User review of Mint Flash Bar 2

( by _pola迷文迪 ) 

Recently, MiNT introduced a reusable Mint Flash Bar 2. Comparing the recharging time with generation 1, Mint Flash Bar 2 is quicker and significantly reduced to 15 seconds. Furthermore, it comes with hot pink and chartreuse filter, for color flash purpose. Especially Mint Flash Bar 2 equipped with 2.5mm PC synchronization interface , you can trigger any kind of external Flash! It means that we can use off-camera flash on Polaroid SX-70 or even multiple flashes.

1. Appearance

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

2. Testing

Charging time

Charging time , the official said the charging time of only 12-20 seconds.

I used the new Energizer (+ AAA) battery, test five times, then take intermediate values.

The first test , Mint Flash Bar 2 in half-power mode

Scores: 9.24 seconds

The second test , Mint Flash Bar 2 in full-power mode

Scores: 17.75 seconds

The third test, Mint Flash Bar 1 in full model for comparison

Conclusion: Mint Flash Bar 2 indeed a lot faster than the previous generation charging time. Half-power mode takes only 9 seconds 24, and 75 full mode just 17 seconds , sufficient to meet the needs of frequent shooting .

( Note : Ready LED light is reversed compare to Mint Flash Bar 1
Green: fully charged ; Blue: charging; Flashing Blue: low battery)

G/N value

According to official data showed Mint Flash Bar 2 flash index is GN/20. We used a light meter to measure two meters away from the flash light and the result for testing.

1. Mint Flash Bar 1: T 125s |  f5.6  |  2m

2. Mint Flash Bar 2:  T 125s |  f8  |  2m

3. Mint Flash Bar 2 with hot pink filter: T 125s |  f4.0 |  2m

4. Mint Flash Bar 2 with chartreuse filter:  T 125s |  f8 |  2m

Conclusion: Mint Flash Bar 2 have more power than previous generation of products around one f-stop (in two meters). When equipped hot pink filter, it dropped two f-stops worse (in two meters ). When equipped with chartreuse filter,  light attenuation is not obvious and can be neglect.

Test shots

Based on the above photometric data , the EV value is centered, with studio flash in position.

We used version Color 70, White Frame Film with Polaroid SX-70 camera.

1. Mint Flash Bar2 only (no filter) -18 degrees Celsius

2. Mint Flash Bar2 straight contour lighting combined with flashing light - 18 degrees Celsius

3. Mint Flash Bar2 closed, and the external flash flash trigger only- 18 degrees Celsius

Test result when Filter was installed

Chartreuse filter

1. Mint Flash Bar2 plus chartreuse filters,

lighten/darken wheel: normal, 22 degrees Celsius

2. Mint Flash Bar2 plus chartreuse filters,

lighten/darken wheel: normal, 22 degrees Celsius

3. Mint Flash Bar2 plus chartreuse filters,

lighten/darken wheel: normal, 22 degrees Celsius

Hot pink filter

Since there is attenuation of hot pink filter, so the following test had exposure compensation.

1. Mint Flash Bar2 plus hot pink filter,

lighten/darken wheel: +1 lighten, 22 degrees Celsius

2. Mint Flash Bar2 plus hot pink filter,

lighten/darken wheel: +1 lighten, 22 degrees Celsius

3. Mint Flash Bar2 plus hot pink filter,

lighten/darken wheel: normal, 22 degrees Celsius

Epilogue

The appearance of Mint Flash Bar2, Polaroid SX-70 Camera can be used more convenient in dim light situation. Taking instant film photo indoors. You can remove the shackle of tripod, be free to take pictures, but also can add filters to create fantastic effects. Another new feature of the PC flash sync external flash interface can achieve off-camera flash, portrait outcome become more three-dimensional. It can be also using multiple flashes, create your own stylistic photos.

(Thanks for the help from @fayejoe 及 @七喜仔上瘾宝丽来)


Author：_pola迷文迪