Godox V1 vs Ad200

Nero

Senior Member
So I'm thinking about getting a light for shooting portraits but I'm torn as to which one to get. I know the V1 can be used both on and off camera but I'm not sure if it's powerful enough to be used both indoors and outdoors. Or is it a better option to just get both?
 

hark

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The V1 has 76 watts of power vs. the AD200 which has 200 watts of power. So the AD200 packs more punch for light output. The downside of the AD200 is it has to be used on a light stand or other type of support while the V1 has the option of being used on camera. That said, off camera flash tends to yield much better lighting. These are two very different types of lighting units though.

The nice thing about the AD200 is Godox makes a bracket that holds two AD200 units together which gives the combo 400 watts of power. It's called the AD-B2. Just something to keep in mind for the future.

If you are looking to use a flash/strobe outdoors, both of these choices will have certain limitations. If the sun is shining on your subject's face, neither of these has enough power to overpower the light from the sun (unless you diffuse the sunlight with a scrim or block it somehow). When working with the sun on your subject's face (and without diffusing the sun), you'd be better off considering some type of 600 watt strobe. BUT if the sun is positioned behind your subject (or somewhat behind but off to the side), these will work - but it would be best to search online how to get the best bang-for-the-buck with either unit outdoors. And if you are in a shaded area, then either one will work fine.

Maybe @Horoscope Fish can offer detailed insight for the pros/cons of both units. :)
 

Nero

Senior Member
I'm thinking the V1 might also be better/more convenient for learning the basics of off-camera lighting and then I can supplement it with something like the AD200.
 

hark

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I'm thinking the V1 might also be better/more convenient for learning the basics of off-camera lighting and then I can supplement it with something like the AD200.

Definitely more convenient because you eliminate the hassle of carrying around a heavier strobe unit, light stand, sand bag, and possibly modifiers. If the Godox V1 works on a flash bracket, that is an option for you that isn't available with the AD200. A flash bracket would move the flash further away from the camera body and allows the shadows to fall a little differently than if you use the flash directly on camera. If you decide to get a flash bracket, companies make a sync cord that would physically connect the flash and body rather than using triggers (the flash bracket is just an option worth mentioning but not necessary).

And since the V1 has more power than a general flash unit, down the road if you want to go with something more powerful, the V1 can be used to light a background, rim light, or possibly even a fill flash. So definitely a great choice. :)
 

Nero

Senior Member
Sounds good. I think I'll stick to the V1 for now and then supplement it with an AD200 in the future if I need to.
 

hark

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Sounds good. I think I'll stick to the V1 for now and then supplement it with an AD200 in the future if I need to.

That's a good choice. It will give you the opportunity to carry less weight while being a little more functional than a strobe. Just keep one thing in mind - and this goes for all flashes and strobes. If you use it at full power, give it a few seconds to recycle before firing it again. Lighting gear can overheat if used in succession quickly at full power without having a chance to cool off. If you are using it at 1/2 power or less, then it (and any unit) won't get quite as hot as when it's used at full power. Usually there is a warning icon that shows up on the screen when units reach their threshold. You will run into that no matter what flash or strobe you choose. Just be aware of your settings and frequency of using it quickly between shots. :)
 

Danno

Senior Member
Sounds good. I think I'll stick to the V1 for now and then supplement it with an AD200 in the future if I need to.

The V1 also has a nice accessories kit. Both Godox and Flashpoint, (Godox sold by Adorama), sell the kits with the flash. One thing you might want to consider is Flashpoint. That way Adorama handles the warranty.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1492861-REG/godox_v1_flash_with_accessories.html

You might want to check out Robert Hall on YouTube. He really knows Godox/Flashpoint. He has reviews and recomendations.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRql6Vly0MzB3USweUE9EpA
 
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