Choosing a lighting setup can be a difficult task because once you lock into a brand, you are committed and typically have to purchase the transmitter and receivers as well as the modifiers specific to the brand too. Nothing else really works within that group of equipment and that’s the end of your options.
Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System
Image courtesy of Adorama
Wouldn’t it be great to have less equipment to pack, carry and worry about? Wouldn’t it be nice to have more compatible options when it comes to purchasing lighting equipment so that some of that equipment can be versatile? Well, look no further, Adorama’s own brand, Flashpoint, has set the bar by creating a line of lighting gear that can all work together creating better options when considering a purchase for a lighting setup.
Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System
Image by Yann Bizeul
I recently had the pleasure of trying out the new Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System along with the Flashpoint R2 i-TTL Wireless 2.4 G Transmitter Remote for Nikon and the Flashpoint Zoom R2 Manual Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver to see if this budget-friendly trio of lighting gear measured up to the task of my shooting needs. Do you only get what you pay for here? Or did the trio meet and exceed my expectations at an unbelievable steal? Let’s find out!
Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System
Image by Yann Bizeul
FLASHPOINT RAPID 600 HSS MONOLIGHT
First, let’s take a look at the biggest bad boy of this trio, the Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System. Some of the highlights for this new monolight are:
- AC Powered 600Ws
- Incredible Recycle Times from 0.05 to 0.9s
- Flashpoint R2 2.4GHz System Radio Receiver Built-in
- GN 183ft (ISO 100, Standard Reflector)
- Manual Flash – 1/128 – 1/1 (1/10th Increments)
- Flash Modes – Manual / Multi
- HSS to 1/8000th (with Canon / Nikon / Sony)
- 150W Modeling Light (5% – 100% Adjustment)
- Brilliant Graphical LCD Display
- Bowens S-Type Mount
- Second Curtain Sync
- Extended Reception Range – 328ft/100m+ with R2 as Transmitter
- 16 Groups – A / B / C / D / E / F, and 0 – 9
- 32 Channels
- Supports Flashpoint R2, R2T-32, and R2T-16 Transmitter Units
- Supports Legacy R2T-16 Remote Manual Trigger System
- S1 S2 Optic Slave Mode
- Speed, Stable Color, and HSS Modes
- Flash Duration (T.1) – 1/316s – 1/28948s (in Speed Mode)
- Color Temperature – 5600K +/- 200K (in Stable Color Mode)
- Canon / Nikon / Sony / and Single Firing Pin Compatible
- Selectable Flash Delay
- Mask Function for TTL S1 or S2 Optical filtering
- 4 C.Fn Custom Functions
- Auto Memory feature retains last use settings
- 3.5mm Sync Port
Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight with Built-In R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System
Image courtesy of Adorama
Some of the features I personally found useful upon using just one monolight were the insanely fast recycling time between shots, the built-in receiver (No more separate receiver needed!), the choice of S1 and S2 modes for choosing to use the pre-flash or the TTL for metering, and the auto memory feature for remembering my last use settings.
I took this monolight with me on a trip recently to create a few equipment images and found the light to be very portable and lightweight. It’s easy to read bright LCD panel makes it a breeze to verify adjustments from a distance.
I recently shot and provided a new headshot for my studio cohort in crime using the Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight on its own. The adjustable modeling light made positioning the light from my single light easy and the resulting speed and power from just one light was unexpectedly spectacular.
This photo of my crime partner was accomplished using the monolight with a black and silver umbrella only.
Image by Dawn M. Wayand
The Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight currently runs around $599 at Adorama.
FLASHPOINT R2 SIDEKICKS
There were a few additional pieces of gear I also had a chance to work with alongside the Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight, the possibilities rendering me impressed and contemplating a change in lighting gear.
While the receiver is built into the monolight, a necessary piece of gear needed to make it “go” is a remote transceiver. I shoot with Nikon and was able to test out the Flashpoint R2 i-TTL Wireless 2.4 G Transmitter Remote for Nikon with both the monolight and the R2 Zoom Flash.
The Flashpoint R2 i-TTL Wireless 2.4 G Transmitter Remote for Nikon.
Image by Dawn M. Wayand
Some of the features for this remote include:
- Flashpoint R2 2.4GHz Radio System unifies and simplifies
- Great transmission range beyond 330 ft / 100m
- Traditional Nikon Flash Modes ETTL / M / OFF
- High Speed Sync to 1/8000th
- First or Second Curtain Sync
- FEC / FEB – 1/3rd increments (±3 Stops)
- FEL (Flash Exposure Lock)
- Complete Manual exposure from 1/128 to full power (1/3rd Increments)
- GR Group Mode* – A / B / C / D / E (5 Groups)
- Ratio Group Mode – A / B / C
- 32 Channels
- Large LCD Display
- Back Light On-Off Switch
- HSS Delay Setting – 0~19.9ms, (100us Increments)
- Modeling flash (select models)
- Auto Memory Function
- AF Assist light (With an On/Off Switch)
- Wireless Shutter Release
- Micro USB Port for Firmware Upgrades
- Transmitter PC 2.5mm Sync Port – Input & Output
The Flashpoint R2 i-TTL Wireless 2.4 G Transmitter Remote for Nikon.
