Retra
Type: Strobe manufacturer Founded: 2012 (Slovenia/Croatia) Key products: Retra Flash, Pro Max, Light Shaping Device (LSD) snoot
Overview
Retra was founded around 2011 by Oskar Zupancic (General Manager), with the company formally launching products in 2012. Zupancic was personally active on the Wetpixel forums, participating in product discussions and responding to customer issues. (forum community) The company’s goal was building the most advanced underwater strobe. The company introduced several industry firsts:
- World’s first underwater strobe with a fully circular flash tube (patented)
- First underwater strobe with smartphone connectivity for status/settings
- First with built-in leakage detection (patent pending)
- Light Shaping Device (LSD) snoot system for creative macro lighting
Now in its 5th generation (Pro Max, Pro Max II), Retra strobes are prized by macro photographers and creative lighting enthusiasts in the Wetpixel community.
Product timeline
- 2012-03: Releases first Light Shaping Device (LSD) — a snoot system for creative macro lighting, enabling precise light control underwater. ([1])
- 2012-08: Revises Light Shaping Devices based on user feedback. ([2])
- 2012-10: Announces Pilot Light enhancement module. ([3])
- 2012-12: Announces eZoom optical snoot system. ([4])
- 2013-02: Releases LSD Prime — upgraded snoot with improved optics. ([5])
- 2013-02: LSD Prime field review published on Wetpixel. ([6])
- 2013-10: Announces uTrigger wireless remote trigger for underwater strobes. ([7])
- 2017-02: Retra Flash previewed by Alex Mustard, who disclosed he first heard about the strobe in mid-2015 and gave feedback on prototypes in early 2016. Compared favorably against Seacam 150, Subtronic 270, Sea & Sea YS-250, Ikelite DS161, Inon Z-240, and Sea & Sea D1 in Bimini field testing. Pre-orders open. ([8])
- 2017-02: Full specifications published — 100Ws, €699. ([9])
- 2017-09: Retra Flash field reviewed by Alex Mustard and friends; positive reception. ([10])
- 2018-02: Z-330/Retra Flash/Symbiosis SS2 comparative strobe test published by Wetpixel. ([11])
- 2018-04: Announces LSD support for Inon Z-330 strobe — expanding accessory compatibility beyond Retra’s own strobes. ([12])
- 2018-04: Ceases production of original Flash — cites production time and availability issues. Commits to continuing LSD accessories and honoring all warranties. Plans to release improved version. ([13])
- 2018-11: Flash Prime (100Ws, €599) and Flash Pro (150Ws, €739) announced — redesigned from ground up, retaining original housing dimensions. Both feature circular flash tubes, 4900K color temperature, fiber optic triggering. Shipping planned May/June 2019. ([14])
- 2020-01: Flash Prime (€799) and Flash Pro (€899) ship — featuring world’s first circular flash tube in an underwater strobe (patented), fiber optic triggering with optional electro-optical converter. ([15])
- 2020-02: UW Technics Sony firmware adds Retra Pro Flash TTL support. ([16])
- 2020-06: Supercharger battery pack ships; reviewed by Wetpixel. ([17], [18])
- 2020-10: Retra Reflector previewed on Wetpixel Live; field reviewed by Mike Bartick. ([19], [20])
- 2021-02: Warranty extension and firmware update announced. ([21])
- 2021-03: Pro X and Prime X announced — 10th anniversary redesign with 25% faster recycle times, 20% battery efficiency improvement, reduced weight, dedicated HSS mode switch. Pro X €999, Prime X €899. ([22])
- 2021-03: Wetpixel Live celebrates Retra UWT’s ten years. ([23])
- 2021-04: Scubalamp D-Max vs. Retra Pro Flash comparative review published. ([24])
- 2022-06: Wetpixel Live reviews Pro X flash. ([25])
- 2015-12: LSD Ultimate released — advanced snoot system. ([26])
- 2023-04: Voice Control firmware announced — industry first. ([27])
Community reception
Forum discussions reveal several notable community issues: (forum community)
- Color temperature (~4900K): Retra Pro/Pro X runs warmer than Inon (~5500K), producing a persistent yellowish cast especially in green water. Retra’s official recommendation is to correct in post-processing. Community workaround: Lee filter gels behind diffusers.
- 89m/293ft flood incident (2023): Both strobes of a diver flooded simultaneously at 89m depth. Oskar Zupancic responded publicly, explaining that battery compartment flooding is excluded from warranty. This sparked significant community debate about deep-dive warranty coverage.
- 2017 launch: Oskar Zupancic posted directly in the Wetpixel Retra thread at launch. Community reception was positive, with Alex Mustard’s review (disclosing his collaborative relationship) helping establish the brand.
References
- Retra Underwater Technology
- [28] — editorial
- [29] — editorial
- [30] — editorial
- [31] — editorial
- [32] — editorial
- [33] — editorial
- [34] — editorial
- [35] — editorial
- [36] — editorial
- [37] — editorial
- [38] — editorial
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2012: Retra Releases Light Shaping Device ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 8, 2012: Retra Revises Its Light Shaping Devices ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 23, 2012: Retra Announces Pilot Light Enhancement Module ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2012: Retra Announces The Ezoom ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 12, 2013: Retra Releases Prime Lsd ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2013: Field Review Retra Lsd Prime Snoot ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 11, 2013: Retra Announces The Utrigger ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2017: Preview Retra Strobe By Alex Mustard ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 2, 2017: Retra Provides Full Specifications For Their Flash ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2017: Field Review Retra Flash By Alex Mustard And Friends ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2018: Strobe Tests Inon Z330 Retra Flash And Symbiosis Ss2 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 24, 2018: Retra Announces Support For Lsd With Inon Z330 Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2018: Retra Ceases Production Of Their Flash ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 12, 2018: Retra Announces New Strobes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 29, 2020: Retra Ships Prime And Pro Flashes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2020: Uw Technics Sony Firmware Supports Retra Pro Flash Ttl ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2020: Retra Announces Supercharger Battery Pack For Retra Pro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 22, 2020: Review Retra Supercharger ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 12, 2020: Wetpixel Live A Preview Of The Retra Reflector ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 12, 2020: Field Review Retra Reflector By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 24, 2021: Retra Announces Warranty Extension And Firmware Update ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2021: Retra Announces Pro X And Prime X Flashes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2021: Wetpixel Live Retra Uwt Celebrates Ten Years ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2021: Strobe Review Scubalamp D Max And Retra Pro Flash ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2022: Wetpixel Live Retra Pro X Flash Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2015: Retra Releases Lsd Ultimate ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 1, 2023: Retra Announces Voice Control Firmware ↩
- LSD release (article) ↩
- LSD revision (article) ↩
- LSD Prime release (article) ↩
- LSD Prime field review (article) ↩
- uTrigger announcement (article) ↩
- Retra Flash preview by Alex Mustard (article) ↩
- Retra Flash field review (article) ↩
- Retra ceases Flash production (article) ↩
- New Retra Flash Prime/Pro (article) ↩
- Flash Prime/Pro ships (article) ↩
- Pro X and Prime X announced (article) ↩