Godox flash compatibility with two different camera systems?

[mcantsin]

Is it true that Godox flashes are fully compatible with another camera system when the latter is used with a matching Godox trigger/transmitter?

In my specific case: I bought a Godox TT685ii for Nikon, as well as an XPro II trigger/transmitter for Nikon. Alongside a Nikon Z6iii, I also use an Olympus/OM camera as a travel camera. Would the TT685ii work fully and natively as an external flash with the Olympus camera, including TTL and HSS, if I buy a Godox trigger/transmitter for Olympus (such as the Olympus version of the XPro II)?

 

[John Vickers]

Is it true that Godox flashes are fully compatible with another camera system when the latter is used with a matching Godox trigger/transmitter?

In my specific case: I bought a Godox TT685ii for Nikon, as well as an XPro II trigger/transmitter for Nikon. Alongside a Nikon Z6iii, I also use an Olympus/OM camera as a travel camera. Would the TT685ii work fully and natively as an external flash with the Olympus camera, including TTL and HSS, if I buy a Godox trigger/transmitter for Olympus (such as the Olympus version of the XPro II)?

Yes.

Any battery-powered Godox strobe or speedlight that uses the Godox 2.4GHz wireless system will work as a fully functional slave with any 2.4GHz Godox speedlight or trigger used as a master, regardless of the brand the master is built for.

For example I can use a TT685N with an XPro2O, and a V1O slave with a TT685N master.

There may be some weird cases with Godox mains-powered 2.4GHz strobes - I've never used them.

The Nikon-specific flash-blaster control and triggering will only work with "N"-type speedlights.

Depending on what you want to do, it might make sense to get a TT685iiO, rather than an XPro2O - an on-camera TT685ii will work as a transmitter for 3 groups in addition to controlling itself. TCM may be missing in transmitter mode, though.

 

[tugwilson]

Is it true that Godox flashes are fully compatible with another camera system when the latter is used with a matching Godox trigger/transmitter?

In my specific case: I bought a Godox TT685ii for Nikon, as well as an XPro II trigger/transmitter for Nikon. Alongside a Nikon Z6iii, I also use an Olympus/OM camera as a travel camera. Would the TT685ii work fully and natively as an external flash with the Olympus camera, including TTL and HSS, if I buy a Godox trigger/transmitter for Olympus (such as the Olympus version of the XPro II)?

With most Godox speedlights that is true. There has been some doubt cast over the compatibility of TT350/V350 lights.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

Pretty much yes, with the possible exception noted by Tug in his post.

Another trigger option would be the TT350o compact flash -- a very handy small flash that can act as a trigger. On jobs where I need to be mobile, moving from one location to another, I often use a TT350 on camera as fill with a TT685 as off camera main light, either on a stand or held by an assistant.

Gato

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[Travis Burnside]

Pretty much yes, with the possible exception noted by Tug in his post.

Another trigger option would be the TT350o compact flash -- a very handy small flash that can act as a trigger. On jobs where I need to be mobile, moving from one location to another, I often use a TT350 on camera as fill with a TT685 as off camera main light, either on a stand or held by an assistant.

Gato

I’ve done the same - works great. Though in my personal opinion, operating the TT350 as a trigger feels a touch obtuse compared to my X2 or X3. Can’t beat the versatility though.

i actually just picked up an IT30 Pro for an even smaller option in the same vein - looks promising so far.

 

[tugwilson]

i actually just picked up an IT30 Pro for an even smaller option in the same vein - looks promising so far.

I'm Dissapointed that it doesn't have Channel Scan. Essential for a trigger IMHO.

 

[John Vickers]

Pretty much yes, with the possible exception noted by Tug in his post.

Another trigger option would be the TT350o compact flash -- a very handy small flash that can act as a trigger. On jobs where I need to be mobile, moving from one location to another, I often use a TT350 on camera as fill with a TT685 as off camera main light, either on a stand or held by an assistant.

I think I suggested the TT685ii because it's cheap, and because the OP has one already, so there wouldn't be much learning curve.

I haven't used a TT350, but it seems a bit clunky as a controller.

The V480 and V100 support 4 external groups in addition to the speedlight itself.

What I think I'd like is something like an XPro2, but with a small flash in it, like a camera built-in flash or the extra mini-flash that comes with V1 Pro and V100. So it can do optical triggering or a little bit of fill. But It seems that turning optical triggering disables wireless reception on Godox strobes - which makes no sense to me.

