Reccomendations/Experience on transitioning to another strobe brand

[Kumsa]

CONTEXT: Several years ago I started to upgrade from Yongnuo flashes into strobes. I did my due diligence and ended up w/Adorama house brand Orlit (Jinbei). Well, the Orlit brand is no longer supported, and Jinbei is now distributed via Westcott.

Luckily for me, there was one patch for the Orlit on the triggers for Canon EOS R series that fixed HSS. So, for now, everything works. But it's a dead end.

I did obtain a Westcott/Jinbei Trigger, hoping that the Canon RT mode would connect to the Orlit/Jinbei strobes & flashes (when in RT mode). Nope.

So, my Orlit/Jinbei lighting is all at end-of-life for further patches and product development.

OPTIONS:

Here's the options that I'm aware of for transitioning to a supported product platform:

1. Transition into Westcott. To continue using the Orlit/Jinbei units, simply add on a Westcott FJ-XR Wireless Receiver for each Orlit/Jinbei.

• Pro: Westcott Strobes/Flashes can be fully controlled, and the Orlit/Jinbei can be triggered.
• Con: the Orlit/Jinbei units would be fully manual, except for being triggered.

2. Sell everything and obtain new strobes/flashes.

• Pro: Everything would work
• Con: A more expensive choice.

3: Transition into Flashpoint/Godox: Stack a Godox X2 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger with the Orlit trigger (two triggers):

• Pros: full control for two systems
• Cons: (a) have to be tested, may be tricky to configure and (b) would look quite goofy.

Thanks for any shared experience and insights

 

[MoreCowbell]

There seems to be a fair amount of support on the forums for the Godox brand. I have a half dozen of their strobes marketed under the Adorama Flashpoint brand and find no drawbacks for my uses.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

I sometimes mix Godox and Yongnuo using two triggers. Works fine in a studio setup where I'm using manual control -- I have power setting at the trigger for both systems but do not have TTL or HSS on the secondary system.

Sometimes I stack triggers with the YN on top of the Godox, other times I use an optical slave on the YN trigger so I don't have the awkward stack on the camera.

I don't know if or how TTL or HSS would work with your mix.

And I don't do this on a regular basis. I used it during a transition from YN to Godox. Now I have enough Godox to do almost everything I want, but I kept a few YN flashes for the rare times I need an extra light or two.

Gato

 

[kli]

CONTEXT: Several years ago I started to upgrade from Yongnuo flashes into strobes. I did my due diligence and ended up w/Adorama house brand Orlit (Jinbei). Well, the Orlit brand is no longer supported, and Jinbei is now distributed via Westcott.

Luckily for me, there was one patch for the Orlit on the triggers for Canon EOS R series that fixed HSS. So, for now, everything works. But it's a dead end.

I did obtain a Westcott/Jinbei Trigger, hoping that the Canon RT mode would connect to the Orlit/Jinbei strobes & flashes (when in RT mode). Nope.

This sounds a little weird to me.

Yongnuo RT gear and Jinbei's RT gear is incompatible, that's known. I'm surprised the Orlit strobe worked for you with a Yongnuo RT transmitter or that Yongnuo RT speedlight would work with the TR-Q6/Q7. I'd always assumed that was a no-go.

But the Orlit light should work with the Westcott trigger, since the Orlit TR-Q6/7/7ii are the Jinbei TR-Q6/7/7ii and AFAIK, the Westcott FJ-X2m/X3 are rebranded TR-Q7/Q7ii. Those should work together regardless of whether they're in RT mode or Canon mode.

Did you check the ID code settings on the transmitter/strobes to make sure they matched? This is a typical gotcha on the Godox side of the fence.

 

[Kumsa]

KLI

Regarding "But the Orlit light should work with the Westcott trigger, since the Orlit TR-Q6/7/7ii are the Jinbei TR-Q6/7/7ii and AFAIK, the Westcott FJ-X2m/X3 are rebranded TR-Q7/Q7ii. Those should work together regardless of whether they're in RT mode or Canon mode."

