Flash colour question

[Steve T]

Will I get significantly better colour results with a studio flash (smartflash 200) than I do with cheap Yongnou flashes,expensive cannon flashes.
If so, why?

 

[Garry Edwards]

It depends on the power setting.
With studio flashes, the colour temperature tends to get a bit warmer as the power is reduced.

With hotshoe flashes, because of the way they work (with the flash firing at full power but then being abruptly cut off when set to lower settings) the red end of the flash is cut off, making the flash colour significantly cooler at very low settings.

I'm not going to comment on specific makes, but I tested my own flashgun at all power settings and found a massive difference of 1000K between the two extremes of power

 

[Steve T]

Thanks Garry, I think that explains the colour inconsistency problems.

More expense

 

[Steve T]

As a matter of interest Garry, what would you expect from a smart flash in a similar test.

 

[Garry Edwards]

As a matter of interest Garry, what would you expect from a smart flash in a similar test.

All lencarta performance data is published here
5500K at full power, 5300K at minimum power.