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. ...
Related Posts
Best Underwater Strobes & Flashes of 2021
The Backscatter team has taken all of the best strobes for underwater photography and put them to the test to determine which strobe is our Top Pick for different applications and budgets. Whether see...
Read More 
Best Underwater Mirrorless Cameras 2021
The Backscatter staff have spent plenty of time shooting mirrorless cameras in the water around the world in all sorts of conditions, from our home waters of Monterey, CA, to the Caribbean, and the In...
Read More 
Sony a7S III Underwater Camera Review
The Sony a7S III camera looks and feels similar to other cameras in the a7 series, but under the hood, it is dramatically different. This camera was made for video shooters. The camera allows for shoo...
Read More 
Introducing the Backscatter Color Filter System
Add a new dimension to your videos and photos with the Backscatter Color Filter System. The Backscatter Color Filter system is compatible with the Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, Backscatter Macro Wide 4...
Read More 
Best Underwater Video Light - The Backscatter Macro Wide 4300 Has You Covered
The Backscatter Macro Wide 4300 Video Light is the ultimate video light for any video or photo shooter. Its compact size is great for travel, it’s versatile for macro and wide shooters, and offers pra...
Read More 
Olympus E-PL10 Underwater Camera & Housing Review
Striking a balance between value, performance, and ease of use is the ideal trinity of underwater photography equipment. The Olympus PEN E-PL10 camera and limited edition Backscatter E-PL10 Octo Housi...
Read More