Sea & Sea YS-D130R DS-TTL RC Underwater Strobe
For the first time since the YS-250PRO, the YS-D130R features a newly designed circular flash tube combined with a dedicated reflector, delivering stable and uniform light output.
Product Description
The smooth, evenly diffused circular beam illuminates your subject without harsh hotspots, producing soft, natural shadows and beautifully balanced lighting across the entire frame.
When shooting close to marine life, the circular catchlight appears naturally in the subject’s eyes, adding depth, expression, and a lively presence for stunning underwater portraits.
One of my favorite summer pleasures in Hakodate is spending time with the “mimi-ika,” a tiny species of bobtail squid. As the moment of hatching approaches, the little squid inside their eggs repeatedly shift their coloration—from dark to pale and back again—quietly preparing for the world outside.
And those two circular flash tubes you see on either side of the eggs? Unlike traditional linear ones, their round shape blends more naturally into the scene, even when they appear in the photograph. It’s a subtle difference, but one that feels unexpectedly welcome.
And those two circular flash tubes you see on either side of the eggs? Unlike traditional linear ones, their round shape blends more naturally into the scene, even when they appear in the photograph. It’s a subtle difference, but one that feels unexpectedly welcome.
| Camera : CANON EOS R5 |
| Lens : RF100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM |
| f/22 |
| SS : 1/200 |
| ISO : 100 |
| Mode : M |
| Location : Hakodate, Hokkaido |
02. Natural and Soft Light
The YS-D130R is designed with a color temperature of 5600K, closely matching natural daylight.
Higher color temperatures produce cooler, bluish tones, while lower values create warmer, reddish hues—5600K delivers a perfectly balanced, natural look.
By applying an amber coating to the flash tube, the YS-D130R produces light that is both soft and natural, closely resembling sunlight underwater.
Additionally, while diffusers typically alter color temperature, the YS-D130R’s dedicated diffuser is specially engineered to maintain consistent color fidelity, ensuring stable and natural lighting in every shot.
Higher color temperatures produce cooler, bluish tones, while lower values create warmer, reddish hues—5600K delivers a perfectly balanced, natural look.
By applying an amber coating to the flash tube, the YS-D130R produces light that is both soft and natural, closely resembling sunlight underwater.
Additionally, while diffusers typically alter color temperature, the YS-D130R’s dedicated diffuser is specially engineered to maintain consistent color fidelity, ensuring stable and natural lighting in every shot.
03. Features RC Mode officially certified by OM Digital Solutions Corporation
The YS-D130R supports RC Mode of the OM SYSTEM Wireless RC Flash System by OM Digital Solutions. Flash output can be precisely controlled via digital light signals from the camera, enabling accurate exposure control. When paired with a compatible camera, this feature provides a more comfortable and seamless underwater shooting experience.
RC Flash System Certification Logo
04. Intuitive Color LCD Display for Clear Visibility
The YS-D130R is equipped with a color LCD panel that clearly displays essential information such as battery level, strobe mode, and exposure compensation at a glance.
Icons and numeric indicators ensure excellent visibility even in dark underwater environments or during night dives.
During shooting, the selected mode is always displayed, and each shooting mode is color-coded for instant recognition.
All modes and settings are shown digitally, allowing smooth, intuitive customization to match your shooting style and camera system.
Icons and numeric indicators ensure excellent visibility even in dark underwater environments or during night dives.
During shooting, the selected mode is always displayed, and each shooting mode is color-coded for instant recognition.
All modes and settings are shown digitally, allowing smooth, intuitive customization to match your shooting style and camera system.
RC mode
DS-TTL mode
HSS mode
Manual mode
05. Dual Battery System for Maximum Flexibility
The YS-D130R is the world’s first strobe to feature a dual battery system, compatible with both a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack and widely available AA batteries (Ni-MH or alkaline).
This innovative design offers exceptional flexibility, allowing you to adapt to different shooting environments and power availability.
When using the dedicated lithium-ion battery pack, the strobe achieves high-speed recycling for rapid consecutive shooting, ensuring you never miss a critical underwater moment.
This innovative design offers exceptional flexibility, allowing you to adapt to different shooting environments and power availability.
When using the dedicated lithium-ion battery pack, the strobe achieves high-speed recycling for rapid consecutive shooting, ensuring you never miss a critical underwater moment.
