Flashpoint StreakLight 360 TTL or Manual

Krav Maga · Jul 9, 2017

Hobbyist here who dabbles in off camera lighting.

Soon, I'll be upgrading my camera to a HSS capable camera. I've been dabbling in off camera lighting for about a year or so. I want to get a "cost effective" solution for a mobile lighting system with HSS capabilities. I've been looking into the Flashpoint StreakLight 360s.

I've done everything in the past in full manual. I've been learning it all from a manual perspective.

Question, for someone like me, would it be worth it to get the StreakLights with TTL capability? Or should I just go with the manual version? I mean, if I were a run and gunning event/wedding photographer I could definitely see the advantage to TTL, but for some low level hobbyist like me perhaps not.

Unless there are considerations I'm not thinking about.

Any input/advice would be appreciated.

Sailor Blue · Jul 9, 2017

TTL is great for run and gun where the subject to flash distance is constantly changing. For off-camera flash where the subject to flash distance is not changing you want Manual.

I have a good TTL hot-shoe flash so I wouldn't buy a AD360 with TTL but then I don't shoot weddings or indoor architecture where a TTL flash with the AD360's power would be useful for flooding the room with more light than you can get from a normal hot-shoe flash.

mikedpe · Jul 10, 2017

The manual version has to be set to HSS on the back of the flash, the TTL version can be controlled from the trigger, easier in my books and for the days that you need TTL it is there.

Mike

tdwesbo · Jul 10, 2017

TTL

The incremental cost is minor compared to the potential use cases. You'll find yourself giving TTL a try now and then and it may just end up working really well for some situations

kli · Jul 10, 2017

Everybody's advice here is great. But if you're a Fuji shooter, get the TTL version.

Unlike the AD600 vs. the AD600M, the manual-only AD360 is an older model of the Streaklight. It does not have a built-in R2/Godox X trigger. You have to add on an XTR16 receiver via a port to use it in radio in the X system. And for most systems, it works just fine to give you HSS.

But I've already seen reports by Fuji X users with a TT350-F in their hand, who say that while HSS works with the AD200, AD600, V850II, V860II (i.e., the other current lights in the Godox X/Flashpoint R2 system), using an XTR16 on an AD360 (Mk I--the manual Streaklight) there is no HSS, even though the camera firmware is up to date and the TT350F can do on-camera HSS.

(See: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4176301)

While it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Godox will eventually update the TT350 so it can be an HSS master to the XTR16 receivers, if you're going to Godox for HSS function, it might be wiser to spend the extra bucks for the AD360II (the TTL Streaklight) or contemplate getting an AD200 instead.

jlafferty · Jul 10, 2017

Kli is right on. In addition, the TTL model recycles faster in HSS and can shoot longer before thermal protect kicks in (which slows down recycling).

FWIW I shoot Nikon and can't get TTL to behave in any way that's productive for my workflow, but for the other upgrades, the TTL 360 is worth the extra $80-100.

Krav Maga · Jul 10, 2017

jlafferty said:
FWIW I shoot Nikon and can't get TTL to behave in any way that's productive for my workflow, but for the other upgrades, the TTL 360 is worth the extra $80-100.

Would it be possible for you to elaborate on this?

Thanks.

Sr1racha · Jul 10, 2017

I'd highly recommend the ad200 over the ad360 (especially the older v1 ad360 that doesn't have an integrated receiver for the x1t triggers).

The ad200 is only a third or half stop less powerful, much quicker and less fiddly to setup, smaller and lighter, and has ttl to boot that works really well with canon cameras. Also both the v1 and v2 versions of the ad360 has very aggressive overheat protection, and will shut the strobe down for a couple minutes after only a dozen HSS pops.

My travel lighting kit is now two ad200s (fill and hair/kicker) and an ad600 as a key, and I'm much happier as it all fits into my think tank bag (along with two bodies, a laptop, chargers and 4 lenses) quite well. The ad360 only comes out when I need a four light setup.

jlafferty · Jul 10, 2017

I prefer the form factor of the 360 to the 200 FWIW. Much better as a handheld fill against ambient. I travel with two 360s and for my work it's better than the 200 would be.

