This is some serious “on-camera” flash! What a gem!

I’m sorry to show you this long discontinued flash, the Fujifilm ef-x20, but it’s just too good not to share. This little thing works perfectly on the Leica M11 and the Leica Q2. (In manual only mode) But it’s TTL for your Fuji cameras! I used it on the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 and although it’s not perfect TTL flash, it does do a good job.
As far as direct, non-modified, flash is concerned… this little gem did an amazing job and it’s staying in my camera bag!

[@davidswailes2455]

I’ve had my EF-X20 a couple of years now, bought for £114 before the prices went up! Up until now I didn’t like the slow recycling time, but after watching your video it’s made me give the little guy a second chance! Thanks for your recommended settings too. Love using this flash on my X-Pro 3. Have a great day

[@kaskoPhoto]

That’s the perfect combo - with the 50 f/2 ❤️

[@Jeeperdad48]

I agree. I use my EF20 on my M11 as well. Also cut a piece of a orange tungsten diffuser for the flash to balance setting tungsten setting on the camera at night to the streetlights look natural. 😊. I usually avoid auto web at night. Gives beautiful fill at 1/64.

[@rumporridge1]

Great great in the scene tutorial. Learned a few tricks, appreciate your work.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Thank you so much

[@kermitage]

You seem to be a really cool guy - as well as the EF-X20 is a cool flash :) Truly enjoyed watching your video, thanks! Cheers from Warsaw!

[@atom7nine]

You're absolutely fabulous. Thanks

[@jeffdrew625]

That little Fuji x20 is a winner!

[@willstith1]

I love the look of that flash! I just got the Godox Lux jr and used it today out on the street during a rainy day at a festival. It worked great on Auto at f8. I'm really getting into flash I also have an off camera flash set up but I haven't really used it off camera too much yet. I'll have to give it a shot.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Try the handheld option for the off camera use… I think you will love the control.

[@EDHBlvd]

I owned this flash years ago. It was fun for Fuji system. I did find that the two AAA is limitation compared to 4 AA. You need to shoot it always at lower power for fast refreshes. 1/32 or 1/64. I used it in manual a lot instead of TTL.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I used 2 rechargeable and it lasted the whole night without issue.

[@NRecob]

That Fuji EF X20 is great esp for travel! (I have the SF40 as well).

[@loeasida]

Good use of 1/64. I reccently purchased GODOX mini flash. Like this one but cheaper. Same control. I use ND acetate over the flash when needed. Sometimes ND filter on lens--Leica QP. You are correct (one of the few) who understand how to use this small piece of light to add just enough light to make scenes look un-lit. Your party scenes do look very 'lit' but easy to balance ambient with 1/64 + ND, even in a dark space, ISO 1200 so scenes do not look 'lit' at all. Many don't understand how to use light. Used properly, this is a nice basic unit of light, nice to have in many situations. Good review. Thx.

[@jasoncolquhoun35]

Great little flash review👍🏼

I thought that, I was the only weirdo rocking that combo 🤘🏻 Great video and pics!

[@kaskoPhoto]

It’s amazing

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

This was very helpful, seems like you had no issues with the flash sync at all with 1/250th since m11 sync speed states 1/180th.

[@sirmarlondenon2497]

I was looking for this flash for well over a year, then I found it on KEH and purchased it for under 200 bucks. I love the output and the convenience of the size and it just gets the job done. The prices now are insane. I hope Fuji makes an updated version as well with a rechargeable battery.

[@kaskoPhoto]

That would be amazing- An update of this with a rechargeable! Yes, they are outrageous on eBay now. There is nothing like it because of the fully manual controls.

[@declanbcorcoran]

are the prices just crazy because it is hard to find? I was so surprised. I am now torn between selling mine considering it cost me £99!

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@declanbcorcoran well if you use it keep it. But the prices are a great time to sell. They are to find

[@LieutenantLights]

Nice :) I bought this flash about two years ago, and have loved the heck out of it. Your video got me to check the prices- goodness! I'm sad though, because after moving, mine stopped being triggered when I trip the shutter. That's the only thing that has shown wear in the move, so I've done pretty well. Was trying it on a Fuji. Time to try it on a few other cameras.

