It has been 3 years shooting with a film camera (Leica M6), and all this while I’ve never got a chance to use a speedlight with that camera. The first reason is – a used market for a simple entry level Leica branded flash is quite expensive, and second, since I am rarely shoot the street with a speedlight – that cost is not justifiable for me to own one – until I found FlashQ Q20ii from LightPix Labs.
While browsing through YouTube to look for a cheap speedlight to use with my film camera, I’m stumble upon this cute little speedlight that can fire the flash remotely. And the most interesting part is that the wireless flash trigger is so small, almost the size of my thumb.
Find it very intriguing to own one, I directly contacted LightPix Labs through their Facebook page and ask them whether this speedlight called FlashQ Q20ii can support a film camera. When they said "yes!" I’ve made my order and now I’ve got a chance to use this speedlight very extensively.
Just for the purpose of testing this new speedlight, I’ve bought myself a cheap film SLR called Minolta SRT Super (also known as SRT 102 in some countries) and a Minolta MD Rokkor-X 28mm f2.8 lens. (Honestly I don’t want to use my Leica M6 as a lab rat.. lol! Because if anything happened to my M6, it’ll be an expensive repair).
Find it very intriguing to own one, I directly contacted LightPix Labs through their Facebook page and ask them whether this speedlight called FlashQ Q20ii can support a film camera. When they said "yes!" I’ve made my order and now I’ve got a chance to use this speedlight very extensively.
Just for the purpose of testing this new speedlight, I’ve bought myself a cheap film SLR called Minolta SRT Super (also known as SRT 102 in some countries) and a Minolta MD Rokkor-X 28mm f2.8 lens. (Honestly I don’t want to use my Leica M6 as a lab rat.. lol! Because if anything happened to my M6, it’ll be an expensive repair).
Again, I’m a film shooter and these findings is purely based on my usage as a street photographer. I’ve shot 2 rolls with this speedlight. First roll was tested during my sister’s son birthday party by the pool during the evening, and the second roll is during Sunday morning during heavy rain and cloudy skies.
Without further ado, below is my findings and experience of using this speedlight with a film camera:
Without further ado, below is my findings and experience of using this speedlight with a film camera:
1. It supports any type of film camera that has hot shoe flash mount.
It might support the cold shoe mount, but you’ll need a PC Sync Cord to link the camera body to the speedlight. Honestly, I’ve never tried this before so I would not suggest for you to try this method. So, if you are using a very old film camera which has the cold shoe mount, I’d suggest you get another a film SLR or any film RF camera that has a hot shoe mount.
2. This is a 100% manual speedlight.
If you are looking for a TTL function, look somewhere else. This is a 100% manual speedlight that use 2 x AA batteries to operate. By the way, it does support a rechargeable AA battery and you can charge the batteries within the speedlight itself – USB charger cable is provided within the package.
3. The flash power is not that strong compared to a normal speedlight (the one that you can turn the flash head around).
The flash sync speed for my Minolta SRT is 1/60s. Therefore, I am purposely set the camera to shoot 2 stop under expose by adjusting the aperture accordingly so that the flash can fill the lights on the scene. I’m mainly using f11, f16 and to a certain extend f22 (based on the light condition during the shooting). I’ve set the speedlight with 1/8 and sometime 1/4 of the power. Unfortunately, almost every frame that I’ve shot is under exposed because the flash power is not that strong.
My recommendation: If you want to use this speedlight with a very small aperture such as f8 or above, I’m highly recommends you to use:
Note: Please bear in mind that this is purely based on my experience only. You might find it differently once you’ve test it out in your own environment.
It might support the cold shoe mount, but you’ll need a PC Sync Cord to link the camera body to the speedlight. Honestly, I’ve never tried this before so I would not suggest for you to try this method. So, if you are using a very old film camera which has the cold shoe mount, I’d suggest you get another a film SLR or any film RF camera that has a hot shoe mount.
