How to Choose an Off-Camera Flash System

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I think that every photographer needs an off-camera flash system. Knowing how to use flash gives you an advantage when controlling and shaping the light. Before you buy that first flash, keep in mind that you’re likely going to want to build up to using multiple flash and strobes.

That’s why you want a flash system that works together, from your smallest flash to your most powerful strobe. I’ll tell you some of the problems I experienced growing my flash system, and hope you can avoid some of the difficulties and expenses I incurred along the way.

Why You Need an Off-Camera Flash System

There are two kinds of photographers. Those who know how to use flash photography and those who don’t. The latter call themselves “natural light photographers.”

That’s cute.

I say that because all light is natural. There isn’t any difference in light from the sun or the flash. Photons are photons.

The benefit you get from the sun is that it’s ubiquitous. At least until it isn’t. We start and end the day with glorious side-light. The sun peaks above us midday, providing what many people like to call “shitty light.” That means your window of beautiful light is in charge of your photo session, not you.

On top of that, weather plays a factor in using sunlight. So does your roof. Relying upon sunlight isn’t bad, but it should constantly remind you who is in charge of the day – it’s not you.

You can mimic the sun or any other style of light you wish with flash. You can do it inside or out, day or night. Light up your room, or just add a pop of light to your subject outside.

The sun is continuous light. You can use flash to freeze motion, but that doesn’t work with continuous light.

I’m not against sunlight for photographs, but I am against the lack of control that comes with relying solely upon sunlight. Whether you need a kiss of light to enhance your subject or you have to light every single thing in your frame, understanding flash will help you solve problems and create better photographs.

What Do I Mean by “Flash System?

In the simplest terms, a flash system is a group of lights that work using the same trigger. You should be able to control all of your flashes from your camera. They should use the same trigger – preferably a radio trigger – to create the light when and where you deem it necessary.

One of the problems I found was that my Nikon Flashes and my Elinchrom Strobes didn’t work together. Each had it’s own language, and worked independently of the other.

Yet there were times when I needed to combine the two types of lighting systems. The only method available to me was using slave mode – configuring the flash to fire at a pre-determined setting when it detected another flash.

The problem with slave mode is that it requires a line of sight to detect a flash of light. Sometimes that meant the flash was in my photo, since I couldn’t hide it out of sight.

1: Starting with Nikon Flash

The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) system has the same problem. It uses line of sight to send signals from the controller to your off-camera flashes. CLS is a clever system and it works well over a greater distance than you would expect, as long as the flash could see the controller’s pre-flash signal.

I had two problems with Nikon flashes:

  • They require line of sight
  • They’re expensive – as are most camera-brand flashes

The last Nikon flash I bought was a SB-910. Nikon replaced that years ago with a radio enabled flash. Even out of date, this flash costs $574 on Amazon at the moment I write. It was over $600 when I bought it.

That’s for one flash.

That price doesn’t include the SD-9 high performance battery pack I bought for $199, which helps the flash recycle faster. Add on the cost of a dozen rechargeable batteries to that and you have the full price of one flash system. No controller yet. You could either buy another flash or the Nikon SU-800 flash controller for another $250.

You’re considering spending a thousand dollars just to have one Nikon off-camera flash that you can’t hide out of sight.

2: Moving Up to Elinchrom Strobe

What’s the difference between a flash and strobe?

Not much. Both create a burst of white light. A flash is a weaker lighting source, usually battery operated, smaller and portable. A strobe is a more powerful light source. It’s often limited to using electricity outlets for power, though some now use batteries. They’re heavier and require lighting stands or C-stands for support.

I started with Elinchrom BRXi 500 watt lights and have three of them. Instead of using CLS, they use an Elinchrom Skyport radio trigger. That’s a joy to use, since I can put the lights behind some V-flats to light a background without having line of sight. It prevents those background lights from leaking onto my subject.

Yet, there were still limitations.

My Elinchrom strobes required power, so they weren’t useful on location outdoors. Also, they didn’t communicate with my Nikon flashes. At best, I could only use Slave mode in a line of sight configuration.

For about $1600, I bought a kit with two BRXi strobes, a Skyport trigger, a couple of light stands, two really crappy soft boxes and a pretty rugged carrying case. Late, I bought a third BRXi used on eBay and invested in several Elinchrom softboxes – which I love!