[@LieutenantLights]

Hey, it works again! The small switch on the bottom had somehow moved off the X setting. Works a charm once again 😁

[@kaskoPhoto]

I was just going to say that! I use two of them together at times (the switch changes one to a remote flash) and I get them mixed up at times. Glad it’s still working. It will outlast them all.

[@boris.dupont]

Great video, thanks! I don't know if it's because I used the EF-X20 with my X-Pro1 or because it reminds me of the look of the older days but I really like the outcome. On my X-Pro3 the EF-X8 came in handy quite a few times in such environments

[@kaskoPhoto]

I remember in the old days we bought every bracket possible for flashes so we wouldn’t get this look… And now I can’t get enough of it

[@musicmaestro88]

EF-X20 and the Lightpix Labs Q20 are the way to go. These are especially good on leaf shutter cameras.

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

in fairness the q20 is probably better especially the version 2 - you can angle the flash upwards if wanted and it just works well!

[@aerialfilm1]

I’m weird but I love that in your face Weegee style flash look. It’s nostalgic, glamorous and even a bit voyeuristic.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Godox came out with a almost identical version of this a few months ago. Might have to buy one.

[@godsinbox]

Seems like this is a better topic to review. Any more details?

[@idriserba1494]

Great video. Thank you

[@CharlesReevesPhoto]

lol its nice to know I am not the only one to finger a flash. I do it all of the time when I use an optical trigger and I dont want the on camera flash to show.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I use that method a lot - I’m sure someone will be selling fake fingers soon as a modifier. 😂

[@outtathyme5679]

Great tips

[@thenexthobby]

Great tip on blocking the output for whichever side a too-close foreground person is. The real accomplishment is remembering to do so in the moment!

[@kaskoPhoto]

It’s amazing how easily we all forget the little things in the moment- which in turn become big things in post. I’ve been doing this for 40+ years and still forget sometimes.

[@tritham6548]

I have watched few of your videos and I love them all. Feel so personal, in a good way, with full of useful info. The only little thing I wish for is adding a little more treble to your voice via microphone. I'm not native English speaker, so it's kind of hard listening English in a low tone :P Anyway, thank you for your effort on videos. I really enjoy watching them.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Thank you. And it’s not you- native English speakers have a hard time as well.

[@ArminHirmer]

yeah yeah... had to get this flash now, thanks to you :D

[@kaskoPhoto]

Have you used it yet! And more important - did you find one at a good price 😂😂 they are a bit pricy.

[@ArminHirmer]

@@kaskoPhoto nope, it's on the way. 350 Euro here :D

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@ArminHirmer great price

[@ArminHirmer]

@@kaskoPhoto would never had gotten it, just because you love it so much :D but I have to admit, it really looks great and will even fit my Sony RX1R2

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@ArminHirmer have always wanted to try that Sony

[@streets28mm]

Thank you for adding to the value of my flash!😀 I have the problem of the subject's shadow behind them for inside shots, how to avoid it without losing the one opportunity I have? Any tricks? Thanks!

[@kaskoPhoto]

Well with this flash so close to the lens it really isn’t an issue at all. These shots were done all bare flash and horizontal. Turning the camera vertically would create the undesirable side shadow

[@streets28mm]

@@kaskoPhoto sorry, my bad, i meant with off camera flash, I think my mistake was leaving the flash sitting on the shelf in the room all the time!

[@kriseja6544]

I am started using this one 12 years ago with mp240, m10,m10r and now m11 its perfect with 28summaron only batteries drains quick when not in use 😅

[@kaskoPhoto]

I haven’t noticed the battery issue but always top them off in a charger - I will have to let them in for a while and see if that happens with mine.

[@iczek]

What trigger do you use for Profoto? Nikon or Fuji?

[@frankiesebadoh]

hi im looking for a flash to use on my film camera, a minolta srt-101. would you happen to have a recommendation for a compact one? thank you

[@TheVFXbyArt]

Thx for the post. I shoot events alot like this. However, i WB to ambient light, gel the flash to match, expose the bgv.5 to 1 stop down and expose the flash comp down 1.25 stops. Very natural looking shots

[@kaskoPhoto]

Great advice.

[@sneakingelephant]

How does this compare to the new godox JR?

