According provided by Flash Oloong Speedlight SP-690 for Nikon many thanks to Alexander.
Overview of Oloong Speedlight SP-690
Oloong Speedlight SP-690 is an inexpensive Chinese flash that can operate in automatic TTL mode (i-TTL for Nikon cameras and E-TTL for Canon cameras). From a distance, the SP-690 is very similar to Nikon's native flash SB-900, and most likely, is its Chinese clone. Cloning was not very successful, and from a real professional SB-900 Chinese creation inherited only a meager share of the potential of the native flagship.
The flash head rotates 90 degrees to the left and 180 degrees to the right, and also tilts 90 degrees.
The SP-690 has a zoom range of 24 to 180mm and automatically adjusts this range to the focal length of the attached lens. The flash display shows the ISO value set, the F number, the selected flash mode, and the focal length. The flash has a built-in diffuser and a reflector card, but when the diffuser is installed, the SP-690 does not move the zoom position to the extreme wide-angle position (in theory, this should be done, otherwise there will be problems in i-TTL mode). The zoom position can also be adjusted manually. An optional diffuser hood can also be purchased for the flash. As far as I understand, such a cap is not included in the standard set.
The flash weighs about 400 grams and is powered by conventional 4 AA batteries or rechargeable batteries. With good batteries, the SP-690 recharges in about 2-3 seconds (when fully discharged). It is stated that the guide number of the SP-690 is as much as 50 m (though at 180 mm zoom and ISO 100).
The flash operates in 4 modes: i-TTL auto, M manual and S1 and S2 modes. I-TTL works correctly, I haven't noticed any shortcomings. In M mode, the power can be set from 1/128 to 1/1 in stop steps (1/128-> 1/64-> 1/32-> 1/16-> 1/8-> 1/4-> 1 / 2-> 1). S1 and S2 modes are for remote flash control. In S1 mode, the flash is ignited by the first light pulse, in S2 mode - by the second. S1 and S2 modes only work with manual power setting and do not support high-speed sync.
The flash has a large contrast display and an audible alert that can be turned off. In addition, there is also protection against overheating (a trifle, but nice). There is also auxiliary lighting for the focusing system.
I got a flash with a redone backlight, because the owner of the flash claims that the basic backlight was of little use.
Oloong Speedlight SP-690 supports the use of an external power supply and has a sync port for working with studio flashes. When the battery level is low, the corresponding indicator appears on the flash. This is a very useful feature that many native Nikon flashes, unfortunately, do not have.
Important: SP-690 does not support high speed sync mode (verified!). Because of this seemingly trifle, I would not even look towards the SP-690 for any more or less complicated work. Camera users without FP mode support will not lose much.
My experience
As many readers have already noticed, I don't like Chinese flashes, because they are just a shadow from the native super-functional flashes. With the SP-690, I didn't like the constant unnerving sound squeak when using the flash, it's good that it can be turned off. Also, I did not like the flash fixing nut on the camera (an extremely inconvenient thing), and the battery compartment cover is rather flimsy. Nevertheless, it is worth paying tribute to the capabilities of the Chinese product, given its cost.
During testing, the flash perfectly worked out a long series of images in i-TTL mode at a speed of 3 frames per second.
Results
The Oloong Speedlight SP-690 is a simple and inexpensive flash that has the most basic flash modes that will be enough for simple photography tasks.
Why do we need information external flash will find here, and help when choosing a native Nikon flash - here.
Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.
And what is the backlight rework and what is the cost of this "miracle of engineering thought"?
Hello Arkady! As the owner of this flash, I’ll add from myself about the factory autofocus backlight.
I bought a used flash in good condition, but the autofocus highlight disappointed me. There were two red LEDs that illuminated two circles with a very fine grid at a focusing distance of up to 2 meters. They were barely visible to the eye, not to mention the sensors (constantly smeared) that stand in the camera (. At large distances, the backlight did not appear at all, as if it did not exist at all. Removing the red diffuser from the flash did not help. That’s what occurred to me the idea to use the backlight from some other (broken) one. It turned out to be good for friends. It’s also Chinese, I don’t remember the brand. I remade it at my own peril and risk :-),
the result (for very simple tasks) is satisfied.
on eBuy 150 bucks.
I took it from hand for 600UAH
Ali costs 140 ye, I think it’s better to add 40 and buy a unit with FP-synchronization, but in general puff is more important for rooms than fast aperture or zoom.
I bought an Oloong Speedlight sp-690-ii Mark II for Nikon i-TTL for non-commercial use. Honestly, I am very satisfied: the package is complete, the work is excellent, the price is amazing! Native Nikon is good, but it's like a lens: you take Helios and Nikon, you know in advance what to expect.
I at one time did not dare to take an analogue, although now I understand that a cheap Chinese woman with a manual control and a light trap would also suit my needs. :)
And then the question of reliability is not known ... If something happens, then where to fix it?))) At least Nikon has services, although the prices are decent there. There can be problems with the guarantee too. For myself, I do not see any reason to buy third-party products, as for flashes, lenses, etc.
The food is old / not old sleeps are more foldable. I will tell you with special admission that all the same I slept (even if it was consumed) I was guilty of being dear. Lack of performance, handling of all chips as declared, adequate service, stable quality of the virob itself, garnished set. Minus is a price point. If there is a rock in that, you have chosen a flash, backing up and using a lot of Chinese, relying to the notice of friends that they are reprimanding by the Chinese, there are a lot of troubles with them, the problem of independence can be found at any moment, as if that barigi was lamented (I didn’t write) I want to fraternize for them, demanding a joke from a specialist .. Tom zupinivya on Nikonovskiy 700tsi, which is more than gratifying.
I bought for a long time. Used very little. On New Year's Eve during the shooting stopped working. I took it to a friend, but the result is zero. In general, I'll try to give it to another workshop. Maybe)))
Although he did not experience any illusions, China, by the way, is a cat in a poke.