For LX5, Ikelite or 10Bar?

[Kai2810]

Hi everyone,

Underwater photography noob here. I am looking to get a simple / budget rig for my LX5 for my Maldives trip. I have googled around and narrowed to two choices.

Ikelite and 10Bar.

I am aware there is a housing by Nauticam, but that's way too expensive.

(1) Has anyone here used the housings for LX5 from these two companies?

(2) My main concerns are TTL lighting setup for both housings...how exactly do I set it up for both? I am planning on getting a Inon S2000 strobe.
I have googled around, nothing found. Will be great if someone can share some links on pics / feedback.

(3) And is Ikelite reliable? It's the cheaper option, but I have read around, and saw some posts complaining of Ikelite housings leaking.

Thanks in advance!

 

[diver-hloc]

1) Personally don't use LX5... but do know a diver who used the 10Bar metal casing and loving it.

2) Inon S2000 support S-TTL and is triggered by a Optics Fiber cable. One end goes to the Strobe... the other end goes onto the outside of your casing, depending on the casing you are getting... a difference 'connector' to the casing would be needed.

3) Most casing floods is due to USER error... btw, Ikelite is one of the better brand.


Do ask if you need to know more...

 

[GRbenji]

Good choice with the LX5. I've one too

How much is the Ikelite and 10Bar housings?

 

[Kai2810]

Hi diver-hloc!

Saw your photos around here and at scubasg. Great shots.

(1) May I know if the diver frequents this forum? Will like to contact him/her for more info.

(2) Oh, didn't know S2000 is fibre optic... I understand that those electronically fired, connected directly to the camera's hotshoe is the best right? (LX5 flash can remain closed, can save batt)

(3) Roughly how much is the difference connector?

(4) Will you recommend a strobe which is electronically fired rather than 'jack' an optically triggered strobe to a electronically triggered housing?

 

[diver-hloc]

1) Quite a few of the divers here (ClubSNAP) are also members of ScubaSG. Mainly because we don't discuss Scuba Diving stuff beside Underwater Photography or Photography Gears here.

2) Both have their Pros & Cons...
* Optic Fiber
Pro = Safe and easy... less opening that could risk flooding. Cheaper & lighter than Syc Cord.
Con = Cable is very thin and could break. S-TTL could be spotty, but accuracy is good enough.

* Syc Cord (Electronic)
Pro = TTL, if the Strobe or Casing support your camera. Could be use with DSLR system but might not have TTL due to Brand issue.
Con = More opening meant more risk of flooding. Cable is $$$$. Heavy.

Btw... its cheaper to buy 2-3 extra battery for ur camera, than getting a Strobe that could use both Optic & Electronic trigger.

3) Should be around the same price as the cable is the same except the end of each cable.

4) Inon Z240... or Sea & Sea (can't think of which model now... be they have it).


Hope this helps...

 

[antacid]

there is no strobe afaik that provides TTL control via sync cord with the ikelite or 10bar housings. if you want TTL, fibre optic is the only way to go

 

[naldojapardy]

(1) I am using a 10bar housing, altho its for EPL-1 not LX5. Build quality, 10bar is good. I'm very happy with it.

But for LX5, the Ikelite seem to have better ergonomics(after looking at the product's pictures), especially at shutter control.
And for metal buttons on the back console, ikelite have a rounded type, my 10bar uses a narrow flat top type. No problem if they are not frequently used, but I used one of those button for focusing lock (means that i will hold it in for a few seconds while the lens focuses everytime i want to shoot a frame) and it hurts your thumb after a while.

(2) For Inon, only z-240 can be fired by sync cord, the rest are optically triggered. Optical is good, camera battery wont be drained too fast if you can tune the internal flash output to the lowest, mine usually last for 2-3 dives. There's less maintenance for fibre optic and can easily DIY the connector if you're going 2 strobes in the future.
I tried S-TTL using both z-240 and s-2000 on my camera and not very happy with the result. For me, manual is the way to go.

 

[Photosmart]

there is no strobe afaik that provides TTL control via sync cord with the ikelite or 10bar housings. if you want TTL, fibre optic is the only way to go

Not true. Ikelite DS strobes will sync electrically via hardwired electrical sync cable with ikelite LX 5 housing.

 

[Kai2810]

Thanks guys for the advice.

I think I'm going for 10Bar, and a YS-01 strobe to go with it.

Just to share, found the following video about underwater lighting. Partly the reason why I should be going for the YS-01 (cheaper than Inon's S2000).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGyO065vYxs

And how optic cables are actually used.

http://www.scuba.com/video/270/Sea---Sea-YS-01-Digital-Strobe-Video-Review.html

Hope I don't look like I'm advertising! :what:

From the looks of it, using optic cables is much simpler and safer, just velco outside the housing, don't have to wire through it.

 

[antacid]

Not true. Ikelite DS strobes will sync electrically via hardwired electrical sync cable with ikelite LX 5 housing.

OK thanks for clearing this up. didn't know ikelite supports other TTL signals other than canon & nikon.