Thought the modular design of the Godox Witstro AD600 was pretty nifty? Nicefoto, another Chinese lighting manufacturer, has announced a series of portable flashes that could give the Witstros a run for their money.
The Nicefoto K-series TTL.M is a new line of flash heads for location photography. It comprises the K6 and K8, two monolights rated 600Ws and 800Ws respectively. What is unique about the K-series is the battery pack, which can be attached directly to the back of the head, or detached and then connected via a cable. Two batteries can also be joined together to double your shooting time.
Nicefoto’s K6 and K8 are part of the larger Nicefoto TTL.M system, which includes the N-series N4 and N6, two battery flashes that also have dual TTL control. Any TTL.M system flash can be controlled from the Nicefoto TX-C02 transmitter for Canon or the TX-N02 for Nikon. The remotes offer wireless triggering, high-speed sync and ratio lighting control as well as manual power adjustment. An “FP” mode provides ultra-quick flash durations as short as 1/20,000 second. There is also a stroboscopic (Multi/RPT) function for creative effects.
For direct adjustment, an LCD control panel is found on the side of the head itself, and you can plug in your own radio triggers or sync cable to the manual sync port.
The TX-N02 and TX-C02 radio controllers operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band, with a working range of 100 metres. The same triggers support the Nicefoto N-series flashes, so you can mix and match different lights to suit your shooting style.
According to the manufacturer, the 14.8V 6600 mAh lithium ion battery packs will keep the K8 head running for 410 full-power flashes from a single charge (K6: 500 flashes). For indoor use, an AC adapter is in development and will be released “within one month”.
Being able to detach the battery pack from the flash head provides a lower centre of gravity, giving greater stability when mounting the light on a tall light or hanging from a boom arms. It also makes it easier to swap out the battery pack during a photoshoot without taking the light off its stand. And Nicefoto could bring out even larger battery packs in the future that don’t have to fit on the back of the head.
Compared to the Nicefoto N-series, the K-series has a higher maximum energy rating (800Ws versus 600Ws) and each head in the range has faster recycling times (as quick as 1.8s at full power). The batteries are a different form factor, with the N4 and N6 packs slotting into the top of the head, as with the original N-Flash wireless studio flash. Otherwise the K-series and N-series share many similar features and are designed to work together.
Both sets of lights have standard Bowens S-type accessory mounts, LED modelling lamps and removable dual-purpose handles-cum-mounting brackets.
Nicefoto K4 / K6 specifications
- Flash power of 600Ws / 800Ws
- 10W LED modelling light
- TTL / M / Multi (RPT) operating modes
- 14.8V 6600mAh lithium-ion battery (stackable and detachable)
- 0.01–1.8 / 2.3 second recycle time
- 1/1–1/128 manual power control (in 1/3-stop increments)
- FP high speed flash durations: 1/2000s, 1/4000s, 1/8000s, 1/12000s, 1/20000s
- High-speed synchronisation up to 1/8000 second
- Triggering methods: 2.4GHz radio module, optical slave sensor, sync port
Pricing and availability have yet to be announced. For more information, visit the Nicefoto web site. What do you think about the new Nicefoto K-series? Something to consider for your lighting kit?