Underwater Strobes Reviews

Detailed underwater strobe reviews for macro and wide-angle photography, including specs, key features and comparisons with other popular strobes.

Kraken Introduces Its First Pro-Level Strobe
By Nirupam Nigam

Kraken KS-160 Strobe Review

Kraken KS-160 Strobe Review
Nirupam Nigam
Kraken Introduces Its First Pro-Level Strobe

If you read the Underwater Photography Guide, then you know we love Kraken. We love their lights, their monitors, their lenses, and everything in between. But you may have also noticed that one of our slightly less glowing reviews was the original Kraken Strobe. Although this strobe featured excellent recycle times and long battery life, it did not produce a wide enough beam for underwater photography....

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

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The Best Value Professional Strobe on the Market
By UWPG Editors

Scubalamp D-Pro Underwater Strobe Review

Scubalamp D-Pro Underwater Strobe Review
UWPG Editors
The Best Value Professional Strobe on the Market

The Scubalamp D-Pro, is the latest addition to the Bluewater Photo's exclusive strobe lineup! In many respects, at just $758, the D-Pro is the best value pro-level strobe on the market. Boasting an impressive 160 Ws output (with a GN of 30), an expansive 150-degree beam angle, and the ability to deliver 500 full-power flashes on a single charge, this underwater strobe is a game-changer. That said a list of specifications really doesn't do a gear review justice.

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Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


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Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


A new RC mode and optical sensor. Is it worth the upgrade?
By Nirupam Nigam

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Review

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Review
Nirupam Nigam
A new RC mode and optical sensor. Is it worth the upgrade?

For more than 40 years, Sea & Sea has been a leader in underwater lighting. Their most recent flagship in the yellow submarine strobe family is the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


A premium snoot for the most avid macro shooters
By Nirupam Nigam

Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Snoot Review

Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Snoot Review
Nirupam Nigam
A premium snoot for the most avid macro shooters

Underwater macro photography is the artform of manipulating light to paint the images in your mind's eye. Having the proper lighting tools is essential, and the primary staple of macro photography is the snoot. A snoot is a any device that reduces the diameter of light output from an underwater strobe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Ikelite's newest strobe just might be the best one they've ever created
By Nirupam Nigam

Ikelite DS 230 Strobe Review

Ikelite DS 230 Strobe Review
Nirupam Nigam
Ikelite's newest strobe just might be the best one they've ever created

You might have seen them around at dive sites. Those big white things that underwater photographers seem to carry around and make your dive seem like a dance party. Ikelite DS series strobes are a staple for professional underwater photographers that need high power underwater flashes with quick recycle times and accurate TTL. What if I told you they've gotten even better? Well, they have.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


The Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobe features a redesigned, even beam, lightning-quick recycle times, a guide number of 33, and multiple new accessories
By Nirupam Nigam

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Review

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Review
Nirupam Nigam
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobe features a redesigned, even beam, lightning-quick recycle times, a guide number of 33, and multiple new accessories

Underwater photography is all about lighting. Artificial light, often in the form of a strobe, is paramount in an artform where nature removes colors and light at depth. The Sea & Sea YS-D3 is an underwater strobe that can bring back the light and color you need to make your images pop.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


The Kraken KR-S02 is Kraken's first strobe. It features amazing battery life and excellent ergonomics.
By Nirupam Nigam

Kraken KR-S02 Strobe Review

Kraken KR-S02 Strobe Review
Nirupam Nigam
The Kraken KR-S02 is Kraken's first strobe. It features amazing battery life and excellent ergonomics.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked tools in underwater photography are strobes. Yes, most underwater photographers have them, but strobe manufacturers are often slower to innovate their strobe lines than they are housings, video lights, wet lenses, etc.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


The Symbiosis SS3 strobe and video light has a lot to offer for underwater photography and video in a small package.
By Nirupam Nigam

iDiveSite Symbiosis SS3 Strobe and Video Light Review

Nirupam Nigam
The Symbiosis SS3 strobe and video light has a lot to offer for underwater photography and video in a small package.

In a world where every gadget we own has more functions than their original intentions, it’s only fitting that the same is happening with underwater gear. I’m not saying we’ll all be able to access the internet underwater or anything like that, but underwater lighting has become a lot more versatile. iDiveSite (formerly iTorch) has spearheaded this innovation with their line of Symbiosis strobe-video light hybrid systems, making both underwater videography and photography accessible in the same dive for an unbeatable price! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


A former Inon Z240 user reviews the new Inon Z330 strobes
By Greg Piper

Inon Z330 Strobe - a Photographer's Review

Greg Piper
A former Inon Z240 user reviews the new Inon Z330 strobes

Out with the old, in with the new

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Greg Piper is an award-winning underwater, travel and nature photographer based in Washington, DC. His images have graced the pages of the world’s top diving and nature publications. In the past ten years, he has logged over 4,000 dives throughout the world’s most popular, as well as undiscovered, dive destinations. His travel photography is not limited to life under the waves as his love for nature and travel takes him to destinations around the world from Nepal to Antarctica, Alaska, Asia, Europe and South America. He is constantly seeking out new cultures, wildlife, and landscapes to share with the world. Keep up with Piper and his forthcoming works at www.gregpiperart.com and be sure to follow his journey on Instagram @gregpiperarts

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


A full review for Retra's flashy new strobe
By Matthew Sullivan

Retra Flash Full Review

Matthew Sullivan
A full review for Retra's flashy new strobe

A few months ago I had the chance to take one of the first production pair Retra Flashes underwater for just four dives. I did a very brief initial review on it. I was immediately impressed and confident that my decision to preorder my own pair was the correct one but four dives in bad conditions were not enough to put together a thorough review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Sullivan is an underwater and conservation photographer based out of Los Angeles, CA. For more of his pictures follow him on Instagram.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


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