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[Arjay]

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Apparently, this flash isn't just compatible with the X-Pro1, but also with the X100 and several other Fuji cameras - all in full TTL mode.

What's more, it can also act as a slave unit if I correctly understood the linked text.

Edited by Arjay, 24 April 2013 - 02:27 AM.
Moved thread to the Fuji X Accessories section as the Fuji flash units aren't new products any more.

[pcg]

Funky looking flash. I sort of like it. Looks like we'll have to wait to get the price--

[robertj]

[pcg]

Similar, but certainly not the same.

[ramin]

$228.99

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[Kcnarf]

Doesn't Fuji understand that on-camera artificial flash is best when bounced for softened and directional light? Why can't they make a flash device that tilts and swivels? The EF-X20 doesn't even look appropriate for handheld use when connected to the hotshoe with a cable.

[flysurfer]

Why can't they make a flash device that tilts and swivels?

The EF-20 tilts and swivels, so does the EF-42.

[Arjay]

More information on the EF-X20:

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The EF-X20 is priced at US$ 228,99 at Adorama and B&H. Pricing quotes in Germany & Austria range from € 178.- to € 199.- (incl. VAT).

[Kcnarf]

The EF-20 tilts and swivels, so does the EF-42.

[Kcnarf]

Dear Flysurfer, the EF-20 does not tilt & swivel. It only swivels. This means it cannot be bounced from surfaces off to one side so as to produce directional lighting with the sculptural depth that comes from a subtle play of light & shadow. Tilting the flash solely in a vertical or forwardly inclined only produces flat, uninteresting lighting. And since the EF-x20 is a newer item, a reasonable expectation would be for it to swivel as well as tilt. Apparently, it neither does one nor the other. Nor does its general configuration seem to make it convenient for handheld operation when connected to the hotshoe with a cable.

[flysurfer]

Strange, the flash and its characteristics are known since early January, since then we know it does't tilt or swivel. Neither does the flash in the X100 or X10 or X-S1 (or D800). We also know that the EF-42 will do this job quite well. So no, there was no expectation (neither a reasonable or unreasonable one) of a tilting and swiveling EF-X20. There was the expectiation of a tiny add-on flash doing the work of the internal flash of other X cameras. Is the price too steep for that? One could say so. Then again, nobody is forced to buy and use this thing. There are better and cheaper alternatives. Also bigger and not as nice looking, though. Life is full of choices.

[Greyelm (Malcolm S)]

Dear Flysurfer, the EF-20 does not tilt & swivel. It only swivels. This means it cannot be bounced from surfaces off to one side so as to produce directional lighting with the sculptural depth that comes from a subtle play of light & shadow. Tilting the flash solely in a vertical or forwardly inclined only produces flat, uninteresting lighting. And since the EF-x20 is a newer item, a reasonable expectation would be for it to swivel as well as tilt. Apparently, it neither does one nor the other. Nor does its general configuration seem to make it convenient for handheld operation when connected to the hotshoe with a cable.

I have an EF-20 on order but haven't received it yet so I can't confirm this myself but according to page 16 &17 of the EF-20 manual it tilts up to 90 degrees to allow bounce flash off the ceiling, no mention of swivel is made in the manual.

[Arjay]

I have been using the EF-20 ever since it came to the market. It can tilt upward by 90 degrees, but doesn't swivel horizontally. I use the flash in my X100's hot shoe, but I prefer to use it tethered on a Canon OC-E3 (lookalike) TTL cable. If you combine this with a flash bracket, then you get all the tilting/swivelling options you'd wish for.

The unique thing about the EF-X20 is its slave function. Some of the links above are saying that the unit can sync on the second flash pulse (the actual flash that contributes to exposure), so you can even sync it to a normal EF-20/EF-42 TTL flash sequence. Of course, the EF-X20 in slave mode is a "dumb" flash because it can't do TTL duty, so you have to manually set its power as needed.

[15k]

I can't find impotent info about x20. No technical info at all...
Recharge time of ef-20 is 5 sec (too slow) ef-42 is 3 sec - normal, but it is too big for x-pro (I have Nikon d7000 for this and don't want to carry another sb-700).
Is recharge time of ef-x20 faster then ef-20 or not?
It is very important to me (I live in Russia and x20 is not available in our shops, so I must order it from e-bay to have it in June).
If it is the same I buy ef-20 in our shop and don’t care about x20 at all.

And one more question… In Russian Fuji press relies was info about diffuser with ef-x20 in photos I didn’t see it, dos anybody knows what kind of diffuser ef-x20 have?

