Underwater Strobes Reviews

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

First dives with the new Retra Flash
By Matthew Sullivan

Retra Flash Underwater First Impressions

Matthew Sullivan
First dives with the new Retra Flash

Retra UWT is known best for its beautifully constructed optical snoot, which they dubbed the Light Shaping Device. The company created a buzz in early 2017 when it announced production was beginning on their new Retra strobe. I pre-ordered two immediately. Production has been understandably slow as Retra seems to be making sure they put out a product that is top of the line and has been thoroughly thought through.

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.

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We test the compact and versatile SeaLife strobe in the Lembeh Strait, including full specs, best setup and shooting modes
By Brent Durand

SeaLife Sea Dragon Flash Review

Brent Durand
We test the compact and versatile SeaLife strobe in the Lembeh Strait, including full specs, best setup and shooting modes

The SeaLife Sea Dragon Flash delivers great light in a small package. Versatile in setup, it can be mounted to any camera via standard ball mount and clamp, or used with the Sea Dragon Flex-Connect accessories. The strobe is triggered via fiber optic cable and can be shot in manual or Automatic (TTL) mode, which allows it to be shot with any camera using an internal pop up flash. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brent Durand is a weekend wanderer and story teller from California.

Brent is an avid diver and adventure photographer, and shoots underwater any time he can get hands on a camera system. He can be reached at brent@uwphotographyguide.com.

Follow Underwater Photography Guide on Facebook or 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.

 


A review of the design, features and performance of the most popular snoots for underwater photography, including in-depth review videos
By Chino Mendoza

Snoot Review and Comparison

Chino Mendoza
A review of the design, features and performance of the most popular snoots for underwater photography, including in-depth review videos

Want to explore different equipment/tools for underwater photography? Snoots might be the solution that you are looking for.  These are small devices that we use to mask the strobe in order to shape and precisely control the beam of light on your subject.  A snoot will highlight or illuminate the subject while creating a black background, which often makes the image more dramatic and the colors pop.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chino Mendoza , is an avid diver and underwater photographer and tries to go everytime he can.  He is based in Manila which is a few hours Anilao which is the “critter capital of the Philippines”  He likes to shoot macro and his favorite subjects are nudibranchs and frogfishes.

Get in touch with him via email at lorenzo@bluewaterphotostore.com

View Chino's work:  Facebook     |     Instagram

ALSO BY CHINO MENDOZA

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.

 


Sea&Sea YS-D2 strobe review, specs and shooting tips for underwater photography, plus strobe positioning and other tutorials.
By Brent Durand, Photos by Kelli Dickinson

Sea&Sea YS-D2 Strobe Review

Brent Durand, Photos by Kelli Dickinson
Sea&Sea YS-D2 strobe review, specs and shooting tips for underwater photography, plus strobe positioning and other tutorials.

The Sea&Sea YS-D2 strobe is the latest in a line of very popular strobes for underwater photography. Compact, powerful and quick to recycle, the YS-D1 took the dive world by storm. The YS-D2 builds on this success, adding some new features and addressing some of the minor "inconveniences" of the previous model.

When the YS-D2 strobe was first released, I put together a comparison with the YS-D1. This article focuses solely on reviewing the YS-D2, so if you're looking for the comparisons, click below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brent Durand is a weekend wanderer and story teller from California.

Brent is an avid diver and adventure photographer, and shoots underwater any time he can get hands on a camera system. He can be reached at brent@uwphotographyguide.com.

Follow Underwater Photography Guide on Facebook or 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.

 


We test and compare strobe power, recycle time, weight and modeling lights on the YS-D2 and YS-D1
By Brent Durand

SEA&SEA YS-D2 vs YS-D1 Strobe Comparison

SEA&SEA YS-D2 vs YS-D1 Strobe Comparison
Brent Durand
We test and compare strobe power, recycle time, weight and modeling lights on the YS-D2 and YS-D1

The SEA&SEA YS-D2 strobe is the latest in a line of very popular strobes for underwater photography. Compact, powerful and quick to recycle, the YS-D1 took the dive world by storm. The YS-D2 builds on this success, adding some new features and addressing some of the minor "inconveniences" of the previous model.

We decided to test the new YS-D2 against the YS-D1. Kelli also took two demo YS-D2s to the Sea of Cortez for a week of real world testing. This is what we've found.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brent Durand is a weekend wanderer and story teller from California.

Brent is an avid diver and adventure photographer, and shoots underwater any time he can get hands on a camera system. He can be reached at brent@uwphotographyguide.com.

Follow Underwater Photography Guide on Facebook or 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.

 


Overview & Benefits of Sea & Sea's New Built-in TTL Converter
By Brent Durand

Sea & Sea Optical YS Converter

Brent Durand
Overview & Benefits of Sea & Sea's New Built-in TTL Converter

 

Sea & Sea Optical YS Coverter


Overview & Benefits of Sea & Sea's New Built-in TTL Converter

By Brent Durand

 

 

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.

 


Review: Easy Strobe Positioning and Safe Transport with BTS
By Todd Winner

Clamping Power! Beneath the Surface Arms & Clamps

Todd Winner
Review: Easy Strobe Positioning and Safe Transport with BTS

Clamping Power! Beneath the Surface Arms & Clamps


Review: Easy Strobe Positioning and Safe Transport with Beneath the Surface

By Todd Winner

 

Beneath the Surface Arms & Clamps

 

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.

 


Review of the YS-D1 strobe, and comparison to YS-110a and Inon Z240.
By Scott Gietler

Sea & Sea YS-D1 Strobe Review

Sea & Sea YS-D1 Strobe Review
Scott Gietler
Review of the YS-D1 strobe, and comparison to YS-110a and Inon Z240.

The Sea & Sea YS-D1 strobe, which became available April 2012, is Sea & Sea's first new strobe since the YS-01 was announced in December 2009. It replaces the YS-110a, which made its debut in 2008.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or 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.

 


Checking out the latest underwater strobe from Inon
By Scott Gietler

Inon S2000 Strobe

Inon S2000 Review
Scott Gietler
Checking out the latest underwater strobe from Inon

The Inon S2000 is small, tiny. That was my first impression. I'm used to my large, well built Z240's, and the S2000 also had a cheaper feel. That is to be expected, as it is a less expensive strobe. This is a great strobe for underwater photography and comes highly recommended.

 

 

 

Inon s2000 strobe

 

 

Strobe Features

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or 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.

 


By Scott Gietler

Sea & Sea YS-110 Strobe Review

Review of the Sea & Sea YS-110 Strobe
Scott Gietler

Official YS-110 specifications:

 

Guide number in air:  22

Color temp: 5400K, 5100K with diffuser

Coverage: 105 degrees (with diffuser)

Recycle time: 3 seconds

Depth rating: 196ft (60 meters)

13 Manual settings

Fired by sync cable or fiber optic cable

Weight in water: slightly negative

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

Follow Scott on Facebook or 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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