Bought it recently in black and silver. Well, it‘s nothing you would use for professional studio lighting, but for „every day carry“ this flash is absolutely perfect: affordable, pocketable, useful … what‘s not to like about it ? And even if this would not be my first choice, but in case i have forgotten my flash trigger, i could even use it to optically trigger a larger flash. Love this tiny gadget !!!!
Thanks so much for your video, I've had a tiny flash like this as somewhat of a holy grail for quite a while. Your Guide number chart also makes me realize where this flash may really shine is on film, where blowing the highlights is less of a worry, could be a nice f/2 or bust kind of flash, even without worrying about distances. Just to get that little bump of frozen sharpness in low light would be so great, even if it's not exactly a flash for bouncing/difusing
I completely agree, I mostly use it with my film cameras - especially with negative film. Just f/2 and be reasonably close and it'll be "fine". Not perfect, but a flash like this will always be limited.
@@Shaka1277 I did a test roll with some stand-developed tmax 400 and you really couldn't pick up on the flash exposure differences, all looked pretty great from about 3 feet away to 8-9 feet away
Thank you. I have one but had no idea how to use it properly and your work is greatly appreciated. Will need to use it with some Phoenix or perhaps some of Reflx labs 800😁
The main reason why i've been considering this is flash is for convenience. I can definitely set my camera up to use this manually, but i would definitely pay a more premium price to maintain the size but have some sort of TTL feature. I dont mind how low power this is because this because, for me, it would be meant for intimate situations where I'm close to my subjects anyway. I think this flash size is PERFECT but it lacks some features that would be great to have. Although I'll have to pass on this flash for now, I'll be keeping an eye out for Reflx Lab to hopefully manufacture a flash with at least TTL built in. Hopefully they can do that! Great video by the way!
TTL protocols are brand-specific so I honestly doubt that would ever happen. I would like to see something thyristor-based for at least some level of automation though, and that would work with any brand!
I specifically asked Reflx Lab a long while ago to confirm, because at GN 5 m you'd expect correct exposure at f/1.6ish and 3 m distance to subject (3 m x 1.6 ≈ GN 5 m) and I was getting very underexposed images. At 1 m things worked well though since that's about 3'. They confirmed it's 5'. It did actually say 5 feet on the old Gen 1 flash page before Gen 2 came out. I imagine the reviews are defaulting to 5 m because GN is pretty universally quoted in m by default.
Ya only complaint is the lack of hotshoe clamp, a rubber band would probably do. Otherwise it’s easily bumped out of connection or off the camera. That said, paired with the flash q mini triggers I really enjoyed it
There's an entire industry revolving around buying, refurbishing and reselling Nokia N8s and Lumia 1020s. The N8 flash is a bit weak, but I can believed that this is a repurposed 1020 flash taken off phones that are too far gone to refurbish. It's one of the better flashes I've had on a cellphone, from back when they put real Xenon flashes on them. And it's a damn durable unit, too!
I had no idea but it makes perfect sense! Especially given how many western countries wipe e-waste and carbon off their "budget" by shipping it to SEA.
I might have missed it in your stills but did you try with the Zf and any F mount lenses in the 35-105mm range? Your comment about the angle blockage would be very practical for the 20something mm of adapter from Z to F.
I don't own any F lenses, or even Z lenses apart from the 16-50 I use for video! My only adapter I use is the Techart which is obviously smaller than an FTZ.
@@LonnieBruton Hey! From a fellow photographer in Brazil. I would like to ask if you possibly have some information. I have a Nikon FM2 with the AI NIKKOR-P 105mm f2.5 lens, which is relatively compact. Do you think the flash would cast a shadow? I am looking for a compact flash to photograph friends and family at night.
Rumors say that they copied the design from an individual DIYer despite the latter holding the patent. Don’t know if this was true but it seems that this product disappeared in the Chinese market not long after launch.
I have no idea why it's triggering or not. on some shot, it works, on others it just doesn't. Its so frustrating, i really can't figure out why my flash just randomly works (ricoh grIII, flash mode on, enough recycle time) If anyone has an idea
Important caveat to the USB-C. You still can't charge it C-to-C. You need to use a C-to-A connector like supplied. Disappointing. The looseness can be fixed with a bit of gaff tape. Biggest downside is that it goes into a power save mode after 6 minutes. I tried using it on 2 hour group bike rides and it was very annoying needing to turn it off and back on again. I wish I could disable power save, or even if I could wake it with the test button, that would be a huge improvement. I get that you don't want to find it dead if you leave it on for a long time, but 6 minutes is just short enough to be annoying.
I've heard the C-A thing but it can't be completely true; I use a single type C-C cable for everything photographic and it charges perfectly fine. Arguably that's worse though, if some work and some don't.
