Kraken KR-S80+ Underwater Strobe
Directed 80Ws Flash Power for Precise Macro Lighting
A straight flash tube, fast 1-second recycling, and a built-in 3000-lumen video light make the Kraken KR-S80+ a versatile manual strobe for underwater photographers who want greater control over where their light falls.
Finding the best underwater strobe for macro photography often comes down to light control and beam quality rather than raw power output alone. When configuring a macro rig, underwater photographers frequently turn to options like the kraken strobe lineup to achieve precise subject isolation. Building on the foundation of their popular kraken underwater lights and lighting accessories, Kraken Sports introduced the KR-S80+ to address a specific optical need for technical macro shooters.
- Best for: Macro, snooted macro, creative close-up lighting, and manual-strobe photography.
- Main advantage: Straight flash tube provides a more directed beam that is particularly useful with optical snoots.
- Compatibility: Optical triggering through a compatible camera flash or housing flash trigger, with the correct fiber-optic connection.
- Compared with KR-S80: Same 80Ws flash energy, but a more directed beam rather than the original model's broader native coverage.
- Additional advantage: 1-second full-power recycle time and integrated 3000-lumen video illumination.
- Important limitation: Manual flash control only. No automatic TTL exposure, and the narrower beam is less forgiving for wide-angle coverage.
KR-S80 vs. KR-S80+: Key Differences
While both units share the same physical body, electronics framework, and 80 Ws power rating, the fundamental difference lies in their internal flash tube design and intended application:
- Flash Tube Design: The standard Kraken KR-S80 uses a round flash tube engineered to provide broad native coverage (over 140°), making it well-suited for general macro and close-focus wide-angle work. In contrast, the KR-S80+ utilizes a straight flash tube.
- Beam Pattern & Snooting: The straight tube on the KR-S80+ creates a more directed, concentrated beam. This design allows optical snoots (such as the KR-SN07) to capture and funnel light far more effectively, preventing light spill onto background elements when shooting tiny subjects like nudibranchs.
- Coverage: The KR-S80+ offers a narrower native flash coverage of over 60° (expandable to 100° with an optional diffuser), prioritizing beam intensity and control over wide-area spread.
Not sure about compatibility? Compatibility varies by system — contact Bluewater Photo to confirm your setup. Call 310-633-5052 or email our underwater photography team .
Kraken KR-S80+ Quick Specifications
Features That Matter Underwater
Straight Flash Tube for Creative Macro
Traditional broad-beam strobes are excellent when you need to illuminate a wide area. The KR-S80+ takes a different approach, using a straight flash tube to direct more of its light forward.
Add the compatible KR-SN07 optical snoot and you have a useful foundation for isolating small marine subjects without lighting every rock or sponge around them.
- Directed 80Ws flash output.
- Well suited to snooted macro photography.
- Useful for black-background lighting techniques.
- Compatible with Kraken KR-SN07 optical snoot.
Fast Recycling for Repeated Shooting
Underwater subjects rarely hold still. A full-power recycle time of approximately 1 second gives photographers a responsive manual lighting tool for successive exposures.
Kraken rates the strobe for approximately 800 full-power flashes using two 4000mAh 21700 batteries. Actual endurance changes with flash output, video-light use, battery condition, and temperature.
- 1-second full-power recycle rating.
- Six manual flash power settings.
- Approximately 800 full-power flashes per charge.
- USB-C rechargeable battery configuration.
A 3000-Lumen Video Light in the Same Strobe
If you switch between still photography and short video clips during a dive, the built-in continuous light provides flexibility without immediately adding a separate video light to the rig.
The KR-S80+ uses a 50° video beam, making it more appropriate for focused, close-range illumination than broad fisheye video coverage.
- 3000-lumen continuous light.
- 50° video beam.
- 100%, 75%, 25%, and 10% power settings.
- Useful for close-range footage and illumination.
Kraken KR-S80+ vs KR-S80 vs KR-S160
These three underwater strobes serve different lighting needs. The KR-S80+ emphasizes directed light, the original KR-S80 provides broader native coverage, and the KR-S160 offers additional flash power.
| Feature | KR-S80+ | KR-S80 | KR-S160 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Power | 80 Ws | 80 Ws | 160 Ws |
| Flash Beam | Directed straight tube; over 60°, 100° with diffuser | Broader circular tube; published coverage varies by source | Broad circular tube; approx. 120° listed by Bluewater |
| Full-Power Recycle | 1.0 sec | 1.0 sec | 1.6 sec |
| Video / Focus Light | 3000 lm / 50° video | 3000 lm / broader video beam | 500 lm / 15° spot |
| Triggering | Fiber optic, manual | Fiber optic, manual | Fiber optic / 5-pin, manual |
| TTL | No | No | No |
| Best Use | Snooted macro / directed lighting | Mixed macro and wide-angle | Higher-output wide-angle |
| Compatibility | Compatible optical flash setups | Compatible optical flash setups | Compatible optical or 5-pin electrical setups |
Watt-seconds describe flash energy, not directly comparable underwater subject brightness. Beam pattern, diffuser use, distance, and testing conditions matter.
Why Buy From Bluewater Photo?
Kraken Sports makes underwater lighting and camera accessories for divers. The KR-S80+ carries a published 100m depth rating and offers user-controlled flash output, optical triggering, and a rechargeable battery configuration.
At Bluewater Photo, we help divers choose complete underwater photography systems, not just individual products. That includes choosing the correct housing, optical trigger, strobe cable, mounting hardware, and lighting accessories.
- Specialist underwater photography equipment advice.
- Help checking camera and housing compatibility.
