which strobe to buy for 5050?

[Jules]

Right so after getting some decent pics in Sipadan, phil and I have decided to treat each other to a photgraphy course with Martin Edge for each other others birthday present.

Before I do that though I think I ought to bite the bullet and get a strobe.

I want one that will be reliable and work with the 5050 but that hopefully will still be of use when (and if) I ever decide to go the whole hog and take a DSLR underwater, (i have to have not killed a camera for at least 2 years before i will go down this route)

Sooo does anyone have any thoughts on what to get , how much I should pay etc..

If you dont want to type it all out just send me your number and i'll ring you for a natter

thanks

Jules
xx

[Cussy]

Jules,
I made a slight mistake when I bought a strobe to go with my C4000. I bought a Sea & Sea, which was a great strobe. However, once I went DSLR the strobe was useless and so I had no choice to buy another one.

It wasn't long after I bought the strobe that I flooded the 4000 and went up to the 7070. Had I known that might happen, I'd have spent a bit more and got a strobe that I could use one of Heinrich's converts on. This type of system then might have been compatible with my DSLR.

If I was in your position I'd be thinking something like the Sea & Sea YS-110 and a Weinkamp converter. You'd get really good results and depending on what housing you went for with a DSLR you could end up using a strobe like this for years. I think TTL is worth spending extra for.
HTH,
Rob

[triplefin]

Jules as you know I've got a 5050 as well. Did have an Ike 50 which I was happy with but wanted more light so upped that to a 125 last year - thinking maybe of going to dual strobes and Robs stuff that he wrote last year about this has been very useful.

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by triplefin

Jules as you know I've got a 5050 as well. Did have an Ike 50 which I was happy with but wanted more light so upped that to a 125 last year - thinking maybe of going to dual strobes and Robs stuff that he wrote last year about this has been very useful.

The DS-125 is an excellent strobe. There's one on eBay at the moment going rather cheap in Germany (£75 with 1 day left), should last for years. I got both mine for about £400 second hand with arms. They regularly turn up on Wetpixel, so if you were interested this is probably a good option second hand. Down side is they aren't as compact and light as some of the others, so for travel they can seem heavy.
Rob

[Cerianthus]

just keep in mind that the strobe in germany is an older serial number, and is not possible to update to E-TTL...

[Jules]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Down side is they aren't as compact and light as some of the others, so for travel they can seem heavy.
Rob

I pack like a girl anyhow, what's an extra strobe when you are already 10kg over weight?

[Jules]

Ok well everyone keep their eyes open for a very cheap DS-125 second hand...

I am broke at the moment and the bank manager wont let me buy any more dive gear.

[yellowduke]

There are a couple on ebay now with a buy it now of £400. Seller has little feedback but the sale has the look of a business. Also one in the USA going for a little under £300 with four days to go. Watch out for the serial numbers to be sure of full TTL compatibility with modern cameras. DS-50 serial 70000 on and DS-125 serial 5000 on are TTL compatible.

Jim

[Jules]

Ah thanks, i think this just answers the question i posed on the other thread...

I have been working too hard to keep up with my digigreen watching!