Which Flashpoint On Camera R2 Speedlight?

[GreatWhiteWing]

Have two AD-200's and on camera controller with a Canon 5D-4. Want to add some fill light on the shoe and still control the AD-200's remotely from the camera.

As I look through Adorama web site I see three Li-Ion round head flash options. One is $199 and says V1 which I assume is version 1 or just the non-pro version. I see two others one for $329 called V1 pro with an additional sub light and a third option for an X100 for $349. Cost is not my driving requirement although always in the background of thought.

I cannot find a good place to compare features of the three options. I would typically use this for fill light only so would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation? I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful? Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

 

[tugwilson]

The V1 and the V1Pro produce the same amount of light. The main difference is that the V1Pro will produce more flashed before overheat protection kicks in. The Pro also has a small front facing flash which can be fitted to the body of the speedlight. This can pprovide some fill light if you have the head tilted to bounce light of the wall or ceiling. It can also take an external battery pack to shorten the recycle time and give you more flashes before needing a battery change.

The main differences between the V1Pro and the V100 are that the V100 has larger capacities so it produces more light at each power setting and it has a colour touch screen display.

My view is tht the V1Pro is a better option than the V1 for most photographers and a far better option if you intend to use HSS. The V100 is the best choice if you are going to use it frequently off camera in modifiers that work best at high power e.g. big softboxes)

 

[Ellis Vener]

would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation?

Interestingly, I just took delivery of a V1 Pro.

As the description indicates, the tiny front light is an optional accessory. You might find it helpful when working close to the person, with the main head aimed up or to the sides to create bounced light. Or it could cause a problem if you have the flash mounted in the camera's hotshoe and the person or people you are photographing are wearing glasses. I haven't had a real-world occasion to test how valuable the little auxiliary is.

I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful?

I had to make the same decision: V1, V1 Pro, or V100. I decided to go with a V1 Pro because color temperature is said to be a little more stable, it's less sensitive to overheating than the V1, and because the V100 is only marginally more powerful —maybe a third of a stop just from looking at the numbers unless they are doing something different with the V100's electronics, flashtube, and reflector design.

Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if, with the V1 Pro, there's a difference in flashes per charge between using just the main light and using the primary and secondary together.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio

 

[GreatWhiteWing]

would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation?

Interestingly, I just took delivery of a V1 Pro.

As the description indicates, the tiny front light is an optional accessory. You might find it helpful when working close to the person, with the main head aimed up or to the sides to create bounced light. Or it could cause a problem if you have the flash mounted in the camera's hotshoe and the person or people you are photographing are wearing glasses. I haven't had a real-world occasion to test how valuable the little auxiliary is.

I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful?

I had to make the same decision: V1, V1 Pro, or V100. I decided to go with a V1 Pro because color temperature is said to be a little more stable, it's less sensitive to overheating than the V1, and because the V100 is only marginally more powerful —maybe a third of a stop just from looking at the numbers unless they are doing something different with the V100's electronics, flashtube, and reflector design.

Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if, with the V1 Pro, there's a difference in flashes per charge between using just the main light and using the primary and secondary together.

Do you use the V1 Pro to control other R2 flashes? I assume no compatibility problems with other Godox/Flashpoint Rin the R2 line.

Hmm on the color accuracy. That could make a difference in the line of photography I do I think is going away for me.

 

[Ellis Vener]

would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation?

Interestingly, I just took delivery of a V1 Pro.

As the description indicates, the tiny front light is an optional accessory. You might find it helpful when working close to the person, with the main head aimed up or to the sides to create bounced light. Or it could cause a problem if you have the flash mounted in the camera's hotshoe and the person or people you are photographing are wearing glasses. I haven't had a real-world occasion to test how valuable the little auxiliary is.

I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful?

I had to make the same decision: V1, V1 Pro, or V100. I decided to go with a V1 Pro because color temperature is said to be a little more stable, it's less sensitive to overheating than the V1, and because the V100 is only marginally more powerful —maybe a third of a stop just from looking at the numbers unless they are doing something different with the V100's electronics, flashtube, and reflector design.

Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if, with the V1 Pro, there's a difference in flashes per charge between using just the main light and using the primary and secondary together.

Do you use the V1 Pro to control other R2 flashes? I assume no compatibility problems with other Godox/Flashpoint Rin the R2 line.

Have not tried that yet but I don’t foresee a problem with incompatability. Almost all of my Godox gear is branded as Adorama Flashpoint.

Hmm on the color accuracy. That could make a difference in the line of photography I do I think is going away for me.

 

[ronscuba]

Have two AD-200's and on camera controller with a Canon 5D-4. Want to add some fill light on the shoe and still control the AD-200's remotely from the camera.

As I look through Adorama web site I see three Li-Ion round head flash options. One is $199 and says V1 which I assume is version 1 or just the non-pro version. I see two others one for $329 called V1 pro with an additional sub light and a third option for an X100 for $349. Cost is not my driving requirement although always in the background of thought.

I cannot find a good place to compare features of the three options. I would typically use this for fill light only so would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation? I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful? Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

Wes Perry on Youtube has a very good video comparing these 3 speedlights.

I shoot weddings part time. I use AD200's off camera and a V1 on camera. The V1 has worked well, but there are times when recycle time and overheating has lost me shots. The bouquet toss for example.

