Interfit EX150 Mark II

The Interfit EX150 Mark II is remarkably affordable for a studio flash kit and offers an incredibly adaptable way to light your portraits. This kit costs around £250 – less than many flashguns – so for two heads and all the trimmings, it promises exceptional value.

Features & build
A studio flash kit consists of one or more flash ‘heads’ raised on adjustable stands, so they can be positioned anywhere you like. They’re controllable in strength and can also be modified using attachments like umbrellas (or ‘brollies’) and softboxes. The Interfit EX150 Mark II, a replacement to the model which won a Digital Photo Gold Award in the March 2007 issue, comes with two heads, two stands, a 60cm softbox and a translucent brolly, plus all the leads you’ll need to run it. If your camera lacks a sync socket, though, you’ll need an additional PC sync adapter (about £10 from Jessops) to sit in your hotshoe.
The power of a studio flash system is given in Watts/sec or as a Guide Number (GN) and Interfit claims the Mark II kit is more powerful than its predecessor, though the stated GN of 30 on the box is identical. There is a brighter modelling lamp, however, which has increased from a dim 60W to a much more usable 100W. The heads themselves have been overhauled, with a more modern look and rubberised feel, a recessed carrying handle at the top, a simple on/off for the modelling lamp, and a new on/off button for the sensor, which fires the flash in response to an infrared trigger or burst of white flash light.

Performance & Handling
Setting up the kit is quick and easy, taking about five minutes from opening the box,
and there’s an accompanying instructional DVD if you have any trouble (though no printed instructions). The two lighting stands offer a height range from just over 2ft to above 8ft and while the head becomes a bit unstable at the upper limits, it needs a good knock before it’ll fall over. The extension isn’t overly smooth and, though they’re pretty sturdy, the stands are obviously of the budget variety so unlikely to put up with too much hammer. This criticism also applies to the spill kill reflectors and sync leads, but they’re perfectly fine for home use. Overall, the kit is very portable, but you’ll need to buy a rugged carry case as one isn’t included.
The heads themselves are easy to use with a simple dial controlling the power setting from full power to 1/8th. This sets the modelling lamp proportionately and, though there’s a slight lag between setting the power and the lamp changing, it’s unlikely to bother you unless you’re used to more pricy gear. The heads recycle quickly for a budget model and there’s a reassuring beep that accompanies the ready light, while output is as stated (we measured a GN of 32 with the spill-kill reflector in place). Of course, the light is diffused when the flash is modified, but still allowed settings of f/8 and f/11 (ISO 100) at a typical working distance for portraits when using the umbrella in a reversed position or the soft box, respectively.

What’s in the box?
2 x EX150 Mark II flash heads
2 x COR750 lighting stands
1 x educational studio flash DVD
2 x 100w modelling bulbs
1 x 60cm (24in) softbox
1 x translucent umbrella
2 x sync cables and 2 x power leads

Verdict
The Interfit EX150 Mark II offers exceptional value – you get a fully-featured home studio kit for less than you’d pay for a top-end flashgun and results are very professional looking – the product shots on p84 are taken with this kit. The heads have a quality feel, as does the softbox, and though we’d suggest also investing in an IR trigger (about £40 for Interfit’s own INT411) and a bag or flight case to cart it around in, this is a kit that won’t disappoint. For those seeking affordable studio flash, it’s a brilliant solution.

Digital Photo Gold Award