Flash Comparison
Encyclopedia
A list of flash
guns, for easy comparison of strobes, from different manufactures. The list is intended to supplement the list of photographic equipment makers.
Flash (photography)
A flash is a device used in photography producing a flash of artificial light at a color temperature of about 5500 K to help illuminate a scene. A major purpose of a flash is to illuminate a dark scene. Other uses are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light...
guns, for easy comparison of strobes, from different manufactures. The list is intended to supplement the list of photographic equipment makers.
List of current models
| Name | Guide Number Guide number The guide number for an electronic flash measures its ability to illuminate the subject to be photographed at a specific film or sensor sensitivity and angle of view... At ISO 100 and Maximum zoom at F = 1.0. Manufactures value unless otherwise noted. |
Sync Connection | Angle of Coverage | Variable Power (Manual) | TTL | Bounce | Swivel | IntervalNormally given as the time it takes from full power to full power shot, with fresh Alkaline batteries | Optical Slave | Other Notes | HSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus KF36 | ACTUAL DATA 30m/100ft at 50mm (over rated as 37m/140ft) | Yes, proprietary jack | 28-105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 | no | yes | no | 10sec | no | Vivitar 285HV clone | |
| Canon Speedlite 270EX II | 27m | No | 28/50mm | ? | E-TTL II | yes (0/60/75/90) | no | 3.9 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 320EX | 32m | No | 24/50mm | ? | E-TTL II | yes (0/60/75/90) | yes (+90, -180) | 2.3 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 430EX II | 43m/141ft at 105mm zoom-head position | No | 24/28/35/50/70/80/105mm (plus 14mm diffusor) | 1/1-1/64 (1/3 steps) [1/1-1/128 when used as slave] | E-TTL II | yes | yes (+90, -180) | 3.7 sec (AA-Alkaline), 2 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 580EX II | 58m/190ft at 105mm zoom-head position | Yes | 24-105mm (14mm diffusor) | 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) | E-TTL II | yes | yes (360) | 3.5 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Can be used as wireless (optical) controller for other Canon flashes | Yes |
| Lumopro LP160 | 42m/140ft | Miniphone+PC | 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85, 105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 4 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes | ||
| Metz mecablitz 36 AF-4 digital | 36m/118ft | no | 28-85mm (manual) | TTLAvailable in Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic, Pentax/Samsung, Sony models | yes | yes | 5 | Yes | Metz service Firmware update | ||
| Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital | 48m/158ft | no | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 25 levels | E-TTL IIAvailable in Canon, Nikon/Fujifilm, 4/3, Pentax/Samsung, Sony models | yes | yes | 3.5 | Yes (only E-TTL/i-TTL slave) | Can update firmware over USB, High Speed Sync |
Yes |
| Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital | 58m/190ft | no | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 25 levels | TTLAvailable in Canon, Nikon/Fujifilm, 4/3, Pentax/Samsung, Sony models | yes | yes | 3.5 | Yes (only E-TTL/i-TTL slave) | Can operate as E-TTL/i-TTL master Can update firmware over USB Has secondary reflector High Speed Sync |
Yes |
| Nikon SB-600 Nikon SB-600 The Nikon SB-600 is a flash made by Nikon for their digital and film single-lens reflex cameras. The SB-600 can mount to any Nikon camera with a four-prong hotshoe. The SB-600 cannot control other flashes through a wireless connection, however a flash commander can control it... AF Speedlight |
30m/98ft35mm zoom-head position, 20 C/68 F | No | 24-85mm, 18mm with flip down diffuser | 1/1-1/64 | i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 3.5 sec | Yes (only when using Nikon master) | Yes | |
| Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight | 34m/111.5ft | Screwlock PC | 14-200mm | 1/1-1/128 | TTL/i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 4sec | yes | Yes | |
| Nissin Di622 | 44m/145ft @105mm | PC | 24-105 mm | 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | i-TTL (Nikon) E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon versions Can update firmware over USB |
|
| Nissin Di622 MARK II | 44m/145ft @105mm | PC | 24-105 mm | 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | i-TTL (Nikon) E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon and Sony versions Can update firmware over USB |
|
| Nissin Di866 | 60m/198ft @105mm (over rated) | PC | 18, 24-105mm | 1/1-1/128, 1/3 EV | i-TTL/CLS (Nikon) E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5.5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon versions Can update firmware over USB Has sub-flash |
|
| Pentax AF-200FG | 20m | No | 28mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4 | TTL | no | no | 4sec | no | ||
| Pentax AF-360FGZ | 36m | X-Sync | 24-85mm | 1/1-1/64 | PTTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Pentax AF-540FGZ | 54m | X-Sync | 24-85mm | 1/1-1/64 | PTTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | Headsize: 70x45mm/2.75x1.77" | |
| Sigma EF 500 DG ST | 50m/165ft | No | 28-105mm | 1/1,1/16 | TTLAvailable in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Minolta and Pentax models | yes | yes | 6sec | no | ||
| Sigma EF 500 DG Super | 50m/165ft | No | 28-105mm | 8 levels | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Sigma EF 530 DG ST | 53m/175ft | No | 24-105mm | 1/1,1/16 | TTLAvailable in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax models | yes | yes | 6sec | no | ||
| Sigma EF 530 DG Super | 53m/175ft | No | 24-105mm (17mm diffuser) | 1/1-1/64 (Sigma/Canon 1/1-1/128) | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Sony HVL-F58AM | 58 at 105 mm | Yes (proprietary for external HVL-F56AM or HVL-F58AM only) | 24-105mm (16mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 3-5 | Yes(Body only/Or HVL-F58AM/HVL-F20AM on Sony A900 or HVL-F58AM on Sony A700) | HSS, Battery booster connector, Wireless Ratio Control | |
| Sony HVL-F42AM | 42 at 105 mm | no | 24-105mm (16mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 3-4 | Yes(Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900 or on Sony A700) | HSS | |
| Vivitar 285HV | 42m/140ft | Yes, proprietary jack | 28-105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 | no | yes | no | 10sec | no | ||
| Yongnuo YN460 | 25m/85ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 5sec | yes | ||
| Yongnuo YN460 II | 36m/120ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 5sec | yes | ||
| Yongnuo YN462 | 24m/80ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1 - 1/64 (analog) | no | yes | yes | 5sec | no | Same as YN460, but with analog power selector and no optical slave sensor |
List of discontinued models
| Name | Guide Number | Sync Connection | Angle of Coverage | Variable Power (Manual) | TTL | Bounce | Swivel | Interval | Optical Slave | Discontinued | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Speedlite 580ex | 37m/140ft (50mm ISO100)(or 58/190ft at 105mm) | No | 17-105mm | 1/1-1/128 | eTTL and Canon's infrared system | yes | yes | 0.1 to 3 sec for normal flash, 0.1 to 3 sec for quick flash | no | The flash foot is easily modified to include a sync connection | |
| Lumopro LP120 | 30m/100ft | Miniphone+PC | 28mm, 50mm, 85mm (manual) | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | no | yes | yes | 6.5 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes | ||
| Sony HVL-F56AM | 56 at 85 mm | yes (proprietary for external HVL-F56AM or HVL-F58AM only) | 24-85mm (17mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 5-6 | Yes(Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900) | HSS, Battery booster connector | |
| Sony HVL-F36AM | 36 at 85 mm | no | 24-85mm (17mm diffuser) | No | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | No | 5-6 | Yes(Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900) | HSS | |
| Nikon SB-26 AF Speedlight | 18m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 18 - 85mm | 1/1 - 1/64 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | yes | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-28 AF Speedlight | 18m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 18 - 85mm | 1/1 - 1/64 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | no | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-80DX AF Speedlight | 14m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 14 - 105mm | 1/1 - 1/128 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | yes | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight | 38 (at 35mm) / 56m (at 105mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 24-105mm | 1/1-1/128 | i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | October 2008 | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. |
| Vivitar 283 | 36m/120ft at ISO100 (at 35mm) | Vivitar Connector | fixed (35mm) | 1/1 1/1-1/32 with VP-1 http://www.photonomikon.com/index.php/vivitar-vp-1-varipower-adapter-review/ | no | yes | no | 11sec | no | Auto Thyristor. | |
| Vivitar 550FD | 4.5m at ISO100 24m at ISO100 |
No | fixed | 1/1 | TTL | yes | no | 7sec | no | Auto Thyristor. |