[@fuelediowa]

LOL My Flashes still have two of the nice flat fat hair ties. About an 1/8 inch wide on each of my flashes. I love taking some of that craft foam sheets. I have one cut to shape that just slides into every camera bag. LOL You really can get some amazing results. Looks silly but works great. I used to write a message inside mine or a smile face. And would rock it. LOL

[@kaskoPhoto]

I can’t remember what brand of flash, but they had this large plastic disc clipped on the front and I drew a smiley face on it with black sharpie. After a while, that’s exactly where the plastic melted 😂oops

[@marshabernstein1157]

Did you have an issue with the slow recycling time? Issue in terms of missing shots, etc.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Not at all. Was at /64 /32 power most of the time.

[@idriserba1494]

Question, what's your flash set up in the beginning?

[@kaskoPhoto]

Can you be more specific? If you mean in the beginning of the video… that is the Profoto A1 with the Connect remote (Nikon). If you mean at the event, that is the Fuji flash

[@aobane841]

Can I use this flash with a Leica SL2s? I think the SL2s has slightly different contacts than the M11, no?

[@kaskoPhoto]

In manual mode the flash works on almost any camera

[@AnhHuyPHAM]

Thank your video! Do the efx20 work with m6 no ttl & profoto a1x (for canon) ? Thank you!

[@kaskoPhoto]

The Fuji will but I don’t know for sure about the A1x Canon. I do thing I heard someone saying it works but can’t be sure.

[@gt2250]

hi~~~ I recently got a EF-X20 flash to go with my Leica. Love the look of it so much. The flash "test"ed ok. set on 1/64 menual, dial at bottom tried both "x" and "p". In the camera, flash settings/flash mode was set to be "on". The hot shoe was pushed all the way in, a little clicking sound, but not seem to be locking( I can pull out without push the "push"). I just couldn't get the shutter to triger the flash : ((( Did I miss anything?

[@kaskoPhoto]

What camera are you using it on?

[@gt2250]

@@kaskoPhoto Leica Q I suspect the problem is the mounting connection cuz the flash works on my canon. :( not sure if it needs adaptor of some sorts...

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@gt2250 I use it on my Q2

[@chumleyk]

I've never seen a photographer whose face has actually changed because of their photographing!

[@kaskoPhoto]

A bit confused but thank you for your comment.

[@fedebenavides]

look into the godox lux jr and sr. I'd love to know your opinion

[@kaskoPhoto]

It looks like the junior would be very close to the same look, but a bigger form factor (that sounds odd to say considering its size) and I want to try the senior just because of the look 😂 I actually used this style growing up which I hate to admit since it makes me feel like I’m 90 years old.

[@oskarlarsson3695]

Will this work on an M9?

[@kaskoPhoto]

Yes, I’m manual mode it will work on almost all cameras

[@ZOOtedtodaT]

Is this compatible with the sony Zv1?

[@kaskoPhoto]

In manual mode it works with most any camera

[@The_CGA]

I’m a big fan of handheld flash too. Regarding the index card, I’ve been using a piece of cardboard with foil glue-sticked to it. Covering a flash with my finger I’ve occasionally gotten a bit of a red gel from my blood…could be a good or bad thing… I’ve heard one can use polarizers to manage flash reflection, but I think this only applies to off-camera and sounds absurdly fiddly in practical situations. It’s a nice little flash and I love the form factor for the XPRo and XE series.

[@dayeah765caoni3]

The zebra girl looks familiar on phub

[@antigonooo]

Work on m10?

[@kaskoPhoto]

Yes

[@14bqdonk]

it such a waste that amazing mini flash was discontinued

[@kaskoPhoto]

Agree 100%! This and the Leica SF24D

[@tdfrie]

"Than". The word is "Than", not "Then".

[@kaskoPhoto]

Mrs Knox is that you? Thanks for the correction.

[@yourbuddykevin]

need to work on your dialogue a bit, kind of rambling on.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Yea, that’s me. It’s just a casual unscripted channel- sorry about the ramble

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Godox came out with a almost identical version of this a few months ago. Might have to buy one.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Yes the FlashBack Junior Retro. I love the look of the Senior too! Theirs also has the Auto feature which isn’t TTL but works pretty good.