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A year ago, AOI unveiled its first strobe, the Ultra Compact Strobe Q1 (UCS-Q1), an entry-level unit offering manual control of flash power only. Now the Hong Kong company has announced an upgraded version—the UCS-Q1RC—but currently only for the Japanese market.

Like the Q1, the new strobe has a guide number of 22, a beam angle of 85 degrees (with diffuser), and a color temperature of 5,600K (5,000K with diffuser). It features the same built-in 700-lumen continuous light with three power settings, and also runs on two 18650 lithium batteries. However, as the name suggests, the main dial now offers an “RC” position, allowing compatible cameras to communicate the correct power setting to the strobe via Olympus’ RC flash mode.

Update: The AOI Q1 RC strobe is now available in the U.S. market, priced at $365 and available at retailers such as Backscatter.
 

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PRESS RELEASE

Underwater photography made even easier

In a press release, OM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd. announced the availability of the AOI UCS-Q1RC, a special edition of the hugely successful AOI UCS-Q1 for the Japan market.

OM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd. or “OM” digital cameras are equipped with Olympus Wireless RC Flash System or commonly known as RC Flash mode. The new underwater strobe from AOI Limited, the AOI UCS-Q1RC is compatible with the RC Flash mode.

Even the diminutive Olympus Tough TG-6 is equipped with the RC Flash mode and can be used even when housed in an underwater housing, such as the Olympus PT-059.

When used on the TG-6, simply set the flash to RC Flash mode. The camera will still automatically choose aperture and shutter speed, but now it will do so factoring in the use of external strobe. Subsequently, communications between the camera and the UCS-Q1RC will determine the optimal strobe power and camera settings to achieve perfectly exposed images. No more guesswork, no more missed opportunities.

The “AOI UCS-Q1RC” also delivers a punch despite its compact size. The strobe produces a maximum light output of Guide Number 22.

In addition, the AOI UCS-Q1RC can also be used in “manual” or M mode. Users can set the power adjustments and are done through a knob on the rear control panel, choosing this mode will cater to photographers who have more exacting lighting requirements. The UCS-Q1RC also has an impressive recycle time of 0.85 seconds even when set to full power, making sure opportunities are not missed.

Visit here for more information about the strobe.