Ikelite DS232 213Ws Underwater TTL Strobe with Video Light
Three factors define professional-grade lighting: Quality of Light, Speed, and Dependability.
The Ikelite DS232 Strobe is the Industry Standard for Professional Underwater Strobes:
- Professional quality light for wide-angle and macro photography
- 33% more power than the Ikelite DS161 & DS162
- Fast recycle time
- 2500 lumen LED video light
- Over 15% lighter than aluminium body strobes
- Made in the USA
The Ultimate Output for High-Impact Photography
Some situations underwater require as much light as you can get. The Ikelite DS232 packs more flash capacitance to cut through the water and deliver sharper, more colourful, professional-looking wide-angle images. The Ikelite DS232 has the power you need whether you’re shooting in a pool studio or out in the open water.
The Only Strobe You’ll Ever Need
From the invention of detachable underwater sync cords to the development of ground-breaking digital TTL electronics, Ikelite has remained committed to producing strobe systems that withstand the test of time.
Quality of Light in a Lightweight Package
Entry-level strobes dump raw light from a standard, straight flash tube to maximize the guide number (brightness). These strobes require light diffusers and filters to soften warm light and smooth out the sharp edges and banding effects. Most add-on modifiers dramatically cut light output and reduce the effective power of the strobe.
Lighting needs for underwater photography differ greatly compared to surface photography, so an off-the-shelf flash tube and reflector won’t do. Ikelite has spent decades revising and perfecting its circular xenon flash tube for a perfectly gradated beam pattern and warm colour temperature. A 5000K colour temperature balances with available light underwater to provide richer colouring and deeper blue water backgrounds when shooting wide-angle. Models’ skin tones will look more natural, and reds and oranges will pop with a more vibrant colour.
For times when an even wider angle of coverage is desired, the optional Dome Diffuser # 4069.2 is available to extend the spread of the light with only a half-stop reduction of apparent brightness.
A custom formulated ABS-PC blend makes the strobe fundamentally corrosion-proof and over 237 g (1/2 lb) lighter than aluminium-body strobes.
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 to change. Shooters who use manual strobe exposure settings prefer large; click-stop dial controls which provide intuitive, tactical feedback of exposure settings.
Ikelite’s robust dial controls are now even larger and taller for comfortable use with even the thickest gloves. A slide lock prevents the strobe from accidentally being turned on when not in use.
Flash, Recycle, Repeat
Your strobe is only as powerful as the batteries that drive it. Commercially available batteries do not have the low internal impedance required for truly fast recycle times. Even the best rechargeable AA batteries are sluggish in high-powered strobes and only get slower and weaker as their charge drains.
Ikelite’s custom rechargeable cells power high frame rate firing from the first shot to the last. These premium quality industrial grade NiMH cells have been proven to outperform alkaline and lithium cells in real-world underwater conditions, including the temperature fluctuations and storage conditions of the photographer diver. While 5 years is the average lifespan of a rechargeable pack, we routinely talk to shooters who are happily using 10–15-year-old Ikelite NiMH battery packs.
The Ikelite battery pack attaches quickly and easily with a unique toggle lock that prevents accidental floods. You don’t even need to lubricate the O-ring. The strobe front is compatible with older Ikelite NiMH Battery Packs # 4066.5 or the new DS232 Strobe Battery Pack # 40066BK.
Flexibility in Triggering
The Ikelite DS232 supports a wide variety of triggering methods to fit virtually any application in, out of, and around the water.
Trigger the DS232 directly from your camera using either an electrical sync cord with an ICS-5 plug or by adding an optional fibre optic converter. The DS232 supports exposure communication with the most popular camera models using Ikelite’s line of high-accuracy TTL converters.
Remote triggering is supported by both optional extension cords and/or optical slave converter. Position your strobes at a distance from your camera for a variety of creative lighting set-ups including cave lighting, off-camera wreck lighting, and pool studio photography.
If you’re unsure which connection is right for you, reach out to us for the right advice. We’ll need to know the make and model of the camera and housing you’re shooting along with your shooting location and subject matter.
Constant-On Video Lighting for Hybrid Cameras
Some of the best mirrorless and compact digital cameras today are equally strong in both still and video imaging, requiring more than ever from a lighting system. At the same time, airline restrictions are tight, and it can be a lot of work just to get your gear to the dive site. The Ikelite DS232 incorporates a powerful 2500 lumen wide beam COB LED light array allowing you to effortlessly switch between still and video.
The video light doubles as an aiming light and automatically turns off and back on each time you take a photo. In video mode, light output is controlled in low, medium, and high-power settings plus an SOS mode to signal others in emergency situations.
The Proven Leader in Underwater Lighting
Ikelite was the first company to introduce: aiming lights, interchangeable cords, removable battery packs, smart charging, battery power indicators, wireless TTL slave sensors, built-in video lights, and TTL communication with digital cameras. These underwater strobe technologies are now considered to be standard today.
Ikelite has the longest track record in the design and manufacture of professional strobe lighting for underwater use. Ikelite offers the only underwater strobes designed and manufactured in the USA and distributed worldwide to over 95 countries.
Specifications
- Depth rating: 100 meters (330 feet)
- Power: 4 to 213 Ws
- Coverage angle: 120º without a diffuser
- Power Control: 10 stops in 1/2-stop increments
- Video/modelling light: 2500 lumen COB LED with low/medium/high/SOS power settings
- Colour temperature: Daylight 5000K
- Guide number at 1m (ISO 100): 32 full power
- Flashes per charge: 300 to thousands depending on the power setting
- Recycle time: 0.1 to 1.2 seconds dependent on the power setting
- Electrical sync connection: Ikelite ICS 5-pin bulkhead
- Battery: 7.2V 3300mAh NiMH rechargeable
- Dimensions: 91 mm diameter x 179 mm length (3.6″ x 7″)
- Weight with battery: 1243 grams (2.7 pounds)
- Buoyancy: Slightly negative in saltwater
In the Box
