Some might say that photography is an expensive art to practice. Somehow the statement is true, but for those who are passionate about photography, it's not expensive. Since I am not planning for practicing photography in full time, I've decided to purchase some gears that might help me get a better shot compared with just using Adobe Photoshop to improve my image quality.
Last 2013, While browsing for a decent USB flash disk in CDR King at SM Clark, my eyes stumbled upon a familiar looking item. It's a external camera flash for DSLR, without any hesitations, I asked the store clerk to show me the item. It's a CDR King Camera Flash TT520. I have trust issues when it comes to items that has been purchased at CDR King since most of the items I bought is...
a huge f***ing failure.
So for 3 years of using CDR King's TT520 external flash, i'll give my own personal review on the so-called "first photography gear released by CDR King.
Physical Built
CDR King's TT520 is relatively the same as Godox TT520 and other locally sold external flashes. The generic name is TT520, meaning, CD-R King brand or other brand (Photozuela,godox,. etc) will be using the same board, same system and literally identical units. I've purchased photozuela's TT520 and both look extremely identical to each other, aside from the brand name of coarse. The position, and appearance of batter cover, the LED light indicators, the external power ports, and panel at the back, is also relatively are completely identical. I guess, it's safe to assume that these models are completely identical, like all those generic medicine that has the same generic name.
The noticable thing about the unit is it's built quality. CDR King's TT520 has it's thin plastic body that made the unit very light.The unit is relatively light with only 286 grams. The unit is so light that you can bring 10 units for less than 3 kilograms. If there's one thing that doesn't look pretty about the unit, it's the flash head. The unit is very awkward looking. It seemed like the flash head has never been thought off, and the awkward positioning the flash bulb makes the unit looks horrible. Though the appearance don't primarily effect the flash quality, it do look like fake at first glance.
The buttons has clicky noise when you press them, but those buttons seemed fine for me. There are only 4 button and one power switch on the unit. the buttons are:
So for 3 years of using CDR King's TT520 external flash, i'll give my own personal review on the so-called "first photography gear released by CDR King.
Physical Built
CDR King's TT520 is relatively the same as Godox TT520 and other locally sold external flashes. The generic name is TT520, meaning, CD-R King brand or other brand (Photozuela,godox,. etc) will be using the same board, same system and literally identical units. I've purchased photozuela's TT520 and both look extremely identical to each other, aside from the brand name of coarse. The position, and appearance of batter cover, the LED light indicators, the external power ports, and panel at the back, is also relatively are completely identical. I guess, it's safe to assume that these models are completely identical, like all those generic medicine that has the same generic name.
The noticable thing about the unit is it's built quality. CDR King's TT520 has it's thin plastic body that made the unit very light.The unit is relatively light with only 286 grams. The unit is so light that you can bring 10 units for less than 3 kilograms. If there's one thing that doesn't look pretty about the unit, it's the flash head. The unit is very awkward looking. It seemed like the flash head has never been thought off, and the awkward positioning the flash bulb makes the unit looks horrible. Though the appearance don't primarily effect the flash quality, it do look like fake at first glance.
The buttons has clicky noise when you press them, but those buttons seemed fine for me. There are only 4 button and one power switch on the unit. the buttons are:
- On / Off toggle - well, it's the master power switch of the unit. nothing more.
- Test - the test button allows you to fire the flash at the current settings.
- Mode - it changes how the flash operates. It allows you to access your flash in M, S1, and S2 mode,
- The +/- button - The buttons are designed to control the power of the flash bulb.
There are other inputs and outputs in the said unit. on the left side of the unit, there's external battery charger for rechargeable batteries, and a PC Sync Socket that is used for manual wired firing flash in case you don't have your own wireless trigger. Part of the built-in features is the reflective board flaps which is standard for all external cameras and the flash diffuser that comes standard for all external flash. It also contains the tripod mount in case you wanted the flash to stand on a tripod.
Flash Quality
The flash quality is somehow decent. The unit isn't really that bad. It almost have the same quality as Yongnuo brand. (BTW, I have this Yongnuo 560 iii which just lasted for 4 months before the flash got destroyed by excessive heat from the batteries) The flash can fire from 1/1 to 1/128 which is almost standard for all external flash with the same type.
Here are sample of my shots taken using my Canon 60D and the CDR King's TT520
CDR King's flash is quite decent and durable as per my experience. I couldn't say that it was the best flash I've ever tried in all my gears, but with it's price of 1800, it's pretty affordable and wise to buy this flash.
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