Bluewater Photo announces the new Sea & Sea YS-D130R Underwater Strobe
Bluewater Photo Announces the New Sea & Sea YS-D130R Underwater Strobe — First Underwater Test & Review
Bluewater Photo is excited to announce the brand-new Sea & Sea YS-D130R underwater strobes — and we’re also the first to test these new Sea & Sea strobes underwater and publish a complete review for underwater photography.
Read the full in-water review here:
Sea & Sea YS-D130R Underwater Strobe Review
The Sea & Sea YS-D130R arrives as a high-performance lighting option built for today’s mirrorless and DSLR
shooters, with a refined beam pattern and modern usability updates. In our dives, this Sea & Sea strobe
delivered dependable output and a clean, even spread of light that’s especially valuable for wide-angle scenes, fast-moving subjects, and situations where consistent exposures matter.
A New Step Forward for Sea & Sea Strobes
The Sea & Sea YS-D130R signals a meaningful evolution in design and performance versus prior generations,
focusing on light quality, recycling speed, and a more flexible power system. For photographers comparing legacy units like the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo or YS-D3 II, the YS-D130R is positioned as a serious upgrade for demanding shooters.
Key Features of the Sea & Sea YS-D130R
- Powerful 130 Ws output designed for strong lighting performance across wide-angle and mid-range subjects.
- Circular flash tube design for smoother, more even illumination and reduced “hot spots” in real-world shooting.
- Wide coverage (up to about 102° with diffuser) to better match modern wide-angle lenses and domes.
- Fast recycle performance (approximately 0.8s at full power with the lithium-ion pack),
helping photographers keep up with action. - Multiple flash modes including Manual, DS-TTL, RC-TTL (OM System), and High-Speed Sync (HSS) support.
- Dual power compatibility: use the dedicated Li-ion battery pack for peak performance or
4x AA as an alternative power option. - Daylight-balanced color temperature (around 5600K) for natural color reproduction underwater.
- Improved usability with updated controls and status indicators for easier operation during dives.
- Depth rating to ~100m and fiber-optic sync support for TTL and manual workflows.
Insights From Our First Underwater Tests
In the water, the Sea & Sea YS-D130R stood out for its light quality — especially the even spread and
natural highlight transitions that can make wide-angle images look more polished without heavy post-processing. We also notice strong consistency across fast sequences (particularly when using the Li-ion battery), which is a major advantage when shooting quick-moving subjects or timing-critical moments.
If you already own Sea & Sea strobes like the D3 series, you’ll find the YS-D130R feels like a more modern,
performance-driven option — especially for photographers who want power, speed, and broad coverage in a single strobe platform.
Comparison: YS-D130R vs YS-D3 II vs Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo
| Feature | Sea & Sea YS-D130R | YS-D3 II | Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | ~130 Ws | Legacy D3 series output (GN-33) | Similar D3 series class (GN-based rating) |
| Light source | Circular flash tube | Traditional tube | Traditional tube |
| Beam angle | Up to ~102° with diffuser | 110°, 150° with diffuser | 120°, 150° with diffuser |
| Recycle time | ~0.8s at full with Li-ion (approx.) | 1.7 seconds at full power | 1.7 seconds at full power |
| Modes | Manual, DS-TTL, RC-TTL, HSS | Manual, DS-TTL | Manual, DS-TTL, RC-TTL (depending on camera system) |
| Battery options | Dedicated Li-ion pack or 4x AA | AA | AA |
| Best fit | Powerful wide-angle, action, pro workflows | Reliable all-around strobe for many shooters | D3-style performance with RC-TTL emphasis (system dependent) |
Note: Specs can vary by configuration and accessories (e.g., diffusers / battery type). For the most current details, see the official YS-D130R product listing
Bottom Line
The Sea & Sea YS-D130R is a meaningful leap forward in Sea & Sea’s lighting lineup, combining strong output,
refined beam quality, and flexible power options. Based on Bluewater Photo’s first dives and testing, it’s a compelling choice for photographers looking to step beyond older D3-series units — including the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo — and into a modern, high-performance strobe platform.