Li-ion Battery SB-L02
Nominal voltage：DC7.2V
Capacity：3000mAh
Size：40.0(W) x 24.0(H) x 69.0(D)
Weight：110.0g
06. Supports High-Speed Sync (HSS) Shooting
■What is High-Speed Sync (HSS)?
In DSLR and mirrorless cameras equipped with a focal-plane shutter, the standard flash synchronization speed is typically around 1/200 sec, even for high-end models.
A conventional strobe emits a single burst of light while the shutter is fully open.
At shutter speeds faster than the sync speed, part of the image would normally be blocked by the moving shutter curtains, resulting in a dark band across the frame.
With High-Speed Sync (HSS), the YS-D130R emits a rapid series of flashes while the shutter curtains travel across the sensor.
This enables perfect synchronization at high shutter speeds, providing even and consistent illumination across the entire image — even when shooting in bright environments or with wide apertures.To use High-Speed Sync (HSS) shooting, the following conditions must be met:
– The camera must support HSS/FP flash.
– The communication system between the camera and strobe must also support HSS.
Please refer to the compatibility chart for details.In OM SYSTEM RC Mode, FP flash operates as “TTL HSS.” In other systems, it functions as “Manual HSS.”
In DSLR and mirrorless cameras equipped with a focal-plane shutter, the standard flash synchronization speed is typically around 1/200 sec, even for high-end models.
A conventional strobe emits a single burst of light while the shutter is fully open.
At shutter speeds faster than the sync speed, part of the image would normally be blocked by the moving shutter curtains, resulting in a dark band across the frame.
With High-Speed Sync (HSS), the YS-D130R emits a rapid series of flashes while the shutter curtains travel across the sensor.
This enables perfect synchronization at high shutter speeds, providing even and consistent illumination across the entire image — even when shooting in bright environments or with wide apertures.To use High-Speed Sync (HSS) shooting, the following conditions must be met:
– The camera must support HSS/FP flash.
– The communication system between the camera and strobe must also support HSS.
Please refer to the compatibility chart for details.In OM SYSTEM RC Mode, FP flash operates as “TTL HSS.” In other systems, it functions as “Manual HSS.”
■ Benefits and Applications of HSS
・When shooting in bright daylight to create background blur
In shallow waters or bright environments—such as over white sand or when photographing light-colored subjects—you may want to open the aperture for a shallow depth of field to blur the background.
However, under strong sunlight, this often leads to overexposure even when using fast shutter speeds up to 1/200 sec, which is the typical sync limit for conventional strobes.
With the YS-D130R’s HSS mode, the strobe can synchronize even at 1/500 sec, 1/1000 sec, or faster, allowing proper exposure control and enabling you to achieve your desired creative look.
Because the air bubbles are extremely small, they were traditionally photographed using macro lenses, which made it difficult to include the surrounding environment in the frame.
I wanted to capture the bubbles from a slightly greater distance to show more of the scene while keeping them clearly visible.
By using the YS-D130R in HSS mode, I was able to open the aperture to gently blur the background and still illuminate each tiny bubble, bringing out its edge and texture.
The high shutter speed also allowed me to capture the bubbles crisply and sharply, resulting in a balanced image that conveys both the delicate detail and the underwater atmosphere.
I wanted to capture the bubbles from a slightly greater distance to show more of the scene while keeping them clearly visible.
By using the YS-D130R in HSS mode, I was able to open the aperture to gently blur the background and still illuminate each tiny bubble, bringing out its edge and texture.
The high shutter speed also allowed me to capture the bubbles crisply and sharply, resulting in a balanced image that conveys both the delicate detail and the underwater atmosphere.
・Shooting Backlit Subjects from a Low Angle
When photographing subjects swimming in shallow or mid-water during daylight, shooting upward often results in strong backlighting. To avoid the subject appearing as a silhouette and to reproduce its natural colors, strobe lighting becomes essential.
Using a wide aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field can easily lead to overexposure. Even when increasing the shutter speed, conventional strobes are limited by a maximum sync speed of around 1/200 sec.
With the YS-D130R’s HSS mode, higher shutter speeds can be used for precise exposure control, allowing you to maintain a shallow depth of field while achieving correct exposure.
