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SEA&SEA YS-03 SOLIS Underwater Strobe | Simple Slave TTL Flash with Wide 100° Beam
Simple Automatic Strobe Lighting for Better Underwater Color
The SEA&SEA YS-03 SOLIS is designed for underwater photographers who want the benefits of an external strobe without learning manual flash power. Its slave TTL system follows the output of a compatible camera’s built-in flash, automatically adjusting strobe output to help produce bright, colorful, and properly exposed images.
Why Add an External Strobe Underwater?
Water absorbs warm colors quickly, causing underwater photos to appear blue, green, or low in contrast. An external strobe restores color near the subject and allows the light source to be positioned away from the camera lens.
Better light placement can also reduce backscatter compared with relying only on a built-in flash. The YS-03 SOLIS provides these benefits in a system designed to require very little adjustment from the photographer.
Automatic TTL Exposure
The strobe follows the camera’s compatible TTL flash output, reducing the need for manual exposure adjustments.
One-Control Operation
Turn the rotary switch from OFF to TTL and begin shooting without navigating complicated menus or power settings.
Wide, Even Beam
A 100° x 100° native beam provides broad coverage for general underwater photography.
Compact Travel Design
A practical option for compact-camera systems and divers who want a lightweight, uncomplicated lighting setup.
Easy Slave TTL Operation
The YS-03 SOLIS is designed to mimic the light intensity of a compatible camera’s built-in TTL flash. When the camera evaluates the scene and controls its flash exposure, the YS-03 SOLIS responds optically through a fiber-optic cable.
This makes the strobe especially approachable for photographers who do not want to choose manual flash-power settings for every subject-distance change.
Best for Changing Subject Distances
Automatic TTL can be useful when photographing moving fish or switching quickly between nearby and more distant subjects. The camera and strobe adjust exposure automatically, allowing the photographer to concentrate on composition and positioning.
Simple Controls for New Underwater Photographers
The YS-03 SOLIS has a single rotary power control. Turning the control from OFF to TTL activates the strobe, avoiding the learning curve associated with manual output dials, exposure compensation, or multiple operating modes.
Status indicators show when the strobe is charged and ready to fire, as well as when TTL exposure has been confirmed.
The simplified control layout makes the YS-03 SOLIS an excellent first strobe for photographers who prioritize ease of use over manual lighting control.
Wide 100° Beam for General Underwater Photography
The YS-03 SOLIS produces a broad 100° x 100° beam without the diffuser installed. This coverage helps illuminate fish portraits, close reef scenes, and many macro compositions while making strobe positioning more forgiving for newer users.
With the included diffuser installed, the beam expands to 110° x 110°. The diffuser softens the light, reduces harsh shadows, and can help control strong highlights on pale or reflective subjects.
Fish Portraits
TTL adapts as the fish moves closer or farther from the camera.
Macro Subjects
Automatic output helps simplify exposure when working close to small subjects.
Reef Scenes
The wide beam provides even coverage for nearby coral formations and compact wide-angle compositions.
Mozaik Tip
Position the strobe slightly above and to the side of the camera rather than pointing it directly along the lens axis. This helps light the subject while reducing illumination of suspended particles between the camera and subject.
Included Diffuser for Softer Light
The included diffuser uses a partially translucent design to spread and soften the strobe output. It can help produce smoother transitions between highlights and shadows, particularly on reflective fish, pale coral, and close subjects.
Installing the diffuser changes the color temperature from 5600K to 5250K, creating a slightly warmer light while increasing the beam angle.
| Without Diffuser | 100° x 100° beam, 5600K |
| With Diffuser | 110° x 110° beam, 5250K |
AA Battery Convenience
The YS-03 SOLIS is powered by four AA batteries, making it convenient for travel and remote dive destinations. Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries provide the fastest recycle time and highest stated flash count.
| Battery Type | 4 x AA alkaline or Ni-MH |
| Approximate Flash Count | 230 alkaline / 300 Ni-MH at 2500mAh |
| Full-Power Recycle Time | 2.5 sec. alkaline / 1.9 sec. Ni-MH |
Battery Safety: Do not use non-recommended battery types, including lithium primary batteries. Improper batteries may leak, overheat, damage the strobe, or create a risk of personal injury.
