The Power of Strobes: A Deep Dive into Retra Pro Max Features

For years, I coasted along as an underwater photographer, casually snapping away and coming home with a decent collection of images from each trip. It wasn’t until I joined my first Alex Mustard workshop that I truly began to grasp what underwater photography was all about and how I could elevate my work. The most valuable lesson I learned that week wasn’t about my camera, lens, or housing—it was about the light I used. As Alex explained, photography is all about capturing light, so why not ensure you're using the highest-quality light possible? The one light source we rely on for every photo is our strobe, yet many photographers overlook its importance. Instead, they focus on the latest lenses or cameras with improved autofocus. Shifting that mindset toward investing in the best strobes you can afford can make a world of difference.

If you're looking to upgrade your underwater photography gear, I would always recommend prioritizing strobes over any other piece of equipment. For me, the single most transformative upgrade I ever made was purchasing my Retra Pro strobes. The difference they made to my images was immediate and remarkable. The power, softness, and overall quality of the light they produced were a significant step up from my previous Inon strobes.

Wide-angle scenes became a joy to light, with the even spread of light offering far more forgiving results. Suddenly, I was able to illuminate compositions I wouldn’t have even attempted before. Shooting against the sun was no longer a challenge, and I could effortlessly light up features as large as the bow of a shipwreck.

Since I started using Retra strobes, my personal photography career has truly flourished. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of light, and the improvement in my images has been dramatic. These days, I even run photography workshops, with many participants seeking my advice on how to elevate their work.

Interestingly, the most common question I get is about camera upgrades. More often than not, I steer the conversation toward strobes instead. As a result, many of my friends and workshop attendees have switched to Retra strobes, and every single one has come back to thank me. They all share how transformative these strobes have been for their photography, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference they make.

Let me be clear: I have no affiliation with Retra. I purchased my strobes myself, and my recommendation comes purely from my love for the product, not from any commercial endorsement. I endorse them simply because they’ve had such a profound impact on my photography, and I believe others can benefit from the same experience.

I first got my set of Retra Pro strobes five years ago, and since then, Retra has released several new models. Most recently, I had the opportunity to try out the latest Retra Pro Max strobes and put them to the test. So, what makes these strobes so special?

If you're looking for a detailed list of technical specifications, you won’t find it here—head to the Retra website for that. This article is about why I chose to use them and the specific features that matter most to me as a photographer.

Light Quality: Power, Beam Angle, and Color Performance

Let’s start with the most crucial aspect: the quality of light these strobes emit. The Retra Pro Max features a redesigned flash tube with a circular design that produces incredibly soft, diffused light with no hot spots. This improvement is a game-changer, benefiting both wide-angle and macro photography.

For wide-angle, the even spread of light makes it easier to illuminate large scenes without harsh transitions, while in macro photography, the softer light reduces shadows and delivers more natural, pleasing results. The beam is consistent, with minimal falloff toward the edges, providing beautifully balanced lighting for a variety of shooting scenarios.

The Retra Pro Max strobes deliver a robust 140-watt-second output, offering more than enough power for even the most challenging wide-angle shots in bright, sunlit conditions. With an impressive 130-degree beam angle (without a diffuser), these strobes provide smooth, even lighting across the entire frame. This wide and consistent beam eliminates the harsh falloff often seen with lower-quality strobes, ensuring a professional-grade result in every shot.

The color temperature sits at a natural 4900 Kelvin, striking the perfect balance between warmth and true-to-life tones, particularly in blue or green underwater environments.

I can absolutely assure you that this quality of light will be the easiest and largest step forward you can take in your wide angle lighting, the beam is plentiful and forgiving.

 Construction, Reliability, and Technology

Designed for durability and reliability, the Retra Pro Max strobes are crafted from marine-grade aluminum alloy, making them highly resistant to corrosion and wear in harsh saltwater environments. While the technical specs speak volumes, my own experience says even more. My current Retra Pro strobes have endured countless dives in conditions ranging from 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F), withstanding everything from rough handling in airports around the globe to extensive underwater use.

One standout feature is the built-in counter that tracks the number of flashes—my strobes have logged over 60,000 cycles and required nothing more than a single routine service. Even then, everything was found to be running perfectly. Retra's service turnaround is impressively fast as well, despite my remote location in Iceland. These strobes are a testament to rugged engineering and dependable performance.

