The new Viltrox Z1 flash has just launched and it looks very nostalgic. If you’re fond of capturing portraits in vibrant, neon-filled streets or just need a compact camera to help you out in challenging lighting, I would suggest going with Z1. Just be a little careful, as it’s small enough to easily misplace in your camera bag.
A Flash You Can Actually Carry Everywhere
The design might be the first thing to grab your attention. It looks like a miniature version of an old film camera transformed into a flash unit. It has a sleek matte silver metal exterior, leather-like texture, and fascinating vintage dials. Reminds me of the the 1970s rangefinder cameras. It doesn’t seems to be made up of flimsy plastic that tries to look retro. If you see it once, you can tell right away that it’s made of real metal. Definitely, this appearance makes the Viltrox Z1 flash look very cool!
Viltrox says that the flash measures approximately 68.5 x 50.2 x 74mm. It’s lightweight, weighing only about 116g, and small enough to fit in your pocket. And although the weight might be smaller, the capability seems stronger.
Retro Looks, Modern Features
According to Viltrox, there’s Guide Number of 12 (at ISO 100) in Viltrox Z1 flash. At first glance, it might not impress you, but it comes with white diffuser along. When you add in the included white diffuser, you can create some really soft and natural light, even in backlighting or low-light environments. After knowing this, I believe the Z1 seems right for street photographers and event shooters who want something dependable and quick without the bulk of a heavy flash.
Personally, I hate adjusting flash settings while in the middle of a shoot. You might be able to relate as well. Well, Z1 has got some quick flash durations ranging from 1/5000s to 1/50000s. The company says, Viltrox Z1 flash has 7 manual power settings, letting you adjust from full power down to 1/64. The recycle times are between 0.2 and 3.5 seconds. It might not be that fast but don’t you think it’s quite impressive for unit that’s lightweighted. Packing all this tech under just 116 g.
Battery life is another important thing, or maybe the most important of all? It seems a plus for the Viltrox Z1 flash. You can get anywhere from 400 to 10,000 flashes on a single charge—quite the range, right? It depends on how you set it up. Also, if you’re ever running low on battery, Z1 has solved it as well. It has USB-C, which takes almost 50 minutes to fully charge. Additionally, it has a sleep mode that helps save battery when you’re not using it. Sounds pretty easy-peasy to me.
Pricing and Availability
The Viltrox Z1 Flash costs only $50. You’ll normally find combination of all these features in much pricier gears. It isn’t the replacement of your expensive studio equipment. Instead, I would say it’s a great small tool to have when you need good lighting quickly without spending much.
The cost, design, and features are simply too appealing to ignore!
[via Viltrox; Image credits: Viltrox]
