Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning Underwater DS-TTL Strobe

The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning is one of the world's best strobes for underwater photography. It offers lots of great improvements from it predecessor, the YS-D2J, including quicker recycling times, a more even beam, a redesigned back display, and a more powerful targeting light. The YS-D3's circuitry has been improved and the strobe is capable of a powerful, professional guide number of 33 (land). At guide number 22, the YS-D3's recycling time is a mere 0.6 seconds and at guide number 16, there is virtually no recycle time! This kind of capability is very beneficial to underwater photographers that need to shoot quick subjects with burst modes on their camera.

High-Performance Strobe

The latest D3 circuitry and light-emitting strobe produces a powerful guide number of 33. A newly developed high precision aspherical optical troidal lens has been fitted over the two flash tubes to disperse an even light from the center to the edge. The strobe's beam angle will increase to 100° or 120° by attaching standard diffuser accessories. When the optional Dome diffuser is attached, beam angle will increase to 140°.

Superior Consecutive Firing Capability to Capture those Critical Moments

The Sea and Sea YS-D3 utilises larger capacity condensers compared with those used on competing strobes. In addition, the YS-D3 is also equipped with a newly designed charging circuit. As a result, the YS-D3 will fire at GN16 continuously without any interval time. Even when the strobe is fired at GN22, the strobe will fire again within a mere 0.6 seconds.

When the YS-D3 is fired at Guide Number over 22, a two stage ready-to-fire signals will be issued. For instance, after the strobe fires at full power of GN33, the strobe will inform you both visually and audibly when the condenser is charged to fire at GN22. Then, when the condenser is charged enough to fire at GN33, another different signal will be issued. This design allows you to release more shutters in scenes where you want to shoot as many pictures as possible, maximizing shooting intervals between scenes.

Target Light with Increased Power

Incorporating a uniquely designed aluminium heat diffuser, the target light is now powerful enough to be used as a dive light. (About 4 times brighter than YS-D2.)

Excellent Visibility

Backlight panel that is effective when shooting in dark environments. The indicator colour on the back of the YS-D3 changes each time the position of the mode switch is changed. Blue (in DS-TTLII mode), light blue (in slave TTL mode), orange (in manual mode with pre-flash), and green (in manual mode without pre-flash) The positioning of the operation system is obvious during night diving.

* The colour in DS-TTLII mode has been changed from the YS-D2 to match the colour with the optical converter.

Various Accessories Available For All Underwater Imaging Experiences

Dome diffuser (optional accessory)
Increases beam angle to 150 (TBD). Essential accessory when a fisheye lens is used or soft light is required.

Snoot (optional accessory)
A strobe adaptor which narrows the beam angle to be directed at a target point. The diameter of the opening 25 mm. Designed with an internal prism that aligns target light's light axis and strobe's light axis to the centre.

Slave prism (optional accessory)
Optical guiding device to fire the strobe when a fiber-optic cable is not used. This device is for manual use only. The device is effective if multiple strobes are used in a fixed position. However, the flash may not fire depending on the position where multiple flashes are occurring in relation to that of the master flash.

Connection Method With An Arm That Can Be Selected According To Preference

YS-D3 comes with a straight type ball base.
Optional YS base and new Diagonal ball base can be installed depending on the application.

YS base (common to YS-D1 / D2 / D3)
Traditional YS base is optional. Easy vertical swing.

Diagonal ball base (only for YS-D3)
A ball base inclined at 35° compared to the straight type is optional. This makes it easier to lower the strobe backwards, making it suitable for shooting when using a dome port. Also, when a Synchro Cord N is installed, interference between the cord and the ball clamp is minimised.

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning Features

• Large Capacity Condenser
• Newly Designed Circuitry
• Visual and Audible Confirmation
• More Powerful Target Light
• Lightning Fast Recycle Time
• Guide Number: 33
• Beam Angle: 110° x 100° with Diffuser
• Number of Flashes: Ni-MH: 220
• Recycle time (full): Ni-MH: 1.7 sec.
• Colour temperature: 5800K
• Depth rating: 100 m (330 ft)

YS-D3 Lightning Specifications

[Guide Number (ISO 100/m) (land)] : 33, 28 (with Diffuser attached)
[Beam Angle] : 80° x 105° (without Diffuser), 100° x 110°(with Diffuser)
[Batteries] : 4 x AA A: 6V Ni-MH: 4.8V
[Number of Flashes *1] : A: 140 Ni-MH: 220
[Recycle time (full) *2] : A: 3.5 sec. Ni-MH: 1.7 sec.
[Color temperature] : 5800K
[Color temperature with diffuser] : 5500K
[Depth rating] : 100 m / 330 ft
[Dimensions (WxHxD)] : 92 x 111 x 147mm / 3.6 x 4.4 x 5.8 inches (excluding ball base)
[Weight] : 610 g / 21.5 oz (without batteries) (excluding ball base)
[Underwater weight] : Approx. -20 g / -0.7 oz (incl. batteries ball base)
[Others]
Exposure control: DS-TTL II, Slave TTL, Light level control dial (GN): 1 / 1.4 / 2 / 2.8 /4 / 5.6 /8 / 11 / 16 / 22 / 33 (11 steps)

DS-TTL II function
Slave function
Auto power OFF function 30m in
Sync cord: 5-pin Sync cord/N, Fiber-Optic Cable
Over-pressure relief valve
LED target light (output is adjustable in 2 steps)
Audible charge signal

*1 Number of flashes and recycle time depends on the battery brand, temperature and frequency of use.
*2 Number of flashes and recycle time of Ni-MH batteries were tested on 2500 mAh batteries.

Drop Ship
This is a regularly stocked item in our Rye dive shop, typically shipped to you the same day. However, if we are out of stock this item becomes a special order from Japan typically resulting in a 4- to 6-week delay.

Note: This item cannot be delivered outside of Australia.