The new Marelux Apollo III 3.0 is the flagship of the Marelux strobe lineup, and on paper it is one of the most ambitious underwater strobes we have seen so far.
It combines very high output, extremely fast recycling, advanced burst-shooting modes and a powerful built-in video/target light in a single unit.
For photographers working with fast-moving subjects, high frame rates or demanding wide-angle scenes, that combination is particularly interesting.
GN44 output with a wide 120° beam
The Apollo III 3.0 is rated at GN44 and produces a broad 120° beam.
The goal is not just maximum output, but strong and even coverage across the frame – especially useful for wide-angle and fisheye photography where edge illumination matters as much as raw power.
Marelux uses a relative guide-number measurement method, comparing reference strobes and the Apollo under the same controlled conditions with a Sekonic light meter. That makes the GN figure primarily useful as a comparative indication of output.
0.6 second full-power recycle time
One of the most impressive specifications is the recycle time.
At full power, the Apollo III 3.0 is ready again in just 0.6 seconds.
That is exceptionally fast for a strobe in this power class and makes a real difference when shooting action, schooling fish, fast-moving marine life or repeated close-focus wide-angle sequences.
MTL mode – up to 20fps
The dedicated MTL mode is designed for high-speed shooting.
In this mode, the Apollo can fire at up to 20 frames per second at approximately GN22, with a recycle time of around 0.05 seconds.
This opens up possibilities that traditional high-power underwater strobes simply cannot match, especially with modern mirrorless cameras capable of very high burst rates.
PRE-M mode for compact cameras
The Apollo III 3.0 also includes PRE-M mode, designed to handle compact-camera pre-flash behaviour.
Instead of being confused by the camera’s initial pre-flash, the strobe can identify the correct trigger sequence and deliver consistent flash output.
This makes the Apollo much more versatile across different camera systems and triggering methods.
Broad compatibility and multiple flash modes
The main mode dial includes:
- OFF
- TEST
- MANUAL
- TTL
- HSS
- RC
- PRE-M
- MTL
That gives the Apollo III 3.0 broad compatibility with both traditional optical triggering and more advanced electronic control systems.
3,000-lumen target and video light
The built-in light is significantly more capable than the small focus lights found on many strobes.
It produces up to 3,000 lumens, with CRI 95 and a colour temperature of approximately 5500K.
That makes it useful not only as a target light, but also as a practical short-duration video or modelling light.
Triple-tube flash design
The Apollo III 3.0 uses a triple flash-tube design behind a beaded dome lens.
The flash tubes are designed for durability and have been tested to approximately one million flashes.
The combination of multiple tubes and the diffuser design is intended to produce a broad, even beam while maintaining high output.
Standard 18650 batteries
Another feature we like is the battery system.
The Apollo III 3.0 uses three standard 18650 batteries rather than a proprietary battery pack.
For travelling underwater photographers, that is a significant practical advantage. Spare batteries are easy to source, easy to replace and much easier to manage on longer trips.
Encrypted wireless triggering
Marelux has also built in encrypted wireless triggering with a stated range of up to 15 metres.
This can be useful for off-camera lighting setups, remote strobes and more creative lighting configurations where traditional optical triggering becomes limiting.
Designed for fast modern cameras
The most interesting thing about the Apollo III 3.0 is not one individual specification, but the combination of them.
GN44 output, 0.6-second full-power recycling, 20fps burst capability, multiple trigger modes, 3,000-lumen continuous light and standard 18650 batteries put it in a very different category from a conventional underwater strobe.
Modern mirrorless cameras are getting faster and faster. Until now, the strobe has often been the limiting factor.
The Apollo III 3.0 is clearly designed to reduce that limitation.
Who is the Apollo III 3.0 for?
This strobe is particularly interesting for:
- Wide-angle and fisheye photographers who need high output and broad coverage
- Fast-action photographers shooting marine life in bursts
- Photographers using high-frame-rate mirrorless cameras
- Users who want both a powerful strobe and a capable target/video light
- Travelling photographers who prefer standard 18650 batteries
Our first impression
The Marelux Apollo III 3.0 looks like a very serious step forward.
It is not simply about more flash power. The combination of speed, flexibility and practical battery design is what makes it interesting.
For photographers who regularly miss a shot because their strobes cannot recycle quickly enough, or who want to take advantage of the high burst rates of modern cameras, the Apollo III 3.0 could be one of the most interesting new strobes on the market.
