Choosing the Correct Strobe Converter for your Ikelite System

There are many options on how to trigger your Ikelite DS strobes by electrical sync cord, fiber optic cord, or slave. This quick reference guide helps you navigate the choices to find the right converter for your system. Why are there so ma
14 November 2018 by
Suanne

There are many options on how to trigger your Ikelite DS strobes by electrical sync cord, fiber optic cord, or slave. This quick reference guide helps you navigate the choices to find the right converter for your system.

Why are there so many different converters available for DS strobes?

As camera technology improves, manufacturers modify their flash protocol. For the most accurate exposure and timing it's important that the converter is fine tuned to the camera model you're shooting. Strobes with flash protocols built in typically rely on more generic flash protocols tend to be less accurate and less reliable.

Product Name # Type of Connection Exposure When to Use
Fiber Optic Converter for DS Strobes (3rd Gen) 4401.3 Fiber Optic Manual To trigger DS strobes off a compact digital camera's flash
Optical Slave Converter 4403 Fiber Optic or Slave Manual To trigger DS strobes remotely in a pool studio setting off of a DS strobe shooting in TTL exposure modes
High Sensitivity Optical Slave Converter 4405 Fiber Optic or Slave Manual To trigger DS strobes remotely in open water settings.  When shooting a DSLR or mirrorless camera at higher frame rates (4 FPS or faster) with Nauticam fiber optic converter.
RC1 TTL Receiver 4412 Fiber Optic TTL or Manual Compatible Olympus or Panasonic cameras that support remote RC (Olympus) or Wireless (Panasonic) flash modes See sample photos
DL1 DS Link Nikon TTL Converter 46054/46055 Sync Cord TTL or Manual Compatible Nikon DSLR or mirrorless cameras in Ikelite housings.  Compatible Nikon DSLR or mirrorless cameras in Aquatica, Nauticam, Subal, Seacam, SEA&SEA, Isotta, or any manufacturers' housing that provides a compatible bulkhead and TTL hotshoe.  See sample photos
CT1K or CT2K Canon TTL Kit 46070/46072 Sync Cord TTL or Manual Compatible Canon DSLR or mirrorless cameras in Ikelite housings
ST1K Sony TTL Kit 46040 Sync Cord TTL or Manual Compatible Sony mirrorless cameras in Ikelite housings
PT1K Panasonic TTL Kit 46031 Sync Cord TTL or Manual Compatible Panasonic mirrorless cameras in Ikelite housings