- Support choosing fiber-optic cables and mounting hardware.
- Free shipping on qualifying US and Canada orders; confirm eligibility at checkout.
- Setup and product support after purchase.
Content reviewed by Bluewater Photo staff, recognized as the #1 online retailer specializing in underwater photography and scuba diving equipment, with real-world experience supporting, selling, and configuring underwater camera systems.
Ready to Improve Your Underwater Lighting?
Choose the Kraken KR-S80+ for directed manual flash control, creative macro lighting, and flexible close-range photo and video shooting.
Expert support from underwater photographers.
Questions? Call 310-633-5052 before ordering.
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Kraken KR-S80+ Technical Specifications
Flash & Imaging
- Maximum flash energy: 80 Ws
- Guide number: 32 at 1m, ISO 100
- Flash tube: Straight
- Color temperature: 6000K
- Coverage: Over 60°
- Coverage with diffuser: 100°
- Recycle time at full power: 1.0 second
- Manual levels: 80, 40, 20, 10, 5, 2 Ws
Video Lighting
- Continuous output: 3000 lumens
- Video-light beam angle: 50°
- Brightness: 100%, 75%, 25%, 10%, off
- Video-light runtime: TBC
Power & Control
- Battery type: 2 × 21700 lithium-ion
- Specified battery capacity: 4000mAh each
- Charging: USB-C battery charging ports
- Full-power flashes: Approximately 800
- Flash modes: Manual, S1, S2, Multi
- TTL exposure: Not supported
- Display: 180° rotatable 7-segment LED
Build & Mounting
- Depth rating: 100m / 330ft
- Dimensions: 72 × 73 × 182mm
- Land weight: 960g
- Underwater weight: 355g
- Fiber-optic connection: 7mm hole port
- Connection threads: M11
- Mounting: Ball mount and YS adapter included
Kraken KR-S80+ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Kraken KR-S80+ support TTL?
No. The KR-S80+ is a manual underwater strobe with optical S1, S2, and Multi modes. Flash exposure is adjusted manually rather than automatically through TTL.
2. Will the KR-S80+ work with my underwater camera housing?
It can work with housings that provide a compatible optical flash signal and fiber-optic connection. Confirm your camera, housing, trigger, cable, and preflash behavior with Bluewater Photo before ordering.
3. What is the difference between the KR-S80 and KR-S80+?
Both provide 80Ws flash energy, but the KR-S80+ uses a straight flash tube for more directed output. The original KR-S80 uses a circular tube for broader native coverage.
4. Can I use the Kraken KR-S80+ with a snoot?
Yes. The Kraken KR-SN07 optical snoot fits the KR-S80+ directly. The straight flash tube makes this model particularly attractive for selective macro lighting.
5. Can the KR-S80+ replace a dedicated underwater video light?
Its 3000-lumen, 50° video beam is useful for close-range illumination and short video clips. For wide-angle video, a dedicated wider-beam lighting system may provide more even coverage.
6. What batteries does the KR-S80+ use?
It uses two 21700 rechargeable batteries, with Kraken specifying 4000mAh capacity and USB-C charging ports. Check battery inclusion and exact compatibility before purchasing spares.
7. Why isn't my KR-S80+ firing with my camera?
First check the fiber-optic cable alignment, optical trigger operation, battery charge, and selected S1/S2 mode. Incorrect preflash configuration or an incompatible trigger can prevent reliable firing.
8. How should I maintain the Kraken KR-S80+ after diving?
Rinse the exterior with fresh water after saltwater use and follow Kraken's instructions for seal inspection, O-ring care, drying, and battery handling. Never open the battery compartment while the exterior is wet.
We offer lifetime support with all purchases.
Please call or email us with any questions, our knowledgeable staff would love to assist you.
- Kraken KR-S80+ underwater Strobe
- Strobe Batteries
- Ball Mount
- YS Mount
Kraken KR-S80+ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Kraken KR-S80+ support TTL?
No. The KR-S80+ is a manual underwater strobe with optical S1, S2, and Multi modes. Flash exposure is adjusted manually rather than automatically through TTL.
2. Will the KR-S80+ work with my underwater camera housing?
It can work with housings that provide a compatible optical flash signal and fiber-optic connection. Confirm your camera, housing, trigger, cable, and preflash behavior with Bluewater Photo before ordering.
3. What is the difference between the KR-S80 and KR-S80+?
Both provide 80Ws flash energy, but the KR-S80+ uses a straight flash tube for more directed output. The original KR-S80 uses a circular tube for broader native coverage.
4. Can I use the Kraken KR-S80+ with a snoot?
Yes. The Kraken KR-SN07 optical snoot fits the KR-S80+ directly. The straight flash tube makes this model particularly attractive for selective macro lighting.
5. Can the KR-S80+ replace a dedicated underwater video light?
Its 3000-lumen, 50° video beam is useful for close-range illumination and short video clips. For wide-angle video, a dedicated wider-beam lighting system may provide more even coverage.
6. What batteries does the KR-S80+ use?
It uses two 21700 rechargeable batteries, with Kraken specifying 4000mAh capacity and USB-C charging ports. Check battery inclusion and exact compatibility before purchasing spares.
7. Why isn't my KR-S80+ firing with my camera?
First check the fiber-optic cable alignment, optical trigger operation, battery charge, and selected S1/S2 mode. Incorrect preflash configuration or an incompatible trigger can prevent reliable firing.
8. How should I maintain the Kraken KR-S80+ after diving?
Rinse the exterior with fresh water after saltwater use and follow Kraken's instructions for seal inspection, O-ring care, drying, and battery handling. Never open the battery compartment while the exterior is wet.