2. This is a 100% manual speedlight.
If you are looking for a TTL function, look somewhere else. This is a 100% manual speedlight that use 2 x AA batteries to operate. By the way, it does support a rechargeable AA battery and you can charge the batteries within the speedlight itself – USB charger cable is provided within the package.
3. The flash power is not that strong compared to a normal speedlight (the one that you can turn the flash head around).
The flash sync speed for my Minolta SRT is 1/60s. Therefore, I am purposely set the camera to shoot 2 stop under expose by adjusting the aperture accordingly so that the flash can fill the lights on the scene. I’m mainly using f11, f16 and to a certain extend f22 (based on the light condition during the shooting). I’ve set the speedlight with 1/8 and sometime 1/4 of the power. Unfortunately, almost every frame that I’ve shot is under exposed because the flash power is not that strong.
My recommendation: If you want to use this speedlight with a very small aperture such as f8 or above, I’m highly recommends you to use:
- 1/1 of the power for f16
- 1/2 of the power for f11, and
- 1/4 of the power for f8
Note: Please bear in mind that this is purely based on my experience only. You might find it differently once you’ve test it out in your own environment.
© Hisham Ahmad, Pasar Karat, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
4. Configure the speedlight first and make sure it fires before you put the film inside the camera.
I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve put the film inside my camera and set the speedlight after. Because of that, I’ve lost several frames (all shots were under exposed) mainly because the flash didn’t fire accordingly. So, be extra careful and make sure it fires before you put the film inside the camera.
I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve put the film inside my camera and set the speedlight after. Because of that, I’ve lost several frames (all shots were under exposed) mainly because the flash didn’t fire accordingly. So, be extra careful and make sure it fires before you put the film inside the camera.
© Hisham Ahmad, Pasar Karat, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
5. Flash recycling time is 7 sec. by fresh alkaline batteries / 6 sec. by Ni-MH batteries.
If you expect it to recycle immediately, this speedlight is not for you. But for me, 7 seconds is more than enough. I’m not a hardcore flash user by the way so, I can live with that.
6. The wireless flash trigger works like charm.
I have no complaints about this little baby. Just make sure you’ve charged it every time before you start using it.
If you expect it to recycle immediately, this speedlight is not for you. But for me, 7 seconds is more than enough. I’m not a hardcore flash user by the way so, I can live with that.
6. The wireless flash trigger works like charm.
I have no complaints about this little baby. Just make sure you’ve charged it every time before you start using it.
Besides of the pictures shown above, below is some of other pictures taken with the speedlight:
© Hisham Ahmad, Jalan Tun HS Lee, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
© Hisham Ahmad, Pasar Karat, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
© Hisham Ahmad, Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
© Hisham Ahmad, Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
© Hisham Ahmad, BSP21, Selangor, 2019
© Hisham Ahmad, BSP21, Selangor, 2019
There you go. This is my own personal experience of using this speedlight. If you love to purchase one, click on the link below to get it directly from the maker themselves.
LightPix Lab FlashQ Q20ii
And if you want to get more discounts before making your purchase, I’d suggest you to text them in their Facebook page using FB Messenger and ask for a discount code. Just to let you know I’ve got 20% discount by asking them directly using this method. 😊
Once you’ve tried it, don’t forget to share your experience with me!
Disclaimer: I’ve bought this speedlight myself and this review is purely my own. I didn’t get any commission out of this review.
LightPix Lab FlashQ Q20ii
And if you want to get more discounts before making your purchase, I’d suggest you to text them in their Facebook page using FB Messenger and ask for a discount code. Just to let you know I’ve got 20% discount by asking them directly using this method. 😊
Once you’ve tried it, don’t forget to share your experience with me!
Disclaimer: I’ve bought this speedlight myself and this review is purely my own. I didn’t get any commission out of this review.
If you like my post, kindly follow me at:
Instagram: @hisham_snapbyme
Facebook Page: Street Photography by Hisham Ahmad
Instagram: @hisham_snapbyme
Facebook Page: Street Photography by Hisham Ahmad
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