Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Strobe

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Strobe

The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo is a high-specification underwater strobe with three shooting modes: DS-TTL, RC mode, and manual.
The YS-D3 DUO delivers even and uniform light distribution with a large light output of GN33.
Custom settings allow the strobe to be used with high precision with a variety of cameras and shooting styles.

Read our new Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo review!

Check out our original Sea & Sea YS-D3 Review at Bluewater Photo and the

YS-D3 Review on the Underwater Photography Guide

The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo is a high-performance underwater strobe designed to provide photographers with versatile lighting options. With a guide number of 33, it delivers a powerful light output, making it suitable for various underwater photography scenarios, including wide-angle shots and close-ups. This strobe is equipped with three distinct shooting modes: DS-TTL, RC mode, and manual, allowing users to choose the best option for their shooting style.

Key Features

• Shooting Modes: The YS-D3 Duo offers three shooting modes:
  • DS-TTL: This mode is ideal for most situations, providing automatic exposure control.
  • RC Mode: Specifically designed for OM SYSTEM cameras, this mode uses the camera’s built-in flash to control the strobe output.
  • Manual Mode: For those who prefer complete control, this mode allows for manual adjustments of light intensity in 11 steps.
• Light Output: With a guide number of 33, the YS-D3 Duo is one of the most powerful underwater strobes available. Its dual discharge tubes ensure a robust light output that can illuminate even the darkest underwater environments.
• Custom Settings: Photographers can fine-tune the strobe’s performance through various custom settings, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of camera systems and shooting styles.

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Specifications:

• Maximum Guide Number 33 (on land)
• Newly developed aspherical troidal lens on the flash tubes provides even light dispersion, no hotspots are produced
• Native beam angle of 105 X 80 degrees with no diffuser
• Wide beam angle of 120° (with included diffuser) or can even wider (150°) with the optional diffuser
• Battery life: 220 flashes with Ni-MH batteries (4X AA)
• Recycle time: 1.7 seconds at full power, 0.6 seconds at GN 22, no recycle time below GN 16!
• Color temperature: 5800K. 5500K with a diffuser
• Large capacity condensers
• Firing the strobes at Guide Number 16 the strobe can continuously fire without any interval time
• Two-stage signal - Visual and Audible notification that the strobe is ready to fire 
• Has a pre-flash cancel mode
• Improved power of target light which can be used as a dive light also. It is also adjustable in 2 steps
• Auto power off when the strobe is left turned on for a long time
• Over pressure relieve valve
• Dimensions: 3.6 X 4.4 X 5.8 inches
• Weight: 610g/21.5 oz (above water), -20g/0.7 oz (underwater)

The YS-D3 Duo: A High-Performance Underwater Strobe

The Sea and Sea YS-D3 duo offers superior lighting performance with this newly designed underwater strobe. The advanced circuitry and light-emitting unit produce a powerful guide number of 33, while the high-precision aspherical optical troidal lens ensures even light distribution from the center to the edge. With the standard accessory Diffuser, the strobe's beam angle can increase to 110°, providing ample coverage for a wide range of shooting scenarios. For even wider coverage, the optional dome diffuser can increase the beam angle up to 150° (TBD). 

Excellent visibility

The YS-D3 Duo allows the user to capture stunning shots in low-light environments because of the highly effective backlight panel. The indicator color on the back of the YS-D3 changes depending on the mode selected. In DS-TTLII mode, the indicator is blue, while in RC mode, it's red. When in manual mode with pre-flash, the indicator is yellow, and in manual mode without pre-flash, it's green. This color-coding system makes it easy to see the positioning of the operation system, even when night diving. With this advanced feature, you can focus on your underwater photography, even in the darkest environments.

In DS-TTLII mode	In RC mode	In manual non pre-flash mode

Shooting Modes

The versatility of the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo is evident in its shooting modes, each catering to different photography needs.

1. DS-TTL Mode 

In DS-TTL mode, the YS-D3 Duo strobe automatically adjusts its output based on the camera's exposure settings. This mode is particularly beneficial for photographers who want to capture images quickly without worrying about manual adjustments. The strobe's advanced light-receiving sensor ensures that it can accurately gauge the necessary light output, even in challenging lighting conditions.

*When using TTL shooting with a camera of a brand other than OLYMPUS (OLYMPUS), select DS-TTL as the shooting mode.
*When shooting with DS-TTL, prior custom setting is required for each camera.

2. 11 Step Manual Mode

For those who prefer to take complete control of their lighting, the manual mode offers 11 adjustable steps for light intensity. This flexibility is invaluable for photographers who want to experiment with different lighting conditions or achieve specific creative effects. The easy-to-read control dial makes it simple to adjust settings quickly, even while underwater.

With manual control, one has the power to fine-tune light intensity across 11 distinctive increments. These precise settings, denoted as (GN: 1 / 1.4 / 2 / 2.8 / 4 / 5.6 / 8 / 11 / 16 / 22 / 33), are effortlessly discernible on the luminance adjustment dial's graduated scale. This exceptional feature caters seamlessly to digital cameras devoid of pre-flash capabilities, ensuring compatibility and optimal lighting control.

*Only manual flash is available, but if your camera housing is equipped with a strobe connector/converter connector, you can also use a sync cord to connect the strobe.