--
http://jimlafferty.com
General scoundrel. Advocate for good photography ahead of proper technique.

jlafferty · Jul 10, 2017

Sure. I'm often using the 360 for a near axis fill handheld, close to camera. So the light to subject distance doesn't really change. What I need is a metering setup that reads ambient, and then a TTL system that fills ambient at like 2 stops under, as my subject moves from one lighting condition to another. For now all I do is run the light at a fixed, say 1/16, and keep distance roughly constant - it works OK. Switch to Matrix metering (D810), TTL and even at -3 it's often too bright and sometimes behaves a bit erratically. Might be that I'm working in HSS often, not sure.

Krav Maga said:
jlafferty said:

FWIW I shoot Nikon and can't get TTL to behave in any way that's productive for my workflow, but for the other upgrades, the TTL 360 is worth the extra $80-100.

Click to expand...

Would it be possible for you to elaborate on this?

Thanks.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/144454453@N02/

--
http://jimlafferty.com
General scoundrel. Advocate for good photography ahead of proper technique.

Sr1racha · Jul 10, 2017

jlafferty said:
I prefer the form factor of the 360 to the 200 FWIW. Much better as a handheld fill against ambient. I travel with two 360s and for my work it's better than the 200 would be.

dinoSnake · Jul 12, 2017

Also, what is not mentioned in the debate over the AD200 vs AD360 is the cost effective issue: you can buy AD360's used. I bought my AD360 mk1 (manual) used, with battery and all parts, for way less than an AD200.

Also, the AD360's 'oversized speedlight' design means that you can use it pretty much anywhere, in almost any modifier designed for either speedlights or studio strobes or even in a camera flash bracket, easily; the AD200's physical profile means more complications in some circumstances. Thanks to the battery cable the AD360's head mass is lower, a bit less worry in regards to support for tipovers or when using lightweight stands.

elv · Jul 12, 2017

dinoSnake said:
Also, what is not mentioned in the debate over the AD200 vs AD360 is the cost effective issue: you can buy AD360's used. I bought my AD360 mk1 (manual) used, with battery and all parts, for way less than an AD200.

Also, the AD360's 'oversized speedlight' design means that you can use it pretty much anywhere, in almost any modifier designed for either speedlights or studio strobes or even in a camera flash bracket, easily; the AD200's physical profile means more complications in some circumstances. Thanks to the battery cable the AD360's head mass is lower, a bit less worry in regards to support for tipovers or when using lightweight stands.

A lot of people are also selling their AD360II at the moment to move to the AD200. So in that regard there are likely great deals to be had on the AD360II as well.

Personally I'd go straight for the AD200 in any case, I've not hear anyone yet that want to go back from AD200 to AD360.

Sr1racha · Jul 12, 2017

elv said:
dinoSnake said:

Also, what is not mentioned in the debate over the AD200 vs AD360 is the cost effective issue: you can buy AD360's used. I bought my AD360 mk1 (manual) used, with battery and all parts, for way less than an AD200.

Also, the AD360's 'oversized speedlight' design means that you can use it pretty much anywhere, in almost any modifier designed for either speedlights or studio strobes or even in a camera flash bracket, easily; the AD200's physical profile means more complications in some circumstances. Thanks to the battery cable the AD360's head mass is lower, a bit less worry in regards to support for tipovers or when using lightweight stands.

Click to expand...

A lot of people are also selling their AD360II at the moment to move to the AD200. So in that regard there are likely great deals to be had on the AD360II as well.

Personally I'd go straight for the AD200 in any case, I've not hear anyone yet that want to go back from AD200 to AD360.