 

[John Vickers]

Is it true that Godox flashes are fully compatible with another camera system when the latter is used with a matching Godox trigger/transmitter?

In my specific case: I bought a Godox TT685ii for Nikon, as well as an XPro II trigger/transmitter for Nikon. Alongside a Nikon Z6iii, I also use an Olympus/OM camera as a travel camera. Would the TT685ii work fully and natively as an external flash with the Olympus camera, including TTL and HSS, if I buy a Godox trigger/transmitter for Olympus (such as the Olympus version of the XPro II)?

Are you planning to use this on Panasonic bodies as well ?

Because that might influence your choice.

Panasonic flash is weirdly slow on both MFT and L-mount, unlike Olympus.

Do you want to do macro focus stacking with flash, or other flash burst shooting on Panasonic ?

On Panasonic (MFT or L-mount, AFAICT), it goes like this:

1. If a speedlight or strobe is attached to the centre pin of the hotshoe, the maximum frame rate drops to about 4.5fps. (The camera detects the weak pull-up to 3-5V in the speedlight or strobe's sync input, or the speedlight's centre pin).
2. If a speedlight with wireless transmission enabled, or a wireless trigger (not in single-pin mode) is in the hotshoe, the maximum frame rate drops to about 2.5fps.
3. Frame rate is a tiny bit faster with EFCS than with fully mechanical shutter.
4. Continuous flash shooting doesn't work at all with anything older than a Godox V1 or a V860iii in the hotshoe. It doesn't work at all with a TT685O. I don't know about TT685iiO - the MFT folk might.
5. If you use the PC-sync port on a camera that has one (G9, S1

   ---

   ), burst shooting is unaffected by flash.

---

So, for example, if you put a XPro2O on an S5M2, you get about 4.5fps in single-pin ("legacy") mode (which implies manual power setting and no HSS), or about 2.5fps in normal hotshoe mode.

If you connect the XPro2 to the PC-sync port on a G9 or S1

---

, you get full burst speed.

A V1 on an S5M2 will give about 4.5fps with wireless off, or about 2.5fps with wireless transmission on.

A TT685O in the hotshoe won't allow bursts at all, but a TT685O as a wireless slave to an XPro2O in single-pin ("legacy") mode can be fired at about 4.5fps. Though if you want it to keep firing, the TT685 will need a very low power setting.

More in this thread: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/68262559

 

[Travis Burnside]

i actually just picked up an IT30 Pro for an even smaller option in the same vein - looks promising so far.

I'm Dissapointed that it doesn't have Channel Scan. Essential for a trigger IMHO.

You're not wrong; that's a surprising omission.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

Pretty much yes, with the possible exception noted by Tug in his post.

Another trigger option would be the TT350o compact flash -- a very handy small flash that can act as a trigger. On jobs where I need to be mobile, moving from one location to another, I often use a TT350 on camera as fill with a TT685 as off camera main light, either on a stand or held by an assistant.

I think I suggested the TT685ii because it's cheap, and because the OP has one already, so there wouldn't be much learning curve.

I haven't used a TT350, but it seems a bit clunky as a controller.

As a controller alone, yes, it's not ideal. But as controller and fill flash it's pretty nifty -- fairly small and very light weight with enough power to do the job.

The V480 and V100 support 4 external groups in addition to the speedlight itself.

But at a higher price point (the 480 is twice the price of the 350) and the V100 is larger and heavier.

What I think I'd like is something like an XPro2, but with a small flash in it, like a camera built-in flash or the extra mini-flash that comes with V1 Pro and V100. So it can do optical triggering or a little bit of fill. But It seems that turning optical triggering disables wireless reception on Godox strobes - which makes no sense to me.

 

[Satyaa]

I recently used a TT350O (on GH5ii) and a TT350N (on Z7ii) as triggers, with two TT685ii units on stands in slave mode.

With these units, speed shooting is not an option. You have to wait few seconds between shots.

I posted my results/experience here:

My results: Studio and Lighting Technique Forum: Digital Photography Review

I chose TT350 instead of a trigger because it can be a handy on-camera flash for travel and it was the same price as the trigger. I also considered getting a TT350S when I had plans to buy a Sony camera.

All the best.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

I recently used a TT350O (on GH5ii) and a TT350N (on Z7ii) as triggers, with two TT685ii units on stands in slave mode.

