Eleven days ago, they hardly had any backers. Now, with still 12 days left in their IndieGoGo campaign, funding for the FlashQ wireless flash trigger has already flown past creators Anita Yim and Zashia Kwok’s original goal of $25,000. But what is about FlashQ that has caught the attention of photographers?
When funded, not only will the FlashQ become the first wireless flash trigger designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, but it will also be the smallest wireless flash trigger in existence.
The idea came to Anita when she realised that existing flash triggers were too large relative to the size of her Micro Four Thirds camera. She wanted something that she could easily carry around during her walks in the city and on her travels. Being an engineer, she decided to take on the task of designing the prototype herself with the help of designer Zashia Kwok.
The FlashQ is 25 x 25 x 15 mm, and houses a miniaturized internal antenna that allows one transmitter to control up to eight flash receivers at a maximum distance of 20 metres. It has a total of 160 channels so that the system can choose the cleanest channel, and intelligently avoids collision with other wireless networks in the same frequency band. You can shoot with a maximum sync speed of 1/250 sec.
The system may not include TTL functionalities, but this decision has allowed the FlashQ to be compatible with most camera and flash brands. It is also energy efficient, delivering an average of 100,000 fires per CR2302 coin battery.
By donating $39 to the campaign before it ends, you will receive a FlashQ kit including one transmitter and one receiver. The kit comes in four different colours (black, white, blue and pink). If you want to personalise your FlashQ with your own signature on the front plate, you also have the option of donating $129. Shipping is estimated to begin in September 2014.
We really feel that Anita and Zashia have unearthed and subsequently filled a gap in the mirrorless niche with the creation of the FlashQ. It could potentially be a very interesting tool on a professional level, since there aren’t many wireless flash triggers compatible with the most popular mirrorless brands such as Olympus for example.
Now that they’ve raised the money they need, all we have to do is patiently wait until the product hits the market!
For full technical specifications and more information about the campaign, be sure to visit FlashQ’s IndieGoGo page. You can also check out the campaign video below.
