Ikelite updated the DS160 II cape

news7g02/03/2022

13 7 minutes read

As well as announcements flashing DS51 II refreshedIkelite is introducing DS161 II—Upgradable to the company’s much-loved DS160 — along with the new version DS162 and DS230.

As Ikelite explained in their videos that DPG has in our DEMA coverage, the DS160 II, DS162 and DS230 share the same form factor and offer the same up-to-date ergonomics: Bigger and taller watch faces to make it easy for you more usable when wearing thick gloves and they are now easier to see thanks to a new reflective detail. All new models get a new hard anodized aluminum baffle (black) instead of the nickel-plated brass used on current headlights.

According to the American company, the redesigned microchip allows the DS160 II to provide a recycling time of less than one second from discharge (compared to 1.5 seconds for the DS160). Additionally, with a minimum 0.1-second turnaround time, per Ikelite, “the DS160 II and DS162 are among the very few underwater strobe cameras in the world to support burst shooting at more than 10 fps/ second.” Conveniently, the DS160 II strobe body is still compatible with the older NiMH battery packs for the DS161, DS160 and DS125, as well as the new battery packs for the DS230.

Other specifications remain unchanged. The DS160 II offers the same 160W max output (instruction number 24), 10-stop manual control, 110-degree beam angle (with included diffuser) and 205 lumen LED modeling light. Electrical triggering is standard (with a fiber optic adapter as an option), and adding the appropriate adapter allows you to take advantage of Ikelite’s TTL flicker exposure.

For $995, the DS160 II is up for pre-order in late December from retailers like Backscatter.

When purchasing underwater photography equipment like the products mentioned in this article, please support DPG by supporting our retail partner—Backscatter.com.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

DS160 II 160Ws TTL Strobe

Three factors define professional-grade lighting: Light Quality, Speed, and Reliability.

Professional quality lighting for wide angle and macro

Fastest recycling time

15% lighter than aluminum body light

Made in USA

“I’ve spent many months shooting beneath the Antarctic ice for the past 20 years, including filming for the BBC Life series. The Ikelite Flash is the only thing that I’ve found to be reliable enough for professional use. under the most extreme conditions on Earth.” – Norbert Wu

Performance on counting, every time

The DS160 underwater strobe is the enduring choice of professionals who need a strobe light that can be relied on for performance over and over again. Currently, there is no projector on the market that comes close to the hours of factory and field testing our DS160 series, including under the Antarctic ice.

Norbert Wu’s underwater photography has appeared in thousands of books, films and magazines. He was awarded the United States Antarctic Service Medal for his contributions to exploration and science in the United States Antarctic Program. He credits the Ikelite DS160 series projector for his extensive field work including time-lapse photography projects under the Antarctic ice. Photo © 2021 Norbert Wu

Quality of light in a lightweight package

Our exclusive circular flashtube design and soft white powder coated reflector create a light quality that is widely accepted as the perfect choice for professional wide-angle underwater photography. .

A custom-formulated ABS-PC blend makes the strobe lights essentially corrosion-resistant and 1/2 lb (237 g) lighter than aluminum body headlights.

The DS160 beam is designed for proper spread and color temperature without the need for an additional light-reducing diffuser. Optional dome diffuser #4069.2 is available to extend light spread by only halving apparent brightness.

“I have been shooting Ikelite strobe lamps for over 40 years. 95% of my library of more than 300,000 images have been taken with the DS160 and DS161 or predecessors. The remaining 5% is available light. From these From my shooting days in British Columbia until now I have always relied heavily on full frame fisheye lenses for my wide angle shots, and these lenses can be a challenge with proper lighting. The clear wide coverage of these lightning bolts was essential to my success with these images.” – David Fleetham

David Fleetham is one of the most published underwater photographers in the world. His portfolio of over 200 magazine covers includes the only underwater image ever to appear on a LIFE magazine cover. His work has landed him on a number of National Geographic missions, and his images are sold for use around the world thousands and thousands of times each year. Photo © 2021 David Fleetham

Change settings without taking your eyes off your subject

Life moves quickly underwater and you need to be able to react instantly when your lighting needs change. Shooters using manual strobe exposure settings love our large-click dial controls, which provide tactical, intuitive feedback on exposure settings.

