The DS165 is your entry to professional quality underwater photos with any system from compact point-and-shoot to full frame mirrorless. You don't need to travel with multiple sets of strobes- streamline your system with one strobe that covers all of your bases from wide angle to macro. If your housing features an electrical flash bulkhead, then the DS165 is the right choice for you.
Perfectly Diffused, sans-Diffuser
Many strobes rely on the addition of diffusers and filters to produce a useable beam pattern. These modifiers cut down on your strobe's light output. They can also be expensive and easy to lose.
The DS165 is designed to provide perfectly diffused, daylight balanced light right out of the box. Everything from the shape of the circular flashtube to the color of the reflector has been customized for the perfect light to bring out the best in models, reefs, and sea life.
Experience the power and freedom of a perfectly diffused beam of light - no modifiers required.
Compared to cooler color temperature strobes, the DS165 strobe's 5000K color temperature produces brighter reds, oranges and pinks, deeper blues, and more natural skin tones.
The most published underwater photographers in the world have come to rely on our DS-series strobes for their warm tone and exceptionally smooth beam pattern. The DS165's size and beam pattern is equally well suited for wide angle or macro photography and it can be used effectively in single, dual, or multiple strobe configurations.
Streamline your packing with a strobe that covers everything from wide angle to macro.
Modeling Light
The DS165 features a bright LED modeling light for focus assist. The modeling light automatically turns off when you take a photo to avoid hotspots.
TTL Compatibility
The built-in electrical bulkhead supports TTL exposure with every popular camera system - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic, and Fujifilm - by adding the right DS Link TTL Converter. The DS Link is powered by the strobe, eliminating a set of batteries to maintain.
Our trusted TTL conversion algorithms are tailored to each camera manufacturer's flash protocol for highly accurate and dependable flash exposure in any situation.
TTL communication between the camera and strobe allows the camera to adjust your strobe intensity automatically based on the amount of light needed in the scene. The best TTL systems are highly accurate in both macro and wide angle settings. TTL is not just a creature comfort (though it is incredibly convenient), it's also a necessity when shooting in fast-paced situations where your subject is moving in relation to the camera. TTL gives you a better chance of getting THE SHOT when photographing turtles, sharks, sea lions, and other larger sea life.
Shooting TTL strobes is possible while using your camera's Manual exposure mode to select your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Exposure can be adjusted up or down using the camera's flash menu settings. This makes it the ideal combination for underwater photography, where our lighting requirements are different from the average surface shoot.
Low Power Threshold with TTL
There are many situations underwater - particularly in macro photography - where the lowest manual power setting on a strobe is still too much. TTL completely eliminates this issue. When connected to a compatible TTL converter, the DS165 strobe is capable of firing at durations of mere fractions of a millisecond with effectively zero recycle time.
The DS165 is constructed out of lightweight materials with a rechargeable battery pack that is more travel- and environment- friendly than lithium alternatives.
High Speed Burst Shooting
We introduced lightning fast recycle times to the world with our DS125 and our strobes consistently perform best-in-class for high speed shooting. When firing in TTL and at lower power settings, the DS165 is capable of recycling virtually instantaneously.
High speed burst shooting requires a tremendous power drain that that strobes performing on AA batteries - and even most rechargeable strobes - cannot survive. We’ve engineered a robust flash circuit and a custom battery pack specifically for high intensity strobe discharge.
Travel-Safe Battery Pack
Lithium batteries are increasingly becoming a challenge to travel with even as they become ubiquitous in electronic devices. They've been confiscated at airport security checkpoints and blamed for deadly fires. Traveling with lithium batteries requires special precautions including limits to where you can pack them, how you can pack them, and how many you can bring.
The DS165 runs on a high-quality nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack. They are safer and more environmentally friendly than lithium alternatives. Since they don't need built-in thermal cutoff protections, they tend to outlast their lithium counterparts and we've seen customers continue to use our NiMH strobe batteries for 10+ years.