I did exhaustive testing on different trigger settings, reviewed all the documentation and contacted Westcott. They confirmed what I had assessed: Orlit strobes are not compatible w/Westcott triggers. " Although Jinbei manufacturers multiple brands, the FJ Wireless lights have a custom build to our specifications so they to not talk directly to those other offerings."

Like you, I had hoped that at least the Canon-RT mode would work, as that is a "standard." Weirdly, they would sync up and work for a few minutes, and then not.

In short, the Orlit strobes and flash units are completely orphaned.

 

[Kumsa]

So, I appreciate the comments. Very helpful.

I'm leaning towards Flashpoint/Godox. The Westcott strobes are terrific, agreed. However, the Flashpoint/Godox has a larger product offering.

 

[Tdoan]

So, I appreciate the comments. Very helpful.

I'm leaning towards Flashpoint/Godox. The Westcott strobes are terrific, agreed. However, the Flashpoint/Godox has a larger product offering.

I made the switch from YN to FP/Godox a few years back and have been very happy but my investment was less than yours, just a bunch of triggers and 4 flashes. The YN triggers would fail at the most inopportune moments then mysteriously worked again the next day. Flashes failed shortly after warranty/period.

That said you need to understand that FP/G hardware are disposal, in the same vein that no one fixes a broken TV anymore. When it breaks, you just replace it as the new model has better features and performances.

I own 4 on camera TTL flash (AA and Li-On), 2 ad200, and 1 ad600. In my 5+ years with FP/Godox, shot many shots and photoshoots with the various FP/G hardware, 10k+ with the AD600 and ad200s alone. I had two instances trigger failures due to signal interferences from other electronics in the room, solved by setting ids. I also have 1 AA on camera flash failed due E1, circuit board failure (paid $90 and failed after 3+ years). Otherwise, things just work!

Of course it could be that I'm lucky

--
Tien
====
Please tell me what I can do better or differently. If you are right, I will be grateful as you have taught me something. If I happen to disagree with you, I will still be thankful as you have shown me a different viewpoint, an alternative method.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

I made the switch from YN to Godox when Godox introduced TTL for Olympus/Panasonic. By then I had done quite a bit of reading and knew not to expect service from Godox, but given the price difference compared to other brands I was willing to consider them disposable. I went with Adorama for their service reputation.

My set is small -- an AD200, two TT685, and a tt350. As a location portrait guy I don't need a lot of power. But I have had zero problems in something like 4 years.

The last time I needed a repair on a big name flash I was told the minimum charge would be $175 and it was $75 to do an estimate. And the flash would be out of my hands 3 to 5 weeks, counting shipping and shop time. That was when I switched to Yongnuo.

Gato

 

[kli]

I did exhaustive testing on different trigger settings, reviewed all the documentation and contacted Westcott. They confirmed what I had assessed: Orlit strobes are not compatible w/Westcott triggers. " Although Jinbei manufacturers multiple brands, the FJ Wireless lights have a custom build to our specifications so they to not talk directly to those other offerings."

Oh, wow. That's...really obnoxious that they deliberately added incompatibility.

Thanks for taking the time to mention this. It's the first time I've heard it. Everything I've heard/read speculated Westcott was simply rebranding Jinbei.

Like you, I had hoped that at least the Canon-RT mode would work, as that is a "standard." Weirdly, they would sync up and work for a few minutes, and then not.

Hm... Sounds like they had a harder time knocking that path down.

Given the care they've been taking to make it look like their strobes aren't Jinbei designs, and the fact that they've cut off pathways for Jinbei to other rebranders, like Adorama, is also not great. But a deliberate attempt at a brand monopoly is one thing; forcing incompatibility is another and pretty stupid and shortsighted. You'd have been their customer if they hadn't done this. And it means the Westcott FJ system is much tinier than assumed, without the Jinbei RT system compatibility.

