Product Features
1. Support TTL, Olympus RC, HSS (The TTL, HSS, and RC modes require compatible flash triggers to be used)
Official Partner: TURTLE https://www.trt-electronics.com/
We recommend TURTLE flash triggers for optimal compatibility.
2. With a special designed MTL mode, support continuous flashes at 10 FPS within a maximum brightness of GN9
3. Fiber Trigger: with one fiber port that supports M, Pre Flash(Compatible with compact cameras),TTL, Olympus RC
(Supports RC-MANUAL, RC-TTL, RC-FP), M-HSS and MTL modes
4. Guide Number: 22 (on land)
5. Beam Angle: 120 °（140 ° with Diffuser ）
6. Color Temperature: 6000k (5500k with white diffuser,4700k with yellow diffuser)
7. Full Power Recycle Time: 0.6 second
8. Dimensions: max diameter 80mm, main body length 116mm, full length (including battery chamber ) 167mm
9. Weight in Air: 880g(with 2*21700 battery),834(with 2*18650 battery)
Underwater weight :230g(with 2*21700 battery),184g(with 2*18650 battery)
10. Battery: 2x 21700 lithium batteries(Fits batteries with a length ranging from 70 mm to 74 mm) ,MAX discharging current 15A
(Compatible to 18650 lithium batteries with adapter)
11. Detachable Water Proof Battery Chamber (Patented Design)
12. Full Power Flash Count: around 1500 times
13. Two Video Light Colors: 3000 lumens on white（Runtime up to 120 minutes） and 1000 lumens on red
（The middle red LED serves as the focusing light, and the four white LEDs function as the video light. We recommend using the red LED for focusing）
14. Depth Rating: 100m
Light shape
The Apollo Y features a spherical dome window. The spherical interface allows light to pass through the water-glass boundary at near-normal incidence,
greatly reducing refraction deviation and interfacial reflection losses. It eliminates the central over-brightness and edge brightness falloff inherent to flat
windows, with smooth and natural light-shadow transitions, ensuring uniform exposure in both macro and wide-angle shooting scenarios.
Notes on GN
Marelux entered the underwater strobe market in 2024. We noticed large discrepancies between the GN ratings of mainstream strobes and the values measured via our testing method. For this reason, we adopted a relative GN notation: we first verified the published GN specifications of reference strobes using a Sekonic meter at a fixed distance, then tested our Apollo strobe at that identical distance to determine its corresponding GN value.
The Marelux Apollo Y is a specialized hybrid underwater lighting solution designed to meet the evolving demands of modern underwater photographers who frequently travel and shoot both photos and videos.
The Evolution of Underwater Lighting
The underwater photography market is constantly innovating. While DSLRs traditionally struggled with video quality, the rise of mirrorless cameras has revolutionized the field, allowing photographers to capture professional-grade stills and high-quality video during a single dive. The Apollo Y was specifically created to address this hybrid shift.
Designed for the Frequent Traveler
Underwater photographers often travel to remote locations using small aircraft with strict luggage weight limits. Carrying separate sets of heavy strobes and dedicated video lights adds significant bulk and expense.
Furthermore, underwater balance and buoyancy are critical; even an extra 50 grams can significantly impact a rig's handling. The Apollo Y serves as a perfect solution for travelers who need a compact, efficient system without sacrificing power, effectively cutting the weight and space needed for a lighting setup in half.
Key Features and Specifications
At a competitive price of $549 USD, the Apollo Y offers professional-grade features often found in single-function devices:
1.Powerful Hybrid Output: It features a strobe with a Guide Number (GN) of 22 and a lightning-fast full-power recycle time of 0.6 seconds. This is paired with a 3000lumens white video light and a 1000-lumen red target light.
2.Universal Compatibility: With a versatile 7-mode dial—including OFF, TEST, MANUAL, TTL, HSS, RC, PRE-M, and MTL—the Apollo Y is one of the most adaptable strobes on the market. It works seamlessly with everything from compact cameras (like the Olympus TG-6/7 and Sony RX100 series) to professional mirrorless systems from all major brands.
3.High-Speed MTL Mode: Marelux’s unique MTL mode supports continuous high-speed burst shooting at up to 10 frames per second (fps), ensuring perfectly consistent exposure at same brightness level for fast-moving marine life.
4.Specialized PRE-M Mode: The Marelux Apollo Y features a Specialized PRE-M Mode, specifically engineered for compact cameras that trigger an unavoidable pre-flash even when set to manual mode. Most strobes currently on the market lack this dedicated function. To work with compact cameras, standard strobes often have to fire twice—once for the camera's pre-flash and again for the main exposure—forcing them to discharge before their internal capacitors have fully recharged. This results in inconsistent power output, wasted energy, and a significantly weaker second flash, which often leads to unstable or unpredictable exposure brightness in your photos.The Apollo Y eliminates these issues by intelligently suppressing the pre-flash. It ignores the camera's initial test pre-flash signal and delivers a single, This ensures that every single shot receives consistent power and maximum brightness, providing stable and professional lighting for every exposure.
Key Benefits of PRE-M Mode:
Total Consistency: Delivers the exact same power and brightness for every shot, even during rapid shooting.
Energy Efficiency: By firing only once instead of twice, it conserves battery life and reduces internal heat.
Maximum Power: Ensures the strobe hits its full potential at the exact moment of exposure, rather than wasting energy on a pre-flash.
Universal Compact Support: Designed for seamless integration with cameras like the Olympus/OM System TG-6/7 and Sony RX100 series.
5.Advanced RC Support: Fully compatible with the Olympus/OM System RC protocol, the Apollo Y supports all RC functions, including RC-Manual, RC-TTL, and RC-FP
6.Wide 120° Coverage: A native 120-degree beam angle (expandable to 140° with a diffuser) allows for both macro and wide-angle shooting.
7.Red Target Light: Centered target lights use red LEDs, as most sea creatures are not sensitive to red light, allowing you to focus without disturbing subjects.
8.High-Quality Video Lighting: Four powerful LEDs positioned at the corners of the front façade deliver a 3,000 lumens output at a 5500K color temperature. With a high CRI of 95, this light ensures that the true, vibrant colors of your subjects are perfectly preserved. It provides ample illumination for short- to mid-range underwater videography.
9.Rugged, Easy-to-Use Build: Large dials are designed for easy manipulation even with thick gloves in icy waters. Luminescent marks and audible beeps provide clear feedback in dark conditions.
Innovative Engineering
Patented Detachable Battery Chamber: A world-first design featuring an independent, waterproof battery chamber rated to 100 meters. If the chamber floods, water will not enter the strobe's main body, and the chamber can be replaced for approximately $60.
Flexible Power Options: The chamber is compatible with two 21700 lithium batteries or 18650 batteries with an adapter. It provides up to 1500 full-power flashes or a continuous video runtime of 120 minutes.
Optical Beaded Dome: Unlike traditional diffusers that can reduce light intensity, the innovative beaded dome uses thousands of tiny lenses to smooth the beam while maintaining maximum output.
SOFT MINI Snoot Support: Users can mount a specially designed Marelux SOFT MINI snoot to condense the target light and flash into a perfectly centered spot for precise macro work.