The powerful dial controls are now even larger and taller for comfortable use with even the thickest gloves. A slide lock prevents the flash from accidentally turning on when not in use.

“I often need some strobe lights for my work in underwater caves. I’ve been using Ikelite strobe lights since about 1988, going through generations (and two color schemes)! Ikelite always delivers! a strong structure, high capacity and reliability. That is very important to me in this field.” – Jill Heinerth

Jill Heinerth is an underwater explorer, writer, photographer, speaker, and filmmaker. A pioneer of regenerative diving, she has led expeditions into Antarctic icebergs, volcanic lava tubes and submerged caves worldwide. Jill was the First Explorer of the Royal Geographical Society of Canada. Her memoir, INTO THE PLANET, has been praised by the Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine and the New York Times. Her children’s book THE AQUANAUT is a Blue Ribbon Selection for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Jill is a member of the International Diving Hall of Fame, the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, Women Divers and the Explorers Club, which presented her with the William Beebe Prize for ocean exploration. Photo © 2021 Jill Heinerth

Flash, Recycle, Repeat

Your strobe light is only as strong as the battery that drives it. Commercially available batteries do not have the low internal impedance required for really fast recycle times. Even the best rechargeable AA batteries perform sluggishly in high-wattage flashing devices and only get slower and slower as the charge runs out.

Our custom rechargeable cells provide high frame rate firing from first to last shot. These high quality industrial grade NiMH cells have been shown to operate alkaline and lithium cells under real-life underwater conditions, including temperature fluctuations and worker storage conditions. diving photographer. While 5 years is the average lifespan of a rechargeable charger, we often talk to shooters who are happily using 10-15 year old NiMH battery packs.

The battery pack attaches quickly and easily with a unique toggle lock that helps prevent accidental flooding. You don’t even need to lubricate the o-ring. Flashing front panel is compatible with older NiMH Battery Pack #4066.5 or DS230 Strobe Battery Pack #40066BK.

“Underwater photography is the art form of manipulating light to create the scene in our minds. The DS160 series projectors equip me with enough high-quality light in my arsenal to suit even the most demanding audiences. Ambient light conditions are strongest – from illuminating the foreground subject in the shadow of a backlit sun to illuminating the tiniest details on an anemone’s translucent tentacles, but most importantly, when these flashes are Paired with an Ikelite TTL converter, I no longer need to focus on adjusting my lightning output for subjects that are moving faster than my fingers; the flashes do this for me. This allows me to focus on what matters most to any scene – composition.During my trip to the Revillagigedo Islands, I was fortunate to witness hundreds of the ocean’s top predators and nailed it over and over again recycle time and TTL correct, the only time i touched my blinking light The image is to position and paint the light the way I want in a scene. ” – Nirupam Nigam

Nirupam Nigam is an aquatic scientist and underwater photographer. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Underwater Photography Guide and Marketing Manager at Bluewater Photo

Proven leader in underwater lighting

Ikelite was the first to introduce these underwater strobe technologies that are now standard: aiming lights, interchangeable cords, removable battery packs, smart charging, battery power indicator, wireless TTL slave sensor, built-in video light and TTL communication with digital camera.

We have the longest track record in designing and manufacturing professional strobe lights for underwater use. We offer the only underwater strobe lights designed and manufactured in the USA and distributed worldwide to over 95 countries.

“There’s so much that makes me want to scream through my regulator while shooting underwater; sometimes frustration, sometimes joy. My goal is to avoid those frustrations as much as possible; because So, although I can’t always choose my subject or the diving conditions, I can choose my gear.Light is the most essential aspect to me when it comes to underwater photography, which I rate higher. compared to the camera system I’m working on. I chose the Ikelite stroboscope. It’s like the golden point of light: just right!Light quality, speed, reliability, consistency, durability , ease of use; it’s all in the Ikelite strobe I’ve been a professional in diving for over a decade, I’ve seen/worked with a lot of system and setup cameras in my time. In my time and in all my experience, nothing can deliver like the Ikelite DS160 flash.They are my top pick and what I recommend to my students. my photo diver. ” – Caitlin Hale

Caitlin Hale started out with the PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course and her passion blossomed from there. Caitlin went on to found the Photography Department at Dive Friends Bonaire and transforms her love of photography into a passion for teaching visitors how to get results quickly. Photo © 2021 Caitlin Hale

Specifications