In short, the Orlit strobes and flash units are completely orphaned.

That sucks. Sounds like it's Godox time, if you don't want to take a chance with alibaba and Jinbei-branded gear to see if it's compatible with your Orlit lights. Don't know that I would, particularly as it's very difficult to find out what's compatible with what, even on the Jinbei website. And the TR-Q7ii looks like it's $100 via alibaba/ebay means.

3: Transition into Flashpoint/Godox: Stack a Godox X2 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger with the Orlit trigger (two triggers):

Here's the problem. The Godox X2T (and older X1T) transmitter, though it has a hotshoe on top, as near as any of us can figure, it's not a passive full passthrough TTL hotshoe. On the Fuji, Olympus/Panasonic, and Pentax versions, it's only got the one sync contact. It appears to act as more or less a slave in Group A. Upshot: stacking TTL triggers doesn't work; you can stack a manual trigger on top of it. Not sure if a TTL trigger will work in manual mode, or if you have to tape off the other connectors. But full TTL/HSS is not there.

Your choices are basically Scenario 2 [all-in] or Scenario 1: Orlits as manual slaves with cabled Godox-compatible receivers (Adorama has a low-cost transceiver unit for this,the R2 SPT [single-pin transceiver] that still allows for group control if you don't want to 'waste' a TTL X1R receiver for this use.

On the upside, equivalent Godox has a much much MUCH larger system than two strobes and one speedlight. You do not get Westcott service/repair, but if you go with B&H or Adorama's Flashpoint R2 rebranding, they do offer customer support and warranty coverage with replacement units, since Godox in China often doesn't reply to support emails or requires you to ship a faulty unit to Shenzhen for repair.

The radio system includes seven speedlight models (both AA-powered ("TT" models) and li-ion powered ("V" models)), five different li-ion battery-powered TTL/HSS strobes (AD100, AD200, AD300, AD400, AD600), one battery-powered TTL/HSS pack and head (AD1200) and one AC-powered manual pack and head (P2400), and a huge selection of AC-powered manual strobes (exception: on that list, the E series lights don't have radio or modifier mounts).

The other advantage with Godox is that the AD200 Pro is much more versatile than Westcott's FJ200, since it has an interchangeable head. It's something of a swiss army knife of lighting because of it.

 

[Tdoan]

I did exhaustive testing on different trigger settings, reviewed all the documentation and contacted Westcott. They confirmed what I had assessed: Orlit strobes are not compatible w/Westcott triggers. " Although Jinbei manufacturers multiple brands, the FJ Wireless lights have a custom build to our specifications so they to not talk directly to those other offerings."

Oh, wow. That's...really obnoxious that they deliberately added incompatibility.

Thanks for taking the time to mention this. It's the first time I've heard it. Everything I've heard/read speculated Westcott was simply rebranding Jinbei.

Like you, I had hoped that at least the Canon-RT mode would work, as that is a "standard." Weirdly, they would sync up and work for a few minutes, and then not.

Hm... Sounds like they had a harder time knocking that path down.

Given the care they've been taking to make it look like their strobes aren't Jinbei designs, and the fact that they've cut off pathways for Jinbei to other rebranders, like Adorama, is also not great. But a deliberate attempt at a brand monopoly is one thing; forcing incompatibility is another and pretty stupid and shortsighted. You'd have been their customer if they hadn't done this. And it means the Westcott FJ system is much tinier than assumed, without the Jinbei RT system compatibility.

In short, the Orlit strobes and flash units are completely orphaned.

That sucks. Sounds like it's Godox time, if you don't want to take a chance with alibaba and Jinbei-branded gear to see if it's compatible with your Orlit lights. Don't know that I would, particularly as it's very difficult to find out what's compatible with what, even on the Jinbei website. And the TR-Q7ii looks like it's $100 via alibaba/ebay means.

