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The Fuji X-T1 is a compact camera that has excellent dynamic range and color rendering. However, it doesn't have a built-in flash. I'm giving you a list of my choices for the best flash for Fuji X-T1, so you can make the most out of this mirrorless camera while capturing real estate images.
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Several flashes are compatible with the Fuji X-T1, yet the strongNissin i40 Flash/strong outshines them all because of its compact size and long-lasting flash power. If it isn't your ideal flash, I still have other options that suit different shooting styles and budgets.
One of the issues of the Fuji X-T1 is its focusing and shutter delay. With the flash power coming from the Nissin i40 Fuji Flash, the camera can receive more light and help the focus work faster and more accurately.
Since the Fuji X-T1 features a compact camera body, attaching the equally lightweight Nissin i40 gives you a proportionate setup. Despite the flash's small size, it provides at least 220 flashes per charge, coverage up to 50mm of the zoom range.
The Fuji X-T1 boasts superb color quality and white balance. However, when you need assistance in keeping low ISO in your real estate photos, the Godox TT685F TTL Flash can give you both simple and elaborate lighting systems.
With a powerful flash output of 197 feet, you can keep using ISO 100 even at a 200mm shooting distance. Since this is a TTL unit, you can also operate using the slave and wireless modes.
The Fuji X-T1 tends to deliver more in terms of in-focus shots. When you pair it with the multi-flash mode of the Powerextra LCD Display Flash, you get a rich flash perspective despite its affordable price.
The great thing about this flash is that it features 8 levels of flash output, which provides you with versatile control in adjusting the exposure manually. Even when you need to zoom in on details, it can produce enough light at the lowest intensity to ensure you won't blow out the subject.
Among the advantages of using the Fuji X-T1 is its high ISO performance. However, there are times when using larger ISO values can create image noise. For low-light shooting, you can attach the Yongnuo YN560 III Speedlite to the camera to support the sensor.
Armed with an ultra-fast recycle time, you can quickly change the settings and fire the flash to complement the available light. It also uses rear curtain sync to open and close the shutter depending on your desired shutter speed.
Note that the Fuji X-T1 tends to produce 'waxy skin tones' at high ISO levels. To avoid this on your real estate photos, you can rely on the automatic settings of the Godox TT350F Speedlite to fire the appropriate flash for such situations.
Even on automatic mode, the white balance remains consistent, ensuring the exposure doesn't clash with the ones programmed on the camera. While the power output won't rival full-size flashes, its effect is still striking enough to illuminate the immediate scene.
The Fuji X-T1 suffers from 'light leaking', which is light entering gaps on the camera's side, and lands on the sensor. To prevent damaging your long exposure and high ISO real estate photos, you can use the Godox TT600 Speedlite to fill the flash and back up the camera's aperture.
Because of its manual setup, you have more control over the light transmission and output, resulting in a more stable yet creative illumination. It also uses high-speed sync to ensure you won't have to shoot in narrow apertures.
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Even if the Fuji X-T1 compensates for optical and mechanical errors, this external flash is powerful enough to partner with softboxes and umbrellas. You can also configure it to a multi-flash setup, even on remote or slave mode.
The Fuji X-T1 comes with an APS-C sensor and a native ISO range of 200-6400. This combination makes it perform poorly in poor lighting, and you might need to improve its performance by pairing it with a high-quality flash.
The features below help to choose a flash that is compatible with the Fuji X-T1. In addition, the following table outlines the crucial things you should look out for when shopping for the flash.
| Flashes | Guide Number | Recycle Time (Seconds) | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissin i40 Fuji | 130’ at ISO 100 and 105mm | 0.1-4 | 4 AA |
| Godox TT685S TTL | 197’ at ISO 100 | 0.1-2.6 | 4 AA |
| Powerextra LCD | 33 (ISO 100, 35mm) | 0.1-5 | Canon NB-6LH |
| Yongnuo YN560 III | 190’ at ISO 100 and 105mm | 3 | 18650 |
| Godox TT305F | 118′ at ISO 100 and 105mm | 0.1-2.2 | Lithium-ion |
| Godox TT600 | 190’ at ISO 100 and 200mm | 0.1-2.6 | 4 AA |
| Neewer NW580 | 38 (ISO 100) | 0.1-5 | 4 AA |
The flash output of a Speedlite works almost the same way a focal length works, whereby a longer focal length allows you to capture detailed photos of distant subjects. In flashes, a high flash output allows the flash to adequately illuminate faraway subjects.
That means you should consider the focal length of the lens to determine the best flash to go for. For instance, if you are using a telephoto lens, you need a flash with a powerful flash output, such as the Godox TT685FG TTL.
This gives you the flexibility to illuminate a distant subject without moving the flash closer to the subject. A powerful flash output also gives you the flexibility to use faster shutter speeds when taking pictures of a moving subject or use narrower apertures to capture photos with a deeper depth of field.
When the batteries that power a camera flash are not capable of providing high voltages within a short duration, instead, the flash uses capacitors to store the charge and then release it to create a powerful flash. The capacity and performance of these capacitors vary across flashes.
As a result, the time it takes for the capacitors to recharge varies across flashes. In-camera flashes, recycle time refers to the time it takes for the capacitors to recharge and be ready to generate power for new bursts of light.
That means a flash with a short recycle time, such as the Godox TT350F Speedlite, can flash many times within a short time. This benefits the use of the continuous shooting mode, where the camera makes multiple shots within a short duration.
The connectivity of a flash is one of the most crucial features to consider, especially if you are shooting using a telephoto lens. For instance, if the flash uses a cable connection, you might need to carry a lengthy cable that can run from the camera to the flash located near the distant subject you are shooting.
Usually, a lengthy cable is bulky, takes time to connect, and might even ruin your composition if you accidentally capture it in the shot. The cable might also develop cracks and break after some time of use. Technology has advanced, and many devices, such as cameras, are being designed with wireless connectivity.
With wireless connectivity, it means you don't have to use a physical cable to connect the devices. When choosing the flash, go for one that features wireless connectivity, such as the Neewer NW580 Speedlite. This saves you the hassle of laying down the cables and folding them afterward.
To use the TTL flash on the Fuji X-T1 camera, go to the camera control and assign the TTL-LOCK, and then use the same control to either enable or disable the TTL lock. Using the TTL flash automatically adjusts the light intensity to illuminate the subject without overexposure or underexposure.
Generally, the Fuji X-T1 camera doesn’t have image stabilization in the camera body. However, you can go for lenses that support image stabilization and wider aperture size for you to capture high-quality and sharper images using the camera.
Generally, for a built-in flash with a lens aperture set to f/3.5, it is capable of illuminating a subject at a distance of about 12 feet. If you are using an external flash, the distance might extend to about 50 feet, depending on the power of the Speedlight.
The Fuji X-T1 is a great choice for real estate photographers looking for a large sensor and exemplary color reproduction. With any of the external flashes mentioned above, you can help the sensor capture more light and improve the overall quality of your real estate photos.