The DS-series signature, un-cluttered interface features power and exposure dials that are easy to turn even with thick gloves... Or just set-it-and-forget-it with TTL exposure.
Unlike AA batteries, the rechargeable NiMH battery park produces constant voltage over the charge cycle, meaning your recycle time and performance on the last shot of the day will be just as good as the first.
Our unique toggle lock mechanism is the fastest and most confident way to install a strobe battery, meaning less time managing gear in between dives. The DS165 is capable of delivering over a thousand flashes per charge depending on power setting, and the average shooter rarely need to change batteries during a day of diving.
A battery test position shows remaining battery life using a series of LEDs on the side of the strobe.
Mode & Power Knobs
The mode and power knobs are conveniently located on the side of the strobe. Hard click detents let you feel when you switch between power settings and the knob’s unique shape lets you know where it’s pointed without looking. The large knobs are easy to grip with a glove and feature a sliding lock to prevent the strobe from accidentally turning on when not in use.
Build Quality
The materials are chosen to be the lightest possible without sacrificing durability. Like all of our strobes and housings, the DS165 was designed ground up by our team of in-house engineers and is manufactured at our single factory location in Indianapolis, USA.
Our staff is here to support you with everything from sales and service to phone support and photo advice. We're divers and underwater photographers, and we know what it means to travel across the world for once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. In fact, we've been doing it for over 60 years.
No other strobe is capable of powering external accessories - eliminating the need for a set of batteries for your TTL Converter.
Electrical Bulkhead
The DS165 more versatile than the average strobe because of its electrical bulkhead. Only the Ikelite ICS-5 bulkhead has channels for both communication and power.
A wide variety of creative triggering accessories are interchangeable and powered by the strobe through the ICS-5 bulkhead. This opens up a whole world of creative potential. And most importantly it ensures that this strobe can adapt as your photography evolves through different styles and different camera systems.
Thanks to the ICS-5 bulkhead, the DS165 is compatible with TTL converters for every major camera brand, extension cords for unique strobe positioning, high sensitivity remote triggers, and a full range of fiber optic options.
LED Indicators
When the strobe is turned on, the center LED acts as a ready light indicating that the strobe is capable of firing a full power flash. The strobe can still be triggered at a lower power before the ready light comes on.
Comparison to Legacy Strobes
This next generation of DS160-series strobes is an improved upon and refined version of our famous DS160 II. The new model provides a significantly wider 120º angle of coverage - without the need of a diffuser. A sleek, redesigned front makes the DS165 even smaller than the DS160 II, while maintaining compatibility with legacy battery packs.
The DS165 is three times the power of our DS51 II strobe with nearly twice the angle of coverage.
Included Accessories
Ikelite products are made in the USA by a team of divers and photographers. Our strobes are depth rated to 100 meters (330 feet), and warranted for 2 years. The DS165 ships with a smart charger, protective battery pack cover, and universal 1" ball mount attachment. An optional dome diffuser is available for purchase separately.
The DS165 Strobe is an investment that will continue to grow throughout your underwater photography career.
If you have any questions about the DS165 or just want to share the latest photo you snapped underwater our inbox is always open, send us an email today!
Alternative Options
The RC165 Strobe has all the same features as the DS165, except the electrical is replaced with an integrated fiber optic TTL port.
The DS230 Strobe is 33% brighter with the same form factor for serious wide angle shooters and photographers who need maximum light output.
The DS232 Strobe is 33% and includes a built-in 2500 lumen video light for hybrid shooters.
Additional Viewing
Why You Need Strobes Underwater
DS230 Strobe Features // The Perfect Wide Angle Strobe? [VIDEO]
DS232 Strobe Features // The ULTIMATE Strobe with Video Light All-In-One [VIDEO]
Manual Camera Exposure VS Manual Strobe Exposure for Underwater Photography [VIDEO]
