US-based retailer B&H has released a whole new line-up of mini slave flashes, all available for under $30.
Slave flashes are very small and inexpensive flash units, designed to add accent lights to photographs, especially architectural/interior shots and portrait backgrounds. Thanks to their built-in optical slave cells that trigger the flash when it sees another going off, long cables and expensive radio systems are not needed.
Five models have been launched under the Impact brand, each one with a name catchier than the last. The SF-DTN40 is a mini slave flash with a Prontor-Compur (PC) sync connector that you can link with a camera or radio receiver. The hotshoe-mountable SF-DSXN40 and SF-DSXN70 run on two and four AAs (respectively) and each has a built-in adjustable kick stand so that you can sit them on a floor, table or shelf at the angle you want. The dome-shaped SF-DTWX24 has a sloped base so it can sit in two different orientations and the SF-DTW24 adds to this the option to use a sync cord.
If you seek quick recycle times, wide power adjustment, high light output or colour consistency, these are probably not the flashes you are looking for. High speed sync? Through-the-lens exposure control? Don’t be silly.
However, they are ideal for fitting in tight spaces to add a bit of accent light to your scene. If you can’t fathom the thought of splurging $50–100+ on extra flash units that you might not use all the time, mini slave flashes like these ones could be the choice for you. Click here to view the listings. Prices start at $16.95.
Do you use slave flashes like these? Are they useful to you or are you thinking of picking some up? Share your thoughts in the comments below.