Ikelite: How To Assemble a Complete Underwater Camera System

Ikelite DS162 160Ws TTL Underwater Strobe

Three factors define professional-grade lighting: Quality of Light, Speed, and Dependability.

• Professional quality light for wide angle and macro
• 2500 LED constant-on video light
• Fastest recycle time
• Over 15% lighter than aluminum body strobes
• Made in USA

 

Quality of Light in a Lightweight Package

Ikelite's proprietary circular flashtube design and soft white powder coated reflector produce a quality of light that is widely accepted as the perfect choice for professional wide angle underwater photography.

A custom formulated ABS-PC blend makes the strobe fundamentally corrosion-proof and over 1/2 lb (237 g) lighter than aluminum-body strobes.

The DS160 beam is designed for proper spread and color temperature without adding a light-reducing diffuser. The optional Dome Diffuser # 4069.2 is available to extend the spread of the light with only a half-stop reduction of apparent brightness.
 

Performance When It Counts, Every Time

The DS160 underwater strobe is the long-standing choice of professionals who need a strobe that can be relied on to perform over and over. No strobe on the market today comes close to the number of hours of factory and field testing as Ikelite's DS160-series, including under the Antarctic ice.

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 Ikelite's large, click-stop dial controls which provide intuitive, tactical feedback of exposure settings.

The 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, Ikelite routinely talks to shooters who are happily using 10-15 year old NiMH battery packs.

The 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 NiMH Battery Packs # 4066.5 or the DS230 Strobe Battery Pack # 40066BK.
 

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 site. The DS230 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 to introduce these underwater strobe technologies which are considered standard today: 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.

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 160 Ws
• Power Control: 10 stops in 1/2-stop increments
• Video/modeling light: 2500 lumen COB LED with low/medium/high/SOS power settings
• Color temperature: 4800K
• Guide number at 1m (ISO 100): 24 full power
• Flashes per charge: 300 to thousands dependent on power setting
• Recycle time: 0.1 to 1.0 seconds dependent on 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 salt water

 

In the Box

• DS160 Strobe Front # 40160X
• Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack # 40066GY
• Battery Pack Cover # 0591.4
• Smart Charger for NiMH with USA Plug # 0083.92 (or 0083.93 Euro Plug / 0083.94 UK Plug / 0083.95 Australian Plug)
• Diffuser # 0591.3
• 1" Ball Mount # 4081.4 (installed)
• Waterproof bulkhead cap # 9104.7
• Silicone lubricant 1cc tube
• 2 year limited warranty