The Backscatter Mini Flash 3 is a powerful, compact underwater strobe with Sony TTL , RC, HSS and manual mode, integrated focus lighting, and a robust waterproof housing rated to 100 meters. Designed to deliver perfect macro and close-up shots in all diving conditions.
The Backscatter Mini Flash 3 is the latest evolution in Backscatter’s ground-breaking Mini Flash series of macro-focussed underwater strobes. The Mini Flash 3 boasts the same incredible macro shooting capabilities of the Mini Flash 2, but now with Sony TTL and the ability to disable learning mode for easier manual flash triggering.
The Mini Flash 3 is feature-packed, including Olympus/OM System and Sony TTL, remote strobe control, high-speed sync, test mode, emergency signaling capability, fast recycle times, and LED lights that are twice as bright as the Mini Flash 1. The Mini Flash 3 also uses the exact same suite of creative lighting accessories used by the original Mini Flash strobes.
The Mini Flash 3 is the latest, lightweight macro lighting system that is the easiest to use strobe and snoot combination on the market.
Sony TTL Compatibility
In addition to Olympus and OM System TTL, the Mini Flash 3 features Sony Mirrorless Automatic TTL Exposure using the Backscatter Smart Control System. This uses Sony’s super-accurate native TTL language, which is much more accurate than mimic TTL. Sony TTL is supported with both Smart Control and Smart Control Macro Mode. Smart Control Mode is best used for general photography, while Smart Control Macro mode tailors the flash output specifically for close-up macro shooting, where other TTL systems tend to struggle. Sony TTL is enabled using the Backscatter Universal Flash Trigger for Sony and Backscatter Nauticam Flash Trigger for Sony, for a convenient fit with most housings.
Please note, Sony RX series compact cameras do not have compatible TTL protocol for use with SC mode with the Mini Flash 3.
Disable Learning Mode for Dedicated Manual Triggering
The Mini Flash 1, Mini Flash 2, and Mini Flash 3 feature learning mode for convenient automatic pre-flash cancellation. This enables the flash to learn the camera’s internal flash shooting mode after a test shot using a fiber optic cable when first powered on. Learning mode makes it easy to adapt cameras that use a fill-flash or pre-flash system to trigger the Mini Flash. Simple, single-flash manual flash triggering systems that don’t require pre-flash cancellation can now skip the initial learning mode step. Learning mode only needs to be set once, since the Mini Flash 3 will remember the setting until it is changed.
KEY FEATURES
Automatic TTL For Sony, Olympus & OM System Cameras
Wireless Remote Control
High-Speed Sync
Built-In 1000 Lumen Focus Light
Test Mode & Beacon
Fast Recycle Time
21700 Battery for Long Run Times
Manual Control For All Cameras
Toggle Learning Mode Based on Triggering Needs
Double O-Ring Seal For Reliability
A FLASH BEAM TAILOR-MADE FOR MACRO
Most of the conventional wisdom surrounding underwater strobes is that brighter and wider always equals better. If you're shooting macro underwater photography, you want the exact opposite. You want a tightly controlled light to pinpoint the subject and keep the background as dark as possible. The Mini Flash 3 is the perfect flash + snoot combination for any serious underwater macro photographer. Its tiny size can get into the tightest spots, and the companion Optical Snoot OS-1 makes it the perfect macro strobe to give you the creativity you've been missing.
1000 LUMEN BUILT-IN FOCUS LIGHT
With powerful 1000-lumen LED focus lights built-in, there’s no need for a separate focus light to manage on your rig. It makes a perfect companion for compact camera shooters looking for a great all-around streamlined strobe solution. It’s also the perfect solution for advanced mirrorless and SLR shooters looking to reduce their footprint, simplify their lighting, and lighten their rig for easier shooting.
The LED lights in the Backscatter Mini Flash 3 are twice as bright as the original Mini Flash 1, making this the absolute easiest strobe and snoot combination to use. Even in bright, shallow conditions, it is super easy to see the target light from the snoot in the same exact shape and position as the flash. With no guessing on where the flash will fire, the Mini Flash 3 makes it as easy as can be to get perfect snooted shots right out of the box. The LED lights will run up to 90 minutes on a full 21700 battery.
