Adaptalux Flash

Good morning

Has anyone any experience of using the new Adaptalux Flash Lighting for macro.  I am using the Nikon R1C1 but am finding it a little cumbersome these days with Nikon Z system.  I have Adaptalux LED arms but require an alternative flash and this looks to be the only alternative.

My biggest concerns are quality, the older POD 2 os a little flimsy and not easy to use to adjust the light arms where I see the POD 3 has a dial now and what looks like better fittings.

The flash arms are independantly adjustable in regards to power output with using the app which again is not an easy option if out in the woods or chasing insects etc.

What in general is the quality of the flash output/light.

Thanks in advance

I don't know much about Adaptalux specs, but I would be concerned with two things: power and light quality. You should compare the specs of the Adaptalux to a fiber optic microscope illuminator. New good ones can be expensive, but you should find a lot used options on ebay for the same price as the Adaptalux. The light quality of the fiber optic microscope illuminators should be better than the Adaptalux because they use halogen bulbs. Power should be more too for the same reason. Drawback is the heat they generate.

Thanks for your response, however I am looking for something portable for macro shots out in the field that is less weight then what I use, not so cumbersome and flash to freeze movement of Dragonflies and smaller insects etc.

I already own the Adaptalux LED unit with three arms for constant lighting but have to admit the build quality and operation is poor and just not very practical to use without the app.  I don't want that when I am say in the woods photographing fungi etc.  I have a Good V1 flash unit and custom made diffusers, in all fairness very good but bulky and heavy and I have the Nikon R1C1 plus an extra flash unit.  Regardless of what others say it does produce excellent results if you take the time to learn and get used to it but it is a large cumbersome attatchment on the end of the lens (concerns about weight) and using a Z6ii means I also have to use the SU800 sender unit thus adding even more to the weight.   Starts to become less portable moving around because of the size and concerns about damaging the units.

I take all my macro shots in the field, wondering around with camera in hand,  shooting handheld so anyone who uses the R1 kit will know what I mean.

I see Adaptalux have released a new Xenon flash setup but concerns about build quality and ease of use plus high price make me hesitant to buy, has anyone used it!

I don't think there is a ring flash out there that truly gives the options as the R1 setup unless someone can correct me on that (needs to be available in UK) or maybe a smaller lightweight flash unit is the way forward,  can someone recommend a lightweight smaller option with good power output and functionality ?

As you will know Adaptalux is not comparable to a fibre optic microscope illuminator, a common mis-conception is the Control Pod produces the light, when in fact it does not. The Control Pod provides the battery power and control, each Lighting Arm has its own dedicated light source to produce high quality and controllable light.

Especially agree when talking about taking photos in the field. The Xenon Flash is an interesting product that I was not aware of.  Thanks for sharing.