Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash
USB-C, Measured GN 32'/9⅔ m, 0.8s Recycling, TTL, S1/S2 Slave
For Canon, for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji (2026 ~ today)
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash (USB-C internal battery, 4.9 oz./138g, $60 for the Canon version. It also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version with S1/S2 slave modes (see all versions)). bigger.
I got mine directly from Viltrox (try code KENROCKWELL on checkout for a discount) for Canon, where it also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version. I'd also get mine at B&H for Canon, for Nikon, for Sony or for Fuij, or as a manual-only version for $38, or get any version at Amazon or at Adorama, or get it used at eBay (How to Win at eBay).
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
August 2026 Better Pictures Viltrox Canon Flash Nikon Flash Sony Flash All Reviews
The ready light is big and bright indoors and good in shade as seen here, but completely invisible in direct sunlight or under overcast skies. The LCD works pretty well, even in direct sunlight. bigger.
Introduction top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This is a great little flash to carry everywhere in your pocket, or ideally always to have atop your camera:
Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash. bigger.
Its power matches its small size, so it only has a range of about ten feet (3 meters) for fill-flash in direct sunlight, which is why I use on-camera flash.
It handles well and recycles in less than a second, but its limited power is often a limitation. I prefer a larger, more powerful flash for most daylight fill-flash use.
USB-C port and S1/S2 Slave Mode Switch. bigger.
I got mine directly from Viltrox (try code KENROCKWELL on checkout for a discount) for Canon, where it also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version. I'd also get mine at B&H for Canon, for Nikon, for Sony or for Fuij, or as a manual-only version for $38, or get any version at Amazon or at Adorama, or get it used at eBay (How to Win at eBay).
New intro top
Among Viltrox' first flashes.
Good intro top
Great ergonomics with real, dedicated switches and knobs.
Dedicated power slide switch for instant ON/OFF; no buttons to have to hold for a second.
Big knob for instant TTL exposure compensation or manual power setting.
Tap the big knob to swap between TTL and Manual modes, or swipe the touch screen left or right.
Easy S1 & S2 slave modes, just move the dedicated slide switch.
Big, beautiful ready-light button fires the flash instantly.
Perfect LCD touch screen for making settings, and you can swipe it to make some settings instantaneously!
The LCD is bright indoors, and reasonably legible even in direct sunlight!
Internal battery with fast USB-C Charging — Easy!
Almost instantaneous recycling.
It includes a hot-shoe cover even with my Canon version, but it's not needed except possibly for the Sony version with its delicate contacts.
Bad intro top
Not enough power for all daylight use; only enough power to reach about ten feet (3 meters) in daylight, buy hey, the price and size and handling is otherwise near perfect, especially for use in low light.
The twisty screw-down shoe lock wastes time. The much less powerful Godox iT20 and iT22 use one button that is much faster and more secure, but they are so weak that they only work out to about three feet (one meter) in daylight.
It goes to sleep after 15 minutes of non-use (good), but will not wake up again unless you move the power switch to OFF and then back ON.
Missing intro top
Barely enough power for moderate distances for daylight fill.
Has an HSS High-Speed Sync (FP) mode, but not enough power to make it useful. (The HSS/FP mode needs much more power than regular sync modes).
Doesn't work as a remote commander.
No zoom head.
No bounce ability (head doesn't swivel).
No radio modes, only S1 and S2 optical slave.
Specifications & Measurements top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
I got mine directly from Viltrox (try code KENROCKWELL on checkout for a discount) for Canon, where it also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version. I'd also get mine at B&H for Canon, for Nikon, for Sony or for Fuij, or as a manual-only version for $38, or get any version at Amazon or at Adorama, or get it used at eBay (How to Win at eBay).
Output Power
GN 32' / 9⅔ m at ISO 100, actual measured power.
GN 30' / 9.1m in HSS, actual measured power.
Rated GN 39⅓' / 12 meters at ISO 100, or 24 Ws.
Manual mode: Full to 1/100 (1/64 -0.7 stops) power in third stops, observed.
Recycling Time, Full Manual Power specifications top
0.80 seconds with a full battery. Fast!
0.91 seconds with a half-charged battery (two battery icon segments lit), actual measured.
1.03 seconds with the battery at 25% (one battery icon segment lit), actual measured.
Rated 1.0 second.
Exposure Modes specifications top
TTL or Manual.
Swipe left or right on the touch screen LCD to select them instantly, or tap the big knob to change them after a three-quarter second delay.
The cheaper non-dedicated manual version only provides manual exposure.
