> Eddie G wrote:

>> I am getting the Reefmaster dc500 and wanted to know about getting a
>> strobe. Many years ago I bought a housing for disposable cameras and a
>> strobe, but I needed it as the disposable camera flash was pretty
>> worthless. I then had a point-and-shoot camera in a pressurized case (a
>> Reefmaster camera) and just used the built in flash, and the pictures
>> were just fair. But now with digital cameras the electronic ISO
>> settings will, I think, be better than a film camera. Of course a
>> strobe is much better than the built-in flash, but how necessary is it
>> for someone who is not a professional and not diving more than once a year?

>

>> Thanks!!

>

>> Eddie G

>
> A strobe will allow you to bring the true colors out without the use of
> a filter. If most of your diving is going to be shallow, (20ft or so),
> a strobe is not going to do you much good. Some of the pictures I have
> taken, are actually more colorful than what *I* actually saw unless I
> was using a light.
>
> Most of the strobes I have seen have a maximum range of about 8-10 ft,
> depending on water clarity.
>
> Another option instead of a flash is a "blue filter". If ambient light
> at depth is sufficient, a "blue filter" really brings the colors out.