Quantum Q Flash T5dR Digital Flash Head Flash

thumphrey

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Fort Worth Camera

Summary:
I got my first Qflash, a T2D, with aspirations of being in TTL heaven. It didn't happen! I learned something else along the way. This is an awesome piece of kit when used in manual mode. Use it like you would a studio strobe and it will never disappoint.

Strengths:
Highly adjustable
Small and lightweight
Beautiful quality of light
Rugged

Weaknesses:
Learning curve steeper than most
Might start to notice the weight on a bracket at the end of an evening

Similar Products Used:
Lumedyne
Nikon SB-800

Customer Service:
Excellent

pallikas

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $622.00 from Peace Camera, local

Summary:
So, I read the previous review, and cannot explain it. I have two Nikon SB800's, Sunpak 622 Super Pro, a couple of Vivitar 285HV's, and a set (3) of Studio Strobes (Interfit Stellar 300 and 600's). Recently, I purchased the Quantum T5Dr with the Qnexus wireless receiver for the Nikon and Canon iTTL and eTTL systems.

I shoot with a Nikon D300, D70, F100, Mamiya 645ProTLs (3), and have two friends with Canon 40Ds.

I have shot over 2000 shots with my new Quantums, mixed with the Nikon SB-800's in iTTL wireless automatic, also just the Quantum on a lightstand up at the ceiling, in the corner with bare bulb, again in iTTL auto, and with the TTL cords for the Nikon and Mamiya.

Last Weekend, I shot a Bridal Party, popping off over 300 shots with the quantum up in the corner in iTTL auto mode, and when I got home, the batttery was still at 75%.

Certainly, you can mess up the exposure by doing something wrong, but I found that Wireless iTTL, Corded qttl, and TTL, Quantum Automatic, and manual modes, all worked flawlessly.

I like the SB800's for Portability and the iTTL modes, Like my Studio Strobes for the portrait and group shots, with the ability to use various light modifiers, and Love the Quantum for the power, durability (worried about burning out the SB800 on a long shoot. Had them heat up and shut down on my more than once. You'll hear a lot of discussion about the "Quality of Light" from the Quantums. This is more the parabollic textured reflector, and bare bulb capabilities, but it is very noticeable compared to the shoe mount flashes. Same quality as my studio strobes, but more portable.

I purchased a second Quantum, albeit an older Model T, off eBay for less than $200, and also a second turbo Battery for backup. Also with the 20' cable, I can slave the Model T off the T5Dr, for a second proportioned head (Key and Fill light) or just to add more power to the main.

Switching the Qnexus to Canon Mode, and testing with the Canon 40D's, worked equally well (ok, maybe not a good as the Nikon, but that is another story).

The Quantums are not inexpensive, and need to be compared for price against the Normans, or the Lumedynes. For the automation, and various power options, I think they compare favorably. Although I am still learning them, and developing my technique, I would recommend them very highly.

Strengths:
Construction
"Quality of Light" produced
Power
Automation and integration with all camera TTL systems.
Wireless TTL capabilities with Qnexus, or FreeXwire systems.
Flexible Battery Options
Batteries can power other flashes and power the camera

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Nikon SB800
Interfit Stellar 300 & 600
Sunpak 622 Super Pro
Sunpak 120J

Customer Service:
Excellent, asked a few questions via email, go overnight responses. Have not needed repair service.

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.45 of 5,
11 votes

Price Paid:  $750.00 from B&H Photo

Summary:
If you shoot with a Nikon or Fuji DSLR this is probably the worst choice for a professional flash system. I purchased the Quantum Qflash T5D based on their reputation they had with their standard Qflash for film SLRs. I found that they could not make the transition to digital. The flash is extremely inaccurate. The QTTL is constantly under or over exposed. Many times shooting in sequence the same subject, settings, distance and conditions. Quantum by their own recommendations advises you to shoot with the Qflash on "AUTO" with only center or spot metering. Setting the camera only to "A", "P" or "S". Their flash can not adjust to the matrix metering or when you shoot in the "Manual" settings. You are also very limited to bouncing the flash or shooting closer than a 10 feet on any ISO higher then 200 ISO. Thinking I just had a bad flash or sensor I sent the unit back to be serviced. They returned it saysing it checked out and is firing as expected. Since purchasing the Quantum T5D less than 1 year ago I had to purchases Nikon SB800 flash units which work perfectly. I did countless tests comparing the two systems and the SB800s gives accurate results in 98% range while the Qflash T5D gives accurate results only in the 70% range at best. As a professional 70% might just as well be zero. I cannot rely on equipment that does not perform as I demand it to. Don't waste you money on the Quantum Qflash T5D unless you plan on only shooting in the manual settings off camera and use it as a portable studio light.

Strengths:
fast recycle time
good flash output
light weight

Weaknesses:
inaccurate QTTL
inaccurate settings
constanlty gives over or under exposures

Similar Products Used:
Nikokn SB800

Customer Service:
When I sent the unit back to be checked for accuracy it took over two months to get it back and they claimed it checked out. I receive the unit back, compared it with my SB800 flash units and the Quantum Qflash T5d still gave me inaccurate exposures.