Godox

How to Choose a Photography Flash

For those making their very first foray into the world of photography flash equipment, the huge selection of equipment can be daunting and a bit confusing. If you're struggling to make your choice for your first (or next) flash strobe, follow our Godox flash guide below.

Or, follow our personalised flash recommendations quiz here! It only takes 30 seconds and will provide a Godox flash product recommendation based on your photography needs in a Flash (get it?).

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Mains VS Battery

One of the very first considerations for flash is the power option. Battery flashes, as the name suggests, are powered wirelessly without the need for mains power, meaning they're perfect for photographers who shoot on location frequently. However, the addition of the battery does mean a few things including:

Battery powered lights are more expensive than Mains flash
Batteries having a limited time of use and therefore requiring semi-regular charging
The need for spare batteries just in case
Battery care to ensure you're getting the best range of life out of your battery.


Godox AD300Pro 300w Battery Powered Flash	Godox SK300II-V 300w Mains Powered Flash

Consider where you plan to shoot, and whether you plan to expand this. If you purchase mains flash, it's difficult to then turn this into a portable option - generators are an option but these are expensive, and generally cumbersome. If you think you'll be shooting outdoors at all, make the investment in battery flash.

If you're solely looking for super straightforward, budget-friendly, studio flash, then mains flash will perfect.

Speedlites & Hotshoe Flashes

Speedlites are perfect for adding a pop of light for up-close shoots and on-the-go. Speedlites are defined by their camera-connection hotshoe design, which negates the need for a separate trigger, and allows your camera to communicate directly with the flash.


Godox V1Pro On-Camera Hotshoe Speedlight	Godox iT30Pro On-Camera Hotshoe TTL Micro Flash

Some speedlites will only work with specific camera brands and models - make sure to check this before purchasing! Speedlites can also be used off-camera mounted to a stand, provided you have a suitable trigger for this.

Power Requirements & Size

Arguably, the second most important feature to consider is the power output of the flash. The Godox flash range covers flashes anywhere from 20w all the way up to 1,200 and 2,400w each! So you'll be able to find the power you need for your light.

Don't forget, the higher the power and brightness of your flash, the higher your shutter speed can go! If you're looking to shoot super high-speed images, you'll need a lot of flash to be able to properly illuminate your shot in such a short space of time.

Most speedlites are around 76w, (with the new V100 hitting 100w!), and the AD Range starts out at 100w. These flashes are great for shooting up-close, small spaces, and are super-compact too for easy portability.

200w flashes are some of the most popular in the Godox range, as 200w can offer a lot of flexibility despite it's "lower" output! 200w is great for studio working, and is also powerful enough to overpower the sun in the right outdoor conditions & setup. Check out the AD200Pro II (Battery Powered) or the MS200V (Mains Powered) for these.


Godox AD200Pro II 200w Battery Flash	Godox MS200V 200w Studio Mains Flash

At around 300-400w and 600w, your options expand further, allowing for more brightness that you can use to overpower the sun, or perhaps to pair with a larger modifier so you lose less light through it.

You can also find some 800w, 1000w and 1200w flashes, which are generally the highest options you can find in an enclosed studio flash head in one unit. These are super powerful and best for large-scale shoots such as group shots or furniture photography for example. At 1,200w is also when you see Pack & Head style flashes. The pack contains the battery or power module, and the head of the flash is separate, attached by a cable. The AD1200Pro is an example of this, and is often used to overpower the sun, or to shoot at high shutter speeds.


Godox AD600Pro II Battery Powered 600w Flash	Godox DP800IIIV 800w Studio Flash	Godox AD1200Pro 1200w Pack and Head Battery Flash System

The highest powered Godox flash is the P2400 Pack & Head set. At a whopping 2,400w, this mains powered flash kit really packs a punch, and would be best suited to super high-speed movement shots, to be able to fully illuminate the image.

Modifier Fitting

Modifier fitting preferences may also impact your choice of light. If you already own modifiers, getting a light with the same fitting means that you don't then have to purchase new adapters, or a new set of compatible modifiers for them. You can find modifier fitting information in the Specifications table on your flash listing.

See similar: What Modifier Fitting do I Need?

The most common fittings you'll find in Godox flashes are:

Bowens S-Type mount (Found in most mid-large size flashes)

Godox Mount (Found in medium sized flashes like the AD300Pro and the AD400Pro)

and the Speedlite Fitting (which is found on speedlites and smaller flashes like the AD100Pro and AD200Pro II).


Bowens S-Type Fitting	Godox Fitting	Speedlight Fitting

Speedlite modifiers are often more compact, while Godox and Bowens S-Type modifiers can be larger and easier to find. Other lighting brands also have specific fittings, for which there are some interchangeable modifier fitting options available on our website.

TTL vs Manual Flashes

Consider also, whether you'd like to set your lighting settings manually, or if you'd like some extra help by using TTL features. Beginners especially find TTL handy, and it's a feature found on a vast range of flash equipment to help you get the perfect flash exposure without any faff.

See similar: What is TTL?

The Godox AD Range is a great option for TTL shooters, as the whole range comes with TTL compatibility, and many of their Speedlites are TTL compatible and communicate directly with the camera via hotshoe connection (check model for this). For studio flashes, the QT MKIII Range is recommended.


Godox AD400Pro 400w Battery Flash with TTL/HSS	Godox QT400III 400w Mains TTL/HSS Flash

Top Tip: Make sure, if shooting with a TTL flash, that your trigger is also TTL compatible. TTL triggers have to be selected with direct compatibility with the brand of your camera so that it can communicate fully with the cameras features. Most of Godox's triggers are TTL-Compatible, including the popular XProI and XProII, the X3, and the X2T. For a non-TTL universal trigger option that can be used with different camera brands, check out the XT16 trigger.

HSS Functionality

High Speed Sync (HSS) often goes hand-in-hand with TTL features for flashes, and refers to the ability for your flash to work at faster shutter speeds than your camera is capable of, to allow you to properly balance your flash and ambient lighting together.

Similar to TTL, your trigger needs to be able to support HSS features to use this function. One thing to be aware of is that despite the common belief, HSS is NOT designed to help you freeze motion. While it can do this, it's not it's purpose, and you will likely be better off using normal sync on your lights, with a high shutter speed but more flash power.

More Information on HSS: Can You Use HSS to Freeze Motion?

Similarly to TTL, your best option for HSS features are the AD Range battery flashes, and the QT MKIII studio flashes.

Image shot with the Stroboscopic Mode with the Godox QTIII Range Flashes

Recycle Times

Recycle times aren't always one of the most important features most people look for, but just in case it is, we'll cover it too.

Recycle times are the amount of time you may have to wait between each flash before your light can reset itself ready to discharge again. The higher the power you're using, the longer this recycle time will likely be. For example, the AD200Pro II has a recycle time of "Approx. 0.01 ~ 1.8s", so at the highest power, you can expect to get up to 1 shot every 1.8s.

If you're shooting with the aim of getting lots of shots in a very quick space of time, like for sports events or dance photography, then the lower the recycle time, the better. This will vary from flash to flash, and again, will also depend on the power & Settings on your flash.

Still stuck? Get in touch with our team at info@essentialphoto.co.uk or try out our flash recommendations quiz to find our what's best for your photography!