Neewer TT560 Flash Speedlite for Canon Sony Nikon Panasonic Olympus Pentax and Other DSLR Cameras, Digital Camera Speedlight with Standard Hot Shoe

FEATURES> Uses 4 AA batteries> "Mini-stand"---may be used as a stand, or as tripod adapter. However, if you want a short stand, I suggest Vivitar VIVMPT100BLU 6-Inch Table Tripod (Blue)> Standard sych socket, and standard hot shoe> Power input socket--I have not found a specific battery pack charger for this unit.>> It looks like the rechargeable battery pack NEEWER PB3000 3000mAh Speedlite External Portable Flash Battery Pack backup power source for CANON 430EX 540EX 550EX 580EX 580EX II or the less expensive 8 AA cell power pack NEEWER® External Portable BATTERY Pack Backup Power Source for Canon 600EX, 580EX II, 580EX, 550EX would work.> Velvet-like storage bag.PROS> Powerful> Versatile: head rotates up/down and sideways. Built-in option defuser.> 8 easily selectable power levels, equal to a range of 8 f-stops; from full power down to 1/128th power.> S1 or S2 selectable. Many modern digital cameras have a "preflash" before the main flash. S1 syncs with the first flash, S2 syncs with the second flash.CONS---general> Practically speaking, this is strictly a manual slave flash. That is, there is no TTL metering etc. In these days of digital photography, that isn't too much of a drawback, but it does mean that you have to guess at the settings. However, if you are consistent with your settings (ISO and F-stop) you'll be surprised at how quickly you are able to "guess" the correct power level (on the flash) the first time.> Large--7" x 2 3/4" X 2"--you need a big gadget bag to carry it around in with your camera.> Works fine in very heavy shade or a inside, but in sunlight or even in bright shade, the slave doesn't fire (presumably because it doesn't see the weak in-camera flash). Often one needs flash lighting to fill-in shallows in bright light. In shade one often needs flash lighting to improve saturation, to improve color balance, to show off texture, and to isolate the subject from the background. The solution is a sync cord, which I now use all the time NEEWER® TTL Off-camera Flash Hotshoe Connector Cord for Olympus Panasonic Camera Speedlite. Just set the flash on "M" using the mode button when using a sync cord.FOR MACROPHOTOGRAPHY> The TT560 is heavy---about 16 ounces with batteries. Much too heavy for my macro-light bracket Neewer® Macro Shooting Flexible Dual Arm Dual Hot Shoe Flash Bracket with A Mini 2D Level Gauge for All Camera Flash EXCEPT Sony, Minolta> A tiny, inexpensive, PLR Studio Series Pro Slave Flash Includes Mounting Bracket For The Panasonic Lumix Digital SLR Cameras works well for macro work. However, you have to change the distance, ISO, or F-stop to change the light level.> I find that the TT560 is by far the most convenient flash for macro work, because I can just set up my camera for highest quality (e.g., ISO 200, F16, etc.) and use the power levels of the flash to adjust the light level.> Using a sync cord (instead of the built-in flash to trigger the TT560 as a slave), also avoids the built-in flash from washing out detail in macro-work.RECOMMENDATION> If you have the luxury of working at your own pace, then the exactly predictable output of the TT560 is better than that of a (Nikon, Canon, Lumix, etc. branded) TTL version of the same flash unit at 10x or 15x the price, because sometimes the TTL circuitry works against you. But, if you must work fast, or only have one chance to catch a shot, then the TTL circuitry (of more expensive models) is worth the exorbitant price.> The TT560 flash unit has no metering circuits, and your camera will NOT adjust to the flash. So, you have to adjust your camera (mostly the aperture and ISO) and/or the power level of the flash to get properly exposed photos. Unfortunately, modern cameras resist such manual adjustment. Even if you set the shutter speed and aperture manually, your camera will probably pump-up the ISO indoors etc, defeating your efforts. So you also have to set the ISO manually.Details:> Your lens will probably be sharpest between f5.6 and f11. The larger the number, the wider the depth-of-field. Usually, you'll want a wide depth-of-field. So, set your camera to manual or aperture-preferred, and the aperture at f8. For macro work, you probably need the extra depth of field at F16.> IMPORTANT: Set the ISO manually at 200 in your camera.