First Exposure by Peter Kotsinadelis
The New Quantum QFlash T4

Imagine a flash that can provide you with a portable light source that has enough power for use in the studio or on location, with a removable parabolic reflector, enabling you to use it as a bare bulb light source as well.

Now add to that the capability of 19 manual power settings, auto mode, TTL compatibility for use with the latest digital cameras, a modeling light and more. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s not. All these features are part of the new Qflash T4d.

Features
The big news for the Qflash T4d is that it is smaller, lighter, and fully “digital ready,” as noted by the suffix “d” in the model name. The body resembles a typical shoe-mount flash but retains the easily recognized Qflash parabolic reflector on top. A newly designed swivel for the flash head has helped in reducing the height of the flash. You now have one button on the side of the flash head that allows you set the swivel and bounce for the flash head that locks into place as soon as you release it.

New digital-, or D-, series QTTL adapters enable the Qflash T4d to be used as a dedicated flash with Canon EOS or Nikon D-series digital SLRs and Contax or Mamiya medium-format SLRs. These D-series adapters support Canon’s E-TTL, E-TTL II, or A-TTL and Nikon’s D-TTL dedicated flash system. They are equipped with switches to enable/disable front and rear curtain sync and an AF-assist light. The adapters provide an auto fill-flash feature using a dial on the top of the module, a feature that can be used even if your camera itself lacks this feature. As you adjust the flash output from -3 to +2 stops in 1⁄3-stop increments, this information is also shown on the Qflash LCD display. Additionally, Quantum D-series adapters provide added information displayed on the panel including front/rear curtain sync, flash exposure compensation, type of module/camera in use (Canon, Nikon, etc.), ISO, exposure (OK/Over/Under), flash minimum and maximum distance ranges, and more.

	A new, leaner and far more feature-rich Qflash T4d on the left faces the previous Qflash, whose shape remained unchanged for Qflash models T, T2, and T3.

Powered by Quantum’s Turbo or the newer Turbo Z battery, the Qflash has a Guide Number (GN) of 160 with ISO 100 film, or GN226 with ISO200. Like previous models, the Qflash T4d is designed for a bracket or light stand mount but with a new slanted design for proper balance. Using a Quantum QTTL module the Qflash T4d will function as a dedicated flash and can also be used with a standard household-plug/twin blade sync cable in the studio or for non-TTL equipped cameras. The Qflash comes complete with removable parabolic reflector that provides flash coverage from 55 to 90 degrees with an optional wide-angle diffuser.

Optional gold and silver bare bulb reflectors are available for 120-degree flash coverage, or a tele-reflector with 20-degree coverage and four-fold increase in flash output. The table on page 60 shows the Qflash T4’s GNs for each reflector/diffuser used.

The LCD panel on the back of the Qflash is larger and now provides three to four lines of detailed information depending on operating mode. Four red LEDs adorn the sides of the flash, one on each side, and flash for six seconds whenever the flash is fired. This feature is primarily for visible confirmation when a Qflash is used as a remote slave and can be easily disabled.

The rear panel on the Qflash T4d with Canon module installed displays its current settings: QTTL mode, Canon module installed, speaker on, flash ready, front curtain sync, camera f-stop setting, ISO setting, and fill-flash settings.

Seven buttons on the rear of the Qflash T4d allow you to select flash operating modes and options. A “Lamp” button activates a modeling light that delivers a series of flash bursts for several seconds to judge lighting and shadows. An “Options” button allows you to cycle through two screens that provide seven different settings. The first screen shows sensor distance limit, linked ratio (when multiple Qflash units are linked), and number of flashes completed. Press the Options button a second time, and you can now select speaker on/off (audible flash and exposure tones), flash indicator LEDs on/off, reflector settings (normal, diffused, bare-bulb or tele), and distance display (feet or meters). When you set the type of reflector you are using, the Qflash T4d then uses this information to set the proper GN that is used with your ISO setting to display the correct flash range in manual or auto modes.

Modes
Those people familiar with previous Qflash models will find that all modes they were familiar with remain intact.

Putting it through its paces
Several photographers tried the new Qflash T4d and provided a variety of positive comments. They found the new D-series adapters work well with Canon EOS digital and Nikon D series SLRs. Exposures were good and the Qflash functioned just as if it were a dedicated flash on either camera. The small flash ratio dial on the top of the adapter was very useful to quickly balance flash exposure. In addition, they liked that the Qflash T4d retained compatibility with previous Qflash adapters and accessories.

“ One of the main benefits to the Qflash T4d is the versatility of lighting—bare bulb, bounce, reflector, softbox—and its high GN,” says New York-based photographer Dale Dickerson. “Weddings do not always yield the best lighting, and with the T4d I can use the flash outdoors in full noonday sun and be in complete control.”

San Jose-based photographer Greg Sargent notes, “The Qflash T4d would be ideally suited when you need a dedicated flash that can also serve as an all-purpose portable studio or location light.”

If you add the benefit of linking multiple Qflash units using control cables, or wirelessly with Quantum’s FREEXWIRE digital transceivers, you have portable studio lighting at a fraction of the weight. Either of these linked arrangements is fully compatible with all Qflash modes including TTL or QTTL for digital cameras. If you need a flash that can do it all, the Qflash T4d is the right light.Peter Kotsinadelis is a writer/photographer living in Pleasanton, CA. He may be reached at peterk727@gmail.com.