Best Underwater Lighting of 2025: Strobes & Flashes

We have taken the best strobes for underwater photography and put them to the test to find the Top Picks for wide angle, macro, budget, and all-around performance. The info in this guide will make it easy to find the strobe that is best suited for your underwater photography needs. The strobes in this review have been evaluated based on what they are actually like to use and shoot underwater - not just the stated specs on the side of the box. Backscatter team members are always happy to jump in the water and put a few strobes to the test. Want to get right to the Top Pick or need a refresher on underwater strobe terminology? Jump to our Top Picks or Glossary here. JUMP TO OUR TOP PICKSJUMP TO OUR GLOSSARYBest Of Categories We broke all of the current strobes down to four categories: Budget Strobes, All-Around Strobes, Big Bang Strobes, and Macro Strobes with Snoots. Best Budget Strobe Budget strobes are inexpensive and easy to travel with because of their small size and are generally best suited for compact cameras. They will produce less overall power and will have a slower recycle time than larger strobes. Budget strobes typically have a narrower beam which is well suited for macro. They work best with compact cameras because compacts don’t require as much light output as an SLR or mirrorless camera does. Although these strobes work best with compact cameras, especially for macro, a compact camera shooter will still benefit from the wider beam patterns of an All-Around or Big Banger strobe when shooting wide angle. Best All-Around Strobe All-Around strobes are a compromise between the best of macro and the best of wide angle. Their smaller size sacrifices ultimate beam angle, brightness, and recycle times compared to Big Banger strobes for wide angle purposes, but they are still small enough to work into tight positions for macro. When you can only have one strobe to do it all, and All-Around strobe is the type to choose. All-Around strobes will perform equally well when paired with compact cameras, mirrorless, or SLRs. Best Big Bang Strobe If you want to light a big scene then you need a Big Bang. Big Bang strobes are the ultimate wide angle photography tool. They produce the widest, brightest, most even beams with the fastest recycle times. It takes a lot of energy to fire that bright, wide, and fast, so Big Bang strobes must be bigger in size to accommodate the bigger flash tubes, capacitors, and batteries - this is also what makes them the most expensive category of strobe. These strobes offer wide angle shooting without compromise, but the downside is that they are much harder to get into a tight spot for macro shots. Best Macro Strobe & Snoot Macro strobes are small, lightweight, and designed to get into tight spaces where macro critters live. Because they are only used for lighting at close distances and over a small area they do not need to be super bright, so they do not need large flash tubes or capacitors which helps keep their size down. Macro strobes need a snoot in order to reach their full potential. A snoot is an attachment that reduces the beam to a much smaller size - in some cases down to just a few millimeters in diameter. Snoots are the best type of lighting to use for macro photography because they can selectively light the subject and eliminate any distracting elements from the background or surrounding environment. There are several types of snoot: optical, non-optical, and fiber optic. Optical snoots are the best because they transmit the most amount of light in the most controlled way. Optical snoots produce a beam with a distinct shape that minimizes light spillover for more precise lighting of the subject. Non-optical snoots produce beams with much more noticeable light spillover. Fiber optic snoots provide the least amount of light transmission. Don’t miss the boat - Add a snoot to your strobe and start capturing better macro photos today. Learn more about using snoots with our What Is A Snoot & Why Do You Need One guide. First: Shot without snoot – Second: Shot with snoot Snoots add a new look to boring old flatly-lit macro shots. In this example, the mimic octopus blends into its environment. When lit with a snoot, the environment is darkened, allowing the octopus to stand out in the frame. Questions? Just Give Us A Call Strobes can be a bit overwhelming when learning the need-to-know details. If you have questions at any point, please don’t hesitate to give our experts a call. Every member of our team has extensive experience with the strobes in this review. Click Here to find the best way to reach us. Top Picks - The Best Underwater Strobes Here is a quick look at the Top Picks and Alternate Choices in each category. Best Budget StrobeAOI Q1 $565.00JUMP TO AOI Q1Best Budget