Gift from the wife - 600ws portable flash

[clarck]

I just received it! It is charging right now...

[hoyinsiu]

Originally Posted by clarck

I just received it! It is charging right now...

How do you like it? Did you get the 600ws or 400ws?

[clarck]

I got the 600ws. I like it a lot!
Only complain is that it dos not step down enough.
You cannot use it indoors like a small strobe. Unless you like f11 (a lot). I don't really dig those apertures.
But outside on the sun it really shines.



(On camera for display purposes only of course...)

[hoyinsiu]

Originally Posted by clarck

I got the 600ws. I like it a lot!
Only complain is that it dos not step down enough.
You cannot use it indoors like a small strobe. Unless you like f11 (a lot). I don't really dig those apertures.
But outside on the sun it really shines.

Glad the know. I would love to get that too. Do you think it's light enough to put it on the camera's flash bracket? Because I'm thinking to use it in a wedding and I have to walk around. That would be much easier if it can attach to the camera.

Where do you get it and how much is it?

How much it can last for one battery? I heard it can only last for around 180 flashes.

thanks!

[clarck]

It is light, but forget it.
The ideal usage for it is group shots on a light stand and through a softbox.

It has a scale from 1 to 9, with 1 being the weakest.
I use it in broad daylight (in Greece) and only got it up to 5.

[hoyinsiu]

Originally Posted by clarck

It is light, but forget it.
The ideal usage for it is group shots on a light stand and through a softbox.

It has a scale from 1 to 8, with 1 being the weakest.
I use it in broad daylight (in Greece) and only got it up to 5.

last question, how many shots you can do in one battery? thx!

[clarck]

because of the low setting i use it at, i get over 200 maybe even 250 flashes. not really tested the exact number.

[texxter]

As I reported in my initial review,

I don't like the range of flash power - with the 7in reflector and no umbrella, at 14 ft, ISO 100, I get a range from f/11 (power=9) to 4.0 8/10 (power=1) - this is not even three stops. The other lights have a wider range. This means I cannot use this light for just a weak kiss of flash, as it packs a punch even a the lowest power. That's a disappointment.

You need to have a need for 400ws+ of power if you want to use it. That's the reason I moved to Einsteins - they have a huge range and provide an optional high performance battery. These Chinese units are significantly more compact, but their inability to turn power down is a significant limitation, IMHO, for general purpose photography. If you need high power every time you use them, they are a good value.

[clarck]

Exactly. I really need the power in the Greek outdoors group shots, but nothing more from it.
I use my Espirits 500's for indoors if i need power AND control, and my trusty SB800's indoors if do not require a lot of power but HAVE to have control.

[hoyinsiu]

I have a 3-stop ND filter. if I need to open up an aperture, I can just put the filter on.

[texxter]

The filter should go on the light better than the lens. It cuts the flash intensity without impacting ambient. They are cheaper too and don't affect image quality or ability to see the scene thru a dark viewfinder. Rosco makes them.

[hoyinsiu]

great to know. thank you!