@@Shaka1277 Yeah has to do with the charger, not the cable. You have to use a low wattage charger, or force it to be low wattage by using an a-to-c cable. Normally, the usb-c device negotiates wattage, but they seem to have skimped on that hardware for the flash.
Lots of small form factor A auto & manual or TTL flash. Leica & Nikon make good flash. Used 30 yo Nikon SB-20, 22 or 20 yo SB-600 fully TTL & I-TTL for each digital & film. But not as small as some
Oh no. People have to learn how to use a flashbulb, but not have the expense or inconvenience of carrying around disposable bulbs. The horror. I'll be getting one. I have several 16mm still cameras that would benefit from having a small, rechargeable flash unit.
GN is too low FOR MY PURPOSES. I won’t buy it, because it is from China. Too cheap, so destroying other markets that don’t get all the financial benefits.
@@firstletterofthealphabet7308 A portable charger IS another battery. I'd prefer a replaceable battery for instant reuse when the first battery goes flat. No waiting for re-charging. Maybe they could make one with a replaceable battery?
Thanks. Seems a great flash for certain purposes. I won’t buy it, because with all the support, it is offered at a price that is impossible for unsupported non-Chinese companies.
I was waiting for this one
Nice, I was hopping somebody would do a more "proper" review of this!
Great content too!
Bought it recently in black and silver. Well, it‘s nothing you would use for professional studio lighting, but for „every day carry“ this flash is absolutely perfect: affordable, pocketable, useful … what‘s not to like about it ? And even if this would not be my first choice, but in case i have forgotten my flash trigger, i could even use it to optically trigger a larger flash. Love this tiny gadget !!!!
Ooooh, optical flash triggering is a nice point. My flashes don't support that so it didn't occur to me. Great!
IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR SO LONG
Thanks so much for your video, I've had a tiny flash like this as somewhat of a holy grail for quite a while. Your Guide number chart also makes me realize where this flash may really shine is on film, where blowing the highlights is less of a worry, could be a nice f/2 or bust kind of flash, even without worrying about distances. Just to get that little bump of frozen sharpness in low light would be so great, even if it's not exactly a flash for bouncing/difusing
I completely agree, I mostly use it with my film cameras - especially with negative film. Just f/2 and be reasonably close and it'll be "fine". Not perfect, but a flash like this will always be limited.
@@Shaka1277 I did a test roll with some stand-developed tmax 400 and you really couldn't pick up on the flash exposure differences, all looked pretty great from about 3 feet away to 8-9 feet away
@@zacharyjames3091 very interesting, where may i see yours shots with?
Thank you. I have one but had no idea how to use it properly and your work is greatly appreciated. Will need to use it with some Phoenix or perhaps some of Reflx labs 800😁
Delighted to be able to help. I hope you enjoy it!
Get the medal light F1 it’s a hair bigger. Has 4 power settings and it’s the same price. A better choice overall.
wow great one !! cxan i use it on my nikon F2 and FM2? what are the manual setting?
The main reason why i've been considering this is flash is for convenience. I can definitely set my camera up to use this manually, but i would definitely pay a more premium price to maintain the size but have some sort of TTL feature. I dont mind how low power this is because this because, for me, it would be meant for intimate situations where I'm close to my subjects anyway. I think this flash size is PERFECT but it lacks some features that would be great to have. Although I'll have to pass on this flash for now, I'll be keeping an eye out for Reflx Lab to hopefully manufacture a flash with at least TTL built in. Hopefully they can do that! Great video by the way!
TTL protocols are brand-specific so I honestly doubt that would ever happen. I would like to see something thyristor-based for at least some level of automation though, and that would work with any brand!
Congrats on 4k too!
Nice review! I would have been nice to seen more footage with the flash attached on several cameras
Can you confirm that the GN is in feet? I can't find anything official, but a lot of reviews saying it's GN 5meters
I specifically asked Reflx Lab a long while ago to confirm, because at GN 5 m you'd expect correct exposure at f/1.6ish and 3 m distance to subject (3 m x 1.6 ≈ GN 5 m) and I was getting very underexposed images. At 1 m things worked well though since that's about 3'. They confirmed it's 5'.
It did actually say 5 feet on the old Gen 1 flash page before Gen 2 came out. I imagine the reviews are defaulting to 5 m because GN is pretty universally quoted in m by default.
@@Shaka1277 I suppose that I'm glad I know now, but that means the whole roll i shot is about 4 stops underexposed. joys of analog. oh well!
Ya only complaint is the lack of hotshoe clamp, a rubber band would probably do. Otherwise it’s easily bumped out of connection or off the camera.