Strobe - Alternate ChoiceSea & Sea YS-01 Solis $479.95JUMP TO SEA & SEA YS-01Best All-Around StrobeBackscatter Hybrid Flash $999.00JUMP TO Hybrid FlashBest Big Bang StrobeSeacam Seaflash 160D $2,295.66JUMP TO SEACAM 160DBest Macro StrobeBackscatter Mini Flash 2 with Optical Snoot $699.00 – Mini Flash 2 Only $799.00 – Mini Flash 2 with Optical SnootJUMP TO MINI FLASH 2All Strobes Put Through Our Test Here is every strobe that we have tested in 2021. They are organized from least to most expensive with all notable pros, cons, specs, unique features, accolades, and our firsthand underwater findings listed. SEA & SEA YS-03 SOLISPrice: $299.95Beam Coverage: Low output, medium width, fairly even beamBest Use: All-Around for Compact CamerasTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: AA (4)FULL DETAILS FOR THE YS-03 STROBEFULL DETAILS FOR THE YS-03 PACKAGEProsFully automatic; no controls other than On/OffEasiest strobe to shoot out of all that we testedConsNo target light (requires separate focus light)No manual power controlNo TTL compensation If the only thing that you want to do is turn the strobe on and point it at what you want to light then the YS-03 Solis is the strobe for you. The automatic-only TTL operation is the ultimate in ease of use. That being said, TTL is not a magic solution for all shots. As photographers gain more experience they may feel frustration at the lack of control over their flash output. While set-and-forget operation is undeniably convenient, most users will quickly outgrow this strobe. We recommend considering the YS-01 Solis as an alternative to get both manual and TTL modes. BACK TO TOPINON S220Price: $420.00Beam Coverage: Low output, narrow width, rectangular shapeBest Use: Macro for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: SmallBattery Type: AA (4)FULL DETAILSProsThe smallest strobe in this reviewGood for macro & getting into tight placesTTL & manual powerConsNo target light (requires separate focus light)Control set is very small & hard to useNarrow beam pattern & low power output is not suited for general wide angle useManual & full power are split between the mode & power dials The Inon S220 is a favorite for macro because of its small size for working into tight spots. The flash beam is pretty narrow and not very bright so it’s better suited for macro than general wide angle. One aspect of the controls that is a bit odd is that the full power setting and other manual power settings are split between the 2 mode and power dials. This can be kind of weird to get used to, but once familiar with the operation it’s not any real drawback. The pre-flash cancelation switch uses a magnet that must be installed with a tool, and there is no practical way to change the setting underwater so make sure to have it set correctly before the dive (and don’t misplace it if removed). There are 3rd party non-optical snoots available, but the lack of a target light makes the Inon S220 hard to use for snooted macro shots. A compromise of the very small body size is that the controls are also very small and can be hard to see and use. BACK TO TOPAOI Q1Price: $565.00Beam Quality: Low output, medium width, rectangular shapeBest Use: All-Around for Compact CamerasTravel Size: SmallBattery Type: 18650 (2)FULL DETAILSProsThe least expensive strobe in this reviewBright target light is able to replace a focus lightSimple & easy to operate controlsNon-optical snoot availableAutomatic pre-flash cancelation for easy compact camera flash sync18650 batteries provide up to 2,000 shots per charge with fast recycle timeConsNo TTL, manual power only18650 batteries are more expensive than AA The AOI Q1 provides a flash output that is similar to other Budget strobes but at the lowest price out of all strobes in this review, providing an excellent bang for the buck in one of the smallest overall sizes as well. The beam pattern produced by the Q1 is less wide than the beam produced by the YS-01 Solis, which will do a little bit better for wide angle shots. The twin target light is bright enough to replace the need for a separate focus light which helps keep compact rigs as streamlined as possible. The controls are very simply laid out and easy to operate with a large, single power dial on the back that is easy to operate in cold water with thick gloves. All the user has to do is dial in the power on the power dial and it’s good to go, with the only downside being a lack of any automatic TTL power - though this is also what keeps the cost down. BACK TO TOPBACKSCATTER MINI FLASH 2 & OPTICAL SNOOTPrice: $699.00 - Mini Flash 2Price: $799.00 - Mini Flash 2 & OS-1 Optical SnootBeam Coverage of Mini Flash: Low output, narrow width, tight beam patternBeam Coverage of Optical Snoot: High output, 5 selectable sizes, well-defined circular or oval beamBest