When photographing subjects swimming in shallow or mid-water during daylight, shooting upward often results in strong backlighting. To avoid the subject appearing as a silhouette and to reproduce its natural colors, strobe lighting becomes essential.
Using a wide aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field can easily lead to overexposure. Even when increasing the shutter speed, conventional strobes are limited by a maximum sync speed of around 1/200 sec.
With the YS-D130R’s HSS mode, higher shutter speeds can be used for precise exposure control, allowing you to maintain a shallow depth of field while achieving correct exposure.
In bright tropical seas like the Maldives or Okinawa, I often shoot mantas and other large subjects at shallow depths, usually less than 10 meters. Under sunny, backlit conditions, using a conventional strobe limited to 1/250 s (X-sync) has always been tough. Even when I lower the ISO or try to increase the shutter speed, I still have to stop down the aperture quite a bit.
That means the strobe ends up firing at almost full power to light the subject properly. And when the distance to the manta keeps changing, it’s hard to adjust exposure smoothly—it’s one of those situations that really challenges underwater photographers.
With the YS-D130R’s High-Speed Sync (HSS), I finally had the freedom to shoot with faster shutter speeds and open up the aperture more. The result was a much more natural balance of light, even in those bright, backlit scenes. The overall lighting felt softer and more realistic, just the way I wanted.
That means the strobe ends up firing at almost full power to light the subject properly. And when the distance to the manta keeps changing, it’s hard to adjust exposure smoothly—it’s one of those situations that really challenges underwater photographers.
With the YS-D130R’s High-Speed Sync (HSS), I finally had the freedom to shoot with faster shutter speeds and open up the aperture more. The result was a much more natural balance of light, even in those bright, backlit scenes. The overall lighting felt softer and more realistic, just the way I wanted.
| Camera : CANON EOS R5C |
| Lens : RF15-35mm |
| f/7.1 |
| SS : 1/400 |
| ISO : 400 |
| Mode : HSS -1.5 |
・Isolating the Subject Against a Black Background
In macro photography, isolating the subject by illuminating only it with strobe light is an effective way to make it stand out while letting the background fall into darkness.
With the YS-D130R’s HSS mode, high shutter speeds can be used even at wide apertures, allowing precise control of ambient light. This makes it possible to render blue backgrounds completely black while keeping the subject properly exposed.
When the background is the seabed or a wall, the Snoot 02 can be used to focus light precisely on the subject, further enhancing subject isolation and creating a clean black background.
In macro photography, isolating the subject by illuminating only it with strobe light is an effective way to make it stand out while letting the background fall into darkness.
With the YS-D130R’s HSS mode, high shutter speeds can be used even at wide apertures, allowing precise control of ambient light. This makes it possible to render blue backgrounds completely black while keeping the subject properly exposed.
When the background is the seabed or a wall, the Snoot 02 can be used to focus light precisely on the subject, further enhancing subject isolation and creating a clean black background.
[HSS Example : Black-Background Emperor Angelfish]
Photo by N. Tsukioka
A floating harlequin ghost pipefish.
By shooting in HSS, even in daylight conditions, background distractions are eliminated, allowing the subject’s fine details to stand out more clearly.
By shooting in HSS, even in daylight conditions, background distractions are eliminated, allowing the subject’s fine details to stand out more clearly.
| Camera : Nikon Z7II |
| Lens : Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm F2.8G ED |
| f/22 |
| SS : 1/4000 |
| ISO : 100 |
| Mode : HSS |
・When freezing fast-moving subjects
HSS is also effective for capturing subjects in motion or in situations where camera shake or motion blur is likely to occur.
By using higher shutter speeds, you can freeze action clearly and capture sharp, dynamic underwater images.
HSS is also effective for capturing subjects in motion or in situations where camera shake or motion blur is likely to occur.
By using higher shutter speeds, you can freeze action clearly and capture sharp, dynamic underwater images.
07. All-New Battery Cap Design
A completely redesigned waterproof structure moves the sealing surface from the cap to the strobe body itself—minimizing the risk of water intrusion when opening or closing. The battery is now secured inside the strobe, preventing accidental drops during handling and making operation safer and more dependable in any diving environment.
It achieves both easy opening and closing and reduced risk of water ingress.
08. DS-TTL Mode
DS-TTL is SEA&SEA’s advanced automatic exposure control system.
