Chinese manufacturer Viltrox released the Vintage Z1, its new on-camera flash with a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern performance. Weighing 116 grams and measuring 68.5 x 50.2 x 74 mm, this compact flash unit features a matte silver metal finish, pebbled leather-style accents, and mechanical dials reminiscent of classic rangefinder cameras.

The Vintage Z1 is equipped with a manual flash mode and seven-step adjustable output ranging from 1/64 to full power (1/1) and offers a maximum flash energy of 23 watt-seconds and a guide number of 12 (at ISO 100). Its recycle time varies between 0.2 to 3.5 seconds, with flash durations between 1/5,000 and 1/50,000 seconds. The light output covers the angle of view of a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera and provides a colour temperature of 6500 ± 200K.

The Z1 supports S1 and S2 optical trigger modes. S1 enables standard wireless syncing through its built-in optical sensor, while S2 mode helps prevent pre-flash interference during multi-light setups. A custom white diffuser is included to soften and evenly distribute light, improving image clarity in diverse environments such as street photography, portraits, and low-light conditions.

Power is supplied by a built-in 3.7V 1,100mAh rechargeable battery that delivers over 400 full-power flashes per charge and up to 10,000 flashes at lower output levels. The battery charges via USB-C in about 50 minutes, and an automatic sleep mode activates after 15 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy.

Here are some sample pictures, courtesy of Viltrox: