Capturing the Ikelite Ecko Fiber Strobes in Roatán

A pair of Ikelite Ecko Fiber strobes offers loads of energy to gentle up a big sea fan, even in opposition to the brilliant Caribbean solar (f/8, 1/250s, ISO 100)

 

This previous October, I snuck off with some dive buddies to Roatán, Honduras for some lazy Caribbean diving. Over per week at an “old Caribbean” locale, I used to be fortunate sufficient to strive Ikelite’s latest underwater strobe, the Ecko Fiber. Over my years of capturing, vital concerns for me with reference to strobes embrace power-to-size ratio, ease of use, and naturally, total efficiency. This has held true for me whether or not capturing a compact system, a DSLR, or a mirrorless digital camera. I confess that I’m not a lot of a macro shooter lately, but when a information reveals me a cool creature 4 inches or bigger, I’ll definitely attempt to seize a photograph of it!

My digital camera of selection for this go to to Roatán was a Canon EOS R100 in an Ikelite 200DLM/D underwater housing with a six-inch dome port (which is available from Ikelite in a handy kit). The dome conveniently accommodates each of my Canon lenses: the RF-S 10–18mm and RF-S 18–45mm. Both focus near the dome—and focus extraordinarily quick. Both are additionally very light-weight, excellent for journey.

 

Great TTL publicity is a breeze with the Ecko Fiber, even when your topic is resting on a sandy backside (f/8, 1/60s, ISO 200)

 

The Ecko Fiber provides ample gentle to convey out all the colours and particulars on this sleeping redtail parrotfish (f/8, 1/125s, ISO 200)

 

Powerful, Easy to Use, and Travel-Friendly

My first impression of the Ecko Fiber strobes was simply how very small they’re. They are rated at 50 watt-seconds, which is greater than sufficient energy for medium fish pictures and close-focus huge angle, and they’re, after all, additionally effectively suited to macro images. The Ecko Fiber’s beam angle with out the included dome diffuser is round 120 levels, offering enough protection for my 10–18mm lens at its widest. At 10mm, the Canon R100’s APS-C sensor captures a area of view equal to that of a 16mm lens on a full-frame digital camera, so bigger creatures, divers or scenics may be correctly lit with a pair of Ecko Fiber strobes.

The pictures on this article have been all shot with out diffusers. Adding the dome diffuser widens the Ecko Fiber’s beam to about 140 levels, however after all that does reduce down some gentle—roughly one cease. The dome diffuser, which is included with the strobe together with a 1-inch ball mount, has a singular patterned floor for efficient diffusion and lightweight transmission.

The Ecko Fiber is powered by 4 AA batteries, which I discover to be very handy, as you possibly can all the time purchase AA batteries anyplace on the earth do you have to want spares. I used Eneloop Pro rechargeable NiMH batteries, that are protected for checked baggage (not being lithium-ion). In the uncommon occasion of a battery compartment leak, it’s reassuringly independently sealed from the remainder of the strobe, offering peace of thoughts for any touring underwater shooter.

 

Automatic TTL publicity simply balances pictures which have a mixture of ambient and strobe gentle (f/8, 1/160s, ISO 200)

 

Even at night time, the TTL capabilities of the Ikelite Ecko didn’t blow out white highlights on this Caribbean reef octopus (f/8, 1/125s, ISO 200)

 

 

 Compact and highly effective, the Ecko Fiber was excellent for photographing this lovely longsnout seahorse (f/8, 1/200s, ISO 200)

 

Fast automated flash response for fast critter encounters, as with this inexperienced sea turtle, makes framing and capturing very simple while you don’t have to fret about your strobes (f/8, 1/80s, ISO 200)

 

The Ecko Fiber strobes produce vibrant colours and don’t blow out the highlights of this scrawled cowfish (f/8, 1/60s, ISO 200)

 

Final Thoughts

I discovered the compact Ikelite Ecko Fiber punched effectively above its weight, whereas Ikelite’s TT5 Canon TTL Fiber Optic Transmitter labored flawlessly with the strobe. For shooters wanting a small pair of strobes for journey able to macro, fish photographs and close-focus huge angle, the Ecko Fiber make it a breeze to get completely uncovered photographs.

Being a Midwesterner, I admire that Ikelite merchandise are made simply subsequent door in Indianapolis, Indiana, and their glorious assist by way of cellphone or Internet is a giant profit, too. I encourage newbies to take a look at Ikelite’s on-line gear movies, which can assist any shooter rise up to hurry producing nice pictures to share with household and mates.

 

The creator and his Ikelite Canon EOS R100 system with twin Ikelite Ecko Fiber strobes

 

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About the Author: David Haas started diving in 1970, heading to the Florida Keys within the winter of 1971. The hook was set for a lifetime of underwater journey the minute he caught his head underwater. Over the following many years, he turned a scuba teacher, co-owned a scuba retail retailer, and licensed pictures via companies and direct gross sales plus illustrated textual content books together with his underwater pictures. Today, David hosts dive journeys with Seasick Productions to prime ocean areas, sharing tips about evolving gear and methods.