An airport in the rain – not exactly the ideal conditions for a flash shoot. Yet this was precisely the challenge our partner Mathias Butz was looking for for his test of our new HS Freeze X-series . What initially seemed like a disadvantage turned out to be a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the true strengths of battery-powered flashes.
Airport shooting: studio quality in the open air
Mathias Butz deliberately chose a challenging setting for his test. At the airport, under cloudy skies and occasional rain, he wanted to find out what the HS Freeze X-series could really do. His first surprise: Even with a greater distance from the model and a large softbox with a honeycomb grid, the performance was more than sufficient.
"It handled that without any problems and still continued flashing," reports Mathias Butz about his experience with the 6X model . Even an accidental drop couldn't harm the flash – important proof of its robustness under real-world conditions.
The result was impressive: true studio quality in a location where there's normally no power outlet in sight. The photos showcased the kind of professional lighting normally associated with controlled studio environments.
Creative lighting design: From natural to dramatic
The versatility of the flashes was particularly exciting in Mathias Butz's test. He demonstrated various lighting setups that illustrate the creative potential of the series:
Natural Brightening: Using very low power and a large light source, he created portraits that look as if they were shot in perfect natural light. He deliberately used a frontal flash—an effect that remains invisible to the untrained eye, but makes all the difference.
Dramatic lighting: With full power and precise light shaping, images with a true "studio style" were created – right in the middle of the airport. This opportunity to create professional lighting setups without any infrastructure visibly delighted the photographer.
Colorful accents: The 6X model 's integrated magnetic holder for color filters opens up further creative possibilities. The included filters allow you to simulate artificial sunsets or specifically influence the lighting mood. "It can also look really cool and just works," says Mathias Butz, summing up this feature.
Freeze mode: movement frozen
Mathias Butz was particularly fascinated by the special freeze mode. The flashes automatically calculate the flash duration based on the set power – down to 1/27,000 of a second. "Fast-moving subjects can be frozen again, something you might not be able to achieve with a normal shutter at that moment," he explains the advantages.
These extremely short flash durations open up completely new possibilities for action photography and creative experimentation. Combined with modern cameras that offer fast sensor readout times, they produce images that would be impossible to achieve with conventional technology.
Remote control: Complex setups made easy
The new radio transmitter proved to be key for creative multi-flash setups. Mathias Butz demonstrated how to control multiple flashes in different groups – each individually adjustable, switched on and off. "I could build really large setups out of it, control and trigger them all differently – no problem at all."
This flexibility makes it possible to create even complex lighting arrangements without requiring an assistant to manually adjust each flash. Full control remains with the photographer on camera.
Versatility down to the last detail
Mathias Butz was also surprised by the ability to use the flashes as video lights. With adjustable color temperatures (4,300 K or 5,500 K), they can also be used for filming—a practical additional feature for photographers who occasionally produce videos.
The conclusion of the test
Mathias Butz's conclusion after extensive testing under real-world conditions: "It's simply a portable studio flash. Everything's included, including the battery and anything else you need. All you need is a light modifier and a tripod ."
His recommendation is aimed at anyone who "simply wants to take that studio quality with them, who wants to be a bit more independent from power outlets." After his test at the airport, one thing is clear: The HS Freeze X series enables creative shots "that aren't possible with just the camera, or with flash units, or with studio flashes alone."
The airport shoot impressively demonstrated that with the right equipment, any location can become a professional photo studio – no power outlet required.