Sync Modes specifications top
Front, Rear or High Speed (FP) Sync.
Swipe up or down on the touch screen LCD to select them instantly, or double-tap the big knob to change them after a three-quarter second delay.
Flashes per Charge specifications top
Rated 350 at full power, rated.
Lens Coverage specifications top
28mm on Full Frame (18mm on APS-C), rated.
No zoom head.
Weight specifications top
4.865 oz. (138.0 g), actual measured weight.
Rated 136g.
Battery specifications top
Non-removable Li-Ion rechargeable.
Rated 3.7V 800 mAh = 1.85 Wh.
Charging specifications top
Mine draws 3¾ watts (measured) while charging (750 mA at 5 volts).
It consumes about 4 Wh (measured) for a complete charge.
Made From specifications top
Silver-painted plastic.
Fake leather on top.
Metal hot shoe and contacts.
Box Bottom, Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash. bigger.
Canon Version, Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro Flash. bigger.
"High Pressure" Is Chinese for HIGH VOLTAGE!!!
The red window is the optical S1/S2 slave sensor.
Usage top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
I got mine directly from Viltrox (try code KENROCKWELL on checkout for a discount) for Canon, where it also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version. I'd also get mine at B&H for Canon, for Nikon, for Sony or for Fuij, or as a manual-only version for $38, or get any version at Amazon or at Adorama, or get it used at eBay (How to Win at eBay).
Charging, Power and Battery
Just plug into USB-C.
There's a throbbing white LED next to the USB-C socket as it charges. It stays on when full.
The battery icon has four segments. The segments turn green while charging.
The four segments simply disappear when it's dead; the icon doesn't turn red.
While the number of segments increase as it charges to higher levels, there is no other motion or animation while charging.
Oddly the power switch shows a little bit of red paint when it's off, SECAM (System Essentially Contrary to American Method).
Recycling, Ready Light & Test Flash Button user's guide top
The ready light turns red while recycling. It's green when ready.
Considering that it never takes more than a second to recycle, I don't know that you'll ever see it red.
If the ready light flashes green, the flash has overheated.
Tap the button to fire the flash.
Sleep and Wake user's guide top
It goes to sleep after 15 minutes, which is good.
At least on my Canon 5SD/R, it won't wake up on its own when my 5SD/R wakes or is turned back on. To wake the Z1 flash, I have to turn off the flash and turn it back on again manually!
Exposure Modes user's guide top
TTL or Manual. (The cheaper non-dedicated manual version only provides manual exposure.)
Swipe left or right on the touch screen LCD to select these instantly, or tap the big knob to change them after a three-quarter second delay.
Sync Modes user's guide top
Front, Rear or High Speed (FP) Sync.
Swipe up or down on the touch screen LCD to select these instantly, or double-tap the big knob to change them after a three-quarter second delay.
Exposure Compensation & Manual Power Settings user's guide top
Easy: just turn the big knob.
Bravo!
More good news is that while I expected to knock this by accident quite often, I've never knocked it.
LCD Brightness user's guide top
Press-in the big dial for a second, and turn the knob.
I leave mine at the brightest setting.
See also Viltrox' manual for the dedicated Z1 Pro or for the non-dedicated manual-exposure version.
Recommendations top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
I got mine directly from Viltrox (try code KENROCKWELL on checkout for a discount) for Canon, where it also comes for Nikon, for Sony and for Fuji, as well as in a non-dedicated manual version. I'd also get mine at B&H for Canon, for Nikon, for Sony or for Fuij, or as a manual-only version for $38, or get any version at Amazon or at Adorama, or get it used at eBay (How to Win at eBay).
If you can live with only about ten feet (3 meters) of range for daylight fill, this a is a super-duper little flash.
I usually need more power in daylight to shoot at up to about 20 to 30 feet (6 to ten meters), so I prefer the classic Canon 320EX or Nikon SB-400 to carry every day, or the new Godox V480 or iT32 for other brands of cameras. Sadly I'm still looking for a modern USB-C flash that's small, ergonomic and packs enough punch for daylight fill as the classic Canon 320EX or Nikon SB-400 do.
© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Alla rättigheter förbehållna. Toate drepturile rezervate. Niciun vampir nu a fost implicat în crearea acestei lucrări. Omnia jura reservata. Ken Rockwell® is a registered trademark.
Help Me Help You top
I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.
The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places always have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.
If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.
If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!
If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.
As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. If you wish to make a printout for personal use, you are granted one-time permission only if you PayPal me $5.00 per printout or part thereof. Thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Ken.