Use: Macro for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: SmallBattery Type: 21700 (1)FULL DETAILS FOR THE MINI FLASH 2FULL DETAILS FOR THE MINI FLASH 2 & SNOOTProsAutomatic TTL For Olympus CamerasWireless Remote ControlHigh-Speed SyncBuilt-In 1000 Lumen Focus LightTest Mode & BeaconFaster Recycle TimeBigger Battery, Longer Run TimeManual Control For All CamerasDouble O-Ring Seal For ReliabilityConsNot recommended for general wide angle use The Backscatter Mini Flash 2 is a major upgrade to the Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, with tons of new features and performance upgrades, including Olympus TTL, remote strobe control, high-speed sync, test mode, emergency signaling capability, a faster recycle time, and LED lights that are twice as bright as the previous model. All of the accessories from the Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1 carry over to the Backscatter Mini Flash 2. This travel friendly, lightweight macro lighting system is the easiest to use and highest performing strobe and snoot combination ever created. BACK TO TOPSEA & SEA YS-01 SOLISPrice: $390.95Beam Coverage: Low output, medium width, fairly even beamBest Use: All-Around for Compact CamerasTravel Size: SmallBattery Type: AA (4)FULL DETAILSProsTarget lightManual ModeTTL ModeMedium width beam and small size make it a good All-Around strobe for compact camerasConsNo 3rd party dome diffuserLimited 3rd party snoot options, no OEM snoot The Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis is a YS-03 Solis with manual mode and a target light. It’s a great budget strobe for those who want something that they are not going to outgrow. It has all the same benefits of the YS-03 Solis when used in TTL mode - just turn it on and it’s good to go. The combination of manual mode, TTL, a target light and the ability to do both wide angle and macro well make this a great All-Around pick for compact camera users. The YS-01 Solis has one of the best feature sets available for under $500, but doesn’t offer much in the way of widely supported accessories to expand its capabilities. By comparison, the Inon D200 is only $50 more and has the ability to add many different types of snoots, diffusers, and other accessories. BACK TO TOPIKELITE DS51 IIPrice: $495.00Beam Coverage: Medium output, narrow width, rectangular with a bright centerBest Use: All-Around for Compact CamerasTravel Size: SmallBattery Type: AA (4)FULL DETAILSProsThe brightest strobe in this price rangeExcellent electronic TTL accuracy when used with an Ikelite TTL converterSmallest strobe with an electronic sync portOptional adapter supports Olympus RC ModeConsVery slow recycle timeAccessory required for optical connection, manual only, no optical TTL The Ikelite DS51 II is the brightest of the sub-$500 strobes, but the thing that keeps it from being as favorable as other strobes is the very slow recycle time when fired at full power. We clocked this strobe at over 10 seconds before recycling back to full power which is impractical for action sequences. By adding an Ikelite TTL converter users can take advantage of the electronic TTL sync for great automatic flash power accuracy. Hardwired electronic TTL is always better in terms of accuracy than optical slave TTL, so having that ability on a strobe this small is a unique advantage of the Ikelite DS51 II. The Ikelite DS51 II does not include an optical connection, but there is a separate adapter than can be purchased to enable it. Optical connections are manual only, there is no TTL, however there is a separate adapter that can be added on to enable Olympus RC Mode for automatic flash power with Olympus and Panasonic cameras. BACK TO TOPKRAKEN KR-S05Price: $599.00Beam Coverage: Low output, wide width, dark donut-hole shape in centerBest Use: All-Around for Compact CamerasTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: Proprietary (1)FULL DETAILSProsOne of the longest lasting strobes at 900 flashes per chargeLCD display is easy to see in low light conditionsConsOne of the weakest strobes that we’ve ever testedCircular flash tube produces a “donut hole” shape flash beamDifference between power levels is not consistentManual only, no TTL The Kraken KR-S05 is the only strobe at this price point with a circular flash tube which traditionally provides a more evenly dispersed beam for wide angle. In the case of this strobe, it actually produces a beam which we nicknamed “the donut hole” because of the darker area that appears in the center of the beam. The beam is also much less bright than almost every other strobe. We are perplexed by the low output of the strobe despite it having one of the biggest battery packs of the strobes in this review. The specifications state that the controls provide 1 stop of adjustment per click on the power dial, but