Underwater Flash

Hi - I plan to start underwaterphotography this spring in Dahab - this time with a compact but probably in the near future with a DSLR.
As light seems to be one of the most critical factors I plan to invest in an underwater flash. Does anyone have experience with these flashes and can recommend one?
Budget is - as always - a limiting factor - I don't want to invest more than 400 euro
Thanks for any info
Axel

The excellent Ikelite have a two armed strobe kit that would be well within your budget and I've seen very good reports on the Sea & Sea strobes too. Also Inon and Epoque make good cost-conscious strobes.

I used to shoot a lot of UW photography on ambient light only - don't forget that if you are in regions such as the Middle East, the Pacific rim or S.E.Asia then the light is often very good down to 10-15m where, if you are shooting critters / macro, the best shooting is to be had. Beyond 15m then the light is poor and you will need strobes. However often your UW torch can do a fantastic job too, especially if you buy a HID with the same temperature as daylight (I use the old, but superb and very powerful, UK Light Cannon 100 HID - I'm sure they have newer models - which cost me about £230 around 7-8 years ago).

This was taken at around 45m with just the Light Cannon. My namesakes :




And these mating Mandarin Fish at around 10m at deep dusk, also with just the Light Cannon.

Never having used flash underwater, I couldn't offer you any recommendations, however I did find this link which may be of some use to you, Axel:

http://www.bsoup.org/Articles/Flashguns_Artificial_light.php

Best of luck, and Enjoy your time at the Red Sea!!

That looks very much like the view from the lookout point on the West coast of Phuket (I forget the name) in your avatar Steven, looking down on the bays of Karon, Kata, Patong etc. - I'd recognise those 'fingers' anywhere !

Yes - well spotted!! It's Kata Viewpoint!!

I spent some time working in Thailand, and I most enjoyed Phuket! It's just a pity that the public are not allowed to take photos inside Phuket Fantasea, otherwise I'd have loads of great shots!!

Love that show - we often take friends to Phuket and always to the show. You must have loved working there.

Sorry to go Off-Topic Axel !!

Actually, Axel - we're (sort of) on topic! If you ever get the chance, I'd recommend the Andaman Sea for some excellent u/w photography! If you head out to any of the Koh's (islands), you can capture all sorts of wildlife - in the water, and on land! You might even be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Sea Turtle! I'd recommend Lipeh, Samui, Turatao, and Similan if you ever decide to head there.

At Phuket too, you have the famous Simon Cabaret (a ladyboy show), Fantasea, the Butterfly Garden, the large Buddha on the hill overlooking Kata Noi, and loads of colourful temples - there's a shot in my portfolio here of a temple I took using an Optio. Feel free to have a look, then imagine what you could do with a "proper" DSLR!!

BTW, Kevin (Frogfish) - I was actually based in BKK, but on my free time, I liked to travel around the country. For an idea of what old Siam must've been like, I'd advise a trip to the Sacred Temples at Ayutthaya.

Thanks Steven - added to my must-visit list !

Does anyone have an Ikelite case for the K7/K5 which they wish to sell.

I'm really into underwater but now using Panasonic TZ60 compact (it does 18Mb RAW images and focuses down to 3cm in macro mode) and 2x Sea & Sea YS-01 TTL strobes.

I'd dearly like to use my SLRs - but as yet no case.

I've asked Ikelite if they'd make a K3 case - waiting on an answer