SUBSTROBE COMPETITION COMPARISON
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SUBSTROBE COMPETITION COMPARISON |
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There is another "supposed standard" that measures angle of coverage in an arc from the strobe. Except for photographing the inside of a cylinder, we do not see how this is applicable to underwater coverage claims. The 100 and 110 degree claims for many strobes is misleading. We test for one f/stop difference between center and edge of a flat plane for coverage claims. We feel the angle of coverage claims made by competitors are erroneous and greatly exaggerated. The angle of coverage for Sea & Sea YS50, YS60 and YS90 models is really identical to the Ikelite SubStrobe 50, DS-50 and DS-51. This is also true for the Nikonos SB-103 and SB-105, and the Inon strobes. Wide angle coverage claims for any of these strobes is applicable to all of them. |
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Ikelite Substrobe model numbers designate the actual electrical power in watt seconds. Some manufacturers use clever model numbers that have absolutely nothing to do with the actual electrical energy provided. An Ikelite Substrobe 100, for example, is a 100 watt second strobe. A Sea & Sea 120 is less than 85 watt seconds, and the Sea & Sea 300 is only 150 watt seconds. Nikonos strobes utilize a simple numbering system that does not seem to provide any specific information or connotations. |
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Some strobes claim both wide coverage and high intensity, but do not provide both if the wide coverage requires a diffuser which reduces intensity by at least one f-stop. One f-stop difference is the accepted standard for coverage claims. Some strobes claiming over 100 degree coverage exhibit more than one f-stop intensity difference at 90 degrees. Compare size, weight, cost, recycle time, and number of flashes per set of batteries. Compare accessories and service availability. |
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Slave strobes with Cordless TTL compatibility were introduced to the underwater world by Ikelite in the mid nineties. The best performance is achieved by putting the sensor in a small housing that can be aimed at the strobe attached to the camera, assuring the sensor will not be confused by the flash it controls. Strobes that utilize a built in slave sensor aimed at the subject can only provide TTL control if used with a considerably brighter primary strobe.
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Some magazine articles and catalogs claim Guide Number and angle of coverage of other strobes that are evidently obtained using a different criteria. We have also seen specifications for our Ikelite SubStrobes misquoted. The following chart is only to indicate the Guide Number and angle of coverage obtained by the same testing procedures we apply to Ikelite SubStrobes. |
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Make Model |
UW Guide Number |
Comparable F / Stop |
Degrees |
Recycle Seconds |
Weight Lbs / Oz |
Watt Seconds |
Aiming Light |
| Nikonos SB-103 | 28 | f/8.6 | No | 8 | 2# 5oz | 50 | No |
| Nikonos SB-105 | 32 | f/11.2 | No | 8 | 2# 5oz | 75 | No |
| Nikonos SB-104 | 44 | f/16.3 | Yes | 3.1 | 5# | 160 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-30 | 22 | f/5.6 | No | 5 | 15 oz | 20 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-50 | 28 | f8.6 | No | 8.5 | 1# 12 oz | 50 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-60 | 28 | f8.6 | No | 5.6 | 1# 12 oz | 60 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-90 | 28 | f8.6 | No | 4.7 | 1# 12 oz | 60 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-120 | 33 | f/11 | No | 3.8 | 2# 12 oz | 85 | No |
| Sea&Sea YS-300 | 36 | f/11.2 | Yes | 3 | 4# 6oz | 150 | Yes |
| SubStrobe 50 & 51 | 28 | f/8.6 | No | 3.5 | 1# 4oz | 50 | No |
| SubStrobe 100 | 30-28 | f/8.5 | Yes | 3.8 | 3# 8oz | 100 | Yes |
| SubStrobe 125 | 32 | f/11.2 | Yes | 1... | 2# 12oz | 110 | Yes |
| SubStrobe 200 | 38 | f11.7 | Yes | 1.6 | 3# 14oz | 200 | Yes |
| SubStrobe 400 | 50 | f/16.7 | Yes | 3.5 | 6# 12oz | 400 | Yes |
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Compare YS-120
Compare SB-105 |
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