With massive convergence underway and digital SLRs starting to shoot HD video, we’ve all been waiting for lighting manufacturers to release products to accompany products that require both flash and continuous lighting. Ikelite has stepped up to the challenge with the announcement of the DS161 Movie Substrobe, an update to their DS160 Substrobe. The DS161 features 3 high-power LEDs that will output 500 lumens at 5000-5500K with a 45° beam angle. This isn’t particularly wide, but it is plenty wide for fish portraits and macro video work. The continuous lighting beam runs for 5 hours on a charge, and has 9 power levels.

Even 2,000 lumens isn’t enough for a wide depth of field while shooting macro, so 1,000 (2 strobes) will certainly have limited applications for full-frame dSLR video use. However, it will certainly be enough for some video applications on full frame dSLRs, and a great deal more on cameras with smaller sensors!

Ikelite will offer an upgrade for existing DS-160 owners, but not for DS-125 owners. The strobe is available for pre-order for a retail price of $950 and ships in late December, 2009.