Marelux Ships Smart Optical Flash Tube
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_008.jpg)
Marelux is shipping their Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) strobe output shaping device. Compatible with Sea&Sea YS D2, YS D3, Inon Z240, Z330, and Retra Flash Pro X strobes, it offers an adjustable light shape-controlled via an external dial and has a built-in battery-powered aiming light.
It is priced at $470, with the mounting dock an additional $80. Please visit your local Marelux dealer for information about availability.
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_011.jpg)
Press release
Marelux start shipping SOFT - Smart Optical Flash Tube
Marelux has just developed a new gadget for macro underwater photographers, SOFT-Smart Optical Flash Tube. This device can be used on various popular strobes, with an aiming light automatically switching off when strobe flashes. The light shape can be adjusted by a built-in aperture, which is controlled by an external dial. The focus point is 170mm from the end of the tube and the diameter is 2mm to 60mm.
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_009.jpg)
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_006.jpg)
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_010.jpg)
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_005.jpg)
SOFT can be used with additional adapters for the following strobes: Sea&Sea YS D2, YS D3, Inon Z240, Z330, Retra Flash Pro X.
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_003.jpg)
Technical Specifications of Marelux SOFT:
Aluminium Anodized Housing:
Dimensions
- Body length: 210mm
- Main Body Of Soft (in air/in water) ≈ 972g/270g
- Floating ring (in air/in water) ≈ 33g/-110g
- Main body+Floating ring (in air/in water) ≈ 1005g/-160g
- Dock For Sea & Sea YS D2 (in air/in water) ≈ 61g/58g
- Dock For Sea & Sea YS D3 (in air/in water) ≈ 125g/95g
- Dock For INON Z240 (in air/in water) ≈ 138g/80g
- Dock For INON Z330 (in air/in water) ≈ 205g/135g
- Dock For Retra Flash Pro X (in air/in water) ≈ 168g/110g
- Ball Mount (in air/in water) ≈ 33g/20g
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_001.jpg)
Battery
Battery ≈ 46g
Suggest using a standard 18650 lithium battery, 3.7V, 67mm length, if the battery length is over 70mm, it cannot work with this version of the SOFT, and will need a specially designed battery slot.
One 18650 lithium battery, 3.7V, 3400mAh, offers at least 16 hours of continuous use.
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_004.jpg)
- Depth rating: maximum 100m (suggest to use above 50m)
- Light spot diameter in water: 8mm-50mm (130mm from end of SOFT)
- Focal length: 130mm
- Best shooting range: 120mm-180mm
- Aiming light spot brightness:180 lumen
Aiming light will automatically quench for 1.2 seconds, in 2/100,000 seconds after sensing strobe flash, then automatically switch on again.
![Strobes on Wetpixel](/images/uploads/news/marelux_soft_002.jpg)
It is suggested that the aiming light is only activated in water, to avoid overheating.
- Passed FCC CE RoHS testing.
- Suggested operating temperature range: -20°C to +32°C. Maximum is +37°C.