AD200 flash patterns

Andy W

Senior Member
All shots are at 1/2 power and 8' in front of the backdrop.


Bare bulb:

A81_2362.jpg




Fresnel head:

A81_2363.jpg




[h=1]AD S17 Wide Angle Soft Focus Shade Diffuser:[/h]
A81_2364.jpg




[h=1]Godox AD-S2 Standard Reflector with Soft Diffuser:[/h]
A81_2365.jpg
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I did a similar test using an AD200 and some of my favorite modifiers to see how the different bulbs/heads shaped the light coming out of my soft-box umbrellas. It certainly put to rest any argument in my mind the bare bulb is the best choice when using a soft-box/umbrella... The difference was really quite surprising. Unfortunately it never occurred to me the shots would be of interest to anyone besides myself.

The RH1 (aka the round-head") is probably my new favorite attachment for my AD200.
 
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hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I did a similar test using an AD200 and some of my favorite modifiers to see how the different bulbs/heads shaped the light coming out of my soft-box umbrellas. It certainly put to rest any argument in my mind the bare bulb is the best choice when using a soft-box/umbrella... The difference was really quite surprising. Unfortunately it never occurred to me the shots would be of interest to anyone besides myself.

The RH1 (aka the round-head") is probably my new favorite attachment for my AD200.

So...would you consider creating a new thread with some photos showing various types of lighting achievable with different modifiers on the AD200--showcasing the differences between the bare bulb, the round head, and anything else? :confused:

It wouldn't have to be everything at one time. ;) Please give it some consideration, Paul. :) Even if it isn't within the foreseeable future. The AD200 is immensely popular from what I see on Facebook.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
So...would you consider creating a new thread with some photos showing various types of lighting achievable with different modifiers on the AD200--showcasing the differences between the bare bulb, the round head, and anything else? :confused:

It wouldn't have to be everything at one time. ;) Please give it some consideration, Paul. :) Even if it isn't within the foreseeable future. The AD200 is immensely popular from what I see on Facebook.
Well what I wanted to see previously was how the different heads work with my soft-box umbrellas and shoot-throughs; looking for hot-spots and such so the previous shots were all taken in dark room with the camera pointed AT the modifier as the shutter clicked. That would be one type of setup.

A different approach would be a basic, single-light setup using the AD200 with the different heads and modifiers which would demonstrate how the different modifiers shape the light output and how those outputs look under the same shooting conditions. Most likely I'd be using a plaster cast as my "model" for these shots.

Do you think one approach would be more interesting than the other?
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Well what I wanted to see previously was how the different heads work with my soft-box umbrellas and shoot-throughs; looking for hot-spots and such so the previous shots were all taken in dark room with the camera pointed AT the modifier as the shutter clicked. That would be one type of setup.

A different approach would be a basic, single-light setup using the AD200 with the different heads and modifiers which would demonstrate how the different modifiers shape the light output and how those outputs look under the same shooting conditions. Most likely I'd be using a plaster cast as my "model" for these shots.

Do you think one approach would be more interesting than the other?

Probably the latter so if people haven't yet made decisions on what type of modifier to buy, it could give them helpful information, Paul. For me, one of the hardest things is narrowing down the multitude of choices (softbox, umbrella, grid, etc) so no doubt the info would be beneficial for others, too. Thanks for any consideration on doing this! :)
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Probably the latter so if people haven't yet made decisions on what type of modifier to buy, it could give them helpful information, Paul.
I think I can arrange that..:)

I can use three different heads/bulbs on the AD200: the Fresnel head, the Round head and the Bare-bulb but modifiers would be limited to what I have, and not all the heads/bulbs work with all the modifiers (e.g. the H200R {the round-head} can't be used with the AD-S2 {the 7-inch "bowl"}) so we'll wind up with a mish-mash of combinations.

.
For me, one of the hardest things is narrowing down the multitude of choices (softbox, umbrella, grid, etc) so no doubt the info would be beneficial for others, too. Thanks for any consideration on doing this! :)
For what it's worth, if I could only have only one modifier to use with single off-camera speed-light it would be an octabox umbrella; hands down, full stop. I really can't think of a single more versatile modifier from which to start building an off-camera flash setup.
 
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hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
....For what it's worth, if I could only have only one modifier to use with single off-camera speed-light it would be an octabox umbrella; hands down, full stop. I really can't think of a single more versatile modifier from which to start building an off-camera flash setup.

I have a Godox 47" octabox which seems to be made very well. I bought this after hearing a Scott Kelby recommendation for a comparable Westcott Rapid Box. The problem was the Westcott had some negative reviews with broken ribs. There is also an optional Godox grid available for the octabox.

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-47-120...ords=Godox+47"/120cm+Umbrella+Octagon+Softbox

61slw89I45L._SL1000_.jpg
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I have a Godox 47" octabox which seems to be made very well. I bought this after hearing a Scott Kelby recommendation for a comparable Westcott Rapid Box. The problem was the Westcott had some negative reviews with broken ribs. There is also an optional Godox grid available for the octabox.

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-47-120...ords=Godox+47"/120cm+Umbrella+Octagon+Softbox
Everyone's "go-to" modifier will be will be dependent on specifically what they shoot and how they shoot it of course, but the medium-sized octabox umbrella is pure meat and potatoes in my experience.

Westcott makes good stuff in my opinion but think their gear just a little too rich for my blood. Their 26" Rapid Box tempted me for a long time but I couldn't get past the $150 price tag for example. My Godox collapsible soft box is larger (at 31") came with a Bowens mount and set me back $45. I could have three of them blowout on me and still not have paid as much as I would have for a single Wescott Rapid Box. Not to mention the Godox rapid box comes in a smaller, easier-to-port-around case. I'm also at that stage where I feel "less is more" when it comes gear; I'd much rather have two or thee bits of flexible gear than a vast array of highly specialized bits and pieces and a 47" octabox umbrella fits that equation nicely; but of course that's me and where I happen to be, right now, with my photography.
 
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