I try to buy my godox stuff new from an Amazon seller I trust or rebranded adorama versions as I've had a couple issues that were promptly and easily taken care of by the seller (who contacted Godox on my behalf). One was a prong on an ad600 remote head shorting after about 6 months of usage, and another was an ad200 body not recognizing a head unit after a month or so of usage.

The used ad360s I've seen around FM and Craigslist have been around $250, so to me not really worth the cost savings and potential headaches with warranty/defect claims.

If you do a lot of location work, the ad200 is much faster to set up too. Just throw the s-type adapter on a stand, and tighten the ad200 in and turn it on - done. With the ad360, you need to mount the adapter, insert the flash, mount the power unit, insert the y-cable, and plug in the xtr16 dongle if you have the v1, so if you are under constraints, the ad200 can be a stress reliever. I also like the fresnel head as it's proven to be useful in situations I haven't expected.

My next light purchase will likely be a second AD600. I don't see a compelling reason to get another ad360 unless I experience more issues with my ad200s (knock on wood).

Krav Maga · Jul 12, 2017

Sr1racha said:
elv said:

dinoSnake said:

Also, what is not mentioned in the debate over the AD200 vs AD360 is the cost effective issue: you can buy AD360's used. I bought my AD360 mk1 (manual) used, with battery and all parts, for way less than an AD200.

Also, the AD360's 'oversized speedlight' design means that you can use it pretty much anywhere, in almost any modifier designed for either speedlights or studio strobes or even in a camera flash bracket, easily; the AD200's physical profile means more complications in some circumstances. Thanks to the battery cable the AD360's head mass is lower, a bit less worry in regards to support for tipovers or when using lightweight stands.

Click to expand...

A lot of people are also selling their AD360II at the moment to move to the AD200. So in that regard there are likely great deals to be had on the AD360II as well.

Personally I'd go straight for the AD200 in any case, I've not hear anyone yet that want to go back from AD200 to AD360.

Click to expand...

I try to buy my godox stuff new from an Amazon seller I trust or rebranded adorama versions as I've had a couple issues that were promptly and easily taken care of by the seller (who contacted Godox on my behalf). One was a prong on an ad600 remote head shorting after about 6 months of usage, and another was an ad200 body not recognizing a head unit after a month or so of usage.

The used ad360s I've seen around FM and Craigslist have been around $250, so to me not really worth the cost savings and potential headaches with warranty/defect claims.

If you do a lot of location work, the ad200 is much faster to set up too. Just throw the s-type adapter on a stand, and tighten the ad200 in and turn it on - done. With the ad360, you need to mount the adapter, insert the flash, mount the power unit, insert the y-cable, and plug in the xtr16 dongle if you have the v1, so if you are under constraints, the ad200 can be a stress reliever. I also like the fresnel head as it's proven to be useful in situations I haven't expected.

My next light purchase will likely be a second AD600. I don't see a compelling reason to get another ad360 unless I experience more issues with my ad200s (knock on wood).

Sr1racha · Jul 12, 2017

Hard to go wrong with either. Like I said, so far my ad360 has been beaten and still works perfectly, so that's one point of confidence in its favor. The other advantage of the ad360 is you can use the pb960 to power two of the flashes (albeit with slower recycle time), or use it with a manufacturer specific power cord to power a speedlite - I use mine to power my canon 580 ex ii for event shooting and I can get super fast recycle times at full power with the Y connector.

kilofox · Jul 12, 2017

You can always use manual on a TTL flash, but not the other way around.

MetallicaMatt · Dec 11, 2017

I just invested in the Godox system with an AD360II and XPro transmitter. I currently use Canon 600EX-RT speedlights.

I've been releasing the shutter wirelessly from my handheld speedlight using the REL button, and another 600EX-RT (or ST-E3-RT) on the hotshoe. This allows for great light-painting with ease.

Does anyone know if we have the ability to use the AD360 to wirelessly trigger back to the XPro and camera?

Thanks!

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Flashpoint StreakLight 360 TTL or Manual

Krav Maga

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mikedpe

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