The Sea & Sea YS-D3 II Lightning is a powerful, fast-recycling underwater strobe built for serious underwater photography. With GN33 output, DS-TTL II automatic exposure, 11-step manual control, and up to 110° x 100° coverage with the included diffuser, it has the versatility for both macro and wide-angle shooting.

Its fast recycle time and simple AA battery system make it especially well suited for travel, fast-moving marine life, and photographers building a high-performance single or dual-strobe setup.

• Powerful Guide Number 33 maximum output
• DS-TTL II automatic flash exposure
• 11-step manual power control from GN1 to GN33
• Fast 1.7-second full-power recycle time with Ni-MH batteries
• 105° x 80° native beam coverage
• Up to 110° x 100° coverage with included diffuser
• Approximately 220 flashes with Ni-MH batteries
• 5800K native color temperature
• 5500K with included diffuser
• Fiber-optic and 5-pin electrical sync options
• Built-in two-level LED target light
• Illuminated rear control panel for low-light diving
• Uses four readily available AA batteries
• 330 ft / 100 m depth rating
• Suitable for macro, wide-angle, reef, wreck, and marine-life photography
  

Powerful Underwater Lighting for Macro and Wide Angle

The Sea & Sea YS-D3 II Lightning is designed for underwater photographers who need a strobe with enough power for demanding wide-angle photography while still providing precise control for macro and close-up subjects.

With a maximum Guide Number of 33, the YS-D3 II has the output needed to illuminate reefs, wrecks, divers, sharks, rays, and other larger subjects. When shooting macro, its broad manual adjustment range allows you to reduce flash output for more controlled lighting of nudibranchs, shrimp, blennies, and other small marine life.

That versatility makes it an excellent choice if you want one strobe system capable of supporting multiple styles of underwater photography.

Bring Natural Color Back to Your Underwater Photos

As you descend, water absorbs warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows. That's why underwater photographs taken using only ambient light can quickly become dominated by blue or green.

The YS-D3 II provides the artificial light needed to restore those colors at the subject, improving color, contrast, texture, and detail.

For photographers upgrading from ambient-light photography or a smaller strobe, the difference a powerful external strobe can make is substantial.

Wide, Even Beam Coverage

The YS-D3 II provides approximately 105° x 80° beam coverage without a diffuser.

Install the included diffuser and coverage expands to approximately 110° x 100°, while color temperature changes from approximately 5800K to 5500K.

The wider, softer beam is particularly useful when shooting with wide-angle and fisheye lenses where even illumination across a larger scene becomes important.

Mozaik Tip: For wide-angle photography, don't point the center of the strobe directly at your subject. Moving the strobes outward and slightly behind the housing and using the edges of the beams can help illuminate your subject while reducing backscatter from particles directly in front of the lens.

Fast Recycling for Moving Marine Life

A powerful strobe also needs to recover quickly enough for the next photograph.

Using compatible Ni-MH batteries, the YS-D3 II can recycle from a full-power flash in approximately 1.7 seconds.

That can make a significant difference when photographing sharks, schooling fish, sea lions, turtles, or other subjects that aren't going to wait for your strobe to recharge.

At lower flash powers, recycling is even faster.

TTL When You Want It, Manual Control When You Need It

The YS-D3 II supports Sea & Sea DS-TTL II automatic flash exposure with compatible camera and triggering configurations.

TTL can be especially useful when subject distance changes rapidly because the system automatically adjusts flash output to help achieve an appropriate exposure.

Photographers who prefer complete control can switch to manual operation with 11 power levels ranging from GN1 through GN33.

This gives beginners room to learn while still providing experienced photographers with the manual control they expect.

Fiber Optic and Electrical Sync

The YS-D3 II supports both fiber-optic triggering and Sea & Sea 5-pin electrical sync.

Fiber optic triggering is particularly popular in modern underwater systems because there are no electrical contacts between the housing and strobe that need to remain dry.

Having both options also gives you greater flexibility when matching the YS-D3 II to different underwater housings and camera systems.

Built-In Target Light

An integrated LED target light helps you see where the strobe is aimed and can assist with composition and focusing in darker underwater environments.

The target light offers two brightness levels, making it useful for macro photography, night dives, wrecks, and other low-light situations.

Designed for Real-World Diving

Sea & Sea designed the YS-D3 II around the realities of operating photographic equipment underwater.

The rear control panel is illuminated to make settings easier to identify during night dives and other dark conditions. Audible charging feedback can also help you recognize when the strobe is ready without constantly taking your attention away from the subject.

The strobe is depth rated to an impressive 330 ft / 100 m.

Simple Four-AA Battery System

The YS-D3 II operates on four AA batteries, which can be particularly convenient for traveling underwater photographers.

With compatible Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, the strobe is rated for approximately 220 flashes and approximately 1.7-second recycling at full power.

AA batteries are also relatively easy to source while traveling compared with proprietary battery packs.

 

Who Is It Best For?

The Sea & Sea YS-D3 II Lightning is an excellent choice for photographers shooting:

• Wide-angle reefs and wrecks
• Sharks, rays, turtles, and larger marine life
• Fish portraits
• Macro and super macro
• Fast-moving subjects
• Night dives
• Single or dual-strobe configurations
• TTL or manual flash exposure

It is particularly appealing to photographers who want strong output and fast recycling without moving to a large proprietary battery system.

Technical Specifications

Model: Sea & Sea YS-D3 II Lightning
Maximum Guide Number: GN33
Guide Number with Diffuser: GN28
Beam Angle: 105° x 80°
Beam Angle with Diffuser: 110° x 100°
Exposure Control: DS-TTL II, Slave TTL, Manual
Manual Control: 11 steps, GN1–GN33
Recycle Time: Approx. 1.7 seconds at full power with Ni-MH batteries
Number of Flashes: Approx. 220 with Ni-MH batteries
Color Temperature: 5800K
Color Temperature with Diffuser: 5500K
Target Light: LED with 2 brightness levels
Sync: Fiber optic and 5-pin electrical
Power: 4 AA batteries
Depth Rating: 330 ft / 100 m
Dimensions: Approx. 3.6 x 4.4 x 5.8 in / 92 x 111 x 147 mm
Weight: Approx. 21.5 oz / 610 g without batteries, excluding mount

Top Features

1. Powerful GN33 Output
Enough flash power for macro, reefs, wrecks, and large marine life.

2. Fast 1.7-Second Recycling
Stay ready when fast-moving underwater subjects don't give you a second chance.

3. TTL + Manual Exposure
Use DS-TTL II for convenience or 11-step manual control for precise lighting.

4. Wide 110° x 100° Coverage
The included diffuser creates broad coverage for wide-angle photography.

5. Travel-Friendly AA Power
Runs on four commonly available AA batteries rather than a proprietary battery pack.