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Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash Kit with PP-500DR Pack and Battery

BH #BOVB22K • MFR #VB-22K
 54 reviews
Bolt
Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash Kit with PP-500DR Pack and Battery
Key Features
  • Bare Bulb Design with 360Ws Output
  • Guide Number: 262' at ISO 100
  • Coverage: 28mm with Reflector
  • Optical Slave Mode with 33' Range
Featuring a bare-bulb design and an output of 360Ws, the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash Kit with PP-500DR Pack and Battery from B&H is a specialized shoe-mount flash unit that offers users a quality of light similar to studio strobes in a compact, portable package. The bare bulb design provides a full 360° specular light and is able to work with a variety of optional light modifiers, such as an umbrella mount, colored filters, and grids for creating distinct lighting effects.
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$429.95
$72/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.
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Configuration
Base
With Power Pack
With Accessory Kit
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Bolt VB-22 Overview

Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash
Featuring a bare-bulb design and an output of 360Ws, the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash is a specialized shoe-mount flash unit that offers users a quality of light similar to studio strobes in a compact, portable package. The bare bulb design provides a full 360° specular light and is able to work with a variety of optional light modifiers, such as an umbrella mount, colored filters, and grids for creating distinct lighting effects.
The unit features a powerful guide number of 262' at ISO 100 and covers about 28mm when used with the included reflector. The flash can also be used as an optical slave at a range of up to 33'. This mode has two settings to control whether to trigger the flash immediately when the master is fired or to ignore a single preflash.

The VB-22 flash also features a stroboscopic, or repeat, mode that allows the unit to fire multiple flashes in a row, meaning users can capture multiple images of a subject in a single exposure. The locking head can rotate 135° right and 180° left as well as tilt from -15 to 90° for added control and versatility. Additionally, the unit is fully manual and offers power settings from 1/1 to 1/128. The flash does require power from an optional external power pack which will provide a recycle time of approximately 0.1 to 5.2 seconds. It comes with a retaining ring, diffuser, reflector, power cable, protective pouch, a stand/tripod mount, a stand mounting foot, and a shoe mounting foot.
  • Interchangeable shoe and stand mounts that allow more secure attachment to either a light stand, tripod, or shoe
  • Manual AF-assist light for focusing in low-light situations
  • 1.75" backlit LCD display
  • Power settings from 1/1 to 1/128 in 1/3 EV steps
  • Flash duration of 1/300 to 1/10,000 second
  • Can accept multiple accessories to adjust light quality
  • Can be triggered via hot shoe, PC sync cord, 3.5mm cable, as an optical slave, or with a dedicated remote control
Bolt PP-500DR Dual-Outlet Power Pack with Removable Battery

The PP-500DR Dual-Outlet Power Pack with Removable Battery from Bolt is an interchangeable battery system that is compatible with most on-camera flashes such as Nikon, Canon, Sony, Bolt, Sunpak, Vivitar, Metz, and other popular flashes. The dual outlets on the pack enable you to use two on-camera flashes at the same time, and the outlets have locking connectors to secure the power cables and prevent them from falling out. The portable lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via the included AC adapter, which takes approximately 4.5 hours to fully charge.

At full capacity, the battery supplies up to 2700 flashes at full power while you keep watch of the battery's life through the meter display. The battery recycles between flashes as fast as one second, so you never miss a shot. A 1A USB charging port is supplied to charge other small electronic devices like a smartphone. A belt clip and shoulder strap are also included, which gives you plenty of carrying options.

Flash Compatibility
Nikon, Canon, Sony, Bolt, Sunpak, Vivitar, Metz, and flashes with HV port.
Battery Compatibility
Bolt PP-5800BP and Bolt PP-400BP battery packs.
Portable Power
The battery provides up to 2700 flashes at full power.
Dual Outlets
The portable battery provides two outlets to connect two on-camera flashes at the same time.
Recycling Times
The PP-500DR provides fast recycle times as short as one second.
Interchangeable Battery System
Switch out your battery pack and continue shooting when you run out of power with the Cyclone DR PP-500DR Power Pack.
Rechargeable
With the included AC adapter, the battery recharges in approximately 4.5 hours.
USB Charging Port
Charge other small electronic devices like a smartphone through the built-in USB charging port that provides 1A of output power.
Battery Meter Display
Keep track of the power pack's battery life via the meter display.
UPC: 847628013681

Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash Specs

Key Specs
Guide Number
262' / 79.86 m at ISO 100
Bounce Head
-15 to +90°
Swivel Head
315°
Exposure Control
Manual
Wireless Operation
Optical Pulse (Manual)
Up to 33' / 10.06 m
Flash Head
Guide Number
262' / 79.86 m at ISO 100
Coverage
28 mm (with Reflector)
Bounce Head
-15 to +90°
Swivel Head
315°
Flash Duration
1/300 to 1/10000 Second
Recycle Time
Approx. 0.1 to 5.2 Seconds
Secondary Illumination
None
Exposure Control
Exposure Control
Manual
Flash Modes
Stroboscopic
Power Range
1/1 to 1/128 (Manual)
Flash Compensation
None
Wireless
Wireless Operation
Optical Pulse (Manual)
Up to 33' / 10.06 m
Remote Timing Modes
Instant Sync
Skip Preflash
Power
Internal Power
None
External Power Pack Compatible
Yes
General
Mount
Shoe
Off-Camera Terminal
3.5 mm, PC, Proprietary
Dimensions (W x H x D)
7.9 x 3.7 x 3" / 200 x 93 x 75 mm
Weight
2.09 lb / 0.95 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
3.5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.2 x 10.2 x 6.2"

Bolt PP-500DR Dual-Outlet Power Pack with Removable Battery Specs

General
Chemistry
Lithium-Ion
Battery Capacity
5800 mAh
Carrying Options
Belt Clip, Strap Lugs
Charging Time
4.5 Hours
Dual Flash Capability
Yes
Recycle Time
1 Sec (Full Power)
Number of Flashes
2700
Outputs
2 x Flash Power Socket
1 x USB-A
Maximum Output Voltage
11.1 VDC
Dimensions (W x H x D)
6.3 x 1.6 x 4.3" / 160.02 x 40.64 x 109.22 mm
Weight
19.4 oz / 550 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.325 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
12.7 x 8.3 x 2.7"

Bolt VB-22 Reviews

Junk, do not buy

By Vance
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2023-09-10

I like to leave good reviews, unfortunately i regret buying this kit. First off the shoe mount is weak and broke, the power cord has been replaced once. Now i may need another power cable. This was used very lightly. I will never buy another bolt product again. This all has happened within 2 years. I like said i barely used it.

Powerful but not as powerful as specs say.

By George W.
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-13

This unit's specs lists a guide number of 262 @ 10' @ ASA 100. I ran my own tests with two different flash meters and found the guide number to be closer to 165 @ 10' @ ASA 100. Although that is quite a difference, it isn't that much of a problem for me. I'm an old school photographer and this is an old school manual flash. The light output is very similar to the output of the Graflex Stroboflash IV that I used in the 1960's so I'm pretty happy with it. The unit seems solidly built and it is a little heavy but it works just like it should.

Excellent product Bolt VB-22

By Luis R.
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-05-25

I have 4 of these. Very stable, in its lighting and color temperature. Great durability of shots above 900 without completely ending the battery. I show photos taken on the Opaloka highway, Miami Florida

Lightweight, no weather sealing

By Tyler
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-05-16

So far it works as expected, my only wish is that it had at least some weather sealing. Of course that would make it more expensive and heavier.

3 years and still working!!

By Fred
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-06-15

only had to replace the bulb twice, Godox rebranded so it's cool. I don't think I ever used a full load on a battery, someone knocked it off once and I thought it was whacked, Thank god the softbox saved it, this takes a beating, got this when it became available at B&H for the first time, it's a great investment, parts and accessories are Godox fit and fiddle, Why spend money on a single Profoto when you can get 2 of these, and voila Illumination.

Great value for a bright flash, mediocre HSS

By Christopher
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2017-11-04

So far it's been a solid light to have at wedding receptions, and I bought it before hearing about the apparent wonders of Godox. It's really well constructed flash, doesn't feel cheap. Comes with a hot shoe mount that you'll have to screw on yourself. I bought the doubler cable in hopes of being amazed. Barely makes a difference in recycle time. Recycling is horrendous in HSS mode (requires hss-compatible triggers, I use the yongnuo 622s.) A pop at 1/4 power leaves you hanging for a few seconds, which might be ok in studio settings, but in that case you may as well get a real monolight.