With these units, speed shooting is not an option. You have to wait few seconds between shots.

That's interesting, because I do not have this problem with similar setups. With a 350o on Panasonic and a 685 remote I can shoot pretty much as fast as I want to. In many setups I can do 2 or 3 pops in quick succession - then I have to wait a couple of seconds. But mostly I can go as fast as I want, a shot ever second or two for four or five shots.

I do start a session with freshly charged AA batteries On the 350 I may need to change batteries every hundred or so shots, but a set on the 685 will get me through a 250 shot session.

And I keep my flash power to 1/2 power or less, preferably around 1/4 -- I'll raise the ISO before I go higher on flash power. Aside from recycle time and battery life, Godox units can easily go into overheat at full power.

I posted my results/experience here:

My results: Studio and Lighting Technique Forum: Digital Photography Review

I chose TT350 instead of a trigger because it can be a handy on-camera flash for travel and it was the same price as the trigger. I also considered getting a TT350S when I had plans to buy a Sony camera.

All the best.

 

[Satyaa]

I recently used a TT350O (on GH5ii) and a TT350N (on Z7ii) as triggers, with two TT685ii units on stands in slave mode.

With these units, speed shooting is not an option. You have to wait few seconds between shots.

That's interesting, because I do not have this problem with similar setups. With a 350o on Panasonic and a 685 remote I can shoot pretty much as fast as I want to. In many setups I can do 2 or 3 pops in quick succession - then I have to wait a couple of seconds. But mostly I can go as fast as I want, a shot ever second or two for four or five shots.

I could do that with Z7ii but may be one shot per second because all the flash units take that time to recharge.

I could not do that with GH5ii because there was a lag between pressing the shutter and the flash firing.

When I fired a few shots in succession, only the first one was lit by flash and the second/third shots were dark.

I have not tried it with G9ii to see if that's any faster.

I started with partly used Duracells that caused problems and switched to fully charged new batteries.

I do start a session with freshly charged AA batteries On the 350 I may need to change batteries every hundred or so shots, but a set on the 685 will get me through a 250 shot session.

And I keep my flash power to 1/2 power or less, preferably around 1/4 -- I'll raise the ISO before I go higher on flash power. Aside from recycle time and battery life, Godox units can easily go into overheat at full power.

I posted my results/experience here:

My results: Studio and Lighting Technique Forum: Digital Photography Review

I chose TT350 instead of a trigger because it can be a handy on-camera flash for travel and it was the same price as the trigger. I also considered getting a TT350S when I had plans to buy a Sony camera.

All the best.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

I recently used a TT350O (on GH5ii) and a TT350N (on Z7ii) as triggers, with two TT685ii units on stands in slave mode.

With these units, speed shooting is not an option. You have to wait few seconds between shots.

That's interesting, because I do not have this problem with similar setups. With a 350o on Panasonic and a 685 remote I can shoot pretty much as fast as I want to. In many setups I can do 2 or 3 pops in quick succession - then I have to wait a couple of seconds. But mostly I can go as fast as I want, a shot ever second or two for four or five shots.

I could do that with Z7ii but may be one shot per second because all the flash units take that time to recharge.

I could not do that with GH5ii because there was a lag between pressing the shutter and the flash firing.

It grows more interesting. I am currently using a G9 and in the past have used a G85 and other G series Panasonic. With all of them I have been able to shoot as fast as the camera locks focus, usually under one second with the latest models, with no apparent lag between shutter press and the shot.

When I fired a few shots in succession, only the first one was lit by flash and the second/third shots were dark.

I have not tried it with G9ii to see if that's any faster.

I started with partly used Duracells that caused problems and switched to fully charged new batteries.

 

[Satyaa]

I recently used a TT350O (on GH5ii) and a TT350N (on Z7ii) as triggers, with two TT685ii units on stands in slave mode.

With these units, speed shooting is not an option. You have to wait few seconds between shots.

That's interesting, because I do not have this problem with similar setups. With a 350o on Panasonic and a 685 remote I can shoot pretty much as fast as I want to. In many setups I can do 2 or 3 pops in quick succession - then I have to wait a couple of seconds. But mostly I can go as fast as I want, a shot ever second or two for four or five shots.

I could do that with Z7ii but may be one shot per second because all the flash units take that time to recharge.

I could not do that with GH5ii because there was a lag between pressing the shutter and the flash firing.