On the technology front, the Retra Pro Max strobes include high-speed sync (HSS), adding a level of versatility that’s invaluable for shooting in bright sunlight. HSS enables you to shoot at shutter speeds far beyond the standard sync speed of your camera and strobe. This opens up creative possibilities for capturing images in a style that would have been impossible with traditional strobe technology. Whether freezing fast action or balancing strobe light with intense ambient light, HSS takes your photography to the next level.

The Retra Pro Max also features an advanced smart thermal protection system, which prevents overheating during continuous firing—a crucial feature for demanding shooting situations. Coupled with an intuitive user interface, the strobe is equipped with LED indicators and simple controls, making it not only reliable but also easy to operate. Engineered for flawless performance, the Pro Max ensures consistent results dive after dive, handling even the most intense conditions with ease.

Accessories and Their Uses

Retra has developed a fantastic range of accessories, three of which I consider essential. All of the accessories feature a secure click-and-twist locking system, making them easy to attach and remove underwater while ensuring a snug, secure fit. Additionally, each accessory is equipped with a sturdy loop, allowing you to easily clip them to any D-ring on your BCD for added convenience and security.

Retra Snoot

By far the best snoot I’ve used, the Retra snoot comes with an excellent aiming light, which is powered by the strobe's focus light. It offers a versatile range of aperture sizes and features a high-quality lens to focus the light, creating perfect edges to the beam. For me, having a snoot of this caliber that pairs with a strobe of such power allows me to capture shots that would be impossible with lower-power, macro-specific snoot/strobe combinations.

Diffusers

The strobes come with a variety of color temperature diffusers, but I must confess that the quality and softness of light straight out of the box are so impressive that you don’t always “need” diffusers, as you would with lower-grade strobes—especially those without circular flash tubes. For wide-angle shooting, particularly when shooting against the sun, I often leave the diffusers off to take full advantage of the strobes’ power in bright daylight.

The diffusers are excellent, though, and I appreciate how easily they can be added and removed underwater. The shark diffusers, in particular, provide a beautiful white balance, making them perfect for shooting sharks against a blue backdrop. It’s a subtle touch that enhances the overall quality of the shot without compromising the flexibility and ease of use.

Reduction Rings

The reduction rings are an incredible accessory for macro shooting, especially when you want to create a defined edge to the beam without scattering light all over the scene. They offer a softer alternative to the severity of a snoot, providing just the right amount of control.

These rings are also excellent for inward lighting, as they help sharpen the edges of the light, making it much easier to control where the light falls. They’re an often underrated accessory, but one I use frequently for precise lighting control.

What are the main differences between the Pro and the new Pro Max?

The main differences for underwater shooters with the new Retra Pro Max strobes are the improved battery life and smaller profile, particularly with the new booster. The battery booster now allows you to add an extra 4 AA batteries, bringing the total to 8 per strobe. On the previous model, this added a significant amount of bulk to the strobe, but the new design is much more compact, making it a more streamlined option.

Battery usage has also been significantly reduced in the new strobes. With the Pro strobes, I had to consciously change all 8 batteries after two dives, but with the Pro Max, I’m confident enough to use the same batteries for an entire day of shooting. This improvement greatly enhances the user experience. The reduced battery drain is the result of a redesign in the internal electronics and a new flash tube, but these changes haven’t affected the strobe’s light output, so it’s a huge improvement overall.

Another welcome update is the new LED display on the back of the strobe. It clearly shows the current power setting and offers a more accurate battery test mode, giving you a percentage of remaining power. This is far more reliable than the color system on the previous model and boosts my confidence in battery management.

The combination of the new LED display, the more compact profile, and the enhanced battery performance marks a significant upgrade, improving the already excellent user experience with these strobes.

Additionally, the new strobe features frosted glass, which acts almost like a half-diffuser. This creates a softer, more even light spread right out of the box compared to the previous model.

Conclusion

Forget about upgrading your camera or lens—it's time to prioritize the light you use as the most important factor in your photography.

The Retra Pro Max strobes set a new standard in underwater lighting, offering unparalleled light quality, exceptional power, and the versatility to tackle any photographic challenge. Whether you're capturing expansive reefs, schooling pelagics, or intricate macro subjects, the Pro Max ensures stunning results with minimal effort.

With its durable construction, reliable technology, and an extensive range of accessories, the Retra Pro Max is more than just a strobe—it's an investment in creative freedom and professional-quality results. As an underwater shooter, I always choose the best, and it’s clear to me that, at this moment, there is no better option than the Retra Pro Max.