cartridge flash

Cartridge flash, or simply 'cartridge', is a very easy way to get powerful flashing light. Great super-budget solution for a small home photo studio.

This flash has such a name due to the fact that it is installed (screwed) into a regular cartridge (E27 base) instead of an ordinary light bulb.

I've been using cartridge flashes for over 5 years now. I usually use them as shooting lights in my small folding light cube 30 X 40 (it is also called light box). Less commonly, I use cartridges on location as a flash light paired with racks и photo umbrellas.

Positive features of cartridge flashes:

very low cost, for example, cartridges Godox SY8000 cost around $20. And one of the most budget cartridges costs only 20 dollars.
ease of use: The flash does not require an all-in-one flash. The flash can be installed in a regular lamp-lamp, or a regular portable cartridge with an E27 base. The power of such a flash comes from a conventional outlet (from a 220V network).
high power. Same Godox SY8000 has a guide number of 30. For example, the most powerful flash Nikon SB-5000 has a guide number of 34.5.
compact sizes and low weight. Any monoblock is significantly larger and heavier than a cartridge flash.
fast recharge, typically less than 1 second.
the possibility of remote ignition using light traps or cable. Unfortunately, my Mircopro VS-32W can only be ignited through a light trap, but I also had Falcon Eyes S45T cartridges with the ability to ignite through a synchronizer cable. Godox SY8000 They even have a tester button.
ease of use with racks и photo umbrellas. Many for sale chucks for stands with umbrella mount.
Yes Flash Ready LED and LED indicator of network connection. There is also a light-scattering front plastic nozzle.
good color temperature.
slightly susceptible to overheating.

Negative features of cartridge flashes:

no power adjustment. The cheapest cartridges always fire with the same power. This inconvenience is solved by additional light-diffusing nozzles and distance to the flash. But the same Godox SY8000 There is already power adjustment.
the simplest cartridge flashes do not have sync ports (3.5mm, 2.5mm, PC) for synchronizer control and can only use a light trap. The light trap doesn't always work.
no sound alert for reloading. Perhaps more expensive solutions have this option.
can quickly fail. For example, two of my old Falcon Eyes S45T cartridge flashes only lasted one year. On the other hand, the mentioned Godox SY8000 have served me for over five years now.
cartridge flashes are noticeably larger than ordinary light bulbs and cannot fit into the frame of some lamps. The easiest way to use them with special cartridge holders.