Right now, you might be thinking, “why not just buy an 80’s flash and save some money?”. Well, I would think twice about putting an old flash on your current camera because they typically use a high 200-400v trigger voltage, which could seriously damage the circuits of a modern digital camera.

Godox retro camera flashes - Olympus Passion The new Godox retro camera flashes - Olympus Passion

It can produce the right results when used in the appropriate conditions. And it’s USB-C rechargeable, so there’s no fumbling around to find the batteries for it in your drawer full of spares. It’s an incredibly good conversation starter and will give you a solid appreciation for the struggles that film-era photographers would go through daily. Any flash will bring you some sort of bag or case for protection during transport, but I really liked the little velvet pouch of this Godox Lux Junior. The Auto mode is not what the name might suggest because it is not a TTL flash. It is necessary to follow the indications according to the table in the instruction manual, as seen below.

Shutter drag

The Lux Junior features a Vintage, Retro aesthetic, with controls based around the dial and switches of yesteryear. With its silver-coloured accent and classic textured surface, the Lux Junior is the perfect companion for enthusiasts who enjoys the vintage look. Keep It Simple I’ve noted the exposure settings in my captions, but basically, I stayed on Manual mode, ISO 250 and f/5.6, slightly varying the shutter speed based on the ambient light. (As flash users would know, the shutter speed only affects the ambient exposure, not the flash exposure which is typically much shorter than the shutter speed.) Flash power was set to 1/64. The only exception is the two “shutter-drag” photos, whose settings are also noted in the captions. ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/50 sec. Flash power: 1/64. Look and feel But aesthetics is not an exact science. It’s in constant motion, sometimes in circles. My kids loved watching every season of Stranger Things. They thought their clothes were amazing and funny at the same time, but also their bikes, their houses, and then the technology of the time… it was just awesome! And I enjoyed watching this series as much, or maybe more than they did. That feeling of nostalgia for a time when life used to be simple washed over me with every episode, and this series conquered the hearts of everyone, of all ages. It is no coincidence that Kate Bush reached Number 1 in the UK chart. It is not powered by alkaline batteries but by its internal lithium battery, capable of 150 shots at full power. Charging is via a USB-C cable (included in the box). During the time I used the Godox Lux Junior, I often thought about how useful it would be if its head tilted or rotated so that it could be bounced on the ceiling or wall, a technique widely used to make a better distribution of light.

Godox Lux Senior On-Camera Flash Leans Hard into Retro The Godox Lux Senior On-Camera Flash Leans Hard into Retro

It’s bigger and heavier, weighing in at 227g, but thanks to its design, it’s pretty compact and easy to store when closed. With the transition to digital and its progressive evolution, cameras began to have incredible results at ISOs of 800, 1600, and even higher, making flashes obsolete. Moreover, in an attempt to depart ourselves from a not-too-distant past when the use of flash was more of a necessity than an option, most of us avoided using it. The hundreds of articles and YouTube videos in which the “experts” tell you to never use on-camera flash, are the result of this evolution in aesthetics, trying to escape from a recent past when 400/800 was considered high ISO, almost as if it embarrassed us. But if you want to bring to your photos that “flavour” of the 80s, you will hardly find better, or at least stylish.After some testing using Auto mode, I chose to use Manual mode because it allows me to make incremental adjustments and play with exposure. As I mentioned before, after a while, it becomes very intuitive to choose the power level, which is adjusted so easily just by turning a dial. The Lux Senior has a few other features which I did not use in my brief field test. I will test and report on these features in my subsequent, more detailed review, but I’m noting them here for completeness, and so that you don’t go away thinking it’s a more simplistic device than it really is.

Lux Junior - Lux Series - Speedlites - Products | Godox Lux Junior - Lux Series - Speedlites - Products | Godox

Along those vintage lines, the strobe uses a simple dial interface that correlates ISO with aperture, power level, and shooting distance. The big difference lies in the reflector. Because despite presenting a naked flash bulb without a diffuser in front of it, the presence of the parabolic reflector makes a better distribution of light, almost like a beauty dish, “wrapping” the subject. It’s not better or worse than a direct flash, it’s just different. The results are more natural, and the contours are smoother. My camera bag is always a little overstuffed. It’s heavy with lenses and gear, but the advantage is I’m far less likely to have any single point of failure. Still, I’m always looking to lighten the load. Lux Junior is a flash you are eager to take out wherever you go. It goes with you not only as it brings the pure pleasure of photography but also goes with you in style. Capture your impromptu moments or detect your kindred spirits with Lux Junior.

But the highlight goes to its parabolic reflector, lending unparalleled style to your camera, and making it an instant conversation starter, wherever you go.

Godox Lux Junior Retro - Hoằng Quân Co, Ltd Đèn Flash Godox Lux Junior Retro - Hoằng Quân Co, Ltd

Overall, I am having a lot of fun with the Lux Senior, and I look forward to really putting it through its paces. It looks cool, and the handling and feel are excellent. The flash, as I mentioned, can be used off-camera – both with a sync cord as well as wirelessly, in optical control mode. But even when used on-camera – as with all the photos in this article – it produces a relatively soft and pleasing look, thanks to the way the reflector shapes the light. Hugo Pinho is a travel and exploration photographer who adores the shooting style of the 1990s. In this article, he exposes us to a section of photography history as well as the characteristics and functions of the Lux Junior and Lux Senior from Godox. For example, if a photographer wants to shoot from a distance of five feet from a subject with an ISO of 400, the dial lines up f/5.6 and 1/16 power. While it can be adjusted manually, the Lux Senior also has an Auto Mode that defaults to f/2.8 at ISO 100. Even at 1/64 power, the flash clearly makes a difference. The two photos below were shot with and without flash, keeping all other settings constant. The Lux Senior may not be as powerful as some of Godox’s other offerings, but in low-light settings, or even in bright daylight when used as fill-flash, I think it’s more than adequate. ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/25 sec. Flash power: 1/64. ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/25 sec. No flash. Shutter drag Would I use this as my main flash for a major assignment? No, probably not. During a recent assignment, I brought it out, and it simply didn't have enough power for dependable news work in uncontrolled environments. It would be interesting to compare this against the Godox Lux Senior, which has a lot more options and is significantly more powerful.

Being simple is the core concept of Lux Junior. Grab it, select a mode, and start to create. Compatible to all camera types and embrace diversified aesthetics, it lets your creatives flow with no obstacle. However, time changes and tech upgrades, Lux Junior will bring you the pure happiness and beauty of the ‘80s. I love this portrait of my daughter, 1/2 power lit her up beautifully while retaining the glow of the neon lights behind. The Auto mode is not what the name might suggest because it is not a TTL flash. It is necessary to follow the indications according to the table in the instruction manual, as seen below. ISO And, saving the best for last, its collapsible fan-type reflector. Olympus PEN-F, with the Godox Lux Senior