If size and weight are your primary deciding factors, the DS51 II is for you. The DS51 II is one of the smallest and lightest strobes in its class weighing in at less than one pound (443g) per strobe. The compact size makes it simple to position the strobe for macro, super macro, and close focus wide angle.

Ergonomics

You won't need a pair of tweezers to set the DS51 strobe. The strobe power/exposure mode switch is prominent on the rear of the strobe with a bright white detail makes it easy to see where it's pointing.

When used in TTL mode together with a compatible TTL converter, your camera will meter the scene and adjust strobe power automatically.

True TTL Exposure

TTL flash exposure takes advantage of your camera's sophisticated light metering system to automatically adjust flash output. In TTL flash mode the camera triggers a pre-flash - before the image is captured - and uses information it receives back to adjust output in time for the photo. Our line of proprietary TTL converters translates this signal for correct flash exposure underwater with Ikelite DS strobes. Simply leave the strobe in the TTL setting and focus on composition and camera exposure settings.

The advantages of TTL metering are far greater than simply variable flash output. TTL improves recycle time, enables burst shooting, and saves battery life of both your camera and your strobe. TTL is critical when shooting fast-moving subjects both large and small.

Mix and Match

Most shooters choose a one or two DS51 II strobes for macro and dual DS51 II strobes for wide angle. Combining the DS51 with brighter strobes like the DS160 II, DS162, or DS230, can also add depth and contrast to your images. Attach the less powerful strobe as a secondary when mixing strobes of different intensity.

The DS51 II supports a wide variety of triggering methods to fit virtually any application in, out of, and around the water.

Trigger the DS51 II directly from your camera using either an electrical sync cord with ICS-5 plug or by adding an optional fiber optic converter. The DS51 II supports exposure communication with most popular camera models using our 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.

When using an optical slave or fiber optic trigger, each strobe needs its own triggering device. When using a DS Link TTL Converter, connect two strobes using a dual Y-shaped sync cord.

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 camera and housing you're shooting along with your shooting location and subject matter.