Choose the 4500K diffuser in green water to make backgrounds blue.
Canon EOS R3 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/200 | ISO 200 | ƒ18


The Hybrid Flash has plenty of options for creative lighting with flat and dome diffusers in different color temperatures and angles of coverage. The Hybrid Flash IR Filter is used in remote mode to mask the transmitting strobe from showing up in the image.

Ambient Blue Filter for a More Natural Look

Traditional strobes use light that is significantly warmer than the much cooler blue light of the ocean. The Ambient Blue Filter matches the color temperature of the surrounding water, making the strobe match the color of the surrounding ambient light. When shot with the Ambient Blue Filter, the Hybrid Flash is filling shadows of the image, but not adding a different color to the scene. The Ambient Blue Filter is optimized for shooting at depths 10-35 feet.

Warmer strobe light will lead to two different color temperatures in the scene. When shot with the Ambient Blue Filter the strobe and the ambient light are all one color.
Sony a1 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/160 | ISO 200 | ƒ11


The Ambient Blue Filter even works in macro shots such as this jawfish shot, where bright reflective ambient light from the sand is mixing with the strobe light. With the ambient light being the same color as the strobe light, it blends together resulting in a more natural look.
Left: Sony a1 | Sony 90mm Lens | 1/250 | ISO 400 | ƒ11
Right: Sony a1 | Sony 90mm Lens | 1/400 | ISO 100 | ƒ11

Redefining What Full Power Means on a Strobe

The Hybrid Flash is significantly brighter at maximum power than what most people are used to shooting. At guide number 40 it generates a lot of light but also generates a significant amount of heat if shot in rapid succession at that power level. The Hybrid Flash manages this with an aluminum flash head, internal heat sink, and multiple temperature sensors. These protections allow the hybrid flash to keep shooting without interruption, so you'll never miss a shot.

Full (GN ƒ29) is more than enough light to tackle most situations. Boost +2 (GN ƒ40) and Boost +1 (GN ƒ34) are only needed for extra large scenes or shooting with diffusers to spread the light while maintaining a very bright output with plenty of reach.

We recommend starting at Full power. Boost +2 and Boost +1 are there when needed for extra punch on big wide scenes.

Shoot 30 Frames per Second with No Flash Drop Out

The Hybrid Flash has incredibly fast recycle times for a flash with its size and power and is built for rapid fire continuous shooting. The Backscatter Hybrid Flash will fire at 10 frames per second at 1/4 to 1/8 power, 20 frames at 1/8 power, and 30 frames at 1 click below 1/8 power.



This video is actually a compilation of 332 shots in a row at 20 frames per second RAW, which is the fastest available shooting speed for the Sony a1 and Canon 8-15mm lens. Towards the end of the sequence, the camera became the limiting factor and reached its buffer limit.

Fast Flash Duration to Sync with High Shutter Speeds

Flash duration is how long the flash tube is lit up when the strobe fires. This is measured in hundredths to thousandths of a second, making it relatable to the camera’s shutter speed. If the flash duration is slower than the shutter speed being used, the flash will be cut off by the shutter speed of the camera and will appear diminished in the photo. With a fast flash duration of over 1/400th of a second at maximum power, the Hybrid Flash is faster than the flash sync speed of any SLR or mirrorless camera with a mechanical shutter available today. At power level Boost +1 (GN 34) the flash duration is over 1/900th of a second, and will increase in speed as the power level is turned down. With such a fast flash duration, the Hybrid Flash gives the photographer with compact and global shutter cameras such as the Sony a9 III the freedom to shoot much faster shutter speeds to knock down high ambient light scenes.

Simple, Easy to Use Manual Mode

Only need manual mode? We’ve got you covered! The first mode on the dial is manual mode. The Backscatter Hybrid Flash has 12 power levels in ½ stop increments.


For those only needing manual mode, it's conveniently located at the first position on the mode dial. Both controls have hard stops with different shapes making dial changes without looking a breeze. There are 12 power levels in ½ stop increments.

Automatic TTL Flash Exposure for Olympus, OM System, & Sony

The Hybrid Flash is the first production strobe to have Olympus, OM System, and Sony Automatic TTL Exposure using the Backscatter Smart Control System. Smart Control TTL exposure utilizes OM System RC mode and Sony’s native TTL protocol, which is much more accurate than mimic TTL systems. Standard Smart Control mode is perfect for wide angle and larger subjects, while Smart Control Macro will tailor the flash output for macro shooting. The Hybrid Flash also includes an underexposure warning, which sounds when the strobe has reached maximum output. If the resulting image is too dark, get closer, increase ISO, or open up the aperture to properly expose the image. Flash EV compensation is easily handled using the camera’s native menu system.