[Arjay]

I can't find impotent info about x20. No technical info at all...
Recharge time of ef-20 is 5 sec (too slow) ef-42 is 3 sec - normal, but it is too big for x-pro (I have Nikon d7000 for this and don't want to carry another sb-700).
Is recharge time of ef-x20 faster then ef-20 or not?
It is very important to me (I live in Russia and x20 is not available in our shops, so I must order it from e-bay to have it in June).
If it is the same I buy ef-20 in our shop and don’t care about x20 at all.

And one more question… In Russian Fuji press relies was info about diffuser with ef-x20 in photos I didn’t see it, dos anybody knows what kind of diffuser ef-x20 have?

A quick Google search might have brought up

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. Click "Product information" for technical specs; this should answer all your questions.

I don't have the EF-X20, only the EF-20, but looking at specs, recycle time will be in the same order of magnitude. Re diffuser: See the specifications, in the "Lever for setting wide panel" paragraph.

IMO, there are only three arguments in favor of the EF-X20 (It's up to you whether they are important for your shooting style): (a) slave function for Fuji TTL flashes and for manually operated flash units (i.e. remote operation, even with tripod mount - that's pretty unique in such a small package), (b ) metal case design as opposed to the EF-20's plastic case design - presumedly better suited for rough use, and (c ) design adapted to that of the X-Pro1.

[flysurfer]

It's basically half the size of the EF-20. So if size is a serious consideration, it may be worth the higher price.

[15k]

To Arjay: this is exactly what I need. Thank You very much.
x20 and 20 is almost the same for me, but 20 is even 1 sec faster then x20 (4 sec/5 sec VS 5 sec /6 sec). 100g and 100g. 0,5 EV (20) step is not as good as 1/3 EV step (x20) but not very important.

So….
If I need two ore three flashes, for a master flash I need another one and it will be ex-42.
ISO 3200 is absolutely workable on x-pro, and flash is necessary primarily for a bright backlight portraits. I think ef-20 is even more useful for me:
1. Little bit longer
2. Can use cloud flash diffuser for SB-400 or Speedlite 270EX
3. Comfortable with 13*17cm reflectors for macro

[psartman]

They don't clearly specify if slave "pre-flash" mode just triggers the flash or also controls the exposure through TTL. I sort of doubt it, but this would be my dream unit with my X100 if that were so. I currently use an IR filter over the built-in X100 flash to fire a small Metz flash that has an on-board sensor for exposure control. Works pretty well, but wireless remote TTL would be MUCH better.

A quick Google search might have brought up

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. Click "Product information" for technical specs; this should answer all your questions.

I don't have the EF-X20, only the EF-20, but looking at specs, recycle time will be in the same order of magnitude. Re diffuser: See the specifications, in the "Lever for setting wide panel" paragraph.

IMO, there are only three arguments in favor of the EF-X20 (It's up to you whether they are important for your shooting style): (a) slave function for Fuji TTL flashes and for manually operated flash units (i.e. remote operation, even with tripod mount - that's pretty unique in such a small package), (b ) metal case design as opposed to the EF-20's plastic case design - presumedly better suited for rough use, and (c ) design adapted to that of the X-Pro1.

[Arjay]

Thank you for your clarification, psartman.

As far as I understand the unit, the EF-X20 has one Master and two Slave modes. In the Slave modes, the unit can sync on a TTL flash or a single flash sequence. See

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, and scroll down to "Wireless slave flash selector".

Since there are no commands for remote TTL control in the camera menus or on the EF-X20 control elements, I am led to assume that the EF-X20 can only be used as a manual flash in slave mode. If a slave flash were to be TTL enabled, then the camera or a Master flash would need to contain separate EV control values and/or power settings for secondary or tertiary flash units (such as e.g. the Nikon AWL remote flash system is offering).

Further, the EF-X20 can act as a Master flash in its "X" mode - this mode probably is nothing else than the normal TTL mode in the EF-20. This probably means that you can also use an EF-20 as Master flash.

[flysurfer]

EF-X20 has standard TTL mode (X), normal slave mode (N) and pre-flash slave mode (P). Slave operation is triggered by an optical diode in the front of the flash unit. Obviously, there's no data link.

[psartman]

The window COULD be an IR data receptor. Just saying...
(ever the optimist....)

EF-X20 has standard TTL mode (X), normal slave mode (N) and pre-flash slave mode (P). Slave operation is triggered by an optical diode in the front of the flash unit. Obviously, there's no data link.