3: Transition into Flashpoint/Godox: Stack a Godox X2 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger with the Orlit trigger (two triggers):

Here's the problem. The Godox X2T (and older X1T) transmitter, though it has a hotshoe on top, as near as any of us can figure, it's not a passive full passthrough TTL hotshoe. On the Fuji, Olympus/Panasonic, and Pentax versions, it's only got the one sync contact. It appears to act as more or less a slave in Group A. Upshot: stacking TTL triggers doesn't work; you can stack a manual trigger on top of it. Not sure if a TTL trigger will work in manual mode, or if you have to tape off the other connectors. But full TTL/HSS is not there.

Your choices are basically Scenario 2 [all-in] or Scenario 1: Orlits as manual slaves with cabled Godox-compatible receivers (Adorama has a low-cost transceiver unit for this,the R2 SPT [single-pin transceiver] that still allows for group control if you don't want to 'waste' a TTL X1R receiver for this use.

On the upside, equivalent Godox gear is less expensive than Westcott, and has a much much MUCH larger system than two strobes and one speedlight. You do not get Westcott service/repair, but if you go with B&H or Adorama's Flashpoint R2 rebranding, they do offer customer support and warranty coverage with replacement units, since Godox in China often doesn't reply to support emails or requires you to ship a faulty unit to Shenzhen for repair.

The radio system includes seven speedlight models (both AA-powered ("TT" models) and li-ion powered ("V" models)), five different li-ion battery-powered TTL/HSS strobes (AD100, AD200, AD300, AD400, AD600), one battery-powered TTL/HSS pack and head (AD1200) and one AC-powered manual pack and head (P2400), and a huge selection of AC-powered manual strobes (exception: on that list, the E series lights don't have radio or modifier mounts).

The other advantage with Godox is that the AD200 Pro is much more versatile than Westcott's FJ200, since it has an interchangeable head. It's something of a swiss army knife of lighting because of it.

Not to mention the pack head to turn 2 ad200 into one 400ws unit, extension heads for the ad200 and the ad600 so that you can have the unit itself down low and just the head up high in the air, a big plus for me.

 

[rjrivero]

CONTEXT: Several years ago I started to upgrade from Yongnuo flashes into strobes. I did my due diligence and ended up w/Adorama house brand Orlit (Jinbei). Well, the Orlit brand is no longer supported, and Jinbei is now distributed via Westcott.

Luckily for me, there was one patch for the Orlit on the triggers for Canon EOS R series that fixed HSS. So, for now, everything works. But it's a dead end.

I did obtain a Westcott/Jinbei Trigger, hoping that the Canon RT mode would connect to the Orlit/Jinbei strobes & flashes (when in RT mode). Nope.

So, my Orlit/Jinbei lighting is all at end-of-life for further patches and product development.

OPTIONS:

Here's the options that I'm aware of for transitioning to a supported product platform:

1. Transition into Westcott. To continue using the Orlit/Jinbei units, simply add on a Westcott FJ-XR Wireless Receiver for each Orlit/Jinbei.

• Pro: Westcott Strobes/Flashes can be fully controlled, and the Orlit/Jinbei can be triggered.
• Con: the Orlit/Jinbei units would be fully manual, except for being triggered.

2. Sell everything and obtain new strobes/flashes.

• Pro: Everything would work
• Con: A more expensive choice.

3: Transition into Flashpoint/Godox: Stack a Godox X2 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger with the Orlit trigger (two triggers):

• Pros: full control for two systems
• Cons: (a) have to be tested, may be tricky to configure and (b) would look quite goofy.

Thanks for any shared experience and insights

Sorry for digging this out of the archives. You and I have traveled the same path.

I have all my lights functioning by using a genuine Canon ST-E3-RT transmitter.

Apparently these third party RT’s don’t have to talk to each other, but they all have to talk to Canon!