For subjects that are constantly changing distances TTL is a great tool for getting a correct flash exposure on the fly.
Sony a7R V | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/125 | ISO 400 | ƒ16


Most TTL systems are not able to expose macro subjects accurately such as this black pinnate juvenile batfish. SC Macro is optimized for perfect exposures even with the most challenging subjects.
Olympus E-M10 IV | OM System 90mm Lens | 1/160 | ISO 200 | ƒ5.6

High Speed Sync (HSS) for Open Apertures and Black Backgrounds

The Hybrid Flash is also equipped with HSS mode, which allows faster shutter speeds to be used beyond the sync speed limit of the camera. HSS allows for wider open apertures while still being able to maintain a darker background than otherwise would be impossible at slower shutter speeds.

Sony Mirrorless cameras can achieve HSS using the Backscatter Sony Smart Control Trigger. Olympus and OM System mirrorless cameras can achieve HSS through RC mode with internal and clip-on flashes or with built in RC compatible flash triggers in housings such as the Backscatter E-M10 IV Octo Housing. For Nikon and Canon 3rd party flash triggers that support HSS are available such as UW Technics and the Turtle Trigger from TRT Electronics.

Using a more open aperture allows for more creative control for bokeh blur while the fast shutter speed of HSS maintains a darker background normally associated with more stopped-down apertures. This HSS picture was shot at 1/1,250 of a second for the dark background.

Backscatter Sony Smart Control Flash Trigger for TTL and HSS

The Backscatter Sony Smart Control Trigger is required for automatic Sony TTL and HSS with the Hybrid Flash. The flash trigger is placed on the hot shoe of the camera and is equipped with two LED lights to fit into a housing’s optical bulkheads. The Backscatter Sony Smart Control Trigger is universal and will fit most housings. The trigger is charged via USB-C. The Backscatter Sony Smart Control Trigger will be available later this year.

Wireless Off Camera Remote Control

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash features a remote transmit and receive function for wireless remote control and triggering.

The remote system works by the main transmitting strobe having the ability to remotely adjust the power level of other Hybrid Flash receiving strobes. The included Hybrid Flash Light Pipe attaches to the fiber optic mount of the Hybrid Flash and allows for receiving the signal from the transmitting strobe without the need for a fiber optic cable or an electronic trigger.

No cables and no reaching out for a remote strobe to change power levels means less silt from moving around or potentially freaking out the critter.


Multiple Hybrid Flashes can be used in remote mode for a myriad of creative possibilities.

The Hybrid Flash shares the same remote control protocol as the Mini Flash 2, and both strobes can be used together remotely. This works great for off-camera remote side lighting, backlighting, and snooting with the both the Hybrid Flash and Mini Flash 2 from the Backscatter Remote Lighting Muck Stick. Remote lighting is now easy to deploy and a breeze to use.


The Backscatter Hybrid Flash uses the same wireless remote control system as the Mini Flash 2, allowing the photographer to use both strobes seamlessly in their setup.


Two Hybrid Flashes and a Mini Flash 2 with a Color Filter were used in the setup for this shot. The front light is shot with a Hybrid Flash with the forthcoming snoot. The colored backlight is shot with a Mini Flash 2 and color filter. Another Hybrid Flash was used as the remote controller with an IR filter to remotely control the Mini Flash 2 at the back of the bottle.
Sony a1 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/400 | ISO 400 | ƒ20

SOS Safety Modes

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash SOS mode utilizes several safety signaling features utilizing the built in LED lights.

The first mode in SOS sends an SOS signal, which is highly visible and internationally recognizable.

The next mode activates Glow Mode, in which the Hybrid Flash ramps up and down the light, making it ideal to mark a location.

Beacon functions similarly to Glow, but sends a shorter interval pulse rather than the slow, variable Glow.

Dedicated Test Button

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash includes a test button that allows the strobe to be fired at any desired power level. This is great to use for light painting, as a strobe freezes motion where a video light will not. The test flash can also be used as a signaling device. The test button can be used in all modes except for SOS and Video Mode.

Wide, Spot, and Red Focus and Target Lights

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash comes equipped with several different light modes for the target light in Photo Mode. The strobe can be set to wide for use as a general focus or target light, spot for more specific macro work, or red to sneak up at critters and to avoid the swarmies at night. Red, Spot, and Wide Mode are available in M, SC, HSS, REM modes.

Wide, Red, and Spot Light Modes are available in M, SC, HSS, REM modes

375 to 1000+ Flashes

With twin 21700 lithium ion batteries the Backscatter Hybrid Flash will allow for over 375 flashes on maximum power (GN40) or a full day of diving with over 1000 flashes when set to normal power. Professional photographers will be stunned by the full power brightness duration. Amateur photographers will appreciate only using one set of batteries for a full day of diving.


