Godox TT350s

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A casual check on the Sony Alpha enthusiast discussion groups reveal that Godox’s camera flash units have quite a fan following nowadays. I reckon they’re like the Xiaomi of camera accessories: full-featured gadgets at a fraction of the OEM prices. The TT685s I picked up a month ago to accompany the Sony A73 has worked well, though it chews through its four AA batteries like no tomorrow when coupled with the XproS wireless trigger. More seriously though: the flash unit – powerful as it is – is huge, and not exactly the kind of accessory I’d like to bring out of home. In part also that I’ll like to start learning how to do multiple-flash unit exposures for portraiture, I went about looking for a second Godox flash unit that’s smaller and also more portable, and to be delivered in time before the Bali trip.

And Godox has one such: the series of TT350 flash units that are each compatible with its respective camera systems, and also its companion V350 units – which look like they’re functionally the same, except that they run on Li-on batteries instead and cost quite a bit more. The TT350s – the ‘s’ suffix meaning it’s for Sony – costs as low as SGD110 here on local stores listed on Lazada. And very nicely too: I placed an order on the 24 May morning, and it was in my hands on 25 May evening. Lazada’s LiveUp membership with its included fast delivery rocks!

First observations of the TT350s:

The unit runs off two AA batteries, and is rated GN36 @ ISO100. Size and power-wise, it’s slightly smaller/weaker than the Nissin i40 (GN40) that I still have for m4/3, and and larger/more powerful than the Meike MK320 (GN32). I was able to easily couple the new flash unit with the XproS trigger too.

The flash unit is very light and compact, and feels dense and well-built. The battery cover when flipped opened feels just a tiny bit flimsy though, so I’ll have to be extra careful now to break it.

Like the TT685s, the TT350s comes with a relatively large LCD screen that brings up an orange backlight when needed. The rear panel’s buttons offer adequate resistance to push-clicks, and there’s also a micro-USB port hidden behind the battery cover that allows upgrades to the unit’s firmware. The TT350s out of the box was already in the most current version 1.7, so no additional upgrades are needed at this point.

The TT350s supports 0 to 270 degree swivel (the TT685s turns 0 to 360 degrees) – turning the flash head offers a satisfying if dampened experience. The flash head can also be tilted -7 to 90 degrees (i.e. right upwards for bounce) but in both Godoxes, clicks are audible instead now oddly. Somewhat inconsistent implementation much?

The hotshoe connector is like the TT685s – you turn a wheel to lock the unit in place. Not the easiest way to secure the flash unit to the camera. My unit’s connector was also a pretty tight squeeze into the camera’s shoe too, though in a sense its tightness helps in making sure that the flash unit isn’t going to come loose easily, even if I don’t twist the lock ring to secure it in place.

Unlike the TT685s though, the TT350s doesn’t sound off an audible feedback/beep when it’s charged and ready to fire. That’s a small hit on usability.

The built-in wide-angle diffuser and bounce card is tightly stashed into the flash head, and is fairly difficult to pry either to slide it open – unless you have sharp fingernails!

And lastly, I found myself having to dial a +1.0 on the flash exposure compensation dial to get the flash out I want. Fortunately, the compensation setting is retained when the flash is powered off, though lost when batteries are removed. The dial supports up to +/- 3.

The Godox TT350s comes with a multi-language instructional manual, warranty card, the flash unit itself, a stand and protector cap for the flash horse shoe, a soft-case – and also a Stoffen-styled diffuser (not pictured). The latter is a neat bonus: such was not included in the TT685s package.
The TT350s is significantly smaller and lighter than the TT685s – 200g vs 400g, and ISo100 Guide Numbers of 36 vs 60. It also runs off two AA batteries as opposed to the latter’s four.
Smaller LCD screen on the TT350s, but that’s not unexpected. The command dial on it is also easier to rotate compared to the recessed dial on the TT685s. The flash unit is also turned on by holding down the power-on button for two seconds – unlike the power-on/off slider found on the TT685s.
A quick pairing with the Godox XProS transmitter and it’s ready to fire!
The TT350s mounted on top of the Sony A73.

Still, for the very low price Godox prices its fully-functional units, I really can’t be complaining too much about their wares. The TT685s is still my primary flash light, but the TT350s will serve as a very nice backup and also flash light to bring on our upcoming trip!