Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Strobe

Sea & Sea YS-D3 "DUO" Strobe

Compatible with "Wireless RC Flash System"

Check out our Sea & Sea YS-D3 Review at Bluewater Photo and the YS-D3 Review on the Underwater Photography Guide

The YS-D3 DUO is an excellent choice for underwater photographers who own OM SYSTEM digital cameras. This underwater strobe is fully compatible with the "Wireless RC Flash System" of OM SYSTEM digital cameras, allowing the camera to control the flash output automatically based on the brightness through the lens. Compared to the TTL mode of typical underwater strobes, the RC System provides more precise light control through digital optical signals. However, the YS-D3 DUO still offers the flexibility to adjust the amount of light manually or choose between flash and non-flash modes. Moreover, in addition to TTL auto shooting in conjunction with the camera, the camera can adjust the flash output compensation during TTL auto shooting, making it an ideal tool for capturing stunning underwater photos.

A High Performance Strobe

Experience superior lighting performance with our 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). Upgrade your underwater photography game with this versatile and powerful strobe.

Excellent visibility

Capture stunning shots in low-light environments with our 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

Features:

• 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)

Functions:

• DS-TTL II
• Slave TTL
• Manual Mode

Connectivity:

• 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. 

Sample Underwater Images taken with Sea & Sea YS-D3:

Quick recycle times produced this beautiful photo of a King Angelfish in a split second

Scorpionfish Eye photographed with the Nikon Z6 camera, Ikelite Z6 housing, saga magic tube, and single Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobe with the YS-D3 snoot. f/20, 1/160, ISO 100

Black coral photographed with dual YS-D3 strobes, dome diffusers, Nikon Z6, Ikelite Z6 housing, Nikon 8-15mm fisheye. 1/160, f/11, ISO 200

Related Underwater Gear Categories:

• Sea & Sea Housings, Strobes and Accessories
• Underwater Strobes & Flashes
• Underwater Video Lights
• Snoots for Underwater Strobes