Phottix Mitros + Review

I know, I know, there is a dedicated subforum for flash reviews. But, for some reason, Phottix isn't a listed brand that will allow me to do a review. So I figured this would be the next logical place.

I purchased the flash this past August to act as a backup for my 580EXII as well as for its wireless functionality to communicate with my Stratos II triggers.

After using it for my last few weddings of the season as well as for most of my personal use, here are my findings:

Pros:
- Wireless functionality works flawlessly, no issues whatsoever
- Battery life indicator is great and should be on ALL flashes (yeah, you Canon...)
- Ability to use external power (either the proprietary Phottix brand or via an adapter, a Canon pack)
- I prefer the rear buttons over the scroll wheel on the 580EXII
- Pretty quick and intuitive to jump into HSS or 2nd Curtain sync
- 2 year warranty (which it appears I'll be utilizing)

Cons:
- Recycle time is noticeably slower than the 580EXII
- Power is slightly less than the 580EXII (though it really didn't present any real world issues in practical use)
- This one is a BIGGIE...IT BROKE!! It appears that the mechanism that tells the flash that the diffusion panel is out is kaput and now no matter what mode I'm in, the flash zoom is stuck at 14mm. All other functions of the flash seem to work okay, but it is stuck at an ultra-wide 14mm. I've been in contact with Phottix and will be sending the flash out to be repaired within the next couple of days. Though it is still covered under warranty, it looks like I'll be footing the bill for the shipping to a repair center (in the U.S.)
- They do not have a customer service phone number for anywhere in the U.S. (Yes, I understand that it is not a U.S. based company, but there is a European number listed, so why not here?)
- Customer service can be a little delayed in responding to e-mails. (Though they will eventually get to you).

Overall impressions:
- Before it broke, I was fairly satisfied with the flash. I thought it offered enough features for the price ($399) that it warranted a chance.
- I'm not too thrilled that i'm having issues with it 4.5 months after purchase, but I suppose that as with any product, stuff like this can happen.
- I'll reserve my overall opinion once I go through the whole repair process

I hope this helps anyone looking into this system as there don't seem to be too much in the way of reviews (that I could find anyway).

~Dan

No one wants to have to use warranty support - and I feel for you, but this is just illustrating the very nature of life on this planet - nothing is perfect.

Hoping you have a pleasant warranty experience.

I've had mine - Canon version - for just over a year.
I concur that recycle is slightly slower than my 580ExIIs - both with & without external packs, like for like. Power is down - again, like for like, about 1/10 stop.
But I love the 'everything built-in' approach.
Mine is still working perfectly.

It's usually the Speedlite I grab if I'm in a rush & just need one light. Being self-contained, it's great as a super lightweight solution on a Val's pole.
I'm liking mine. Hope your fix goes as planned.

Your findings seem to be in line with what most users are reporting, at least in the research that I have done with this product. I have become interested in the Phottix system again after they announced the Odin II and Indra 500 but I am not impressed with their current Mitros flashes. It will be interesting to see if Phottix just does a firm ware update to make the current Mitros models compatible with the new Odin II features or if they completely redesign a new flash. I have numerous times made suggestions to Phottix that they do the latter and they have respond, or at least so far, to each and every email I have sent them. Some of my suggestions for a new shoe flash have been for a larger physical flash that would provide more flash output (at least equal to or greater than the 600EX-RT) with better over heat protection, a push button locking swivel and tilt feature, a rechargeable LI-ION battery to provide faster recycle times and do away with all the AA batteries, a new external battery pack that would hold two of the LI_ION battery packs (again to do away with all the AA batteries), and a built in Strato II transmitter/receiver that would work in conjunction with the Odin II system to expand radio triggering to non Phottix flashes (probably a fantasy). The Odin II and Indra 500 look promising as a good start in providing for a fully integrated flash system but without a dependable, full featured and powerful shoe flash providing the backbone to this system I would not be interested.

agv8or wrote in post #17374598
Your findings seem to be in line with what most users are reporting, at least in the research that I have done with this product. I have become interested in the Phottix system again after they announced the Odin II and Indra 500 but I am not impressed with their current Mitros flashes. It will be interesting to see if Phottix just does a firm ware update to make the current Mitros models compatible with the new Odin II features or if they completely redesign a new flash. I have numerous times made suggestions to Phottix that they do the latter and they have respond, or at least so far, to each and every email I have sent them. Some of my suggestions for a new shoe flash have been for a larger physical flash that would provide more flash output (at least equal to or greater than the 600EX-RT) with better over heat protection, a push button locking swivel and tilt feature, a rechargeable LI-ION battery to provide faster recycle times and do away with all the AA batteries, a new external battery pack that would hold two of the LI_ION battery packs (again to do away with all the AA batteries), and a built in Strato II transmitter/receiver that would work in conjunction with the Odin II system to expand radio triggering to non Phottix flashes (probably a fantasy). The Odin II and Indra 500 look promising as a good start in providing for a fully integrated flash system but without a dependable, full featured and powerful shoe flash providing the backbone to this system I would not be interested.