THE EASIEST TO USE MACRO STROBE + SNOOT COMBINATION
Using a strobe with a snoot was once really difficult. Aiming a snoot took lots of practice. We designed the Mini Flash and Optical Snoot together to make shooting with a snoot as easy as possible. With bright LED lights that project the same beam pattern as the flash through the snoot, you can easily see the exact placement of the snoot beam on your subject when framing a shot and know you are hitting your target. The Optical Snoot OS-1 is easy to mount, with a simple click on/click off. The Optical Snoot OS-1 is small enough to keep in a pocket or clip off with a double-ender clip, allowing for a quick and easy switch from a wider beam to snooted macro.
SUPER BRIGHT SNOOT OUTPUT FOR DARK BACKGROUNDS
The key to success in snoot photography is having dark backgrounds in bright ambient light conditions. The Backscatter Mini Flash 3 and Optical Snoot OS-1 combination were designed together to allow the most efficient transfer of light through the snoot optics. The result is an exposure that is brighter than any other snoot on the market and will help you make the darkest backgrounds. When projecting a 6mm hole, a shot can be done at ISO 64, ƒ32 which is a perfect setting to get inky black backgrounds and perfect light on the subject.
PRECISE LIGHTING CONTROL WITH APERTURE CARDS
The Backscatter Optical Snoot OS-1 includes 2 Aperture Cards, 1 circular and 1 oval set, with 4 different-sized holes on each. Shoot a sharply focused light beam or pull back a little for a softer edge. Shoot a projected beam as small as 6mm. The full range of aperture cards will let you shoot an ultra-tiny subject to even a large fish portrait. When shooting the snoot at an angle to the subject with the oval aperture card, the snoot can be rotated to change the shape of the projected beam from an elongated oval to a circle. No other strobe and snoot system offers this level of precise control.
AUTOMATIC TTL FOR OLYMPUS, OM SYSTEM, & SONY CAMERAS
The Backscatter Mini Flash 3 is compatible with Olympus & OM System’s TTL protocol through RC mode and Sony using their native TTL language. In our testing, the Olympus RC system and Sony’s native TTL produce the most consistent and accurate TTL exposures of any underwater system. Olympus & OM System TTL can be achieved using clip-on and built-in flashes, housings with integrated RC flash triggers, like the Backscatter E-M10 IV Octo Housing or using the Backscatter Universal Flash Trigger for Olympus and OM System. Sony TTL can be used with the Backscatter Universal Flash Trigger for Sony and Backscatter Nauticam Flash Trigger for Sony.
The Mini Flash 3 also has an option for finely tuned macro TTL. Most TTL systems from camera manufacturers have not been optimized for close-up macro use. This usually results in TTL not working well at close distances and lower flash outputs associated with macro, leading to overexposed images. The Mini Flash 3 has a TTL mode specifically tailored to macro that allows for better and more accurate exposures when compared to other systems available.
Exposure compensation is possible in TTL and is controlled directly from the camera, but most likely won’t be needed. TTL even works through the Optical Snoot OS-1 for perfect snooted exposures!
Backscatter Optical Snoot OS-1
Using a strobe with a snoot was once really difficult. Aiming a snoot took lots of practice. The Mini Flash and Optical Snoot are designed together with the purpose of making shooting with a snoot as easy as possible. With bright LED lights that project the same beam pattern as the flash through the snoot, you can easily see the exact placement of the snoot beam on your subject when framing a shot and know you are hitting your target. Have a critter that doesn’t like a constant light on all the time? Use the short duration modeling flash to check your snoot placement without continuously disturbing a light sensitive critter.
- Brightest aiming light of any snoot
- Aperture Cards adjust the size of the light beam
- Circular & Oval Aperture Cards included
- Rotate the snoot to adjust the shape of the beam with the Oval Card
Specifications:
Compatible Strobes / lights: Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, MF-2 & Backscatter MW-4300
Depth Rating: 300ft/100m
Weight in Air: 9.70oz/275g
Dimensions (LxD): 7.24 x 2.56in / 184 x 65mm
Material: Anodized Machined Aluminium
Included Accessories:
Circular Aperture Card
Oval Aperture Card
Lanyard
