Last Updated on 11/10/2013 by Julius Motal
Earlier this year, Phottix announced their brand new Mitros+ flashes that incorporate TTL metering with their Odin transmitter. As the first affordable TTL compliant flash to work with an integrated radio system, we’re positive that many photographers were just as excited as we were. We’ve been testing the flashes for a while and were quite amazed by how well they performed for the price point.
And for what you pay, we only have one big qualm.
Pros and Cons
Pros
– Excellent TTL transmission
– Super simple to use
– TTL is so good that you might never even switch to manual
– Seamless integration with the Odin transmitter
Cons
– Really wish that the head snapped into place better
Gear Used
We used three different Phottix Mitros+ flashes with the Odin, Canon 5D Mk II, Sigma 35mm f1.4, Sigma 85mm f1.4, and Zeiss 135mm f2. As far as speedlight modifiers go, we tested it with a Profoto RFi softbox and the Profoto Speedlight speedring.
Tech Specs
Specs taken from the B&H Photo product page
- Built-In Odin Transmitter/Receiver
- Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II
- Guide Number: 190′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
- Flash Coverage from 24-105mm
- Wireless: 4 Channels & 3 Groups
- Recycle Time: 0.1-5 Seconds
- Rotates 360°
- Tilts from -7° to +90°
- Memory Functions
- Runs on 4 AA Batteries
Ergonomics
The Mitros+ isn’t your typical Chinese brand flash. Phottix isn’t try to rip off another company. Instead, they’re trying to create their own and have been working to make waves for a while. It started with the Odin transmitter for the most part, and when you really look at the system as a whole, you’ve got a much more affordable option than what Canon offers.
With that said, the Mitros+ is nearly just like the Mitros before it, but it has a little + at the end of its name. The front of the flash is nearly devoid of control sans the IR assist and sensor.
The back of the flash features the main controls. Here you’ll find an LCD screen along with lots of controls to play around with. Here you can see the LED on, hss, test, zoom, and other settings.
Now here’s the thing: you’ll probably never deal with any of this. The Mitros+ integrates so well with the Odin receiver that once the flash is set to take orders from a receiver, you’ll set it and forget it.
The Mitros+ takes four AA batteries and the hatch closes in a way very similar to Canon’s flashes. Be sure that you put them in the right way!
The top of the flash contains the head. The head houses a wide diffuser and a panel for bouncing and to give a bit of fill. Chances are that you’ll rarely use this. We strongly encourage you to put this baby in a softbox or something else instead.
The head of the flash nearly turns around in a full 360 degrees. Instead the head will turn towards the back by turning it to the left or right. This head also tilts fully upward or downward.
Build Quality
The Mitros+ has a damned solid build quality. It doesn’t feel like any cheap, Chinese made brand flash and in some ways this flash feels better than Canon’s own 580 EX II. Our only major qualm is with the head. Canon’s flash head snaps into place and won’t move unless you press a button. This is a concern of ours, but in real life use it never posed enough of an issue to affect usability.
Ease of Use
First off, if you’re going to get this flash, get the Odin receiver. There is really no point in using it otherwise when you can trigger your flash and have full control over it. Navigating the Mitros+ menu system isn’t the toughest, but it isn’t quite straightforward either. The only thing that you really need to do is set it to be a receiver for the Odin and then control everything from the Odin.
Seriously, lighting has never been this straight forward for speedlites.
Image Quality
We’ve been using the Phottix Mitros+ flashes for a while, and we’re quite amazed at not only how well they meter with the Canon camera system, but also how well they integrate into Phottix’s current technology. When we first got them in for review, we thought of lots of ways to test them. Many of the site’s product photos have been lit with this flash with the most recent example being the Pentax K3. However, we don’t see most of you using these flashes to shoot product photos. With that in mind though, we want you to be aware that those photos are still very useful in demonstrating what the flashes are capable of doing in the hands of a skilled strobist.
We’ve used the flashes for portraits as well though: and in fact we see lots of photographers using these flashes for not only portraits but also some event work. With that in mind though, we should also state very clearly that the Mitros+ doesn’t seem to eat away at the life of Eneloop AA batteries.
We recommend placing these lights in the right spot after careful thought. Plus, we think that you’ll be extremely happy with the TTL performance in most situations. By that, we mean that the flashes are better than most of what Canon has to offer.
Though we’re pretty happy with these flashes we must once again warn you that they are speedlights are speedlights are designed to give just enough power in the right spots. They are quite weak as compared to monolights, but if you need more power then you surely should go for more power.
Here are a couple more sample photos.
Conclusions
We have barely anything bad to say about the Phottix Mitros+ flashes. Our only complaint is that we wish that the head was a bit snappier, but otherwise the flash is a marvelous piece of work. If you already own the Odin and the receivers, then you may not want to spend the extra money. But if you haven’t got any of them yet, the Odin and Mitros+ are a very tough combo to beat. With Canon’s offering (including the transmitter) being more expensive than the flash and Odin combo, we believe that the Odin could easily become the next light that you become super addicted to at just the right price.
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