Viltox introduces Spark Z3 – a new Cyberpunk TTL enabled mini-flash

Viltrox, known primarily as a third party manufacturer of super sharp, budget friendly prime camera lenses, continues to expand its inventory of adjacent camera products.  This time with a new edition of its mini-flash series, the Viltrox Spark Z3 Cyberpunk TTL flash.

The flash looks to be an enhancement of the original Vintage Z1 flash, which was similar in size and shape, but limited to a single universal pin and all manual operation.  Besides adding TTL connections for Fujifilm, Canon, Sony and Nikon hot shoes, the newer model leans even more into retro (cyberpunk) styling, featuring a clear panel on the top of the flash that lets you look directly on to the circuit board.  I have to admit its kind of cool looking, especially if you grew up building your own gaming computers.

The Spark Z3 becomes one option in what has become a sudden plethora of mini-flash offerings, including a very similar option from well-known flash maker Godox.

With 26W/s of power, the Cyberpunk falls somewhere between the on-camera units that used to be included with so many consumer level DSLRs, and those bigger flashes that camera nerds seem to have permanently attached as they step in front of you at the wedding you have been hired to photograph.

For full disclosure, I never shoot with a flash mounted to the camera.  If I am using artificial light its off camera controlled from a transmitter in the hot shoe.  I will admit though, that certain photographers can use that straight ahead flash to good effect, and I am a fan of that style if used skillfully.  Can the Viltox Cyberpunk flash pull that off?  Can I?

I didn’t have a lot of time to fully answer either of those questions, but I did take the flash along to a press conference that was part of the kickoff to Dallas hosting nine games in the World Cup soccer tournament next summer.  Not exactly a club scene or carefree teenagers on the street, but it would have to do.

There are a couple things I really like about the design of the unit.  Call me vain, but I do like the styling of the flash.  It’s just cool, which matches the aesthetic that the flash is built for.  Another plus for me is the analogue controls.  A physical wheel offers seven power adjustments from full to 1/64, and another three-position physical switch controls off/on manual or auto modes,  It’s such a relief not to have to memorize a video game inventory of button combinations just to change simple things, and pairing the flash to my Nikon Zfc extended the whole retro experience.

The Spark Z3 flash also stands a little higher than some of its blocky competitors, helping it see over most lens hoods.  A snap-on diffuser is included, which will help soften the light, but obviously does cut down on power.  Recycle time is pretty quick.  Viltrox says one second, and based on my use, that seems to be about right.  Power is supplied by a built-in battery, which recharges in just over one hour, and the flash is good for about 650 shots per charge.

At the press conference, the Spark Z3 gave me a nice even distribution of light using a Viltox 25mm APSc lens, or about 37mm in full frame terms.  I believe the original Viltrox retro flash was specked at coverage for 28 degrees, so at anything wider than that I would expect some fall off.  Colors and skin tones seemed reasonably rendered, and the TTL system gave me nice exposure.  All in all, everything about the flash worked as advertised, you just need to remember to keep a shorter working distance with a flash this compact.

So is the Spark Z3 a flash for you?  If you are photographer who already uses a regular sized flash attached to your camera, you probably think this is too diminutive and not nearly powerful enough.  But for someone like me, who works without flash at clubs and concerts, the idea has a lot of appeal.  I’ll often just use the flashlight on my phone to light someone’s face without killing the ambient light.  With its TTL function, I could see sticking this flash on the camera instead.  And besides, it just looks really cool.   At just over $50 in the US, it will be a fun experiment that doesn’t break the bank.

If you are interested, Viltrox is offering discounts for the first few days,  Just use the links below.  And as always, you can find all the technical details on the Viltrox web site.

Sales in Europe

Sales in USA

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