Less than a year of light use and it failed

By Vance
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-02

Don't waste your money.

Power but.....

By Vance
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-21

The flash does has adequate power in my first test. However there are several drawbacks, First is that the light dish is not really compatible with other manufactures so no use of the sports dish from makers like norman, and the do not offer a 8 polished dish. Next is the inability for TTL (which i stay away from so no biggie) but since it does not have a dedicated hot shoe for Nikon only leaves you with a sync of 1/250th or slower. Recycle time was great for the first 50 full power shots then dropped to 3+ seconds. The power pack is light but the flash itself is heavy and will be a poor choice for any type of enclosed type of umbrella softbox. Up in the air if i would buy another.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

question

can i use yongnuo radio controller with bolt vb-22?
Asked by: Dipu S.
Yes you can. I use YN622C-TX mounted on camera and the Bolt mounted on a YN622C transceiver. But the power setting on the Bolt can only be changed manually, not through the YN622C-TX nor the camera.If you set both the Bolt and YN622C-TX to HSS mode, you can even use the HSS capability of the Bolt. Press the mode/set buttons simultaneously on the Bolt to change it to HSS. Press the Mode button YN622C transceiver to change it to HSS. Ensure that the TX and the transceiver are on the same Group. I was able to fire and sync at a shutter speed of 1/1000 on Canon 5D III.Steve
Answered by: Stephen S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Can this be used with a Fujifilm X-T1?
Asked by: Wj
Yes, the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash is compatible for use with the Fujifilm X-T1 Mirrorless Digital Camera. The shoe mounting foot included with the unit will allow you to connect the unit to the hot shoe on your camera. However, due to the size of the flash, you may also wish to consider using the unit wirelessly by purchasing the Bolt Remote Transmitter for Bolt Flashes, B&H # BORT16, and the Bolt RR-16-A Remote Flash Receiver, B&H # BORR16A. It is not necessary, but would give you the freedom to trigger the flash off-camera wirelessly. Do note that the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bulb Flash is a fully manual flash, and you will have to set the flash output manually.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Does the flashpoint R2 work with this?

Does the flashpoint R2 work with this?
Asked by: MARGO
More than likely they will not from the looks of it. They work with two different types of systems, so you may be able to fire it but you would not be able to control power wirelessly.
Answered by: Zachariah
Date published: 2021-02-28

question

How can I trigger this flash off camera? what radio transmitters and receivers can I use?
Asked by: Anonymous
There are many wireless sync kits that will work.The bottom of the flash has a hotshoe so one that hooks on with a shoe is a good option like this one. http://bhpho.to/KzWjOz
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Is this a rebranded AD360 or AD360II with wireless?
Asked by: Curtis M.
The Accessories tab on our website lists the dedicated Bolt Remote Transmitter for Bolt Flashes, B&H # BORT16, and the Bolt RR-16-A Remote Flash Receiver, B&H # BORR16A, as compatible for usage with the Bolt VB-22 Bare-Bult Flash. As it may also be triggered via hot shoe, PC sync cord, or by a 3.5mm (1/8 ) miniphone cable, you may use other brands' radio triggers that use the above connections (or which have sync cords that convert to the above connections) for use on the Bolt VB-22 Flash for wireless flash triggering needs. The flash also lists having a built-in optical slave for wireless triggering needs, which has a 33' triggering range when the sensor views the strobe output from another flash. It indicates it has both Instant Sync and Skip Pre-Flash modes when using the built-in optical slave. The links to the dedicated transmitter and receiver are listed below.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Does this work with a flashpoint R2 Trigger?

Does this work with a flashpoint R2 Trigger?
Asked by: MARGO
More than likely they will not from the looks of it. They work with two different types of systems, so you may be able to fire it but you would not be able to control power wirelessly.
Answered by: Zachariah
Date published: 2021-02-28

What is the diameter of the reflector?

What is the diameter of the reflector?
Asked by: Mark
The bolt quantum style reflector diameter is 4.6"
Answered by: Jessica G
Date published: 2022-03-23

question

how dose the cord cost that connect the batter to the flash?
Asked by: edward s.
$42.50 Bolt CZ2 HV Locking Flash Power Cable for Select Canon Flash UnitsB&H # BOCZ2 MFR # BO-1006
Answered by: phillip j.
Date published: 2018-08-25
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