Quantum flash systems
NB. prices listed here are from Quantum's Jan 2007 pricelist. I do not sell Quantum gear so don't ask me for them.
Why consider a Quantum flash system?
for most people it will be overkill, and they will be happy with their proprietary digital TTL flash ($500-1000) such as:
Olympus FL-50R for Olympus E dSLRs
Canon Speedlite 580 EX II ?$A799 plus ST-E2 wireless transmitter ($A269 new on Ebay) for Canon dSLRs
Nikon
SB800 plus
SU-4 wireless TTL flash controller plus
SU-800 wireless speedlight commander for Nikon dSLRs
and if they need extra battery power they can just buy a Quantum battery with connector for the flash model
but as good as these units are, they tend not to have a wide range of
flash modifiers, but worse, they are not compatible on different brand cameras, so if you use a compact Olympus for social events and a Canon 1D for serious work, and a Bronica medium format film camera for fun stuff, you need a different flash set up for each, which not only is it expensive, but it means you have to have duplicate setups if you are taking the same scene with different cameras and its more to learn the vagaries of each system.
Quantum (and
Metz flash) have systems that will work well on all brands, you just have to have the correct TTL adapter for your camera and connect it to the system and away you go.
Even better, the Quantum system's wireless solution can also act to wirelessly trigger your cameras - even an old motor driven Bronica SQAi or Olympus OM 35 film camera like mine!
Lastly, Quantum have a long history of providing external power sources for cameras & flashes and these can be used to power both a Quantum flash (or Metz or proprietary flash for that matter) as well as your dSLR.
the main problems with choosing a Quantum system are:
its expensive - but not as expensive as buying 3 different proprietary systems
its modularity means its also a bit confusing and bulky with power cables all over the place
no macro flash system
over-exposure problems with subjects closer than 2m at ISO 200 or higher, at wide apertures < f/4 as minimum output is 1/64th power (~1/10,000th sec flash duration giving minimum GN ~9m at ISO 200)
“Pre-programmed white balance settings in the camera are for the camera manufacturers flash. The Qflash flash tube has a different color temperature, plus lighting can vary at each photo shoot. Doing a custom white balance will save you time and money”
relatively long flash duration at full power (common with most modern flashes) of ~1/300th sec may cause some problems with:
remote camera trigger capability does not have an intervalometer.
wireless transmitter does not have AF illuminator as does the Nikon
SU-800, but the flash unit does, so for this capability you need to mount the flash on the camera and attach a wireless transmitter to it, so you then need to buy a 2nd flash unit for off the camera wireless TTL flash with AF illuminator capability.
do you really need wireless TTL?
A typical Quantum QF5d-R setup for wireless TTL flash with Canon/Nikon dSLRs:
NB. prices are RRP from their website as in 2007
QF5d-R flash head either:
TTL camera adapter ($US166):
THUS, a base unit without wireless TTL might be:
Quantum FreeXwire wireless TTL system to trigger the flashes:
Optional flash accessories: