The Fiber Optic Cable or Sync Cord Debate - Pros & Cons
Depending on the make and model of your camera, which underwater housing you've chosen and which strobes you've decided will best light up those fish portraits and reef scenes, you may have another decision to make: fiber optic cable or electronic sync cord. For some, your gear will dictate your choice, for others, you'll have to be guided by your preferences and shooting needs. We've listed the Pros and Cons for both fiber optic cable and electronic sync cord below to help you determine which strobe sync system is best for you. Fiber Optic Cable ProsNo penetration of the housing so no concern of flooding Removable in waterFairly durable, difficult to damageNo electronic bulkheads to flood No O-rings to maintainCan do TTL without the need of a converter, with compatible strobes Takes up very little space in your camera bagRelatively inexpensiveFiber Optic Cable ConsRely on built-in flash's recycle timeStrobe manufacturer specificCan be housing specificCan be damaged if not handled correctly Requires a housing with an optical port Not all strobes accept fiber optic cables Electric Sync Cord ProsDoes not rely on the camera's flash so fast recycle timeCompatible with most SLR housingsSince you are not relying on built in flash, easier on camera batteryElectric Sync Cord ConsBulkheads can flood and are susceptible to corrosionCords have O-rings that need to be maintainedMore expensive than fiber opticSince the bulkhead penetrates housing potential flood point Requires a converter for TTL Not all strobes accept electronic sync cords VIEW FIBER OPTIC CABLESVIEW ELECTRIC SYNC CORDS Still befuddled by the options? No worries! Feel free to contact any one of our Sales Pros who will be happy to recommend what gear you need based on your shooting style.Our Sales Pros are all active divers who regularly use the equipment that we stock, so drop us a line! We're here to help! sales@backscatter.comWhy buy direct from Backscatter?Free lifetime tech support with every purchase. We will beat any advertised price. Free shipping to USA and Canada and low cost international shipping. ...
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