Do you have to have an Odin ll transmitter to work with the Indra 500 or will the current Odin transmitter work?

butterfly2937 wrote in post #17375634
Do you have to have an Odin ll transmitter to work with the Indra 500 or will the current Odin transmitter work?

The current Odin works with the Indra 500. Not sure when the Odin II will even be available. One thing the Odin II does is expands the number of Slave groups from 3 to 5. The current Mitros and Indra 500 only have settings for Slave groups A, B and C. Do not know if a firmware update would expand the Slave groups for these flash units or if they will be limited to the 3. The Odin II promotional pics show dedicated menu buttons for each Slave Group so it would be nice, as I mentioned in my previous post, if Phottix would introduce a new Mitros flash with the same button and Dial layout as the Odin II.

dan.k78 wrote in post #17374011
I know, I know, there is a dedicated subforum for flash reviews. But, for some reason, Phottix isn't a listed brand that will allow me to do a review. So I figured this would be the next logical place.

I purchased the flash this past August to act as a backup for my 580EXII as well as for its wireless functionality to communicate with my Stratos II triggers..............​.
I hope this helps anyone looking into this system as there don't seem to be too much in the way of reviews (that I could find anyway).

~Dan

Dan,

After many weeks, numerous tests and a Mitros+ for Canon (purchased May 2014) I think I can speak with some knowledge on the subject.

Your "Pros" are spot on but I think you are a bit harsh with your "cons"

Cons
- My tests showed no real difference in recycle time compared to the 580EXII
- As far as power goes they are pretty close but in absolute terms the tests showed full power output of Mitros about 1/2 stop cooler than 580 exii. The main thing with the Mitros+ power settings however, is the variation across the power range when controlled by an Odin TCU. In summary you only get approx. 5.6 stops of variation when you should get 7 stops from 1/128 to Full Power. ( For full discussion as well as detailed test result files see

http://flashhavoc.com/​forum/index.php?topic=​72.0

- My flash simply stopped working after about 6 months work, and numerous tests. I had upgraded the firmware twice since purchase but it simply stopped firing one day without warning. The Odin transmitter function etc continued but it would not fire its light....... I returned my unit to the store I purchased it from and after checking they promptly replaced it and returned the problem unit to Phottix, with no issue or questions. VERY HAPPY WITH THE WARRANTY .
- Phottix's customer service web portal is next to useless, but I know they are trying to address that. I am based in Australia but ended up going through the Phottix Hong Kong site to get support and I must say that the assistance and support I received from them was very good. NOTE the US agents are omegabrandess.com ( Marylands based Coy) and anyone in the US should contact them in the first instance. In fact they also assisted me by forwarding a post I left on the their US "Phottix" website, to Phottix themselves , who then followed up with a personal email to me.

A Final Note: The replacement unit still has the same power setting anomalies ( see link) as the original but continues to perform flawlessly in all other aspects. I "think" many of the early builds were less than perfect, particularly in terms of overheat protection, but these issues have been resolved with the later production runs and firmware upgrades.. MY original came with Firmware 1.04 and a serial number that indicated a build of Nov 2013 whereas the replacement had 1.06 and a build date of May 2014.

All things considered I am very happy with the Mitros+ for Canon , provided it continues to function as it does now. I am aware that the Mitros+ for Nikon is still in need of some tweaking but again the most recent builds seem to have addressed some serious issues that plagued the early releases.
I am more than impressed with the Odin system and suspect the Odin II will also be an exceptional performer.


A Note for agv8or

The Mitros+ already has a push button locking swivel and a built in Strato ii receiver?....and as for triggering non phottix flashes they already can ....to a point. Mitros + for canon will trigger and remotely control a number of 3rd party Canon TTL guns , and trigger more still in simple manual mode via Odin receivers.

see https://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157628​093126883/ for a list of compatible flash guns.

To hope for universal compatibility is indeed fanciful, as that would require all manufacturers to develop and adopt an industry standard TTL FLASH CONTROL SYSTEM !

Datfish, thanks for offering your input; it is always good to hear other's experiences with products like this (ones that don't necessarily get discussed a lot).

