NEEWER Z880 76Ws 2.4G TTL Camera Flash Speedlite with Diffuser

One thing that impressed me about the Neewer Z880 Speedlite right out of the box is the quality of the connection plate, what the user guide refers to as the “Hot Shoe Base.” I don’t know what its fabricated from, but it looks like a solid chunk of steel; probably the best built connector I’ve ever come across. And hot shoe connectors are often a weak spot due to the weight and leverage of the attached speedlite. Moreover, once attached, the Z880’s locking ring creates a firm connection with zero play. The whole assembly certainly appears to be built to last.The Z880 has what I would consider a standard set of features for its class of speedlite, one geared toward working professionals and advanced amateurs, the difference is that one is renumerated for the work. Anyway, those features include the TTL, Manual and Multi (Stroboscopic) Modes, and a feature I find particularly useful, TCM, which is understood to mean “TTL converted to Manual.” The Z880 makes this transition especially convenient by means of a slider switch right on its exterior.The TCM function allows the photographer to use the TTL mode, basically, as a light meter. With the camera in manual mode with the desired settings (aperture and shutter speed), make an exposure with the speedlite in TTL mode; also make sure the TTL switch is set to TTL. After exposure, move the slider to “M” setting. The display will show the power output used for the TTL exposure. Then, using the camera’s histogram, the output can be increased or decreased to make the exposure correct based on the users chosen manual settings. When transitioning from TTL to Manual, be aware that what is displayed may look like suggested apertures, but isn’t; it’s an output adjustment based on the inverse square law. Power adjustments are made with the knurled wheel on the back of the flash.TTL, of course, is “Through the Lens” metering whereby the Z880 will send out a pre-flash, the reflected output is measured off of the camera’s sensor, then automatically adjusted accordingly, all on the fly. I’m not personally a big of TTL; I find that the per-flash can be confusing to the subject, not to mention there’s a slight delay between the pre-flash and actual exposure. In use, TTL mode allows for the same power adjustments already described above should it be needed. Although the algorithms driving TTL exposures have become very sophisticated in accessing a correct exposure, they can be fooled in certain instances, for example a light subject against a very dark background.With adjustments in mind, it’s a good time to mention the UI of the Z880: its LCD is big, bold and easy to read. In fact, given the extend of its features, the Z880 is relatively simple to use and very user friendly; mastering it takes no time at all. There aren’t layers of menus to navigate to change a setting, most of them are accessible directly from the control panel. There are five buttons on the lower control panel and four function buttons sitting under the LCD for direct control of lens zoom settings, choosing S1 or S2 mode when the flash is used as a slave, AF mode and turning HSS on/off. The lower control buttons are changing the Mode, Test Flash, Modeling light On/Off, and switching the Z880 between Master and slave mode. The modeling light has 10 levels of adjustable brightness. The power button resides in the middle of the adjustment wheel. Once familiar with its features, the Z880 is one of the simplest, most intuitive speedlights I’ve used.The Z880’s HSS mode is another useful feature when reconciling an optimal exposure between an ambient light source and the speedlite’s flash duration. Generally speaking, an ambient light source is controlled with shutter speed (a duration) and the flash exposure is controlled with the aperture (intensity). Usually, I will determine the correct exposure for each, then reconcile them for a desired effect; HSS allows the user the option of faster shutter speeds beyond the cameras native synch speed. I demonstrate this with the pictures of the statue. My first shot was with the camera set to the outside exposure, f11 @ 1/250 with the Z880 set to TTL mode. I was happy with the flash exposure on the statue, and even the background, but wanted less DoF. I then moved the TCM slider to Manual, but made no adjustments to the power output. Instead, I simply adjusted the aperture from f11 to f2, and the shutter speed from 1/250 to 1/4000. In other words, I made no adjustments from the initial exposure, instead opening the aperture five stops for less DoF, then adjusting the shutter speed five stops faster to maintain the original exposure. Using the Z880’s TTL mode to determine the initial exposure and power output, it took all of two exposures, the ones shown, to make the adjustment to a more