Bluewaterphoto announces the Sea & Sea YS-D130R Underwater Strobe

The upcoming Sea & Sea YS-D130R looks like a strong evolution of the brand’s flagship strobe line, building on what we’ve loved about the YS-D3 Duo while pushing for smoother, more refined light quality. A circular flash tube rated at 130 Ws suggests beautifully even coverage with gentler edge roll-off—ideal for wide-angle reef scenes, big subjects, and clean blue-water backgrounds. The strobe is designed with multiple shooting options, including DS-TTL, OM SYSTEM RC flash support, and full manual control, offering flexible integration whether you’re using modern mirrorless bodies with fiber-optic TTL or prefer precision manual exposure control. Published specs point to a fast ~0.8-second full-power recycle when using the dedicated Li-ion battery pack, a 100 m depth rating, a native ~80° beam (expanding past 100° with the diffuser), and color temperature in the daylight-balanced 5600 K range. A diffuser, red filter, AA battery tray, and standard ball mount are expected as part of the package, with a “Pro” option including the Li-ion battery and dual USB charger.

Based on years of testing Sea & Sea strobes, we anticipate familiar, diver-friendly ergonomics: big, tactile power dials, straightforward fiber-optic triggering, and the dependable durability that has made the D-series a staple in our rental and workshop kits. The shift toward a circular tube and modern power system points to thoughtful refinement—not just more output, but better-quality light and faster response, especially when firing high-power bursts. At this pre-release stage, we expect the biggest advantages for wide-angle shooters and OM SYSTEM users leveraging RC wireless control. We’ll confirm real-world performance once we get production units in-water, but early signs point to a versatile, travel-ready powerhouse that could become a go-to strobe for serious underwater photographers.

Pros

• Circular flash tube promises smoother, more even light coverage 
• Fast recycle with dedicated Li-ion battery for action and burst shooting 
• TTL compatibility (including OM SYSTEM RC mode) plus full manual control 
• Wide beam spread with diffuser for sweeping wide-angle scenes 
• Durable, high-depth-rated body and familiar Sea & Sea control layout 

Cons

• A proprietary Li-ion system means carrying specific batteries and charger 
• AA performance likely slower than with the Li-ion pack 
• RC wireless function primarily benefits OM SYSTEM shooters 
• New release—real-world behavior, firmware, and availability still unfolding 
• Slightly heavier travel footprint compared to some compact-strobe competitors

Key Specifications of the YS-D130R Strobe

• Flash Output: 130 Ws 
• Flash Modes: Manual / DS-TTL / RC (OM Digital Solutions Certified) / HSS Manual 
• Beam Angle: 80 x 82 Degrees (w/o Diffuser) / 102 x 102 Degrees (w/Diffuser) 
• Usable Batteries: Li-ion (SB-L02) / AA Ni-MH / AA Alkaline 
• Recycle Time (FULL): Li-ion : 0.8 sec / Ni-MH : 2.5 sec / Alkaline : 4.0 sec 
• Color Temperature: 5600K (w/ or w/o Diffuser) 
• Depth Rating: 100m 
• Body Color: Black 
• Dimensions: W98 x H110 x D157 mm 
• Weight on Land: 715g 
• Weight in Water: w/ Li-ion : 30g / w/ Ni-HM : 50g (incl. strobe ball base) 
• Accessories (Standard): AA Battery Holder, Diffuser, Red Filter, Strobe Ball Base, Silicon grease, Base Block 
• Accessories (PRO Package): Li-ion Battery (SB-L02), Dual USB Charger (SC-L01D)

The Sea & Sea YS-D130R underwater strobe is available now for pre-order from Bluewater Photo Store. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team at Bluewater Photo Store .