It grows more interesting. I am currently using a G9 and in the past have used a G85 and other G series Panasonic. With all of them I have been able to shoot as fast as the camera locks focus, usually under one second with the latest models, with no apparent lag between shutter press and the shot.

This was my first time shooting under such conditions. Maybe I missed something or there are tricks I need to learn.

When I fired a few shots in succession, only the first one was lit by flash and the second/third shots were dark.

I have not tried it with G9ii to see if that's any faster.

I started with partly used Duracells that caused problems and switched to fully charged new batteries.

 

[kli]

i actually just picked up an IT30 Pro for an even smaller option in the same vein - looks promising so far.

I'm Dissapointed that it doesn't have Channel Scan. Essential for a trigger IMHO.

You're not wrong; that's a surprising omission.

It's $70 and it's an accessory flash in a tiny case.

The iT30Pro is more of a barebones transmitter than a substitute for a $90 X3. It can't do a lot of things (zoom by group, modeling light control, remote TCM, DIST settings, more than 5 groups, etc. etc.) I tend to characterize it as being able to do the 10% of the function you use 90% of the time.

What is nice about it is that it's actually in two ways it's more functional as a radio transmitter than a TT350/V350: all 32 channels (not just 16), full 100m range (not just 30m).

 

[kli]

Is it true that Godox flashes are fully compatible with another camera system when the latter is used with a matching Godox trigger/transmitter?

Yes, except for, as tugwilson mentioned, the TT350/V350, where it may or may not be. My TT350-O can do remote TTL/HSS with my XPro-F on my Fuji X100; it cannot with my XPro-O on my GX7 and my XPro-C on my Canon 5Dii. I also could never remotely zoom my TT350-O from any of my XPro transmitters.

The V480 is an update to the V350 that has eliminated most of the drawbacks of the 350 design to keep the units small and light while only increasing about 1cm in each dimension. But nobody has yet reported if Godox also fixed the cross-brand issue with it. My guess is they probably have, since they fixed everything else and updated it to the X3/V100 color touchscreen UI. But it could be an issue. .

In my specific case: I bought a Godox TT685ii for Nikon, as well as an XPro II trigger/transmitter for Nikon. Alongside a Nikon Z6iii, I also use an Olympus/OM camera as a travel camera. Would the TT685ii work fully and natively as an external flash with the Olympus camera, including TTL and HSS, if I buy a Godox trigger/transmitter for Olympus (such as the Olympus version of the XPro II)?

Yes. Olympus has much better compatibility with Godox than Panasonic and isn't seeing some of the weirder shutter timing issues Panasonic users do. But then, Olympus isn't video centric and doesn't have forced EFCS and hasn't removed mechanical shutters.

My old TT685C, once it was firmware upgraded for cross-brand compatibility (the TT685 II came out after all this and was cross-brand compatible out of the box) works fine in TTL/HSS, with remote group, zoom (if i set it to AU on the TT685), and power control as well as TCM from the Xpro-C on my 5Dii/R100, the Xpro-O on my Panasonic GX-7 (with some HSS banding issues), and the XPro-F on my Fuji X100 (though HSS is a bit harder to actually define with a leaf shutter camera, since my sync speed is 1/1000s .

The flash will even display which "flavor" of transmitter it talked to last:

For an Olympus transmitter unit, you can get anything that's designated "O" with an X in its name and it should work (e.g., X3-O, XPro II-O, X2T-O). But if you also wanted an on-camera or accessory flash, you might want to contemplate the V480-O speedlight (so you can do on-camera bounce flash ), or the iT30Pro-O accessory flash if you just want something like a pop-up but more powerful. All the Godox system 2.4 GHz flashes have built-in transceivers so they can be used either as on-camera transmitter units or off-camera receiver units.

Neither of these, though, will have the full range of function a dedicated transmitter would have (e.g., remote TCM control (TTL convert to Manual) to lock-in/see a TTL-set power level as an M power setting). And the iT30Pro in particular has a more basic feature set as a transmitter. But it's small and can double as an on- and off-camera flash.

 

[tugwilson]

Yes it's better than a TT350/V350 but, frankly, that's not hard. All the things you list that it doesn't do i can do without. I can't do without Channel Scan so I have to take something that will do it as well as the lovely little flash. That's probably one of my X3s which is not a problem but negates the usefulness flash as a trigger.