Sea & Sea YS-D3 Mark II Strobe Overview
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Mark II is a professional-grade underwater strobe engineered for consistent performance and accurate light output. As part of the trusted family of Sea & Sea strobes, it provides a powerful guide number, wide beam angle, and reliable TTL exposure control. The Sea & Sea strobe design ensures compatibility with modern fiber-optic and sync cord triggering systems, making it a dependable choice for both macro and wide-angle imaging. This updated model refines the optical design, improves usability, and enhances stability for demanding dive conditions.
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 is one of the world's best strobes for underwater photography. It offers lots of great improvements from it predecessor, the YS-D2J, including quicker recycling times, a more even beam, a redesigned back display, and a more powerful targeting light. The YS-D3's circuitry has been improved and the strobe is capable of a powerful, professional guide number of 33 (land). At guide number 22, the YS-D3's recycling time is a mere 0.6 seconds and at guide number 16, there is virtually no recycle time! This kind of capability is very beneficial to underwater photographers that need to shoot quick subjects with burst modes on their camera.
- Guide Number 33 (on land, ISO 100) with 80°×105° beam angle, extendable with diffusers.
- Manual power control in fine 1/3-step increments plus TTL support.
- Fast recycle times: approx. 0.6 sec at quarter power, ~1.7 sec at full output (with NiMH batteries).
- Durable housing with clearly marked, glove-friendly dials and controls.
- Compatible with fiber-optic cables, sync cords, and standard ball/YS mounting systems.
- Depth rating: 100 m (330 ft), suitable for professional underwater use.
- ONLY BLUEWATER PHOTO offers a One Year Warranty, so don't buy anywhere else!!
What's New With The Mark II:
The original Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobe has been upgraded to the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Mk II. Both strobes are essentially the same with a few minor diferences.
- The Mark II features enhanced TTL shooting with better third-party optical TTL converter compatibility
- New compatiblity with existing and older Sea & Sea optical TTL converters
- Improved TTL with compact cameras
- Redesign of the light intensity adjustment dial and mode switch for better ergonomics
Wide, uniform beam output
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Mark II projects a powerful, even beam that covers both macro and wide-angle scenes without significant falloff. Its 80° × 105° native coverage expands to 100° × 110° with included diffusers, ensuring edge-to-edge illumination that reduces shadows and maintains color accuracy across the frame.
- Guide Number 33 (ISO 100, on land) with stable output underwater.
- Beam angle: 80° × 105° standard, up to 100° × 110° with diffuser.
- Diffusers and accessories allow tailoring light spread for subject type.
Durable, dive-ready design
Built with corrosion-resistant materials and precise seals, the strobe stands up to daily underwater use without fail.
- Reliable operation up to 330 ft (100 m).
- Easy access controls for adjustments by feel.
- Quick-connect arms mount for fast setup.
Fast recycle for action
Spend more time capturing and less time waiting—this strobe recharges quickly for burst shooting in dynamic dive environments.
- Ready again in under 1 second at full power.
- Multi-flash memory allows rapid cycling.
- Consistent power output at all battery levels.
Perfect for: underwater photographers shooting macro subjects, wide-angle reef scenes, and action shots where consistent dual-strobe lighting makes a difference.
Trusted & Battle-Tested
Sea & Sea is a respected brand in professional underwater photography. The YS-D3 Mark II delivers consistent TTL and manual performance, backed by a strong support network and proven durability.
Bluewater Photo provides expert rigging advice and fast shipping—so you're ready to shoot the moment you surface from your dive.
Light up your world—shoot sharply, shoot confidently, with the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Mark II.
Sample Underwater Images taken with the Sea & Sea YS-D3 II Strobes
- Sea & Sea's latest YS-D130R strobe
- Sea & Sea YS-D3 Snoot — allow you to produce dramatic lighting and capture beautiful black backgrounds
- Sea & Sea YS-D3 Dome Diffuser — dome diffuser for a nice, even, 150 degree beam
- Sea & Sea YS-D3 Slave Prism — allows the strobe to be triggered remotely without any cords or cables
- Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Diagonal Ball Mount — 35 degree inclination which minimizes interference between the sync cord and ball mount
- Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable
- Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable (Long)
- Sea & Sea Single Sync Cord
- Sea & Sea Dual Sync Cord
- Nauticam Universal Fiber Optic Cable
- Ikelite Sync Cord for Sea & Sea Strobe
- Ikelite Sync Cord for Dual Sea & Sea Strobe
- iTorch Fiber Optic Cable
- Maximum Guide Number 33 (on land)
- Newly developed aspherical troidal lens on the flash tubes provides even light dispersion, no hotspots are produced
- Native beam angle of 105 X 80 degrees with no diffuser, and 100x110 with included diffuser
- Wide beam angle of 110° (with included diffuser) or can even wider (150°) with the optional diffuser
- Battery life: 220 flashes with Ni-MH batteries (4X AA)
- Recycle time: 1.7 seconds at full power, 0.6 seconds at GN 22, no recycle time below GN 16!
- Color temperature: 5800K. 5500K with a diffuser
- Large capacity condensers
- Firing the strobes at Guide Number 16 the strobe can continuously fire without any interval time
- Two-stage signal - Visual and Audible notification that the strobe is ready to fire
- Has a pre flash cancel mode
- Improved power of target light which can be used as a dive light also. It is also adjustable in 2 steps
- Auto power off when the strobe is left turned on for a long time
- Over pressure relieve valve
- Dimensions: 3.6 X 4.4 X 5.8 inches
- Weight: 610g/21.5 oz (above water), -20g/0.7 oz (underwater)
Functions:
- DS-TTL II
- Slave TTL
- Manual Mode
Connectivity:
- 5-Pin Sync Cord/N
- Fiber Optic Cable
- Sea & Sea YS-D3
- Ball Mount Adaptor
- 110° Diffuser
- Silicon Grease
