Anker's Made for iPhone Certified Flash Accessory Now Available for Preorder

[MacRumors]

Anker in late December debuted a new Made for iPhone (MFi) certified LED flash accessory that's meant to connect to the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max through the Lightning port, and now it's available for preorder ahead of a late January launch.

Anker's iPhone LED Flash is the first Made for iPhone flash accessory that's available for purchase. With Made for iPhone integration, the flash accessory is recognized by Apple's new iPhones and can be triggered using the default Camera app and third-party camera apps.

According to Anker, the iPhone LED Flash offers twice the range and four times the brightness of the built-in iPhone flash. It will last for approximately 10,000 shots before needing to be recharged, and it comes with a detachable diffuser.

iPhone flash accessories are not new and there are other options available on the market, but Anker's is the only one that is Apple certified and able to be synced with the iPhone's camera using the Lightning port.

Anker is charging $50 for the iPhone LED Flash, and it can be ordered from Amazon starting today. Orders will ship out on January 25.

Article Link: Anker's Made for iPhone Certified Flash Accessory Now Available for Preorder

 

[GubbyMan]

I want a wireless xenon flash that can bounce off the ceiling.

 

[Razeus]

Any actual photos that would tell me the quality of the light from this?

 

[Unity451]

Yay for innovation!

 

[DevNull0]

Any actual photos that would tell me the quality of the light from this?

Think about why there are not.

Now what I'd like to actually see as a product is a radio trigger that will work with iPhone and let me use my "real" strobes. Not this $50 toy that should cost 50 cents.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

No one should buy this product.

 

[polaris20]

Is it a real flash, or is it a light that turns on, like the iPhone "flash"? If the latter, not interested. I'd love a real flash, particularly one that's got a PC terminal. I know that may sound crazy, but I do photography for a friend's guitar shop website, and there are times when I walk in and he's like "did you bring your camera? I just got a couple new guitars in". The iPhone 11 is more than good enough resolution and quality-wise for a website photo, IF I could connect it to my strobes.

 

[Hodar1]

First off, the Digital Camera doesn't function at all like a shutter. The image is scanned in, so the light burst needs to be consistent, rather than a burst. I can see where this would do that. Secondly, the color spectrum of the flash needs to be compatible with the scan array - and as this is made for the iPhone, this seems to be a relatively simple step.

Is this professional level? Nope, not even close. To expect a $50 flash to compete with a Nikon SB-5000 flash is ridiculous. I used to play with the Nikon SB-700 back in the 35mm days, and it's a hell of a great flash.

But, at $50 and given what it is, and what it is not - for the average shooter, this may be perfect. Small enough to fit in your pocket, with a charge for 50,000 shots - it can likely do many small tasks well. Very few shots are ruined with too much light - it's usually too little light, or user error.

My only dig, is that I wonder how much abuse that cord is going to take before you have issues with broken wires where it connects to the body. Seems to me that this is a design flaw, inherent in the current version.

It's not a professional's tool - then I doubt it was ever intended to be a professional's tool. For what it is, I'd love to see how it performs. At the price point - it may just be a steal.

 

[tkukoc]

Any actual photos that would tell me the quality of the light from this?

There are some on Anker's forum from a promotional email that was sent out today.

Was excited when I was told about this product in November. Preordered it for sure! Lots of confusion on what this will do. First of all the light can stay constant or not. Which is a huge bonus for video recording. If you need a light weight directional light source this is a nice touch to add to a handheld mini tripod/stick. I always find myself needing just a tad bit more light when filming at night and this will work perfectly for that. For professionals? Not at all, this is for people like myself who enjoy filming random events but need that extra source of light or just want to give some new tech a try. At 50.00 it's not a crazy amount of money to spend on this type of product. It not only has the built in lightning cable but a battery as well.

 

[TETENAL]

This isn't a flash. It's a photo light.

First off, the Digital Camera doesn't function at all like a shutter. The image is scanned in, so the light burst needs to be consistent, rather than a burst.

Digital cameras do use a mechanical shutter. Even mirrorless ones. The sensor collects light during the whole time the shutter is open. A burst of light with a regular flash is fine.

Some digital cameras (and those in smartphones) can shoot without a mechanical shutter ("electronic shutter" mode). Since the sensor is read out in lines, that leads to the rolling shutter effect.

 

[99chickens]

No one should buy this product.

why?

 

[Crowbot]

It does have a tripod mount. For $50 it could be a nice toy.

 

[Razeus]

There are some on Anker's forum from a promotional email that was sent out today.

Was excited when I was told about this product in November. Preordered it for sure! Lots of confusion on what this will do. First of all the light can stay constant or not. Which is a huge bonus for video recording. If you need a light weight directional light source this is a nice touch to add to a handheld mini tripod/stick. I always find myself needing just a tad bit more light when filming at night and this will work perfectly for that. For professionals? Not at all, this is for people like myself who enjoy filming random events but need that extra source of light or just want to give some new tech a try. At 50.00 it's not a crazy amount of money to spend on this type of product. It not only has the built in lightning cable but a battery as well.

Thanks.

I'm having a hard time believing those photos though. I guess I'll have to see for myself.

 

[podlasek]

People wanted this? Or are we going to see a version of it on late night tv, order now get two with separate handling charge?

 

[Crowbot]

People wanted this? Or are we going to see a version of it on late night tv, order now get two with separate handling charge?

Anker is a solid company. They must have done some market research before they came out with it. And selling on late night commercials night just bring in a few more thousand sales.
[automerge]1578656530[/automerge]

Thanks.

I'm having a hard time believing those photos though. I guess I'll have to see for myself.

It looks like it has some sort of still/video switch.

 

[vahan]

Got mine today. Pretty neat. No photo/video switch, that opening allows for the whole front plastic piece to be popped off, unsure why.

Requires a few seconds between shots to recharge. Pretty powerful.

 

[Crowbot]

Got mine today. Pretty neat. No photo/video switch, that opening allows for the whole front plastic piece to be popped off, unsure why.

Requires a few seconds between shots to recharge. Pretty powerful.

Hmmm, there may be an accessory to come for photo/video. What's under the plastic piece?