Strobe or Torch and Arms

[Steph]

I was wondering what people think about using a Torch instead of strobes.

Shooting macro with a digital compact (F30) in UK waters.



Would a D4R be bright enough to use instead of a strobe?

Or alternatively i could invest into a Darkbuster HID as i would like a more powerful torch as well as a strobe...
in which case:
- 21W or 10W
-narrow beam or wide beam?
the 21W wide beam possibly being suitable for slightly larger objects?



And strobe arms.
I want an external strobe mainly to avoid back scatter from suspended particles.
Are the short bendy arm thingies (e.g. manfishphoto) good/long enough for this?
Or is the light source to close/angle to line of sight from camera not large enough to avoid back scatter?

I.e. is it the just the angle that avoids the scatter or is distance of the strobe also an issue?

[Cussy]

I think the main issue is the consistency of the light. Shine your torch at a wall and you'll see rings of bright and not so bright. Not what you want in a shot. You can diffuse to a certain degree.
Rob

[TimIngmire]

I have to say that I am a bit of a purist on this. A torch can be fine if diffused as Rob has said and you use the right colour light - for macro. For wide angle I'd reco a strobe.

If you invest in a good HID and arms - chances are that a good strobe and arms will not cost you that much more if you shop around.

[Steph]

A torch can be fine if diffused

Hmmm... will look into this.

you use the right colour light - for macro.

Which would be?
Going by the few torch (D4R) lit pics I made I presume as high as possible?
For general diving i seem to prefer the more red-yellowish of halogens... or maybe it is just what i'm used to.

If you invest in a good HID and arms - chances are that a good strobe and arms will not cost you that much more if you shop around.

I was thinking along the lines that i can use the torch as a torch as well as to light shots where as i can't use a strobe as a torch... plus i will see what area is lit rather than imagining it, or is the latter a none issue?



The other thing I was thinking about is the torch might chase the macro live away... but if the creature decidedes to stay put then there is no sudden flash to frighten it and ther is more of a chance for a second shot.
What is peoples expreience, my experience so far is mixed but then I have not done this long enough...

Thanks for your replies so far!