[ergoforce]

It's cute and the exposure adjustment ring is nice instead of several button presses needed on Canon flashes. Little bit too easy to turn it accidentally.

Comes along with a nice leather bag. No infrared assist lamp though.

[BO105]

Hello

 

EF-X20 is a good flash.

I'm very surprise by the lightweight aons metal construction.

 

At the beginning, i made some photos with my SB800, but it's too heavy ans destabilize the set.

 

With X20, the management TTL is also good as on couple D700+SB800, amazing.

Answer for the macrophotography, i made temporarily a small snoot, which gives of very goods results, but in manual mode it's still better.

I read another time, a fabulous book of Mister BRYAN PETERSON practical flash in photography, and i see differently the possibility of this flash.

 

I'm very impressive by this unit, and i think that he can return of enormous services with XPRO camera

[SUPERTRISTAR]

I have been very much interested in acquiring this X20 flash as opposed to EF20 flash mainly for ability to be slaved.

I also remembered reading that the only issue with the EF-X20 flash is slow charging up time?  Is this true for member who are using?  What is the experience of flash recharging speed?

[Arjay]

What is the experience of flash recharging speed?

 

I just ran a test with both my EF-20 and my EF-X20. Both ran on recently charged low self-discharge batteries (Sanyon Eneloop technology knock-offs).

 

I operated the EF-20 off-camera and popped a test shot (I suppose this is a full-power flash pulse).  I used the EF-X20 off-camera as well and set it to manual operation in two power settings - 1:1 (full power) and 1:64 (minimum power).

 

I took two recharge times for both flash units - (1) flash pulse to blinking power light (ready for another min. power flash pulse) and (2) flash pulse to continuously lit power light (ready for another full-power flash pulse).

 

EF-20:

flash pulse to blinking light - 6s

flash pulse to continuous light - 9s

 

EF-X20:

1/64 power, flash pulse to blinking light - 10s

1/64 power, flash pulse to continuous light - 21s

1/1 power, flash pulse to blinking light - 11s

1/1 power, flash pulse to continuous light - 21s

 

Timing measurement accuracy ~ +/-0.5s

 

So, the EF-20 is definitely faster. The recycle time of the EF-X20 apparently is independent of the amount of capacitor charge used for the flash pulse. Please note that the EF-20 runs on AA size batteries whereas the EF-X20 is using AAA batteries.

 

BTW, you can find more info about general aspects of using Fuji flash units in the

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thread.

[Michael Anthony (mga440)]

Wow. I hope I am misreading your results. I just ordered an EF-X20. Does that mean that I have to wait 21 seconds between shots if I am using the flash? Tell me I am mistaken. 

 

Thanks,

 

Michael 

[Arjay]

Wow. I hope I am misreading your results. I just ordered an EF-X20. Does that mean that I have to wait 21 seconds between shots if I am using the flash? Tell me I am mistaken.

 

This is the absolute longest possible recycle time, i.e. I measured this for manual operation after firing a flash pulse at 1/1 power. Recycle times in TTL mode are likely much faster, but hard to measure because you'll never know the (variable) percentage of power used by the flash in this mode.

 

The values for the EF-20 aren't directly comparable because that flash can only operate in TTL mode, not in manual mode (in which you'll definitely know the amount of power output by the flash unit).

 

Please also consider that when miniaturizing flash units, the flash's charging circuit containing the voltage multiplier for the discharge capacitor will also need to shrink. This will probably limit the amount of charge that can be generated over a unit of time.

[Michael Anthony (mga440)]

Please also consider that when miniaturizing flash units, the flash's charging circuit containing the voltage multiplier for the discharge capacitor will also need to shrink. 

 

Arjay, 

 

I have no idea what this means but it sure sounds impressive. Next time I am at some strobist party I will have to pull that out of my hat. Of course, if they ask me any questions I will be doomed. 

 

Michael 

[Arjay]

Arjay, 

 

I have no idea what this means but it sure sounds impressive. Next time I am at some strobist party I will have to pull that out of my hat. Of course, if they ask me any questions I will be doomed. 

 

Michael 

 

I was taking about the electronic circuitry which pumps electrical charge into the flash unit's main capacitor. The capacitor acts as temporary energy storage for the electricity which is discharged across the Xenon tube to form the light flash.

[Michael Anthony (mga440)]

Thank you Arjay for the explanation. I have the EF-X20 so hopefully it will suit my purposes.

 

Michael