That said, paired with the flash q mini triggers I really enjoyed it
Yeah a clamp would triple the size :)
Couple layers of painters paint and it won’t go anywhere
There's an entire industry revolving around buying, refurbishing and reselling Nokia N8s and Lumia 1020s. The N8 flash is a bit weak, but I can believed that this is a repurposed 1020 flash taken off phones that are too far gone to refurbish. It's one of the better flashes I've had on a cellphone, from back when they put real Xenon flashes on them.
And it's a damn durable unit, too!
I had no idea but it makes perfect sense! Especially given how many western countries wipe e-waste and carbon off their "budget" by shipping it to SEA.
I might have missed it in your stills but did you try with the Zf and any F mount lenses in the 35-105mm range? Your comment about the angle blockage would be very practical for the 20something mm of adapter from Z to F.
I don't own any F lenses, or even Z lenses apart from the 16-50 I use for video! My only adapter I use is the Techart which is obviously smaller than an FTZ.
I use it with the ZF and the 85mm f1.8 and there is no shadow issues.
@@LonnieBruton Great, thank you!
@@LonnieBruton Hey! From a fellow photographer in Brazil. I would like to ask if you possibly have some information. I have a Nikon FM2 with the AI NIKKOR-P 105mm f2.5 lens, which is relatively compact. Do you think the flash would cast a shadow? I am looking for a compact flash to photograph friends and family at night.
Rumors say that they copied the design from an individual DIYer despite the latter holding the patent. Don’t know if this was true but it seems that this product disappeared in the Chinese market not long after launch.
Whats the GN for gen 2 version? After looking at the chart its too weak for Rollei 35...
I believe it's the same core flash unit, so should be the same.
I have no idea why it's triggering or not. on some shot, it works, on others it just doesn't. Its so frustrating, i really can't figure out why my flash just randomly works (ricoh grIII, flash mode on, enough recycle time)
If anyone has an idea
4k subs soon 🎉
Important caveat to the USB-C. You still can't charge it C-to-C. You need to use a C-to-A connector like supplied. Disappointing.
The looseness can be fixed with a bit of gaff tape.
Biggest downside is that it goes into a power save mode after 6 minutes. I tried using it on 2 hour group bike rides and it was very annoying needing to turn it off and back on again. I wish I could disable power save, or even if I could wake it with the test button, that would be a huge improvement. I get that you don't want to find it dead if you leave it on for a long time, but 6 minutes is just short enough to be annoying.
I've heard the C-A thing but it can't be completely true; I use a single type C-C cable for everything photographic and it charges perfectly fine. Arguably that's worse though, if some work and some don't.
@@Shaka1277 Yeah has to do with the charger, not the cable. You have to use a low wattage charger, or force it to be low wattage by using an a-to-c cable. Normally, the usb-c device negotiates wattage, but they seem to have skimped on that hardware for the flash.
I recently bought this for my sony zv-1 and sadly it isnt working. If you have any tips to make it work pls I would appreciate it!
It should be dead simple, sorry! Reach out to Reflx. I've had an issue with something once and they sorted me out.
Cool Rolleiflex SL66!
Is there a problem with red eye??
I haven't noticed any issues with that yet!
@@Shaka1277 Only asking because it’s very near and directly in line with the lens?
Yeah, I get you. I've seen reflections/highlights in my cats' eyes but that's fine.
@@Shaka1277 I agree but meant with eyes showing red when the room is dark and the pupils are dilated!
Sounds like that’s not a problem! Thanks!👍
Lots of small form factor A auto & manual or TTL flash. Leica & Nikon make good flash. Used 30 yo Nikon SB-20, 22 or 20 yo SB-600 fully TTL & I-TTL for each digital & film. But not as small as some
Oh no. People have to learn how to use a flashbulb, but not have the expense or inconvenience of carrying around disposable bulbs. The horror.
I'll be getting one. I have several 16mm still cameras that would benefit from having a small, rechargeable flash unit.
What shutter speed to shoot at?
This depends on your camera, and your goals; there's no single answer.
@@Shaka1277 Leica m6 and just want normal flash photos? How do I incorporate shutter speed into the chart you made
Oh that's why I remember Nokia when looking at this tiny flash.
GN is too low and the inbuilt battery is a deal breaker for me.
GN is too low FOR MY PURPOSES. I won’t buy it, because it is from China. Too cheap, so destroying other markets that don’t get all the financial benefits.
I mean, instead of carrying a bag full of spare-battery salad, you could just carry a portable charger. Seems much more convenient to me.
@@firstletterofthealphabet7308 A portable charger IS another battery. I'd prefer a replaceable battery for instant reuse when the first battery goes flat. No waiting for re-charging. Maybe they could make one with a replaceable battery?
You can use regular TTL flash if size isn’t your concern. Most hot shoe flash use AAs.
Mine bricked after 1 use
Thanks. Seems a great flash for certain purposes. I won’t buy it, because with all the support, it is offered at a price that is impossible for unsupported non-Chinese companies.