Ikelite DS-160
Manufacturer: Ikelite Type: Strobe Year introduced: 2008 Discontinued: 2021 (replaced by DS-160 II) Output: 160 Ws, GN 24 (ISO 100) Color temperature: ~4800K (distinctive warm Ikelite trait)
Overview
The Ikelite DS-160 was Ikelite’s flagship digital strobe for over a decade (2008–2021), succeeding the DS-125. Announced at DEMA 2008, it featured 10 manual power settings in half-stop increments and an LED modeling light (auto-off on fire), while maintaining the DS-125’s proven form factor ([1]).
The DS-160’s warm ~4800K color temperature became a valued characteristic for wide-angle underwater photography. The strobe used Ikelite’s proprietary ICS electrical connection (TTL integrated directly into Ikelite housings), with a fiber optic converter available separately ($125, three generations produced).
Variants
- DS-161 Movie Substrobe (November 2009, $950): Added 3 high-power LEDs (500 lumens, 5000–5500K, 45-degree beam) for video use. Upgrade path offered for DS-160 owners but not DS-125 owners ([2])
- DS-160 II (December 2021, $995): Second generation with redesigned controls, improved recycling, ICS-5 electrical triggering. Same 160 Ws output, 110-degree coverage with diffuser, 205-lumen LED, 100m depth rating ([3])
Reviews & Discussion
- Announced at DEMA 2008 alongside multiple new housings ([4])
- Used by James Wiseman in Aquatica 1Ds Mark III housing review ([5])
- Keri Wilk used a pair throughout his Nikon D7000/Aquatica review (2011) ([6])
- Alex Mustard included DS-161 in standardized strobe comparison (measured GN 16 with diffuser, same as Z-240, Retra Flash) ([7])
- Still in active field use in 2019 at Mustard’s Red Sea workshops ([8])
Timeline
- 2008-10: Announced at DEMA 2008 ([9])
- 2009-11: DS-161 Movie Substrobe variant announced ($950) ([10])
- 2014-12: Ikelite/Aquatica partnership integrates TTL into Aquatica housings; Li-Ion battery pack announced ([11])
- 2015-05: Dome diffusers shipped for DS-161/DS-160/DS-125 ($80) ([12])
- 2018-09: 3rd generation fiber optic converter released ($125) ([13])
- 2021-12: DS-160 II announced ($995) alongside DS-230, DS-162, DS-51 II ([14])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2008: Dema 2008 Ikelite ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2009: Ikelite Ds161 Movie Substrobe Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2021: Ikelite Announces New Ds Strobes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2008: Dema 2008 Ikelite ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2008: Aquatica 1ds Mark Iii Housing For Canon 1d 1ds Mark Iii Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Nikon D7000 And Aquatica Ad7000 Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2017: Preview Retra Strobe By Alex Mustard ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 10, 2019: Field Review Oneuw 160x Strobe By Alex Mustard ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2008: Dema 2008 Ikelite ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2009: Ikelite Ds161 Movie Substrobe Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 9, 2014: Aquatica Offers Ttl Control Of Ikelite Strobes ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 20, 2015: Ikelite Ships Dome Diffusers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Ikelite Updates Fiber Optic Converter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2021: Ikelite Announces New Ds Strobes ↩
- DEMA 2008 Ikelite coverage (article) ↩
- DS-161 announcement (2009) (article) ↩
- Keri Wilk D7000 review (2011) (article) ↩
- Retra Flash preview — comparative test (2017) (article) ↩
- DS-160 II announcement (2021) (article) ↩