A mini flash that’s a giant step up from others I’ve usedI purchased the Godox iM30 to use with both my mirrorless digital cameras and my 50 plus-year-old 35mm film cameras. I love the fact that I can use this flash on both camera types, and that it will work on most camera hot shoes. Check the product listing above for compatibility information. I began using it on a couple of my digital cameras to become familiar with it before taking it out with a film camera. It took very little time to discover that the performance is dependable and sufficiently predictable that I can confidently afford to use it with film as well.Note that the iM30 is a manual flash. There is no TTL or other auto function. For those of us who have been shooting for many decades, that is not a big deal at all. And, while I have a collection of Godox strobes and speedlights that offer TTL, I only use that automation about 5% or so of the time.The iM30 has a lot going for it. Among its attributes, the small size is the first thing that caught my eye. It fits easily into my pocket when I’m out with a small camera and don’t want to carry a bag. And I have to admit that the retro look perfectly suits the style of my digital bodies as well as my film cameras. That small size also allows me to get people pictures when a normal speedlight on my camera tends to cause some people to turn away, or to tell me outright, “No!” And along with the small size there’s a big bonus feature, a very small price tag. The performance-to-price ratio is outstanding!The max output capability is a big improvement over what I was expecting, and that increases the usefulness dramatically! I’ve been using it for a variety of applications including as a key light with ambient light as a fill, thus focusing attention on the nearby subject. But I’ve also employed it in places where the ambient light was so low that it contributed almost nothing to the image.Two other features allow the iM30 to work more like my larger speedlights than like the typical mini flash. Its output control allows a choice of seven settings. Rotating the control takes you up or down one stop with each click. So, starting at full power, you can click your way down to ½, then ¼, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64th power. That’s a lot of control, and it makes a huge difference in achieving the optimum exposure. Of course you need to observe the camera’s sync speed, but then you also have your aperture, ISO and distance to fine tune the overall exposure and the balance between flash and ambient light. If you’re a long-time photographer, this is all second nature. Also not new to experienced users of on-camera flash is that the quality of light originating at the camera tends to be flat, compared to off-camera flash, resulting it a somewhat “vintage” look, reminiscent of the days when most casual users, at least, shot with built-in flash, flash cubes, etc. This has actually become a popular feature in recent years, particularly among younger users. Added to that is a noticeable shadow often present when the subject is close to a wall or other surface behind them. Increasing that distance can eliminate the shadow. But if a manual flash is new to you, the iM30 offers an opportunity to quickly learn this rather simple skill set at an incredibly low price.The other feature, well maybe it’s two features, would be the ability to get the flash off the camera. The iM30 offers two ways. First, there’s a sync connector on the side of the flash body. This 2.5mm tip/sleeve jack, along with a standard sync cable, allows the camera to send a sync signal to the flash when the shutter is activated. Moving the flash off the top of the camera that way opens up opportunities for much more creative lighting. In addition, the iM30 offers both S1 and S2 optical sync capabilities. This means that the iM30 can be used off camera, triggered by the firing of a speedlight or strobe that is fired by the camera. Set the iM30 to S1 and it will fire by sensing that other flash. The S2 setting allows the iM30 to work in conjunction with a TTL flash. In TTL, a flash puts out a brief pre-flash to determine how much power is required for proper exposure. Then immediately fires a corrected level of flash that coincides with the shutter opening. When the iM30 is set to S2 it ignores that first test flash and fires with the second flash and with the open shutter.I took all this remote, off-camera fun a step further and attached the iM30 to a wireless trigger system. With the transmitter on the camera’s hotshoe and the iM30 mounted to the system’s receiver I could move the iM30 to wherever I wanted the light source to be. It worked great! I even managed to improvise a mounting method to position the iM30 and receiver in place of a speedlight to fire it through a 24” square softbox and used it to produce some dramatic portraits. Using both the inner and outer softbox diffusers, the output was considerably reduced, of course, but the quality of light was excellent!Another feature of the iM30 will be seen by some as a negative, while I view it as a plus. That is the battery power method. While a number of mini flash systems incorporate a rechargeable battery, the iM30 requires the user to supply two AAA batteries. I have been using rechargeable AA and AAA versions of these in photography gear for years, so have an abundance of them. But even using disposable alkaline AAA batteries has an advantage over the built-in rechargeable battery approach. While the built-in rechargeable battery may last through years of recharging (or may not) the real issue is the time it takes to recharge the flash, something that you don’t want to have to do in the middle of an event or while sightseeing all day. As for me, I’d rather have a few AAA batteries in my bag for an almost instant solution to the problem.I’m amazed at how much fun and what great results I’m getting indoors and out with this ridiculously inexpensive flash. It’s turned out to be a great addition to my more professional Godox strobes and speedlights. And, for many, it may be all they ever need. I’m supplying a handful of shots using the iM30 indoors and out.

This flash is super compact and lightweight — that’s really important to me! It works with both of my cameras, love it！

Needed a smaller flash unit for my Canon R7 to save space and weight in my hiking backpack compared to my behemoth Canon Speedlites. Works great so far, weighs 1/3 of my bigger flash units, and takes up less space in my pack. This flash is simple to use, and covers most situations that I would need out on the trails. If you decide to pull the trigger on the Godox IM30, I suggest also buying one of the cheap slip-on aftermarket flash diffusers to soften the harsh light when doing macro photography, trying to minimize inducing the dreaded wildlife red eye, or just taking general photos at a party, just to name a few examples. I'll update this review if anything changes, but so far, this is exactly what I needed!

Most mid-range to professional DSLRs don't come with a flash. It's expected on a several thosand dollar camera, that if you need a flash, you'll want something better than something thats built in. But, that means for photographers and photojournalist, that we often need to carry around a speedlight, which is what I did for years. While this thing won't replace a speedlight, it is a great option for a flash in a pinch you can keep in your bag all the time.Build Quality: Feels well built, I had no quams about it being damaged from tossing it into a thinktank storage bag with other stuff. It's size is very compact. It fits in storage bags and pockets really well.Controls: 7 power settings (1-1/64), two optical slave buttons,Power Output: It outputs more light than I expected. At 1/200 and f. 4 (ISO 125), 1/2 power and 1/4 blew out in small rooms and up close.Flash Quality: it is a very harsh and bright light as most direct (and compact flashes). Becuase the flash unit itself cant turn or articulate, your forced to shoot head on. I've played around with some DIY difussers and had some luck. I also noticed the cone of light it puts out when using a 70-200mm I was seeing where the flash was hitting the lens underneeth it and bouncing up.Battery: It uses 2x AAA batteries, but like why!? All my speed lights use AA. I'd much rather see this come with a built in rechargable battery, be able to charge it via USB-C, or just use AA batteries. Any kind of standard repalceable battery seems stange in a portable pocket flash, as unless you're using it, you'll have to take the batteries out, which means remembering to carry batteries with you when you grab it.All in all very happy. I solved the battery issue by swaping the headlamp in my bag to one that uses AAA and adding a small case to keep batteries in the bag at all times. It's nice having a tiny flash with me at all times and it's already saved my skin once.