our testing found that there was not consistently a one stop difference between each setting. This made it challenging to dial in the right power since the level of adjustment could vary between 1 stop and only ⅓ stop adjustment. We welcome this strobe debut from Kraken, but we can’t wholeheartedly recommend this strobe for an underwater photographer at this time due to the drawbacks it currently has. BACK TO TOPSEA & SEA YS-D3 DUO LIGHTNINGPrice: $749.95Beam Quality: High output, wide width, elliptical beam shapeBest Use: All-Around for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: AA (4)FULL DETAILSProsBest choice for compromise between brightness, beam width, recycle time, and priceNew dual flash tube design provides improved wide angle coverageBacklit control panel is easy to see on night divesOptional snoot & dome diffuser for greater wide angle or macro abilityOptical & electronic sync portsOlympus RC, TTL, & Manual ModesConsSmall control dials are hard to use with glovesControl dial shape can obscure other choices making it hard to see other settings The Sea & SeaYS-D3 Duo is our Top Pick for the overall best balance between size, power output, ultimate beam quality, and recycle time. The beam is slightly wider than the Inon Z330, but the $200 increase in price over the Inon Z330 means that the choice comes down to savings vs ultimate wide angle beam quality. The YS-D3 features improved brightness and beam evenness thanks to a new dual flash tube - just one part of a significant design overhaul from the previous model. The backlit control panel makes it easy to see what mode you are in thanks to the helpful color-coding, and makes it easy to see the settings on night dives. The control dials are a bit small making them less ideal for operation in cold water with thick gloves. The design of the control dials tends to obscure the printed settings on the strobe itself making it tough to see other printed settings values on the strobe. There are dome diffuser and snoot options available, though a snoot is difficult to use because of the offset target light. The Sea & SeaYS-D3 Duo includes compatibility with Olympus & OM System RC strobe mode, giving the strobe super acurate automatic exposure. BACK TO TOPBackscatter Hybrid FlashPrice: $999.00Beam Quality: High output, wide width, beam shapeBest Use: All-Around for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: 21700 (2)FULL DETAILSProsBrightest strobe on the marketBest choice for brightness, beam width, recycle time, and priceDual flash tube design provides improved wide angle coverageBuilt-in 5,000 Lumen Video LightOptional flat & dome diffusers for greater wide angleOptical sync portSony, OM System, & Olympus RC, TTL, & Manual ModesCons4oz / 250g negative in waterNo electrical sync port With the introduction of the Backscatter Hybrid Flash HF-1, underwater photographers can now capture stunning stills and video with a single versatile tool. With an underwater guide number of ƒ40 and a 5,000 lumen video light, the Hybrid Flash is the most powerful strobe and video light combination ever created. The Backscatter Hybrid Flash also includes a 1,500 lumen spot light and a red light mode. The Hybrid Flash is packed with tons of features and is the first strobe to feature Smart Control Automatic TTL Flash power for Sony, Olympus, and OM System cameras. The Hybrid Flash is also HSS compatible and can be used for remote shooting alongside the Mini Flash 2. BACK TO TOPIKELITE DS160 IIPrice: $995.00Beam Quality: Medium output, wide width, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: LargeBattery Type: Proprietary (1)FULL DETAILSProsGreat beam quality for less than half the price of the Big Bang Top PickElectronic TTL accuracy with an Ikelite TTL converterLarge controls with solid clicks for easy operation with thick gloves$150 less than DS162, only difference is less bright target light Lots of flashes per battery chargeConsLower output than other Big Bang StrobesLong recycle time at full power, less noticeable at lower powerNo optical slave TTL, manual slave mode available with accessory adapterSlow flash tube at full power limits how fast the shutter speed can be The Ikelite DS160 II is less than half the price of our Big Bang Top Pick (the Seacam 160D). It has an extremely wide, even, smooth beam thanks to the circular flash tube. The overall brightness is a little underpowered compared to other Big Bang Strobes, but the price savings are undeniably appealing while still getting an overall great beam quality. The only difference between the 2 big Ikelite strobes (Ikelite DS160 II and Ikelite DS162) is the brightness of the target light. We’d rather save $150 over the Ikelite DS162 model and not have as bright of a target light that we wouldn’t use for wide angle anyway. Underwater