Westcott's latest updates to the FJ Series is all about wireless control. Leading off is the FJ80 II Speedlight, which includes a built-in transceiver that can communicate with compatible FJ lights from atop your camera. Alongside the new flash is the FJ-x3 Wireless Trigger, which can be used with the FJ80 II off-camera as well as FJ-series strobes. Rounding out the announcement is a series of portable lighting kits for photographers to take their FJ lights on the road easily.
The FJ80 II incorporates a bright 2.8" LCD color touchscreen interface for quick and intuitive adjustments on the unit. Its round head produces flattering light and natural catchlights for portraits. A 9-stop output range can be adjusted in increments of 0.1 or 1.0 stop for refining output. The FJ80 II features High-Speed Sync (HSS) up to 1/8000-second, Manual/TTL functionality, and front/rear curtain sync. You can use it as a flash or as a transmitter with the FJ200 and FJ400 strobes or other FJ80s. Up to 16 groups can be controlled across 31 channels for complex lighting scenarios. A removable lithium-polymer battery lasts upward of 500 full-power flashes between charges with a recycle time of 0.05 to 1.5 seconds. An included shoe stand allows you to mount the FJ80 II on most light stands for off-camera use.
For remote control without the flash, the FJ-x3 can be mounted on your camera's hot shoe to control the FJ80, FJ200, FJ400, FJ-XR receivers, or Canon RT devices over 985'. Featuring a large display and easy-to-navigate menu, the FJ-x3 can manage up to 16 groups and 32 channels, as well as make advanced adjustments to individual lights. It can also be used in tandem with Westcott's mobile app via Bluetooth to expand control and organization further.
Alongside the new flash and trigger, Westcott has also introduced a collection of lighting kits for photographers on the go. Backpack kits are available as 1-,2-, or 3-light kits with the FJ200 strobe or 1- or 2-light kits with the FJ400 strobe. All kits include an FJ-x3 and various modifiers. Westcott's portable portrait flash kits combine an FJ200 and FJ400 strobe with an FJ-x3, traveler backpack, and an assortment of modifiers. Finally, a 2-light location kit includes two FJ400 strobes, diffusion domes, reflectors, magnetic gel set, softboxes, light stands, and wheeled case.
Have you used Westcott's FJ-series lights? How do these latest entries fit into you workflow? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, below.