I researched the V1 pro and V100. I ended up getting an AD200 extension head and X2 trigger. I still use my V1 regularly with success, but if I think I will need the fast recycle time, I will switch to the AD200 extension head X2 combo.


https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rchau.photo

 

[Jacques Cornell]

would the V1 Pro offer better fill light with the extra sub light for say a wedding dance floor type situation?

Interestingly, I just took delivery of a V1 Pro.

As the description indicates, the tiny front light is an optional accessory.

Unfortunately, paying for it is not optional, as it comes as a standard part of the package. Using it is optional.

You might find it helpful when working close to the person, with the main head aimed up or to the sides to create bounced light. Or it could cause a problem if you have the flash mounted in the camera's hotshoe and the person or people you are photographing are wearing glasses. I haven't had a real-world occasion to test how valuable the little auxiliary is.

Back in the Paleolithic Era, I used a Metz 54 MZ-5 that had a second flash tube built into its front. Output control was manual, not TTL, and I found it much less useful for providing fill with bounce than a white biz card taped to the head. I believe Godox also does not provide TTL control of the secondary flash.

I use the two AD-200's as main light bounced off ceiling. Or would I miss the additional output of the X100 which is more powerful?

I had to make the same decision: V1, V1 Pro, or V100. I decided to go with a V1 Pro because color temperature is said to be a little more stable, it's less sensitive to overheating than the V1, and because the V100 is only marginally more powerful —maybe a third of a stop just from looking at the numbers unless they are doing something different with the V100's electronics, flashtube, and reflector design.

Recycle times seem better with the V1 pro maybe due to lesser output?

Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if, with the V1 Pro, there's a difference in flashes per charge between using just the main light and using the primary and secondary together.

 

[Jacques Cornell]

TL;DR - I'm a big fan of Godox' new V480 for general on-camera use as well as for fill with off-camera flashes.

You've gotten excellent feedback so far. I'll chime in with my use cases and solutions, which overlap with others' but also differ somewhat and push (shrink?) the envelope a bit.

I mostly shoot corporate events, but I also second-shoot 5-10 weddings in a year. When I'm working with on- and off-camera flash, I often put a smaller flash on my camera to save weight, since it's generally for direct fill (not bounce) at relatively close range. These days, it'll be a V350 or V480, with my off-camera being one or two AD200s on stand(s) for back/side light (dance floor) or V1 with a FlashDisk mod in my left hand as main light (grip & grins). If I'm working with only on-camera in a space that requires more power, I mount a V1.

For your consideration, I'll comment on each of the hotshoe flashes in my kit. Most of them are Flashpoint (for warranty and excellent tech support from Adorama), but I'll use the simpler and better-known Godox nomenclature.

TT350 - Full-featured, tiny and light, with enough power even under 15' ceilings when letting ISO drift up and underexposing dim ambient light by 1 or 2 EV with f4 or larger apertures. I've been pleasantly surprised how little power I need when using it this way, and I've never exhausted a pair of Eneloops in an evening. When bouncing, I tape a white biz card to the head for fill. (I'll explain why I use the biz card instead of the white done or built-in bounce card if anyone is curious.) I've now replaced this with...

V350 - Same as TT350 except for the li-ion battery that can be shared with the...

V480 - In terms of size and power, this is halfway between the V350 and V860III, but in terms of weight it's closer to the V350 - only 100g more - which is a huge deal for me when I'm working 14-hour days. I like the touchscreen interface and hope Godox will bring this to the base V1. On-camera TTL exposure on my Sonys is the best of the bunch. The ability to flop the head 45 degrees to the rear is also super-useful.

V1 - My all-time fave, it's now competing with the V480 for my affection. In terms of utility, it's the best in my kit - plenty of power, a decent interface I can actually decipher without reading glasses, and a round head. Ah, yes, the round head. I was a skeptic, but now I love it. Not for the round light pattern, but for the magnetic accessory kit (shared with the AD200's optional round head), especially the bounce card I can spin to send light in any direction. Super nifty, that. The V1's round head also holds the aforementioned FlashDisk mod more securely than the...

V860III - I had this before the V1 and liked the ability to zoom to 200mm to spotlight a stage while keeping light off a projection screen above . But, barn doors on the V1 can serve this function better, and the V1 is otherwise just more versatile. So, when both of my V860IIIs died, I replaced them with two more V1s.

For reasons I won't go into, I've lately had to work more with two heavy cameras (with zooms) rather than my preferred three lighter cameras (with primes), and it's taken a toll on my body. Using lighter on-camera flashes helps, which is why I'm favoring the V350 and V480. OTOH, for shorter gigs where I'm bouncing on-camera flash a lot, I go with the do-everything V1. Since I'm almost always balancing with low ambient light and not machine-gunning, I don't need the power or endurance of the V1 Pro or V100.

My basic event kit includes three cameras, two V480s, one V350, a spare battery, etc., in a carry-on-size rolling case, and one stand, an umbrella, and a V1 in a stand bag. My expanded kit adds another stand plus two AD200s and another V1 in a small backpack.

Questions are welcome.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

Like Jacques I often use the tiny, light weight TT350 as on-camera fill and controller.

I'm mostly using it for outdoor portraits with the TT350 on camera and an AD200 in a small beauty dish or umbrella box as main. Sometimes indoors I'll add a TT685 as background light or rim.

I'm mostly retired and rarely do more then 3 short sessions a month, so I avoid Li-ion batteries -- but for frequent heavy use they can't be beat.

Gato