> Take a picture at full power. If the picture is too dark, you can increase the ISO up to ~800, if that isn't bright enough, then open your aperture to 5.6. Alternatively, (in manual mode) you can set the shutter to a slower speed (say, down to 1/30 sec) to use more of the ambient light.> If ISO 200 at f8 (your aperture) results in a picture that is too bright, then reduce power level of the flash.> To get the unit to work as a slave, you may need to set your in-camera flash to "force flash" and highest exposure compensation if you have that option. Alternatively, the use of a sync cord is easier.FLASH VS FOCAL LENGTH> This (and most other) flash units will cover the angle of standard wide-angle lens (28mm lens in 35mm format; 14mm in 4/3rds format; etc.), especially if you use the built-in optional diffuser. So with the same ISO and aperture, you can illuminate more people with a wide angle lens (or a zoom zoomed to wide angle). However the result will look like a flat flash picture. For a very large group or a small room, you may have no choice than to use a wide angle lens, but if you can step back, with a narrower-angle lens (without sacrificing too much in aperture or ISO), you'll get a better photo:> A "normal" lens (50mm in 35mm format; 25mm in 4/3rds format; etc) etc. corresponds closest to the view of the human eye, and therefore the brain translates 3D information from such a photo. If illuminated by flash, a photo taken with a "normal" lens will have greater "depth-of-illumination" (e.g. the ears will be nearly as brightly lit as the nose) than the same photo taken with a wide angle lens, so the photo will have greater depth and look less like a flash picture. Indeed, most pros have a (non-zoom) normal lens to take pictures of groups or children, etc.> A moderate telephoto (75-135mm in 35mm format; 40-70mm in 4/3rds format; etc) is best for portraits, babies, etc., and pretty much essential for flash-illuminated portraits to be evenly illuminated. That is, the depth-of-illumination will be even greater than with a normal lens. Noses will appear smaller, and in general the photos will be more flattering.> These comments also apply to zoom lenses: In general, stand back and use a narrow angle when you can, at the lowest ISO and smallest aperture (up to f11) that you can. Usually that will require a relatively powerful flash, which is what your buy a TT560, or similar flash unit, for.> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

A Canon flash for my R100 cost $200, I see some of these other brands for less. But for this one, you can point in any direction you want. It works super for me and if I'm indoors even with plenty of lighting I keep the flash on the lowest brightness. It's extremely bright.

The Godox TT560 (released in America from NEEWER) is a Speedlite that has received positive reviews from budget photographers in Asia. Released in Jan. 2010, there is not much known about this flash and because it was around the same pricepoint as YN-560, people flocked to the Yongnuo flashes for their budget strobist needs.Well, in August 2011, the TT560 went from $60 to the $40-range and many who noticed the price drop, flocked to Amazon to purchase this flash.While the photos and video of this flash have shown pretty positive photos from our Asian counterparts, their reviews were positive because it gave quite a bang for the buck and it was easily accessible.So, let's take a look at the TT560 Neewer (Godox) Speedlite.I. UNBOXING AND SETUPThe TT560, similar to Yongnuo's YN-560 comes in a black pouch, stand and instructions.Comparisons can be made in look of the TT560 as it has a reflection board and built-in wide panel, optical control sensor, lock ring and hot shoe stand. The hotshoe stand is plastic and takes 4 double AA batteries (which I used four Eneloops).On the back, you will notice that it has an output level indicator, mode select (M=manual, S1, S2), Charging Indicator, Test button and Power Switch. It is important to note that this flash does not come with a Zoom for the flash.The indicator are in blue LED's while the power is the red LED dot.POWER SAVING FUNCTION: The flash does come with a power-saving function which will go into standby mode in about 30 minutes of idle use. Press any button to wake it up.PROTECTION FUNCTION: To prevent from overheating, the following is important to know:POWER LEVEL 1/1, 1/2 - 20 Flashes