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There are just a few belongings you shouldn’t purchase as low-cost off-brands. Oreos. Espresso. Trainers. However, flashes shouldn’t be certainly one of them, providing in lots of circumstances extra options and energy than choices made by main digicam producers. The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III is a type of flashes. With an extended function listing that ranges from multi-shot to HSS and built-in radio transmission, the Zoom Li-on III has lots to supply for beneath $300.
After switching digicam manufacturers to Fujifilm, I wanted a brand new flash. I spent a number of weeks with the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III to see if a $290 flash may sustain. After taking pictures every part from weddings to sports activities with this flash, I can safely say it’s not going to go away a foul style in your mouth – like off-brand Oreos.
Too Lengthy, Didn’t Learn
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III packs lots of superior options for a $290 flash, together with multi-mode, rear-curtain, and high-speed sync. It even has the identical information quantity as Canon’s $1,099 flash. There’s lots to like about this flash, however there’s a studying curve and it’s not rain-ready.
Flashpoint Zoom Li-On III Execs and Cons
Execs
Excessive-speed SyncMulti-shot modeBuilt-in radio transmissionModeling lightFast performanceLots of energy, with the power so as to add in just a bit mild at 1/256thAffordable
Cons
Partially uncovered battery shouldn’t be taken within the rainThe studying curve is a bit higherTilt head doesn’t have a lock
Gear Used
I used the Fujifilm-compatible model of the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III with my X-T4, the 16-80mm equipment lens, and the 50mm f1 R WR. I used this flash each on digicam, and off with assistance from the Flashpoint R2 Professional Mark II Transmitter. I softened the sunshine with a Godox 32×32 inch Speedlite Softbox off-camera and the MagMod Sphere on-camera. I additionally used this flash with a 12-foot Cheetah Stand.
Improvements
As a Mark III, this flash sees extra minor updates than main ones. It provides a modeling mild, a swap on the aspect to simply go from M to TTL modes, a much bigger battery, and a quick-release swap. The most important innovation is that it affords a number of superior options in a flash that’s priced beneath $300.
Flashpoint Zoom Li-On III Tech Specs
Adorama lists the next tech specs for the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III:
Information Quantity: 197 ft/60 meters @ISO 100 200mm zoomEnergy Output: 76wsFlash Publicity Management: TTLManual Flash: Distant (Grasp or Slave, with Teams)Distant or Guide Flash (Grasp or Slave, with Teams) utilizing the Built-in R2 Radio System: HSSLens Protection: 20-200 mm with computerized or handbook zoom controlR2 Radio Vary: >330ft / 100mR2 Radio Channels: 32R2 Teams: 4 Transmitter (A digicam/B/C/D) 5 Receiver (A/B/C/D/E)Triggering Modes: Scorching Shoe, R2 Radio Controller (built-in), Sync Port, Optical Slave S1, Clever Optical Slave S2Bounce Operate (Tilt and Swivel): 0 to 330° horizontally (180° in any course) and -7° to 120° verticallyAuto Focus Help: Auto sense LED. Vary 2.0-32.8′Mannequin Gentle: 10 stage SMD LEDPower Supply: 7.2V/2600mAh Li-ion polymer battery 2.6Ah 18WhPower Management: 1/256th energy to full energy in 1/3 and 1/tenth cease incrementsRecycle Time: < 1.5 secondsFull energy flashes per cost: Approx. 450Flash Length: 1/300 to 1/20,000s (t0.1)Excessive Pace Sync: As much as 1/8000sExposure Compensation (TTL): ± 3 stops in 1/3 of a cease incrementsDimensions: 7.7 X 3.0 X 2.3″ / 75 X 59 X 195mmWeight with battery: 18.7 oz / 530g
Ergonomics
As a hot-shoe flash with a tilting bounce head, the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III takes on the standard I to L form of most speedlights. It’s barely bigger than my Nikon SB 700 however smaller than Canon’s beefy EL-1. It weighs about 18.7 ounces and didn’t add a lot of a burden to the highest of my Fujifilm X-T4.
The again of the flash is dominated by a display screen, seven buttons, a scroll wheel with 4 shortcuts and an eighth button, and the on-off swap. The again is a bit crowded, which led me to a little bit confusion. The label for the menu button, for instance, is subsequent to the menu button however above the flash button. I confused the flash button for the menu button a number of occasions due to this. I’ll speak extra in regards to the buttons within the Ease of Use part under.
The rechargeable battery is massive sufficient that you simply see the ends on each the precise and left sides of the flash itself. On one aspect, a button pops the battery out, after which the battery slides out the opposite aspect. A TTL to M mode swap additionally sits on one aspect.
The flash head doesn’t require pushing a button to regulate the place. It will possibly transfer if you happen to bump it, however stays put in most eventualities. It did slip out from bouncing off the ceiling as soon as whereas I used to be taking pictures. I’d have most well-liked a lock over the sooner changes. The pinnacle tilts all the best way as much as bounce off a ceiling and may also twist nearly all the best way to the again.
The entrance of the flash homes the modeling mild under the principle flash head, in addition to a purple window the place the AF help beam lives. The underside makes use of a pleasant twist lock to take a seat within the recent shoe slot. You want to push in a small button and twist to lock the flash in. I discovered this each simpler to make use of and safer than the toggle on my outdated SB-700.
Construct High quality
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III doesn’t really feel like an inexpensive flash. The plastic building really feels a little bit nicer than my Nikon flash. The buttons and switches all really feel good and easy.
I’ve taken non-sealed flashes within the rain for a couple of minutes to backlight the rain. It’s not one thing I can suggest with the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III, nonetheless. The battery compartment is open on the sides, so there’s extra potential for rain to get in. I used to be caught in an sudden mist whereas taking pictures a marriage with this flash and it didn’t get destroyed. However, I’ll be utilizing a digicam rain poncho or massive Ziplock if I need to use this flash in heavier rain.
Ease of Use
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III is a flash that required digging within the instruction handbook, personally. I’ve used a number of totally different flashes earlier than and there have been a number of issues about this flash that weren’t self-explanatory.
First, the buttons on the again are poorly labeled. The menu label is simply as near a special button as it’s to the menu button. Flashpoint’s image for the wi-fi connection can be a Z-shaped arrow, not the usual sign tower for wi-fi.
Second, there are lots of options on this flash and solely a lot room to show them. It’s superior sufficient that even skilled customers may benefit from a glance via the handbook to keep away from lacking something.
The R2 transmitter additionally has lots of controls that take time to study. There have been a number of occasions that I needed to spend a couple of minutes troubleshooting to determine why the transmitter wasn’t paired with the flash. The channel settings, for instance, typically didn’t keep on the final used setting.
There may be an preliminary studying curve. However, as soon as I spent a little bit time with the flash and discovered the eccentricities, it was satisfying to make use of. The highest row of buttons change perform based mostly on the mode and are labeled on the display screen. I may simply change the mode, the ability, group, and channel with out the menu. You don’t must dig via a menu for an entire lot. I used to be a little bit irritated that typically the beep sound would randomly flip again on.
The massive display screen shows all of the important particulars. There’s a battery life indicator within the nook. A small factor, sure, however I’ve used flashes with out this function. The battery additionally lasted via an entire marriage ceremony, however was getting low on the finish and wasn’t utilized in each shot. Marriage ceremony photographers ought to pack a backup battery for the times when extra flash energy is required, or for when chilly climate drains batteries sooner. However, photographers gained’t be swapping batteries usually. I like having a chargeable battery over AAs, however the R2 transmitter means I couldn’t eliminate AAs fully.
Total, the flash is perhaps a bit overwhelming for rookies. However, with a little bit of endurance, it’s enjoyable to make use of.
Picture High quality
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III has a number of massive options for a flash at this worth level. Chief amongst them is HSS. I may shoot at f1 with catchlights outdoor with no need an ND filter. HSS is a must have function for me, and one which I used very often.
It additionally has some inventive instruments, like a multi-flash mode. In a darkish atmosphere, you should utilize a gradual shutter to make a shifting topic seem a number of occasions with this mode. It additionally has rear-curtain sync, flash publicity bracketing, and flash publicity compensation.
With a 197 ft. information quantity, the flash is sort of highly effective. It really has the identical information quantity because the $1,099 Canon EL-1, although with fewer low settings and with out weather-sealing. It’s not going to overpower the solar as simply as a strobe, however I discovered it greater than enough for taking pictures portraits and lighting up a darkish dance flooring. It overpowered the daylight on {a partially} cloudy fall day, however I don’t count on it to overpower the solar at midday on a sunny summer time day.
I exploit the low settings of a flash extra usually than the excessive settings, and I had no issues getting a pleasing, tender mild with this flash and a softbox. It’s value noting, nonetheless, that the 1/256 minimal is for on-camera – the R2 transmitter solely goes right down to the 1/128.
Further Picture Samples
From day one, The Phoblographer has been enormous on transparency with our viewers. Nothing from this assessment is sponsored. Additional, numerous people will put up critiques and present numerous enhancing within the images. The issue then turns into that anybody and everybody can do the identical factor. They’re not displaying what the lens can do. So now we have a piece in our Further Picture Samples space to point out edited and unedited images. From this, you may make a choice for your self.
Edited RAW
JPEG
Conclusions
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III delivers the options of a flagship flash for beneath $300. There’s lots this flash can do – and what you’ll be able to’t do with it’s nearly all the time one thing that requires the ability of a strobe. It’s a flexible flash that goes from fundamental TTL to off-camera tender portraits to gradual sync and multi-flash results.
There are a number of downsides, however they’re small. The bounce head doesn’t lock. It takes a bit to be bumped misplaced, however it could possibly occur. The battery is open on the finish, which implies it might be extra vulnerable to wreck from moisture. And there’s a little bit of a studying curve to grasp all of the options.
The Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III proves you don’t must spend hundreds on lighting tools as a way to management mild in your photographs. It’s not excellent, and if it value $600, I’d give it 4 stars. However the superior options at this worth level overcompensate for the training curve, battery opening, and lack of a lock.
For $290, it’s a terrific device. I’m giving the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III 5 out of 5 stars.
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