LumoPro LP160 Manual Flash

Kinda ugly in my opinion but it works great, and has been very reliable and sturdy. I pretty ruff with my equipment and this one has taken a toll and still works perfectly.Very simple to use, the Slave works great. I compare it with about the same light output as my Nikon SB900.

I have a $400 Mertz flash for my Sony A65, and I hate it!!! It works great on automatic, and talks to the camera just fine, but 90% of my work is manual, because I can take a better photo at a higher resolution in manual operation.I've tested both the Mertz flash and the LP160 Manual Flash in the dark by taking pictures with a high F stop, and both have the same amount of power output. The advantage is that the LP160 works, when the Mertz, with it's mine feild of menus, refuses to work.The LP160 has 5 buttons and switches. It has on/off, flash, slave (and it works), zoom and power buttons. I use this flash as fill light in full figure shots, and it sets off my main strobes, which are set to slave. The power and zoom buttons are push button, and incrament along as they are pushed. It has a led display to show the settings. How simple can that be?I set up the Mertz today to be a slave. I got it to slave to the LP160 before, but today it wouldn't flash, even with the LP160 right on the sensor of the Mertz flash. I needed a flash down in front, and the Mertz will not flash on the radio I have, because of the Sony mount. To solve this problem for the future, I am ordering TWO MORE LP160 FLASHES. They are that good!!!You migth wonder why I can't hook up a sync cable to the Mertz? It has two hook ups on it, but they are not standard, but the LP160 can, and guess what, it works!!!The LP160 only failed me once, and I had to change the batteries. I love it so much, I'm buying two more.

The flash is powerful and built from solid plastic. However, it can use series of improvements:Reachable batteries barely fit. I use powerex and I have to bang them out because they fit so tightly.Battery door design is not hinged. The channels are flimsy and overall technical design of this battery door feels like it was taken from a 1980's electronics.When flash is turned on all previous power settings and zoom are reset. It's a pain and annoyance.Cold shoe table stand should be bigger. This flash was not intended to be used on camera so when you put pocket wizard on top it gets top heavy and the little stand does not cut it. It's even small without anything on top of the flash.

I have two Nikon SB-28s, an SB-600, and this flash. I use them all (accept the sb-600, what a dog). This flash is powerful, swivels nicely and is easy to use The only problem is the panel is not digital and does not light up. So, I get by using a small flashlight when I need to see the settings. I recommend this flash.

I really like this flash - I haven't had it for too long but it has already impressed me. There are several different power settings and several different zoom depths (wide to spotlight). Adding gels is really easy as well. But, my favorite feature is the swivel option. You can adjust the flash head up, down, and side to side.

I love this for off camera manual flash type use. Awesome that it has both a PC port and 1/8 jack, optical trigger and a metal shoe! The included diffuser works well and the included cable is perfect for hooking up to a Pocketwizard. Great product for the money. The diffuser does burn about 1 stop, maybe more, so use it only when you really need it.

I use this with a wireless trigger to get the flash off-camera, and I love the results. It is better than another flash I own because it has more power levels.

This flash is perfect if you shoot manual multiple flashes and need something easy to adjust without the hassle of a dial.