In terms of my 'cons', you might consider them "harsh", but they are simply my observations from my usage. The output power was measured using an old-school flash meter (so maybe it is off??) with both flashes set to full power, and the recycle time compared to the 580EXII was based on same situational usage and batteries. I'm not saying I don't like the flash, simply that compared to my Canon flash it was slightly lacking in those two areas.

Datfish wrote in post #17379953
A Note for agv8or

The Mitros+ already has a push button locking swivel and a built in Strato ii receiver?....and as for triggering non phottix flashes they already can ....to a point. Mitros + for canon will trigger and remotely control a number of 3rd party Canon TTL guns , and trigger more still in simple manual mode via Odin receivers.

see https://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157628​093126883/ for a list of compatible flash guns.

To hope for universal compatibility is indeed fanciful, as that would require all manufacturers to develop and adopt an industry standard TTL FLASH CONTROL SYSTEM !

In regards to the swivel/tilt lock, I was refering to the head locking in the 90 degree forward and up positions like the Canons. I have not personally used a Mitros so this info comes from something I read in my research. I may be wrong on that point but if it is the case then it would be an issue when using modifiers mounted directly to the flash head.

As far as my desire for the Strato II built in I was refering to using the Strato II's 4 groups in transmitter mode. I know that the Odin will trigger Strato receivers already so I am assuming that the Mitros as a Master will too but it does not have the ability to do so in 4 groups. This would allow the use of non compatible flashes to at least be turned on/off in up to 4 groups. I am not looking for Phottix to provide flash control for non compatible flashes as I know this is an impossibility but having the ability to turn an individual group of non compatible flashes on/off directly from the Phottix Master would be very convenient.

As a current Canon Wireless RT user and as former Odin and Radio Popper Px/JRx user I have become very fond of not needing a seperate receiver for my Speedlites. That is why I am interested in the direction Phottix is going with the Odin II and the Indra. Having the ability to control 5 groups of flashes in Ettl or Manual as well as HSS and rear curtain sync, with the power of a studio strobe, is very appealing. Being able to mix the shoe mounted and studio flashes without the need for seperate receivers is my ultimate goal. Having a powerful "on camera" Master flash with the Odin II features built-in would be the icing on the cake.

I hope that Phottix introduces a newer version of the Mitros rather than updating the current models with a firmware update but I could live with the current Mitros + as the benefits of the Odin II and Indra combo are just too appealing.

I have a question for those of you using the Phottix Mitros+ flash.

I'm trying to find the serial number on my flashes by following the instructions given in the user manual. They're very simple.

The serial number is stamped/printed into the flash head just below the (Phottix Mitros+) sticker. It is hard to see but if you shine a light on it from the side it becomes legible. Current firmware for the Canon version is v1.07.

Wow, totally forgot about this thread, but since it has been revived, I thought I'd chime in on my experiences since the flash was repaired.

...it broke...again...

Same issue as before; zoom head coming off the rail. This time it was sent to a repair center only a few hours from me which was nice because it was sent, repaired, and back in my possession in about a week. NICE!!!!

That being said, right now I don't have a whole lot of confidence in Phottix products' durability. Hopefully this will be the last issue I have (fingers crossed).

agv8or wrote in post #17718370
The serial number is stamped/printed into the flash head just below the (Phottix Mitros+) sticker. It is hard to see but if you shine a light on it from the side it becomes legible. Current firmware for the Canon version is v1.07.

WOW!!!! I thought I was very thorough checking the flashes. But you're right! Very tough to see (which is fine as long as I now know it's there. LOL)

Thank you. That's good enough.

Still, it's puzzling that the instructions for revealing the serial number do NOT work for me on either the Mitros+ flashes or the Indra500 units.

dan.k78 wrote in post #17718814
Hopefully this will be the last issue I have (fingers crossed).

It will not be. LOL!

It seems the only way to be truly "confident" in the Mitros+ flashes is to over-buy and have a few spares on hand in case anything dies during the photo shoot. I think I maybe should order another.

Ulysses01 wrote in post #17718853
WOW!!!! I thought I was very thorough checking the flashes. But you're right! Very tough to see (which is fine as long as I now know it's there. LOL)

Thank you. That's good enough.

Still, it's puzzling that the instructions for revealing the serial number do NOT work for me on either the Mitros+ flashes or the Indra500 units.

Yeah not really sure if these instructions are for other models, older models or models yet to come but when I could not get the S/N to come up in the flash or on the computer with the firmware software I went looking on the flash itself. It's definitely not very obvious when you first look the flash over as it is on other manufacturers flashes but it is there.