Adding an external flash to your underwater camera, will result in pictures with nicer colors, more contrast and less backscatter. Even with enough ambient light, you will often want to use the flash to shoot better underwater photos. The AOI Q1 underwater flash will appeal to many underwater photographers. Small in size, but the flash power and angle are fine. The flash is equipped with two LED lights, which can be used as a target light and are even so bright that they can be used to illuminate video recordings. The flash has a short recycle time between 2 flashes and you can flash no less than 2000 times full power with the same set of (rechargeable) batteries. Available in white or black and the price is the most striking: € 299!

Small, lightweight and easy

The flash is very compact (125mm long and 76mm wide) and lightweight. Including batteries, this flash weighs only 520 grams, of which only 70 grams remain underwater. The AOI Q1 flash is really designed for owners of compact cameras and smaller system cameras such as the Olympus PEN. Nice and small and also competitively priced! The operation is kept simple and clear. Two push buttons and one rotary knob to set the flash power. The flash has a maximum depth of 60 meters and the double o-ring ensures a secure seal of the battery compartment.

Powerful and fast

The Q1 is powered by two 18650 batteries. The great advantage is immediately reflected in the number of flashes that can be made on one set of batteries. No less than 2000 Full Power flashes! The batteries themselves are not included with the flash, but of course we have the batteries and charger in stock. The flash is powerful (guide number 22) and the recycle time is nice and quick at 0.85 seconds. The angle of 85 x 85 degrees (with diffuser) is more than sufficient for macro, fish portraits and wide-angle shots.

Pilot light / videolight

The strobe contains 2 LED lamps, which can be used as a pilot light. The light output of these LEDs is no less than 700 lumens. That's so much that it can also be used as video lighting for macro and close-up video footage. Thanks to the large capacity of the 18650 batteries the burning time is 160 minutes at maximum power. 

Best buy strobe - available as a complete package

We are very excited about this flash! We call the AOI Q1 our "Best Buy" for owners of a compact camera or small system camera. The price/quality ratio is perfect, the Q1 simply offers a lot for a small purchase price. We have put together complete packages with everything you need to expand your underwater camera with this flash.

Optical cable

An optical cable is also included in the complete package. This is a flexible fiber optic cable that must be connected to the underwater housing in front of the internal flash. Many underwater housings have a direct connection option for optical cables at this location (two round holes). Some brands come with a special adapter for this. For example the PFCA-03 adapter is included with the latest underwater housings from Olympus. You need it to plug in the optical cable. The optical cable conducts the flash light from the internal flash to the external Q1 flash at lightning speed. It receives the signal and fleshes immediately. So the flash is indirectly activated by the light flash of the camera. Do you want to get started with this flash set? Then check whether your underwater housing has connection options for this optical cable. Even if the underwater housing does not offer a possibility, we have a universal attachment for this. The cable can therefore be connected to almost any underwater housing. Questions about this or need help? Please feel free to contact us.

AOI - the brand

The flash immediately shows that this manufacturer already has a lot of experience in developing and producing products for underwater photography. AOI is best known for the underwater housings for Olympus PEN and OM-D cameras and the high quality wide-angle and macro lenses. They have also been developing flash units for several years now. The AOI Q1 underwater flash is beautifully designed and available in both white and black

What's in the box?

Like other AOI-products the flash comes complete. Spare o-rings, silicone grease, an o-ring remover, diffuser and even a storage box for the batteries are included standard. The batteries are not included in the box, but we have them in stock and they can be purchased separately.
We have composed complete packages with the strobe and standard accessories completed with arm, optical cable, batteries and charger etc.

Optional snoot

AOI also developed a snoot for the Q1 flash. With the snoot you can highlight your macro subject very precisely and make it really stand out against a dark background. You can really put your macro subject in the picture and you ensure that it attracts all the attention.

Questions?

Don't hesitate to mail or call us. We are happy to help you.