Underwater Photography Using Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe in the Sea of Cortez
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning strobes have made a splash in the underwater photography world, with their wide-angle capabilities, reduced backscatter, and improved focus on distant subjects. In a recent photoworkshop held aboard the luxurious dive liveaboard, the Rocio Del Mar, in the Sea of Cortez, the YS-D3 strobes were put to the test, demonstrating their versatility and performance.
Performance Benefits Over the YS-D2J
The YS-D3 strobes offer several advantages over their predecessor, the YS-D2J. For starters, the YS-D3 features a cooler color temperature of around 5800K, compared to the YS-D2J's warmer tone. This slight difference in color fidelity results in more natural images underwater.
Moreover, the YS-D3 boasts a broader range of specialized accessories, such as snoots, for refined light shaping and improved creative lighting options. The strobe's solid build, weighing around 815g without batteries, and machined from aluminum for durability, further underscores its quality.
The YS-D3 also offers 7 adjustable power levels, providing photographers with precise control over light output to suit various shooting conditions. However, it's worth noting that detailed specs like guide number, recycle times, or depth ratings were not directly stated in the search results.
Practical Applications
During the Sea of Cortez photoworkshop, the YS-D3 strobes performed exceptionally well in various underwater topographies, from deep, dark, silty walls to shallow, clear coves. The beam quality was subtle enough to add color to subjects without appearing artificial, as demonstrated in a photo taken in a well-lit cove full of sea lions.
The diffusers helped reduce backscatter when photographing these playful creatures, who tend to kick up a lot of silt. The YS-D3 target lights were also much brighter than those on the YS-D2J, and could even be used as a primary dive light in a pinch, although a dedicated dive light is still recommended.
The YS-D3 snoot, a useful accessory for the strobe, is one of the most affordable on the market and works well, with a built-in prism for better aiming. At higher powers, the YS-D3 strobes had a recycle time, and at full power they were similar to the speed of the YS-D2Js.
Impressions and Recommendations
The author of this article was particularly impressed by the YS-D3's speed, even lighting, and ability to handle different qualities of water and light. The author's favorite photo from the workshop features a King Angelfish and showcases the YS-D3's speed, even lighting, and ability to handle different qualities of water and light.
In conclusion, the YS-D3 Lightning strobes provide a cooler, more daylight-balanced light output, enhanced accessory compatibility, and versatile power settings, making them better suited for photographers who want finer lighting control underwater. The YS-D3 strobes are now available at Bluewater Photo.
The author of this article also wrote a trip report on the Sea of Cortez's Midriff Islands photoworkshop experience, which offers clear water, lots of sun, and a variety of lighting conditions for underwater photography. The Rocio Del Mar, the dive liveaboard where the workshop took place, is a spacious and luxurious vessel with an outstanding crew and excellent food.
- The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning strobes, with their wide-angle capabilities and improved focus on distant subjects, haveimmerse themselves in the underwater photography world.
- More natural images underwater are a result of the YS-D3's cooler color temperature of around 5800K compared to the YS-D2J's warmer tone.
- The YS-D3's broad range of specialized accessories, such as snoots, provides refined light shaping and improved creative lighting options.
- The YS-D3 strobe's solid build, weighing around 815g without batteries, and machined from aluminum for durability, underscores its quality.
- The YS-D3 offers 7 adjustable power levels, giving photographers precise control over light output in various shooting conditions.
- A photo taken in a well-lit cove full of sea lions demonstrates the YS-D3's ability to add color to subjects without appearing artificial.
- The Rocio Del Mar, the luxurious dive liveaboard where the YS-D3 strobes performed exceptionally well, offers a spacious and luxurious environment with an outstanding crew and excellent food.
- The YS-D3 snoot, an accessory for the strobe, is one of the most affordable on the market and works well, with a built-in prism for better aiming.
- For underwater photographers seeking finer lighting control, the YS-D3 Lightning strobes, now available at Bluewater Photo, are recommended due to their cooler, daylight-balanced light output, enhanced accessory compatibility, and versatile power settings.