Image courtesy of Adorama
While testing on location indoors using this transceiver, I found it very easy to read; and after quickly perusing the manual, easy to use – using the dial and three buttons on the back. It works seamlessly a good distance from both the monolight and/or the speedlight.
While I’m not a Canon, shooter, there’s also a version for Canon, the Flashpoint R2T 32 Channel 2.4GHz Manual and HSS Transmitter for Canon.
The Flashpoint R2T 32 Channel 2.4GHz Manual and HSS Transmitter for Canon.
Image courtesy of Adorama
There’s also a 2.4GHz transmitter version for Sony, the Flashpoint R2 TTL 2.4G Wireless Remote and Triggering System – Sony. All transceivers work with Flashpoint’s other R2 lights including the Xplor, Streaklight and the Zoom Flashes.
Speaking of the Zoom Flashes… I was also able to try out the Flashpoint Zoom TTL R2 Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver for Nikon too.
The Flashpoint Zoom TTL R2 Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver.
Image courtesy of Adorama
Some of the features of the R2 Zoom Flashes include:
- Extremely Powerful Flash with GN 127 ft / 34m @ISO 100 200mm zoom
- Full power recycle time of less than 1.5 seconds
- Remote Nikon iTTL power control with the Flashpoint R2 System built in
- Complete compatibility with the Nikon iTTL system features like exposure compensation, EXIF inscription, flash value lock, and high speed sync
- R2 iTTL communication With Nikon flashes as a Master or Slave
- Control of 3 different wireless groups through the Nikon CLS IR System
- Backlit Matrix LCD
- Multipurpose Buttons With Digital Marking for Faster Navigation
- Zooming head with automatic zoom or manual control
- High Speed Sync for shutter speeds up to 1/8000 second
- Front or Rear Curtain Sync
- Laser AF Assist Lamp With Crisscross Pattern For Instant Autofocus Even In Complete Dark On Low Contrast Surfaces
- Modeling flash
- Regular and Intelligent Optical Slave Modes
- Stable color temperature at 5600+/-200K over the entire power range
- 360 degree rotation and 90+ degree tilt
- Perfect for on and off camera use
The Flashpoint Zoom TTL R2 Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver used with a black/silver umbrella.
Image courtesy of Yann Bizeul
The impressive thing to me while working with these three R2 line products was the ability to use both the monolights and the speedlights with the same transmitter. Combine this ability with the numerous channels and groups offered by the transmitter and this could be the perfect combination for wedding and event shooters as monolights could be set up in a formal shooting area for posed portraits and speedlights could be set up around an event space for more candid photos.
I also set up this trio to try as a two-light setup using the monolight as the key light and the speedlight as a fill light. It’s a doable option for those who are not speed shooters and cannot afford a second monolight at the moment. This temporary setup can also advantageous because what is a second light in the studio, can also be taken outside the studio and into the great outdoors for use so it becomes a versatile lighting option. The only drawback is that the recycling time for the R2 Zoom Flashes is 1.5 seconds vs. the 0.5 to 0.9 seconds of the monolight, so you would not be able to take advantage of the speed the monolight provides when using them together. It can still be a great option in a pinch.
Below is a sample image taken of me using the Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight for Nikon as the key light and the Flashpoint Zoom TTL R2 Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver as the fill light.
Image of me using both the Flashpoint Rapid 600 HSS Monolight as the key light and the
Flashpoint Zoom R2 Manual Flash with Integrated R2 Radio Transceiver as a fill light.
Image by Yann Bizeul
The R2 Zoom Flashes are available for $79.95 and $119.95 at Adorama, depending on the necessary camera compatibility.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- Flashpoint Rapid 600 Monolight
- Standard Reflector
- Power Cord
- Lamp Cover
- Glass Cover
- 150w Modeling Lamp
- Carrying Case
- Instruction Manual
- Flashpoint 1-Year USA Warranty
CONCLUSION
Flashpoint’s concept of built-in receivers in all devices is definitely a home run. Anytime you can pack less or even worry less about equipment is a good thing. The fact that it’s also a reliable system, knocks it out of the park. It’s certainly made me turn my head in the direction of potentially replacing my current lighting setup in the near future. The R2 Lighting Family is available at Adorama.