photographers will feel the most benefit when this strobe is shot with an Ikelite TTL converter so that they may take advantage of the electronic TTL sync. The large knob controls provide an easy grip with firm clicks that are easy to operate when wearing thick gloves in cold water. One downside of this strobe for wide angle is the relatively slow burst from the flash tube. At shutter speeds over 1/125, the shutter is faster than the flash duration which results in “catching" the flash, diminishing the flash brightness in your image. When the power is turned down the flash duration becomes a non-issue. No other strobe in this review has this limitation. BACK TO TOPRETRA FLASH PRIME +Price: $1,290.00Beam Quality: Medium output, wide beam, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: AA (4) - Optional (8)FULL DETAILSProsCircular flash tube provides great beam quality in a relatively medium-sized bodyBayonet-style mount with many compatible accessories, including an optical snootHigh-speed sync available with certain TTL convertersAbility to expand battery capacityBluetooth connectivity to smartphone app for firmware updates, stat tracking, and additional settingsConsNeeds Retra Booster accessory to improve recycle time and flashes per charge(8) AA batteries per strobe (when used with Retra Booster) is a lot to manageOptical only, converter is required for electronic sync The Retra Flash Prime + produces one of the smoothest and most beautiful beams for wide angle photography from a strobe with this body size. The circular flash tube produces a beam that is extremely even with a very natural-looking falloff. The Retra Flash Prime + is a lower output, lower cost, faster recycling version of the Retra Flash Pro Max. That being said, if spending this amount of money on a strobe, we recommend just going with the Retra Flash Pro Max to get the better performance. The ability to quickly transform from a wide angle strobe into a macro strobe with the Light Shaping Device optical snoot is one of the most versatile aspects of this strobe. BACK TO TOPIKELITE DS162Price: $1,295.00Beam Quality: Medium output, wide width, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: LargeBattery Type: Proprietary (1)FULL DETAILSProsGreat beam quality for half the price of the Big Bang Top PickElectronic TTL accuracy with an Ikelite TTL converterLarge controls with solid clicks for easy operation with thick glovesLots of flashes per battery chargeCons$150 more than DS160, only difference is brighter target light Lower output than other Big Bang StrobesLong recycle time at full power, less noticeable at lower powerNo optical slave TTL, manual slave mode available with accessory adapterSlow flash tube at full power limits how fast the shutter speed can be The only thing to point out here is that the Ikelite DS162 has a built-in target light feature that - while bright - is not quite valuable enough to justify the additional $150 over the Ikelite DS160 II. Every other aspect of these two strobes is identical. It has an extremely wide, even, smooth beam thanks to the circular flash tube. The overall brightness is a little underpowered compared to other Big Bang Strobes, but the price savings are undeniably appealing while still getting an overall great beam quality. Underwater photographers will feel the most benefit when this strobe is shot with an Ikelite TTL converter so that they may take advantage of the electronic TTL sync. The large knob controls provide an easy grip with firm clicks that are easy to operate when wearing thick gloves in cold water. One downside of this strobe for wide angle is the relatively slow burst from the flash tube. At shutter speeds over 1/125, the shutter is faster than the flash duration which results in “catching" the flash, diminishing the flash brightness in your image. When the power is turned down the flash duration becomes a non-issue. No other strobe in this review has this limitation. BACK TO TOPIkelite DS232Price: $1,495.00 with Video LightBeam Quality: Medium output, wide width, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: LargeBattery Type: Proprietary (1)FULL DETAILS FOR THE DS232 WITH MODELING LIGHTProsBrightest round-tube strobe svalibleBlazing flast recycle time at lower powersPlethora of TTL OptionsConsSlow flash tube speeds at full power confines it to slow shutter speeds at 1/100 sec or less.Long recycle time at full power, less noticeable at lower powerLarge and expensive proprietary batteryNo optical slave TTL, manual slave mode available with accessory adapter It has an extremely wide, even, smooth beam thanks to the circular flash tube. The overall brightness is a little underpowered compared to other Big Bang Strobes, but the price savings are undeniably appealing while still getting an overall great beam quality. Underwater