Interfit Stellar Xtreme

Photo answers review

Photo answers rating

Interfit has produced a great range of lighting products in recent years, but this is the first portable light to be marketed. There are two versions of the lighting head available, with different power ratings. This example is the more powerful of the two thanks to its 300W output, but the 150W version is available for around £90 less than the £350 Xtreme 300. Outdoor flash kits are generally very expensive, and you would be lucky to see change from £1000 with many brands, so this affordable Interfit kit is a very attractive option, especially for the enthusiast.

A single light package comes complete with the lighting stand, battery and reflector plus a cable for mains operation. We used the £140 PSRO90 octagonal ‘Octabox’ with our test sample, which is a great accessory for diffusing the light from the Xtreme flash head. The light is easy to set up, with the battery having a simple charging indicator on it so you can see when it is fully powered up, which takes around 8 hours. Interfit recommends an extended first charge and full discharge in order to condition the battery, which will give you a longer life from the battery. The battery pack is very portable and is not too heavy either, but the lighting head itself is a weight. The head has adjustable power and when mounted on the battery it can fire off around 80-100 flashes at full power. Recycle times at full power are around 12 seconds though, so it’s not great for rapid shooting. There’s a modelling light and slave sensor on the head, so it’s a well spec’d set.

Performance
The light produces a very broad light distribution, with the 300W power. Along with the Octabox, we shot a number of locations with our model, and the results were really pleasing. Colour tones were retained thanks to accurate colour temperature output from the light, and the modelling light proved very useful. We really like the ease of use with this light, and the set-up is equally intuitive. The lighting head isn’t waterproofed though, so the only limitation for outdoor use is that you must keep it dry.

Final viewpoint
With the only real negative being the recycle time at full power, this kit is superb value for money and delivers great light accuracy. It would have been nice to have a case to carry the head in, but that’s a minor issue. For the enthusiast portrait photographer, this is an excellent tool to add to your kit, and will open up a whole new avenue of images.
Applications like action on location are also great subjects that a portable light will add impact to, so the investment is worthy of £350 of your cash. Plus, it can be used as a mains light for indoor applications too.