Small Strobe BIG Power! - The Backscatter Atom Flash - Industry

Posted November 11Nov 11

Backscatter Atom Flash Underwater Strobe Review

The Most Powerful Compact Strobe

Introducing the Backscatter Atom Flash — a small flash with BIG power. Underwater photographers can now capture pro-level lighting in a compact, travel-friendly package. With an underwater guide number of ƒ28, the Atom Flash packs serious flash power for its size, lighting everything from the biggest wide-angle scenes to tiny macro subjects. Its 110° flash beam delivers smooth, even coverage, while flat or dome diffusers expand and soften the beam further. Snap on the Optical Snoot OS-2, using built-in 1,000-lumen white and red focus lights make pinpoint macro lighting effortless.

The Atom Flash shares the same advanced flash modes as the bigger Hybrid Flash, plus some new tricks of its own. Enjoy 11 manual power levels, Smart Control TTL for Sony, Olympus, and OM System cameras, wireless remote triggering, high-speed sync, and a low-power mode with 10 extra steps of fine adjustment—perfect for dialing in subtle light balance.

A super-bright auto-rotating LCD clearly displays flash settings, shots remaining, and battery life. With over 600 full-power flashes on a single charge, the Atom Flash keeps shooting as long as you do.

Compact, powerful, and travel-ready with an introductory price of $749, the Backscatter Atom Flash delivers professional performance in a rugged, portable design—making it the ultimate strobe for photographers who demand maximum power in minimal size.

CRAZY BRIGHT TINY FLASH

Bright Guide Number of ƒ28

With an underwater guide number of ƒ28, the Atom Flash packs a super bright flash into a travel-friendly body, easily illuminating shallow reefs, big scenes, and can easily light the foreground of stopped-down sunball shots. Its compact build also makes it perfect for macro work with the Optical Snoot OS-2, fitting effortlessly into tight scenes.

Though small and travel friendly, the Atom Flash has plenty of power to illuminate big scenes with ease, even at ƒ18

Canon EOS R1 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/200 | ISO 200 | ƒ18

With plenty of power to spare, the Atom Flash can light motion blur images in bright conditions when using a stopped down aperture and low ISO.

Canon EOS R1 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/3 | ISO 320 | ƒ22

Easy to Aim High Quality Light Beam

More than just a bright strobe, the Atom Flash's light beam is even from center to edge, with a gentle light drop-off, and no light-gaps or hotspots. All shooters from first-time strobe users to seasoned pros will appreciate just how forgiving and easy it is to light almost any scene.

The Atom Flash is more than just a compact bright strobe, its beam is also extraordinarily even from the center to the edge of the image. This image was captured using the included flat diffuser to further spread the beam.

Canon EOS R1 | Canon 8-15mm Lens | 1/60 | ISO 200 | ƒ10

Stay Informed with Super Bright LCD Display

The Atom Flash features an LCD screen that clearly displays critical information in any environment, from bright shallow reefs to pitch black night dives. Photographers can instantly see mode, power level, remaining flash count, and battery life, with the display automatically rotating to match strobe orientation.

A streamlined menu system makes navigation simple, while customizable favorite functions make frequently used settings ready for easy access.

The Atom Flash's LCD visual interface clearly shows strobe information and can be used for easy menu navigation.

Powerful Flash That Travels Light

Designed with ease of travel in mind, the Atom Flash’s low-profile body is fit for all underwater camera systems, from compact to full-frame rigs. The minimal footprint of the Atom Flash makes it an easy fit in carry-on luggage or tight packing spaces. It’s also an ideal choice for shore divers or anyone looking to downsize their lighting without sacrificing performance. Whether used for shore diving or for travel to weight-restricted remote destinations, the Atom Flash delivers powerful, professional lighting in a truly travel-friendly form.

The Atom Flash has the same power as a Hybrid Flash set two clicks below maximum power, while being smaller and more than a half pound lighter.