photographers will feel the most benefit when this strobe is shot with an Ikelite TTL converter so that they may take advantage of the electronic TTL sync. The large knob controls provide an easy grip with firm clicks that are easy to operate when wearing thick gloves in cold water. One downside of this strobe for wide angle is the relatively slow burst from the flash tube. At shutter speeds over 1/125, the shutter is faster than the flash duration which results in “catching" the flash, diminishing the flash brightness in your image. When the power is turned down the flash duration becomes a non-issue. No other strobe in this review has this limitation. BACK TO TOPRETRA FLASH PRO MAXPrice: $1,600.00Beam Quality: High output, wide beam, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: MediumBattery Type: AA (4) - Optional (8)FULL DETAILSProsBrighter flash and brighter target light than the Retra Flash Prime +Circular flash tube provides great beam quality in a relatively medium-sized bodyBayonet-style mount with many compatible accessories, including an optical snootHigh-speed sync available with certain TTL convertersAbility to expand battery capacityBluetooth connectivity to smartphone app for firmware updates, stat tracking, and additional settingsConsNeeds Retra Booster accessory to improve recycle time at full power and number of flashes per charge(8) AA batteries per strobe (when used with Retra Booster) is a lot to manageOptical only, converter is required for electronic sync The Retra Flash Pro Max is an upgraded version of the Retra Flash Prime + featuring brighter flash output a brighter target light. Otherwise, it has basically all of the same qualities found in our review of the Retra Flash Prime + above. It also works exactly like the Prime X in regards to the LSD snoot. When powered by only (4) AA batteries this strobe has a slow recycle time at full power and only about 175 flashes. With this low of a flash count per battery charge, we recommend changing batteries after every dive to avoid the risk of running out of power on the second dive. Extra accessories are required to take full advantage of this strobe; the Retra Booster ($185) is required for faster recycle times and more shots per charge, and the High Speed Sync feature is only available with certain TTL converters ($450 UW Technics). Adding these accessories takes this strobe to the top of the price range of available strobes, making it go from about $1,575 to over $2,300 in order to get in the performance range of other Big Bang Strobes. The reason this strobe falls short of the All-Around Top Pick spot is simply because of the higher price point compared to the alternatives. This is an excellent strobe for balancing serious wide angle performance and the ability to quickly adapt it for macro - hence why it is one of our Top Picks for Macro. BACK TO TOPONEUW ONE160X IIPrice: $2,230.00Beam Quality: High output, wide width, evenly diffused circular shapeBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: LargeBattery Type: ProprietaryFULL DETAILSProsVery bright, even beam for excellent wide angle lightingBuilt-in electronic TTL; does not an external converterLarge controls are easy to operate with glovesConsInfinite control dials with no hard stops at full or minimum powerPaddle controls can be confusing depending on strobe orientation The OneUW One 160X II are the first strobes that we have seen from this company. It features built-in electronic TTL for the most accurate type of automatic exposure, though there are separate strobe models for Sony, Canon, and Nikon TTL compatibility. The self-orienting LCD screen is easy to see at night or when the strobe is upside down. The tricky thing is that the paddle-style controls become a bit confusing when reversed (at least in our testing experience). The control dials also have an infinite spin; there are no hard stops at either end of the dial. We prefer dials with hard stops because they are easy to just set to full power and turn down as needed without having to look at the strobe during the heat of the moment. Dials with infinite spin are a compromise found on strobes with more advanced options and menu features which require the dials to act as the interface for menu navigation. The OneUw has a lot of promise, but it is the strobe that we’ve had the least amount of time with in water. Stay tuned as we gather more experience with this strobe. BACK TO TOPSEACAM SEAFLASH 160DPrice: $2,526.66Beam Quality: High output, widest width, best wide angle beam coverage out of all strobes in this reviewBest Use: Wide Angle for All Cameras TypesTravel Size: LargeBattery Type: ProprietaryFULL DETAILSProsUltimately the best wide angle beam quality of any strobe that we testedBuilt-in electronic TTL for excellent accuracySupports both