Backscatter MF-1 Mini Flash

Manufacturer: Backscatter Type: Compact underwater strobe Year introduced: 2019 (announced DEMA 2019, November 22, 2019) Price: $399 (MF-1); $149 (OS-1 Optical Snoot accessory) Guide number: GN 16

Overview

The Backscatter MF-1 Mini Flash is a compact underwater strobe announced at DEMA 2019 on November 22, 2019. (^[1]) At $399 with an accompanying OS-1 Optical Snoot at $149, it created a new product category: an affordable, highly compact strobe system optimized for macro and close-focus wide-angle photography.

The MF-1 was designed from the outset to pair with the OS-1 Optical Snoot, reflecting the growing community interest in snooted lighting as a creative macro technique — a trend driven in part by photographers like Mike Bartick and Keri Wilk.

Specifications

• Guide number: GN 16
• Battery: Single 18650 lithium-ion (rechargeable)
• Focus light: 500 lumen LED
• Sync: Fiber optic (no electrical sync cord required)
• Size: Compact — positioned as a travel and macro strobe
• Price: $399

OS-1 Optical Snoot

The OS-1 Optical Snoot ($149) is a purpose-designed accessory for the MF-1 that uses fiber optic delivery to create a focused beam for snooted macro lighting. It represented an accessible entry into snoot photography compared to earlier, more expensive solutions.

Reception

Reviewed by Mike Bartick, based at Crystal Blue Dive Resort in Anilao — one of the world’s premier macro diving destinations. Bartick’s review provided detailed real-world assessment of the system’s performance for the critter photography niche. (^[2])

The MF-1 was succeeded by the MF-2, announced November 2022, which refined the design based on user feedback.

Industry significance

The MF-1 created a new market segment for compact, budget-friendly strobes optimized for macro photographers — particularly travel divers and resort photographers who found full-sized strobes (like the Inon Z-330 or Sea & Sea YS-D2) unnecessarily large for close-focus work.

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[3] — DEMA 2019 announcement. Article (editorial source).
• ^[4] — field review from Anilao. Article (editorial source).

References

• ^[5]
• ^[6]