desirable effect. I also used the included slip-on magnetic adapter with the diffusion dome to soften the flash light on the statue. Between flash and ambient light, I chose a net exposure that allowed the statue to be lit by both, while at the same time shooting at a wide aperture. This was made possible specifically with the Z880’s feature set.Other modes include Multi (stroboscopic) and Manual mode. Multi Mode requires the setting of the number of flashes and their frequency (Hz). This is not an effect I use, but it works, I tried it. The Multi Mode effect is used to take multiple stop motion pictures in the same frame, like a ball bouncing, water dripping, etc. Usually this requires a controlled environment, like a pitch-black room. According to Neewer, the Z880 is capable of flash durations as short as 1/20,000 of a second; many interesting experiments can be done with that kind stopping power.Manual Mode is the setting I use most often. Back in days gone by, when there wasn’t all of the automatic exposure controls, like TTL, photographers used a guide number to determine an exposure when using an on-camera flash. Published Guide Numbers are calculated at 100 ASA (ISO), and are a determinant factor in a simple formula: Aperture x distance =GN. I didn’t find any information as to the unit used to calculate the GN, but let’s say it’s in meters. So, at 100 ASA, with an aperture of f1.0 and a distance of 60m, we’d get 1 x 60 = GN of 60 from the formula above. But we know the GN, it’s 60. In the field, in most cases, we’ll need an aperture calculated from an estimated distance. So, if aperture x distance = GN, then aperture = GN/distance. If the distance is estimated to be 12ft, then Aperture = 60/12, or f5.0. And so on. Presumably, if the GN of the Z880 is calculated in meters, and very often they are, then with a camera set to 100 ASA and the lens set to f1.0, it should give a correct exposure at 60m away, or about 197 feet. At f2.0, 30 meters, and so on; the inverse square law still applies. It’s a useful formula to know. Its how Diane Arbus determined her flash exposures and street photographers of yore, like Wee Gee too.The Z880 can be set to fire on the second curtain, giving a blurred, trailing effect. That’s interesting, twice; it’s a special effect that has limited use, other than an effect for effects sake. With the Sony, this has to be enabled in-camera. The Z880 also integrates wirelessly into the Neewer eco-system of both studio and speedlites, where it can be set to act as the Master Flash or a Slave. I don’t own any other Neewer system flashes, so I wasn’t able to test those aspects of the Z880. I do own other flash systems with similar capabilities, and I have no reason to doubt the Z880’s capacity when used wirelessly. The fact that the Z880 may be the first investment in a broader system might also be something to consider. Neewer offers a wireless controller for the Z880, allowing it to be used off-camera. In addition, it also has a jack for a physical sync cord whereby it can also be used off-camera.The Z880 Speedlite I received includes the 3000mAh battery. Neewer claims up to 600 full power flashes when it’s fully charged. The Z880 has a 75W output with a GN of 60, so, at least in my case, full power flashes are rare. During the course of my testing and usage, the battery indicator never went down even one bar. The flash will automatically go into a sleep mode if it isn’t used for some period of time that I haven’t taken note, but it’s not long; it’s a handy feature for preserving battery power. The battery is charged via its native USB-C port. There’s another USB-C port on the body of the flash unit that Neewer specifically makes the point is for firmware upgrades only. No tellin’ what’ll happen if you plug a charging cable into that. On the other hand, one very likely outcome is that you’ll null and void the warranty, but I don’t know that.By comparison, I haven’t run across any features lacking in the Z880 that similar, more expensive flash unit’s cost. In fact, to me, it looks like an outstanding value. Included with the kit I received is the aforementioned 3000mAh capacity battery, a well-made, soft silicone rubber slip-on magnetic adapter to which the hard plastic diffuser attaches, a robust case, a charging cable and some documentation. I’m guessing, that if not already available, more accessories are on the way that will take advantage of the magnetic adapter. A choice of light modifiers would be interesting, along with some color conversion filters for matching the color output to other typically found light sources.I really enjoy using the Z880 and find myself getting excellent, repeatable results. It’s rich with image enhancing features and solidly built. Nonetheless, I own a number of Neewer products, so I'm not surprised; they don't disappoint.