It supports multiple tuning patterns to ensure compatibility with a wide range of camera systems, providing stable exposure and precise synchronization under various shooting conditions.
With DS-TTL, simply connect the strobe to your digital SLR camera—no complicated setup is required.
The flash output automatically follows the camera’s TTL control in real time, delivering natural, well-balanced lighting for every shot.
The YS-D130R further enhances the accuracy of flash timing, achieving even greater stability and exposure precision compared to previous models.
Setting up is simple: just match the strobe’s flash mode to the channel of your camera and housing sync system.
All settings are clearly displayed on the LCD panel for easy confirmation.Available Mode Settings by Manufacturer:
Canon: 6 types (A/B/C/D/E/F)
Nikon: 5 types (A/B/C/D/E)
Sony: 5 types (A/B/C/D/E)
OM SYSTEM: 2 types (A/B)
Panasonic: 2 types (A/B)
SEA&SEA Cameras: 2 types (A/B)
SEA&SEA Cameras: 2 types (A/B)【TTL Exposure Compensation Range】
-3.0EV to +3.0EV
* Exposure compensation steps can be set to 0.3EV, 0.5EV, or 1.0EV in Setup Mode.
It supports multiple tuning patterns to ensure compatibility with a wide range of camera systems, providing stable exposure and precise synchronization under various shooting conditions.
With DS-TTL, simply connect the strobe to your digital SLR camera—no complicated setup is required.
The flash output automatically follows the camera’s TTL control in real time, delivering natural, well-balanced lighting for every shot.
The YS-D130R further enhances the accuracy of flash timing, achieving even greater stability and exposure precision compared to previous models.
Setting up is simple: just match the strobe’s flash mode to the channel of your camera and housing sync system.
All settings are clearly displayed on the LCD panel for easy confirmation.Available Mode Settings by Manufacturer:
Canon: 6 types (A/B/C/D/E/F)
Nikon: 5 types (A/B/C/D/E)
Sony: 5 types (A/B/C/D/E)
OM SYSTEM: 2 types (A/B)
Panasonic: 2 types (A/B)
SEA&SEA Cameras: 2 types (A/B)
SEA&SEA Cameras: 2 types (A/B)【TTL Exposure Compensation Range】
-3.0EV to +3.0EV
* Exposure compensation steps can be set to 0.3EV, 0.5EV, or 1.0EV in Setup Mode.
09. Rapid-fire capability
Never Miss the Perfect Moment – Continuous Shooting Performance
Continuous shooting is essential for capturing decisive moments in wildlife and behavioral photography.
However, with strobes that have long recycle times, the flash cannot keep up with the camera’s rapid shooting speed.
With the YS-D130R—when using the dedicated lithium-ion battery pack—you can shoot continuously for 10 seconds at 5–10 frames per second (at –3 EV).
This high-speed recycle performance ensures you never miss that critical underwater moment.
Continuous shooting is essential for capturing decisive moments in wildlife and behavioral photography.
However, with strobes that have long recycle times, the flash cannot keep up with the camera’s rapid shooting speed.
With the YS-D130R—when using the dedicated lithium-ion battery pack—you can shoot continuously for 10 seconds at 5–10 frames per second (at –3 EV).
This high-speed recycle performance ensures you never miss that critical underwater moment.
Photo by Nagaaki Sato (Grunt Sculpin)
A Hatching Moment of a Bobtail Squid
The hatching of a bobtail squid lasts only a few seconds—
yet with the YS-D130R’s high-speed continuous shooting capability,
I was able to capture the entire sequence in about 30 consecutive frames.
The hatching of a bobtail squid lasts only a few seconds—
yet with the YS-D130R’s high-speed continuous shooting capability,
I was able to capture the entire sequence in about 30 consecutive frames.
| Camera : CANON EOS R5 |
| Lens : RF100mm + SMC3 |
| f/32 |
| SS : 1/200 |
| ISO : 100 |
| Strobe : YS-D130R |
10. Enhanced Target Light for Precise Illumination
The adoption of a circular flash tube allows the target light to be positioned perfectly at the center of the light axis, providing accurate and consistent illumination directly on the subject without any offset.
The included diffuser features a built-in red filter in the center, making it ideal for photographing light-sensitive marine life.
