Why should I use an Optical YS Converter?
There are several reasons why you should use an Optical YS Converter;
Risk of water-ingress and flooding via the strobe bulkhead is eliminated.
The camera's battery will last longer.
External strobes will fire in accordance with their quickest recycle time as the strobes do not rely on the camera's built-in flash.
No inner reflections from camera's built-in flash.
Compared with slave TTL, the Optical YS Converter achieves far greater accuracy in TTL exposure/output.
Optical YS Converters are compatible with SLR cameras that do not have a built-in flash.
Can I install an Optical YS Converter to a SEA&SEA housing myself?
Yes you can, this is an easy install and removal. What you have to do is secure the Optical YS Converter with the accessory screws inside the housing (*housing must be designed to accommodate the Optical YS Converter).
Can I use the Fiber-Optic Cable (L-type) with an Optical YS Converter?
No. Use a Fiber-Optic Cable II.
Are Optical YS Converters compatible with underwater strobes and fiber-optic cables made by other manufacturers?
SEA&SEA does not test compatibility of the Optical YS Converter with underwater strobes and fiber-optic cables made by other manufacturers. Nor does SEA&SEA guarantee the converter's performance or operation when used with strobes and cables made by other manufacturers.
* Malfunctions have been reported when the converters are used with other manufacturer's fiber-optic cables. Use SEA&SEA strobes and SEA&SEA Fiber-Optic Cable IIs with Optical YS Converters.
How different is TTL strobe photography with an Optical YS Converter compared with using the camera's built-in flash?
Strobes that sync with the camera's built-in flash are slave (TTL) strobes. These slave (TTL) strobes simply mimic the camera's built-in flash. Therefore, they will only fire when the camera's built-in flash fires and they will quench when the camera's built-in flash stops emitting light. Because of this, slave strobe TTL exposure/output is not necessarily always accurate. However, an Optical YS Converter will determine the strobes output from the camera's TTL information. When used with compatible strobes the system will achieve ideal TTL exposure/output.
How can I check remaining battery level?
When batteries are running low, the power/mode indicator lamp (blue or green) will start blinking. When alkaline batteries are loaded, an Optical YS Converter will operate for approximately one hour after the power/mode indicator lamp start blinking. However, remaining battery levels suddenly drop with Nickel-Metal-Hydride and similar batteries so these will not last as long. However, SEA&SEA strongly recommends using fresh batteries after a full days diving, especially when using depleted Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries.
* Under some circumstances and environmental conditions, where the batteries voltage can fluctuate, the low battery warning may not function. Use the low battery warning as a rough indication.
When the batteries are spent can I continue strobe photography by switching to manual mode?
No you can't.
During a dive, my Optical YS Converter's power/mode indicator lamp suddenly went off.
Optical YS Converters have an automatic 'shut-off' function. Therefore, they will automatically turn off when they are used for one hour. You can reactivate a converter by pressing the power button for more than 2 seconds. The converter will return to the mode in use when the converter automatically turned off.
Which SEA&SEA strobes are compatible with Optical YS Converters?
The YS-D1, the YS-01 and the YS-110α are TTL-compatible strobes.
The YS-250 Pro strobe can be used in manual mode only (The YS-250 PRO is not TTL-compatible).
In TTL mode, is exposure compensation possible?
When used with the YS-D1: Plus and Minus exposure compensation is possible by turning the strobe's light level control dial. When used with the YS-01 or the YS-110α, only minus exposure compensation is possible. However, the effect of exposure compensation may be variable.
When used with twin strobes, if one is switched off, is TTL strobe photography still possible with the other?
Yes, it is. TTL strobe photography is possible with one strobe only.
In TTL strobe photography, what power output settings should be used?
With the YS-D1, set the light level dial to "0" position. With the YS-01 or YS-110α, set the light level dial to maximum.
When two strobes are used in manual mode, can I adjust each strobe output separately?
Yes, you can. Adjust each strobes output separately as you wish.
When two different strobe models are connected and used in TTL mode, will each strobe automatically illuminate the subject accurately?
Yes. However, there may be a slight difference in brightness in accordance with shooting conditions. When shooting macro photography and/or when wide apertures are used, images may be slightly overexposed. If you demand the most accurate exposure results, using two of the same model strobes is recommended.
Is the Optical YS Converter compatible with older housings not specifically designed to accommodate it?
No, it is not. Most, if not all SEA&SEA housings produced in the future will be compatible with one of the Optical YS Converters (such as "C1 for MDX series housings" for Canon cameras and "C1 for RDX series housings" for Canon cameras).
