digital Adapter from Mathias. They work fine. I would recommend the Nikon connector, too. The 4pin sea&sea connector is close as bad as the oly bulkhead.