strobe recommendation for a beginner

[chugger]

ok, so i've managed to locate a housing for my old canon powershot a40 and am hoping to try it out at vobster this week - this will be my first stab at underwater phtography.

however, i've been told by a mate of mine that it's unlikely i'll get particularly good shots in the uk with the built in flash (makes sense) and that i'll probably need a strobe.

so, can anyone recommend a good, basic one? obviously, i don't want to spend the earth (assume i'll also need to get arm and sync lead) but then don't want to be looking for something else in six months' time.

cheers

[Woz]

Otterbox 1000 in clear, cheap slave strobe from 7 day shop, some Locline coolant tubing and you're away. About £25 all in and good to 30m, just like your camera housing. You need to stick some black tape over the housing like in the photo below and you might like to add a diffuser for the flash- an old tupperware lid works great.



Took this with it:

[SCUBA_STEVE]

Originally Posted by chugger

however, i've been told by a mate of mine that it's unlikely i'll get particularly good shots in the uk with the built in flash (makes sense) and that i'll probably need a strobe.

cheers

heres one i took at laybourne lakes not that long ago with only a built in flash i no its not grate but its not that bad ether

Divesite - Complete place for all your diving needs

[Okeanos]

Fuji do an external strobe with arm and tray for about £130, this will work with any digital camera. It does produce good results even better if you use a fibre optic cable. Most of the macro stuff in my gallery were taken using this strobe and arm.

[chugger]

cheers guys, some great tips in there.

woz, how does the slave trigger if there's black tape over the in-built flash?

[B]

Originally Posted by Okeanos

Fuji do an external strobe with arm and tray for about £130, this will work with any digital camera. It does produce good results even better if you use a fibre optic cable. Most of the macro stuff in my gallery were taken using this strobe and arm.

what camera set up do you use - are you using fuji then or another brand??

B

(olympus 5060 set up still desperately seeking strobe that will not cripple me all the way to the bank...)

[Woz]

Originally Posted by chugger

cheers guys, some great tips in there.

woz, how does the slave trigger if there's black tape over the in-built flash?

Enough light leaks from the side of the housing to trigger the slave. Oh and you need to use it in full manual mode which in the case of the A40 is 2 F stops and about 8 shutter speeds so very very simple. Even a complete idiot can use it.

[stewbie]

Strobes (Underwater Flash)

Inon D2000S - will sort out exposure for you.

Having said that - still think the Wozflash is probably far and away better value.