Sony a7R V | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/6 | ISO 100 | ƒ22

Up to 90 Minutes of Video Runtime

The Hybrid Flash is designed to optimize battery consumption in Video Mode. In Video Mode, the light can run continuously for 45 minutes at 5,000 lumens. After 45 minutes, the Hybrid Flash will gradually ramp down to the next lower setting, to give a total runtime of 90 minutes. This gives the Hybrid Flash plenty of runtime for long night dives. If power consumption is managed by shutting the light off or using a lower power level between scenes, the Hybrid Flash can easily last a whole dive at 5,000 lumens.

Powered by Two High Capacity 21700 Batteries

To keep up with the high performance needs of the Backscatter Hybrid Flash, high performing 21700 batteries with a 20A continuous discharge are required. Currently the Nitecore NL2153HP is the only 21700 battery that meets this specification. Nitecore batteries include built-in overcharge and over discharge protection circuitry safety features. Nitecore batteries are available at Backscatter Dealers and many other retail outlets worldwide.


Only use approved 21700 batteries.

Automatic Flash Synchronization

Setting up pre-flash cancellation is a breeze. Simply plug in a fiber optic cable and take a test shot. The Backscatter Hybrid Flash will automatically detect the camera’s internal flash shooting mode on the first flash after power-up and store it in memory on your first test shot. If camera or flash settings change, simply turn the Hybrid Flash off and back on and take another test shot to update the setting. No need to worry about the wrong setting on the strobe. This feature can also be disabled if the Hybrid Flash is being triggered by a manual flash trigger or internal flash set to manual.

Ergonomic and Easy Control Layout

Change Power Levels without Taking your Eyes off the Scene

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash has two dials and two buttons. Mode is a black pointer style control while the flash power control is a red knurled knob. Both controls are large and raised and easily controlled with thick gloves. Each control has a different appearance and feel making both controls easy to differentiate by feel or with a quick glance. Both dials have hard stops, making finding the exact mode and full power easy and quick, without needing to look at the strobe.


The controls are radically different both physically and visually so the user will never be confused on what dial does what.

Photo and Video Lighting in a Medium Sized Body – Easy for Travel

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash is a medium-sized strobe and video light all in one. The size of the strobe makes it easy to travel with no compromise in performance, and eliminates the need for a separate video light or strobe making packing easier. In air, the Hybrid Flash is 1.1 kg / 2.5 lbs with batteries, ball mount, and diffuser. In water, the Hybrid Flash weighs 227 grams / 0.5 lbs with batteries, ball mount, and diffuser.

Triple Sealed Battery Cap

The Hybrid Flash is protected by two O-rings and a sand gasket to make sure the battery compartment remains dry. The double O-ring seal allows for two lines of defense against leak-causing debris, both of which are protected by a sand gasket, which keeps fine sand from building on the O-rings.


The double O-rings, sand protection seal, and a sealed battery compartment make sure the Hybrid Flash is always ready to go.

Safety Features

The Hybrid Flash has a sealed battery compartment, and in the rare event of a leak in the battery compartment water will not enter the front compartment of the strobe. The strobe also has two over-pressure relief valves, one on the strobe body, and one in the battery cap.

Battery Level Indicator

An integrated LED indicator shows battery level remaining in 3 levels: green, yellow, and red.

In The Box

The Hybrid Flash includes Hybrid Flash White 140 Flat Diffuser, 1-inch Ball Mount, Hybrid Flash Light Pipe, O-ring Grease, & Spare O-rings.

Order Now!

The Backscatter Hybrid Flash has a special launch price of $899 and is shipping end of May 2024. The Sony Smart Control Flash Trigger and custom Snoot will be announced later this year.

ORDER NOW


Canon EOS R3 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/125 | ISO 640 | ƒ8

SPECIFICATIONS

• Depth Rating: 100m/330ft
• Guide Number: ƒ40
• Maximum LED Output: 5,000 Lumens
• Power: Two 21700 Nitecore NL2153HP 5300mAh Batteries
• Recycle time (full): 1.6 seconds
• Number of Flashes (full): over 375
• Weight in Air: 2.5lbs / 1.14kg (with battery)
• Weight in Water: 4oz / 250g (with battery)
• Sync Cord: Fiber Optic
• Seal: Dual O-rings with additional Sand Seal Gasket
• Exposure Control:
• Flash: 12-step Power Level
• LED: 3-step Power Level
• Dimensions With Ball (LxWxD):
• 6.34 x 3.70 x 6.38in
• 161 x 94 x 162mm
• Material: Anodized Machined Aluminium and Glass Fill Fiber