I can use the Orlit Strobes until they die, and the Yongnuo Speedlite 600 clones, Canon Speedlights, and the Westcott fJ200’s I just picked up used. You can still adjust power using the transmitter, and keep the group settings on each light. Very handy.

I hope this helps someone down the line.

 

[BenLZW]

Well well… Strobes.

Older post but good question.

I left speedlights in the early 1990s. I started buying strobes around the mid 1990s. As I recall, I picked up two then. A few years later, bought two more of the same brand but different models. Then, after a few more years, bought yet a few more. Different models but the same brand. 600 - 1,000 ws strobes.

Then picked up a few more 1,100 WS Battery powered packs to roam the outdoors with. Same brand, different models.

You know…. The same triggers work and run all the strobes. The newest trigger also runs all strobes. 1996-2025. All triggers drive all strobes.

All strobes are also working just fine. I’m happy with them. Totally.

These are not Chinese made products. I spent just a little more. Well spent. Backwards and forward compatibility. Work horses. Never fail.

My flash meter can meter and control power of strobes too. Alter power of 8 of the 9 strobes I use. Simple and convenient.

So, chose wisely, based on your needs and requirements for your photographic architecture.

Chinese branded ones may meet your needs. Maybe not.

--
Do not copy or edit photos

 

[Kumsa]

Thanks, good intel. In my case, I handed off the Orlits to a nephew and going with Godox/Flashpoint.

 

[MikeInOr]

If you can't dump all your legacy strobes and switch to Godox I recommend putting Godox receivers ($40) on your legacy gear and then control all your legacy + Godox gear with a single Godox transmitter / trigger.

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Wireless-Single-Receiver-X1C-R/dp/B01E58ZCM8 (choose the ones for your camera brand.

Having done a few lighting system changes over the decades it is much better to bite the bullet and do the entire system swap all at once rather than drag out messing with 2 separate systems.

I also recommend the Flashpoint gear from Adorama which IS Godox gear but has an actual warranty and tech support.

I also recommend the Flashpoint trigger that can be set with the cell phone app. It is so much easier to use the app than all the buttons on the trigger... but you can always use the buttons on the trigger if you prefer to.

I love my Wescott umbrellas and softboxes but don't see any advantage in their electronics. I doubt the Wescott electronics are going to be around for near as long as Godox.

 

[rumple]

I also recommend the Flashpoint trigger that can be set with the cell phone app. It is so much easier to use the app than all the buttons on the trigger...

I agree, and that's why I roll my eyes when people complain about the PCB hub. For simple setups, it's easy.

 

[Travis Burnside]

I also recommend the Flashpoint gear from Adorama which IS Godox gear but has an actual warranty and tech support.

I also recommend the Flashpoint trigger that can be set with the cell phone app. It is so much easier to use the app than all the buttons on the trigger... but you can always use the buttons on the trigger if you prefer to.

Thats funny - I tried the app and found it incredibly clunky compared to just pushing direct buttons on the trigger. Thats why there are both options, I guess.

 

[MikeInOr]

I also recommend the Flashpoint gear from Adorama which IS Godox gear but has an actual warranty and tech support.

I also recommend the Flashpoint trigger that can be set with the cell phone app. It is so much easier to use the app than all the buttons on the trigger... but you can always use the buttons on the trigger if you prefer to.

Thats funny - I tried the app and found it incredibly clunky compared to just pushing direct buttons on the trigger. Thats why there are both options, I guess.

Understandable. I often shoot from a tripod when using multiple off camera flashes/strobes. The angle of the Flashpoint screen on the triggers I have aren't easy to see when the camera is on a tripod at eye level. This use case, which is most of my off camera flash work, is what made me a proponent of the app. It is not the best designed app ever but gets the job done and I don't have to take the trigger off the camera, the camera off the tripod, or lower the tripod to make a quick tweak to power levels. But I can understand why people don't want to mess with the app.