3. RC Mode

The RC mode is a standout feature of the YS-D3 Duo, especially for users of OM SYSTEM cameras. This mode allows the strobe to synchronize seamlessly with the camera’s built-in flash, providing precise control over flash output. This integration not only enhances battery life but also simplifies the shooting process, allowing photographers to focus on capturing stunning images.

High-Performance Light Source

The Sea and Sea YS-D3 Duo strobe is an exceptionally high-performance strobe, meticulously designed to enhance light quality. Its remarkable high luminous flux, coupled with an expansive beam angle, proves highly advantageous for capturing stunning wide-angle photographs using fish-eye lenses and other broad-view optics.

• High Light Intensity Guide Number 33 - The light output has a guide number (GN) of 33, one of the highest among general-purpose underwater strobes. The use of two discharge tubes increases power and achieves GN 33 at full flashing.
• Uniform and even light distribution - The originally developed "aspherical toroidal lens" is placed in front of the light-emitting tube, and the two discharge tubes and the "aspherical toroidal lens" provide uniform and even light distribution to the periphery, making it an ideal light source for external illumination.
• Adjust beam angle with diffuser - The beam angle is 80°×105° without the diffuser and 100°×110° with the included diffuser for soft lighting.When the optional dome diffuser is attached, the beam angle increases to 150°×170°. The dome diffuser is effective when using a fisheye lens or when lighting with soft light (guide number is reduced by approximately -1.5 EV).

Usability & Operability

The primary focus of the YS-D3 Duo was to ensure a user-friendly experience, particularly in underwater scenarios. The more you engage with the product, the more you'll come to value its effortlessly maneuverable dial, highly visible panel display, and optimal equilibrium beneath the water's surface.

• Large Dial - Executing underwater tasks is facilitated through utilization of the mode switch and the dial for controlling light intensity. These generously-sized dials feature a slip-resistant surface, while their distinct elevation variations ensure effortless usage even when donning bulky gloves. The intricate design incorporates incremental stopping points, employing a satisfying click-click mechanism, thus effectively mitigating the risk of operational glitches.
• Easy-to-use Backlit Panel - The indicator's hue shifts every time the mode switch is adjusted. When in DS-TTLII mode, it radiates a tranquil blue; in RC mode, it exudes a passionate red; assuming manual mode with pre-flash, it gleams a warm yellow; and finally, in manual mode without pre-flash, it emits a soothing green. These distinctive colors serve for quick recognition, enabling effortless identification of control positioning even amidst nocturnal dives.
• Underwater Bouyancy - The YS-D3 DUO boasts an extraordinary lack of buoyancy when outfitted with its ball mount and clamp. Its robust design is tailored to manage substantial underwater weight effortlessly, necessitating minimal force for clamp operation. Unlike its counterparts, the YS-D3 DUO remains impervious to buoyancy concerns, ensuring seamless performance. Whether adjusting the strobe placement or fine-tuning the underwater configuration, the equilibrium of the housing system remains consistently stable, yielding an experience of unparalleled ease and control.
• Focus Lights - The functionality of the LED target light comes in handy for precise focal points and assessing the strobe's beam angle. You have the option to select between 300 lumens or 150 lumens, tailoring it to the specific requirements of your scenario.
• Power Source - The energy is derived from ubiquitous AA batteries, readily available across the market. A set of four identical units are employed (including 1.5V AA alkaline batteries and 1.2V AA nickel-hydrogen batteries). The battery compartment employs a user-friendly bayonet mechanism, alleviating stress on the O-ring. This design ensures effortless accessibility, contrasting with the need for exertion characteristic of traditional screw-in methods.

Connectivity:

The YS-D3 Duo offers two methods of connection to the housing/camera:

• 5-Pin Sync Cord/N
• Fiber Optic Cable

Recommended Cords and Cables for the Sea & Sea YS-D3:

• Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable
• Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable (Long)
• Sea & Sea Single Sync Cord
• Sea & Sea Dual Sync Cord
• Nauticam Universal Fiber Optic Cable
• Ikelite Sync Cord for Sea & Sea Strobe
• Ikelite Sync Cord for Dual Sea & Sea Strobe
• iTorch Fiber Optic Cable

Optional Accessories for the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo:

It's pretty clear to us that when Sea & Sea was designing the YS-D3, they were addressing every concern they've ever heard about their strobes. Many of these concerns were answered in the form of strobe accessories that make our mouths water! We might just be seeing a golden age of innovation for Sea & Sea. Check out some of our favorite accessories for the YS-D3:

1. Sea & Sea YS-D3 Snoot - the YS-D3 snoot will allow you to produce dramatic lighting and capture beautiful black backgrounds easily with your YS-D3. It has a prism built in so that the target light of the strobe will easily illuminate the subject. 

2. Sea & Sea YS-D3 Dome Diffuser - the dome diffuser for the YS-D3 produces a nice, even, 150 degree beam. This is great for wide angle photography, especially with a fisheye lens. 

3. Sea & Sea YS-D3 Slave Prism - The slave prism allows the strobe to be triggered remotely without any cords or cables. This is great for backlighting wrecks, caves, and reefscapes.

4. Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Diagonal Ball Mount - The diagonal ball mount has a 35 degree inclination which minimizes interference between the sync cord and ball mount. 

Please read about our first look at the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo underwater strobes