Strobes for many of the new digital cameras must fulfill requirements that are different than what has been required for film cameras.

Some of the digital cameras require a small initial preflash before the standard flash, allowing the camera to gain exposure information. The camera may not provide the best results without this preflash. The two flashes happen almost instantaneously. Most strobes for film cameras can not produce this rapid flash sequence.

Normal TTL strobes will exhaust their energy in the preflash and can not recycle fast enough to provide energy to flash for the photograph; or the strobe system must be capable of ignoring the preflash to produce a flash in sync with the main flash of the camera. Ignoring the preflash can cause camera exposure problems.

The newest Ikelite Digital SubStrobes can provide both a preflash and a TTL flash when used with the TTL conversion circuitry in many Ikelite housings. Some older DS SubStrobes may require updates to allow for use with the newer digital TTL systems. See SubStrobe requirements by serial number.

Some Digital SLR cameras require a special sync cord for use with other manufacturer's housings. These SLR cameras may lock up if they sense an improper strobe attached.

Ikelite housings provide TTL conversion circuitry for many Canon, Nikon and Olympus camera models. These systems represent the most advanced capabilities available today.

The EV Manual Controller provides simple control of a strobe by pointing the Controller at a camera housing for dependable strobe triggering by the camera strobe without requiring fibre optic "sync cord" nonsense.

The EV Manual Controller is very easy to use. Start with full power for subjects four or more feet away from the camera, reducing exposure one f/stop (two clicks on the EV Controller) for each foot closer.

Maximum intensity will be obtained with the EV Manual Controller because "watching" the camera TTL systems can be no brighter than the little strobe in the camera since both stop flashing when the little strobe has exhausted all of its energy.