The target light’s brightness can be adjusted from 5% to 100%, enabling precise control to suit any shooting environment.
The included diffuser features a built-in red filter in the center, making it ideal for photographing light-sensitive marine life.
The target light’s brightness can be adjusted from 5% to 100%, enabling precise control to suit any shooting environment.
11. User Customization Features
The YS-D130R offers a wide range of customization options that allow users to fine-tune the strobe’s behavior according to their personal shooting style and environmental conditions.
Every aspect of operation can be tailored for maximum comfort and efficiency underwater.Customizable settings include:
・Target light brightness steps: Selectable from 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, or 50%.
・Beep sound: Can be turned ON or OFF.
・LCD orientation: Display can be inverted depending on strobe mounting position.
・Sleep mode: Selectable from OFF, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
・Auto power-off: Selectable from OFF, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
・Output/compensation step adjustment: For Manual, RC, TTL, and HSS modes, steps can be set to 0.3EV, 0.5EV, or 1.0EV
Every aspect of operation can be tailored for maximum comfort and efficiency underwater.Customizable settings include:
・Target light brightness steps: Selectable from 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, or 50%.
・Beep sound: Can be turned ON or OFF.
・LCD orientation: Display can be inverted depending on strobe mounting position.
・Sleep mode: Selectable from OFF, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
・Auto power-off: Selectable from OFF, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
・Output/compensation step adjustment: For Manual, RC, TTL, and HSS modes, steps can be set to 0.3EV, 0.5EV, or 1.0EV
12. High-Speed Recycle Time
When equipped with the specially developed lithium-ion battery pack (SB-L02), the YS-D130R achieves an impressive recycle time of 0.8 seconds at full power and 0.2 seconds at half power (-1.0EV)—virtually eliminating waiting time between shots.
You’ll never miss a critical moment, even during fast-paced shooting sequences.
The dedicated lithium-ion battery pack is included with the PRO Package and also available as a separate accessory.
You’ll never miss a critical moment, even during fast-paced shooting sequences.
The dedicated lithium-ion battery pack is included with the PRO Package and also available as a separate accessory.
13. Manual Mode
The YS-D130R offers two manual flash types to match different camera systems:
MANUAL-P: With pre-flash cancellation
MANUAL-N: Without pre-flash cancellation
【Manual Light Intensity Setting】
1.0 to -9.0 EV
*Light intensity steps can be set to 0.3 EV, 0.5 EV, or 1.0 EV in Setup Mode.
Select the appropriate type according to your camera model to ensure proper synchronization and reliable flash performance.
Photo by Nagaaki Sato (Grunt Sculpin)
Autumn leaves hold a quiet, multifaceted beauty.
In recent years, we often see not only photographs taken on land but also aerial footage captured by drones.
But my favorite way to enjoy the season is through underwater photography.
When I look up from beneath the surface, watching fallen leaves drift on the water while glimpsing the world above through the surface filter, even a rainy day feels special—
as if the boundary between water and sky softly dissolves for a moment.
| Camera : CANON EOS R5 |
| Lens : EF28-80mmUSM + NA N120/N100 Wide angle conversion port ×0.36 |
| f/8 |
| SS : 1/125 |
| ISO : 640 |
| Mode : M |
| Location : Toya-ko, Hokkaido |
14. Features a cold-resistant “Low Temperature Mode”
The “Low Temperature Mode” is included to ensure optimal operability regardless of environmental conditions.
In environments with low air or water temperatures, battery output may decrease, potentially causing power instability or inaccurate battery level displays. Enabling Low Temperature Mode ensures stable performance even during winter when water temperatures drop or in cold regions.
*Recommended operating environment: 15°C (59°F) or below.
*Battery consumption increases and recycling time extends while Low Temperature Mode is active.
In environments with low air or water temperatures, battery output may decrease, potentially causing power instability or inaccurate battery level displays. Enabling Low Temperature Mode ensures stable performance even during winter when water temperatures drop or in cold regions.
*Recommended operating environment: 15°C (59°F) or below.
*Battery consumption increases and recycling time extends while Low Temperature Mode is active.
Additional Information
| Weight | 7 lbs |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sea & Sea |
| Strobe Options | Strobe Only, Strobe Pro Package (includes the SB-L01 Li-Ion battery & SC-L0D dual charger) |
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