Fiber-Optic Triggering
The YS-03 SOLIS receives the camera’s flash signal through a fiber-optic cable. This optical connection avoids an electronic sync bulkhead and provides a simple way to integrate the strobe with compatible underwater housings.
A fiber-optic cable is required and is not included with the strobe.
Cable Recommendation: SEA&SEA recommends genuine SEA&SEA fiber-optic cables. Third-party cables may not transmit the flash signal reliably and can interfere with TTL automatic exposure.
Who Is the YS-03 SOLIS Best For?
- First-time underwater strobe users
- Compact-camera photographers
- Divers who want automatic exposure with minimal controls
- Traveling photographers who prefer AA-powered equipment
- Macro and fish-portrait shooters
- Photographers who do not require manual strobe power adjustment
YS-03 SOLIS vs. YS-01 SOLIS
Choose the YS-03 SOLIS
Best for photographers who want simple automatic TTL operation and do not need manual flash-power control.
Consider the YS-01 SOLIS
Better for photographers who want TTL plus manual power settings, exposure compensation, and a built-in target light.
Compatibility and System Requirements
The YS-03 SOLIS is intended for cameras that use a pre-flash and support TTL flash exposure. The housing must also provide a compatible optical path or fiber-optic connection for the camera’s flash signal.
A complete underwater lighting system normally requires the strobe, a compatible fiber-optic cable, a housing with an optical flash source, and suitable tray, arm, clamp, and mounting hardware.
Compatibility Warning: A camera having TTL flash exposure does not automatically guarantee underwater compatibility. Confirm that the camera can emit a usable flash signal inside the housing and that the housing supports a compatible fiber-optic connection.
No-Guesswork Compatibility Tip
Before ordering, verify the camera’s TTL and pre-flash behavior, the housing’s optical port, the correct fiber-optic cable connector, and the required YS-style mounting hardware.
Technical Specifications
| Product | SEA&SEA YS-03 SOLIS |
| Product Number | 03125 |
| Guide Number | 20 at ISO 100 on land |
| Exposure Control | Slave TTL automatic exposure |
| Manual Power Control | Not provided |
| Beam Angle | 100° x 100°; 110° x 110° with diffuser |
| Color Temperature | 5600K |
| Color Temperature with Diffuser | 5250K |
| Batteries | 4 x AA alkaline or Ni-MH |
| Approximate Number of Flashes | 230 alkaline / 300 Ni-MH at 2500mAh |
| Full-Power Recycle Time | 2.5 sec. alkaline / 1.9 sec. Ni-MH |
| Triggering | Fiber-optic cable |
| Depth Rating | 75m / 250ft |
| Dimensions | 68 x 108 x 129mm / 2.7 x 4.3 x 5.1in |
| Weight in Air | 430g / 15.2oz without batteries, fixing bolt fitted |
| Underwater Weight | Approximately +10g / 0.4oz with batteries |
| Additional Functions | Auto power off and over-pressure relief valve |
What’s in the Box
- SEA&SEA YS-03 SOLIS underwater strobe
- Fixing bolt
- Diffuser
Please Note: Fiber-optic cable, batteries, tray, arms, clamps, and mounting adapters are sold separately unless specifically included by the retailer.
| Stock | 1 |
|---|---|
| Lead Time | 6 |
| Territory | WORLDWIDE |
| Popularity | 70 |
Warranty Terms
Mozaik is an authorized dealer of each and every brand offered for sale. All products are sold with a manufacturer’s warranty. The terms, limitations and period of the warranty are solely determined by the manufacturer and are marked on the product page and/or on the manufacturer’s web site.
Implementing the warranty can be done either through us or directly with the manufacturer. We are always here to help with any issue that may arise and will be happy to take care of any repairs or check-ups for you. Read more..
Return Policy
If for any reason you are not satisfied with a product you purchased you can request to return it within 60 days of the original delivery date, subject to the following conditions Read more..
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