This is a summary of a review I did on the channel. VIEW THE VIDEO HERE
Photography gear has come a long way, but sometimes a new piece of equipment comes along that feels like a nod to the past—while still packing a few surprises. That’s exactly what caught my attention with the Z160 Retro Flash. It has a design that looks straight out of the film photography era, but does it actually hold up for modern photographers?
I put it through its paces, and here’s what I found.
Unboxing the Z160: First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Z160 has a distinctive vintage aesthetic that immediately gives it a cool factor. The packaging itself leans into that old-school vibe, making it feel like something from a different era. Along with the flash unit, the kit includes:
✅ A PC sync cord—something you don’t see as often these days
✅ A stand similar to what Canon flashes include
✅ A USB-C charging cable, keeping things modern on the power front
And then there’s the flash itself. The form factor is compact, but there are a few quirks you’ll notice immediately—most notably, it’s fixed in place with no tilt or swivel. That’s a pretty big limitation if you’re used to bouncing your flash off ceilings or walls, but more on that in a moment.
Click the image below for pricing information.
Auto Mode: A Blast from the Past
The Z160 is not TTL, meaning it doesn’t communicate exposure settings with your camera. Instead, it relies on its own built-in sensor to determine exposure—a throwback to the “automatic” flashes of decades past.
Testing it in auto mode, the flash did a decent job balancing exposure. However, you have to stay within a 4-meter range, and while you can adjust exposure compensation, you’re trusting the flash to make the right call. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but if you’re used to modern TTL flashes, you’ll need to rethink how you shoot.
Manual Mode: Where It Shines
Switching over to manual mode is where the Z160 starts to show its real value. Like any good manual flash, you take full control over power settings, and once you dial it in, it’s surprisingly consistent and reliable.
This is where the Z160 can actually be a great tool for learning flash photography. If you’re new to off-camera flash and want to experiment without spending a fortune, this could be a great starting point.
The Real Game-Changer: Optical Slave Mode
Here’s the biggest reason I’m keeping this flash in my kit: it has an optical slave mode. This means that when it sees another flash fire, it will trigger itself—making it perfect as a secondary light source.
For portrait photographers, this opens up some creative possibilities:
📌 Use it as a hair light or rim light for extra separation
📌 Add a subtle background fill light to shape the scene
📌 Pair it with a main flash for dynamic lighting setups
At this price point, that’s a huge bonus. While it won’t work well outdoors in bright sunlight (since the optical sensor relies on seeing another flash fire), it’s an excellent option for indoor setups.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
So, is the Z160 Retro Flash a hidden gem or just a gimmick? The answer depends on how you plan to use it.
👍 Recommended for:
✔ Photographers who enjoy working in manual flash mode
✔ Those looking for an affordable secondary flash
✔ Shooters who want to learn flash basics without TTL
👎 Not ideal for:
✘ Those who rely heavily on TTL and auto-exposure systems
✘ Anyone needing tilt/swivel functionality for bounce flash
✘ Outdoor photographers needing a powerful fill flash
For me, the optical slave feature alone makes this a worthwhile addition to my lighting kit. If you’re interested in seeing exactly how I’d use it in a real setup, let me know in the comments—or drop by The Camera Cafe, and I’ll put together a full demo.
📌 What do you think? Would you add the Z160 to your kit? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