Canon and Nikon electronic TTL in one modelHigh-speed sync for Canon and Nikon cameras via electronic connectionLCD screen is easy to see in any lightHighly customizable settingsBayonet-mount snoot availableConsMost expensive strobe in this review, but also has the most capabilityInfinite control dial with no hard stops at full or minimum power When the absolute best wide angle beam quality, electronic TTL, and most hardcore fast-shooting performance is required, the Seacam 160D is the strobe that you want. This is the brightest, widest, most even beam with the most natural edge falloff of any strobe that we tested. It is a dream come true for wide angle photography lighting. This amount of power and beam evenness does not come cheap, but this strobe also has other great features that make it worth it. This strobe is the only one to offer built-in electronic TTL support for both Canon and Nikon cameras in one strobe model, negating the need for an external converter or having to worry about incompatible strobes with possible future cameras. The accuracy of the electronic TTL worked really well in our testing. At full power, the strobe recycles in under 3 seconds which is very impressive considering how much power and beam spread this strobe has. There is a high-speed sync option for Canon and Nikon cameras that allows for shutter speeds up to 1/8000th. The controls on the back are easy to operate and well laid out, but our one nitpick detail is that the dial has an infinite spin with no hard stop at either full or minimum power. We prefer dials with hard stops because they are easy to just set to full power and turn down as needed without having to look at the strobe during the heat of the moment. Dials with infinite spin are a compromise found on strobes with more advanced options and menu features which require the dials to act as the interface for menu navigation. There is an integrated bayonet-style snoot mount for macro, though we probably wouldn’t choose this as our first macro choice simply because of its size and weight. BACK TO TOPConclusion We hope that this underwater strobe roundup review makes it easy to see what each of these strobes has to offer, what any potential drawbacks may be, and which one makes the most sense for your underwater photography requirements and budget. If you have any questions at all send us an email at info@backscatter.com, or give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you out. Once you have your strobes, learn exactly what to do with them underwater with our Zen of Strobe Placement article.ZEN OF STROBE PLACMENTStrobe Term Glossary We’ve compiled a simple glossary of strobe terms just in case you need a refresher on the most common strobe lingo and specific language. These are some of the most often used keywords when discussing strobes and their performance or abilities. Understanding these terms will go a long way when it comes to digesting a strobe review like this. Strobe: An underwater flash.Guide Number: The measurement of the brightness of a strobe.Stop: A stop is half the amount of brightness as the next full stop (brightness doubles as it increases and halves as it decreases).Recycle Time: How long the strobe needs to recharge in between exposures.Flash Sync Speed: The maximum shutter speed of the camera while still being able to synchronize with the flash/strobe. Typical limit is 1/250, but may be as low as 1/160 or as high as 1/400.Pre-Flash Cancelation: A setting to compensate for the pre-flash commonly found on automatic camera flash settings.LED Flash Trigger: A device used to trigger an underwater strobe by substituting an actual flash from the camera with bright LEDs.Manual: The strobe brightness is controlled by the user.Hardwired TTL: The strobe brightness is controlled automatically via electronic sync directly from the camera hotshoe.Slave TTL: The strobe brightness is controlled automatically via optical sync from the cameras flash or an LED flash trigger.TTL Compensation: A degree of control to tell the strobe whether to make the automatically determined flash power brighter or darker.RC: Olympus & OM System extremely accurate automatic flash exposure mode.Optical Sync: Camera and strobe connection via fiber optic cable and light transmissionElectronic Sync: Camera and strobe connection via electronic cable.Diffuser: Accessory that widens and softens the flash beam angle at the cost of reduced brightness.Snoot: An accessory that tapers the flash beam down a fine point for macro photography.Back to TopWHY BUY FROM BACKSCATTER?Free lifetime tech support with every purchase. We will beat any advertised price. 20+ years of in-house warranty service and repair. Free shipping to USA and Canada and low-cost international shipping.Learn more!

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