Quantum announces Qflash TRIO flash and PILOT command units

Quantum announced a new Qflash mode, the Qflash TRIO.

http://www.qtm.com/Tri​o/

Hi Leo,

This looks VERY interesting. I'd be curious to see the pricing on this system. Radio is absolutely the way to go and this looks like it would be perfect for my current portable lighting needs.

The Qflash TRIO does look very promising, doesn't it? And it even has the high speed sync feature, something which the older Qflash units didn't have. Since the current Qflash, hooked up to a FireXwire, is supposed to be compatible with the Qlfash TRIO as the master, I wonder if that applies to the HSS feature, too. I guess we'll find out within a month or two.

TMR Design wrote in post #6518137
Hi Leo,

This looks VERY interesting. I'd be curious to see the pricing on this system. Radio is absolutely the way to go and this looks like it would be perfect for my current portable lighting needs.

This site is selling (i.e. taking pre-orders) for $875.00. Sounds kind of steep but when you consider that there's a FireXwire transceiver and a QTTL module built into the flash, it doesn't sound too bad.

http://www.tallyns.com …mdesc.asp?ic=QF​8C&eq=&Tp=

PacAce wrote in post #6519841
This site is selling (i.e. taking pre-orders) for $875.00. Sounds kind of steep but when you consider that there's a FireXwire transceiver and a QTTL module built into the flash, it doesn't sound too bad.

http://www.tallyns.com …mdesc.asp?ic=QF​8C&eq=&Tp=

Hmm, so that's $875 for the new flash. Have you seen pricing on the Pilot?

How powerful is the Quantum flash compared with a 580EX?

tim wrote in post #6519868
How powerful is the Quantum flash compared with a 580EX?

Using the "normal" Qflash reflector which has an angle of coverage (AoC) of 55 degrees, the GN @ ISO 200 is 72 m. That translates to about 51 m at ISO 100.

The 580EX at ISO 100 and an AoC of 63 degrees has a GN of 63 m and at an AoC of 46 degrees has a GN of 42 m. Extrapolating the AoC of 55 degrees, the GN is 38.8 m which is a tad short of a stop less than a GN of 51 m.

So, the Qflash is a tad less than a stop brighter than the 580EX with the flashes at the "normal" focal length position (assuming I didn't mess up my computation).

I figured they should be more powerful than a 580EX, oh well.

tim wrote in post #6521371
I figured they should be more powerful than a 580EX, oh well.

Yeah, I did, too, when looking at the Qflash specs until I realized that the specs were for ISO 200.

It does look interesting and having radio remote control over power is attractive. I do like the idea of a round flash bulb with a parabolic reflector that accepts modifiers but I don't think I could justify the cost.

Also, I am trying to minimize size and weight of the device that is mounted on the hot shoe of the camera. That PILOT looks to be large and heavy.

I'd be curious to see the reviews and reports from those that use it once it's available.

TMR Design wrote in post #6523195
It does look interesting and having radio remote control over power is attractive. I do like the idea of a round flash bulb with a parabolic reflector that accepts modifiers but I don't think I could justify the cost.

Also, I am trying to minimize size and weight of the device that is mounted on the hot shoe of the camera. That PILOT looks to be large and heavy.

I'd be curious to see the reviews and reports from those that use it once it's available.

Yeah, that PILOT does look kind of kludgy, doesn't it? I guess all they did was take the TRIO and then just remove the flash head.

Looking forward to Leo's comprehensive review soon after it arrives.

Curtis N wrote in post #6531664
Looking forward to Leo's comprehensive review soon after it arrives.

You know, Curtis, I was this (holding thumb half and inch away from the pointy finger) close to buying the Qflash T5d-R earlier this year but held off buying it because I had a feeling Quantum was going to replace it sometime in the Fall time frame. I actually thought they were going to make an announcement at Photokina 2008 (but that didn't happen).

At any rate, holding off on the purchase gave me time to reflect on whether I really needed the Qflash or not (at the time I was looking into it, I thought I did but the need was not an immediate one). So far, the EX flashes that I own have served me well and I have never found them lacking for the tasks I have used them for. So, that being the case, I really see no reason at the current time or the foreseeable future to add a Qflash into my lighting bag. But that doesn't mean that I won't still be interested in them.

Hope you're not going to be too disappointed if I don't do a review of the Qflash TRIO you're looking forward to (as much as I'd love to do it).

Disclaimer: I reserve the right to change my mind without prior notice.

There are so few of us QFlash users on POTN, so I'll chime in with opinions.

1. It's event flash. If people don't do on-the-go events, they don't need QF. And I don't mean covering PJ editorial events, I mean beautiful quality light on-the-go events. And portable quality with more rapid recycling than Canon EX.

2. Don't buy QF for double light duty studio lighting. While quality is there, the lack of model light is problem. Yes for environmental portraits on-location, but you know what I mean.

3. Most folks not using QF miss point of it from reading specs. It puts studio quality light, with tremendous control, portable over camera or on a stand. Whenever I take big honker QF to event, the photos have consistently different light quality than photos shot with Canon EX. It's usually 5500 -8 when RAW images are opened in Lightroom. I can't **** at consistency.
a. Don't knock it till you try it.
b. And QF scares people with P&S cameras to get the hell out of my way. That's a plus.

4. GN calculations, while less variable describing light output than WS describing power output, still do not describe quality of light. With that said, I believe Q when they state QF has equivalent of 150 WS bounce power, and a Canon 580 EX is about 90. Still misses point on light quality difference between the two, but it's a big enough difference to make a difference. I mean, if you have to make a Canon EX pound out enough light for f/11, it's usually not very flattering light.

5. Person only needs one good light. I've evolved two ways using ONE QF at events.
a. Canon 580 EX over camera set as Wireless Master for Fill, or flash off, and QF/QNexus on nearby stand in 19" box, umbrella, bare bulb, etc.
b. QF over camera on flash bracket with QTTL hotshoe adapter and Pocket Wizard in the PC socket. Two 580 EX placed high on stands in corners bouncing light, illuminating ambient setting. The QF gets turned down -EC to fill under the eyes, produce catchlight, avoid face shadows, etc. In my experience, available light is frequently ugly light. Available light is overrated as a photography strategy at events, unless it's sporting meets or weddings. (I don't do weddings).
b. has become my favorite, because it keeps QF over camera, illuminating people with best quality light in the bag. QF is wasted bouncing off walls and ceilings.

4. With both of these ways of integrating QF into existing Canon EX, and fact that 580EX can be had for $375 used, I do not need a 2nd QF or multiple QF wireless system. I just need one good light. That's it. So, at this point, while the QF TRIO sounds functional, maybe if I had no flash I would buy into it, but at this point, I do not need it.

5. I like Q products, like their service, and their upgrade policies. They deliver what they say.

6. I like QF in bare bulb. Can't do that with Canon EX.

7. I do want to own on-the-go studio flash, but it's got to have model lights.
My goal is a Dynalite 500WS Pack and a couple of their 2050 heads. Maybe someone can explain the popularity of monolights to me, but I really lust after a portable Dynalite kit.

Hey, that's just me.
Jack

Wow, great insights, Jack.

So the primary usage of the Q-flash units are to be fired straight-on?

I'm still pondering if a couple of EXII + Radio Poppers are better or investing on a QFlash unit...