which will activated over-temperature protectionPOWER LEVEL 1/4, 1/8 - 40 Flashes which will activated over-temperature protectionPOWER LEVEL 1/16,1/32 - 80 Flashes which will activated over-temperature protectionPOWER LEVEL 1/64, 1/128 - 160 Flashes which will activated over-temperature protectionSPECS:According to the document, this is a Guide number 38 (ISO 100) Flash, Vertical Rotation (0-90 degrees), Horizontal Rotation (0-270 Degrees), Color Temperature 56000K+/- 200KII. TESTI am testing this on a Canon T3i:On-Camera Flash - It's important to note that this is not an E-TTL flash. But you probably don't need it as you can control the flash power levels through the back of the flash. Everything worked as the flash was supposed to, so I can't complain. As an On-Camera Flash, because of it's price...with the Sunpak PFX30 being the next cheaper alternative (with E-TTL), the TT560 pretty much gives more bang for the buck at $40+.I have not used this Flash for a long period of time to see how quality is over long use but I did contact people in Asia who are using it and they have said the flash is still working and they use it in their strobist setup today. So, that's good news!Off-Camera Flash - My main purpose for this Flash was to use it in addition to my YN-560 flash. Zoom was not important for me as I have the YN-560's for that. But what was important for me was that it worked with the RF-603C trigger/receiver/tranceiver. After finding out that the Sunpak PFX30 did not work, I took the risk of purchasing this flash, not knowing if it worked or not but fortunately, this flash did work with the Yongnuo RF-603's.I then started taking a few photos with the Flash in rapid succession and recycle time was fairly quick. According to the instructions (0-1.5 seconds via AA Alkaline).So, using it along with the YN-560's, I was able to use this flash with no problems whatsoever.JUDGMENT CALL:The Neewer (or Godox) TT560 is a straightforward flash and most importantly, my primary needs was to control the output and that it worked on my RF-603C. Granted, it didn't come with zoom and that is why I bypassed it at $59, when I could get the YN-560's (or even another Yongnuo flash for the same price).At $40, it was great price (prices tend to fluctuate as of late between $40-$50) and it serves as another flash for my setup. It's rival right now probably is the older YN-460II and which one would I would recommend, it's pretty much subjective as they are the same cost but because I didn't need a zoom, while the YN-460II had a metal shoe, the TT560 has a shoe lock. Also, more people have experienced problems with the 460 and obviously, there are hardly negatives on this TT560 at this time. For now, I give a thumbs up to this flash, for its price and functions.For On or off-camera use, this flash is definitely worth buying and at least worth considering if you are looking into inexpensive multiple flash. At $40, I'm not going to complain...it's actually a solid deal!Pros:- Power Saving and Protection Functions- Easy to use buttons- Horizontal/Vertical Swivel- Wide Angle Diffuser- Flash stand with needed threaded hole- Great for On and Off-Camera Use - Manual and Slave Mode 1, 2- Fast recycling charge- Shoe Lock- Price (if in the $40's)- Works with RF-603Cons:- Lack of Zoom- Plastic Shoe- Lack of PC cord socketUPDATE FOR 2016:Having had the original versions when I did my review back in 2011-2012, both TT560's are no longer working in 2016. One's flash just died during a photo shoot, heard one loud pop and that was it, stopped workiing. The other one, the plastic shoe broke.But considering how much I put these flashes through, many photo shoots in the last 4-5 years, I'm quite thrilled with the results. While I now use Canon Speedlites, I still use the TT560 for traveling or when I need slave flashes. This is still a go to Flash, when I know I don't have time to test things, as I have found it so convenient.So, I purchased two more (2016) and they are much better than the older versions I purchased years ago. They have a metal shoe (which I know many people started seeing in the 2012-2013 revision) and has a PC sync socket and charging socket.And seriously, the fact the originals I had lasted nearly five years and cost under $40...for its pricepoint and how long they have lasted and the improvements made to the TT560 and for a simple, inexpensive flash, it's an awesome deal!