3: Powering my Strobes

I was convinced that I needed more power on location, which meant that I needed to find a way to power my Elinchrom strobes away from electrical outlets. The solution to that problem was a portable (which means luggable) battery from Innovatronix called the Tronix Explorer. They charged extra for the carrying bag, at roughly $400.

When not in use, this truck-sized battery had to receive constant power so it wouldn’t go bad.

I had power and mobility, of a sort. Lugging all of this gear to locations could break your back. Yet I still couldn’t work with my flashes and strobes together.

4: Getting Wireless Radio Control for My Nikon Flashes

PocketWizard is a company that makes radio triggers and receivers for cameras and flash. At a time, it seemed every professional photographer used a PocketWizard radio trigger.

They were very reliable, but they didn’t allow you to control your flash settings from the camera – at least not until the Mini/Flex units came out.

The PocketWizard FlexTT is a transceiver that sits on your camera. The MiniTT receivers attach to your flashes. There are brand specific versions, so the Nikon configured units won’t work with Canon, etc.

The idea of buying these radio triggers was to send your Nikon CLS signals from camera to flash over radio. Now you can hide your flashes out of sight and trust that they will fire.

Also, it eliminated a problem with Nikon CLS. Sometimes they would fire if another flash went off. That caused problems for your power drain and recycle time. Try dealing with that issue at a wedding when many guests are also firing a flash and you’re expected to get photos of key moments.

A MiniTT1/FlexTT5 kit with two two receivers and one transceiver goes for about $500 today.

On top of that, you also wanted to get the AC3 Zone Controller. This is the part that allows you to create zones of light, each with different configurations or power settings. It’s about $67 dollars today.

You can see that going with radio was adding cost, but also adding flexibility, to my Nikon flash system. Yet it still didn’t solve the problem of not working with my Elinchrom strobes.

5: Using Skyport Radio Triggers on Nikon Flashes

It turns out that Elinchrom made radio triggers for Nikon (and other) flashes that used its SkyPort radio system. It was expensive and convoluted with patch cables. Yet it worked reliably.

I bought a couple of these overpriced beauties and could finally fire my Nikon flashes and Elinchrom strobes in concert with each other.

Of course, there was still a downside. While the Skyport triggers could receive a signal and fire the Nikon flash, they could not control its output. I still had to walk over to each flash and set the power manually.

The SkyPort transceiver allowed me to control my Elinchrom strobe power settings from the camera. Overall, this seemed like the best and most flexible system I found at the time. Not perfect, but workable.

Why I Chose to Switch Completely to Godox Lighting

By this time, you can tell I sunk a LOT of money into my off-camera flash and strobe lighting. I spent thousands of dollars to control the light, and I don’t regret it. At the time, those were my options, and I had opportunities to create beautiful light for my subjects.

Times change.

There are new opportunities available for photographers. Now you have vendors who can provide lighting systems that work together with options ranging from a small, on-camera flash up to a studio strobe. They’re lighter, battery-operated, and less expensive, and they all work using the same radio trigger system.

You can find systems like these from Profoto, Photix, or Godox. The prices vary, but the quality is pretty good.

While many pros use Profoto, I went with Godox lights. Primarily because they’re within my budget but also because they are just as good as Profoto – in some cases, even better.

While I think Profoto is an excellent lighting provider with a beautifully simplistic user interface, they’re also expensive. I’m talking about selling off your children expensive. Having already spent thousands of dollars on lights, I wasn’t eager to spend that much more on Profoto to have that name on the side of my lights.

Let me give you an example.

A Profoto A1O kit for Nikon includes a small flash and radio trigger for $1,251. If you already have  Profoto studio strobes, this will work with the same radio trigger system.

Profoto A10 (Nikon)
$1,095.00

The Profoto A10 is an advanced studio light that produces smooth fall-off with its round flash head design. It is surprisingly lightweight and easy to use, with a large high-res display that makes controlling settings a breeze. It's also incredibly fast, with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gives you lightning-quick flash recycling.


Get global connectivity through its Bluetooth sync technology and smart compatibility with the Profoto app for iOS/Android. You can start shooting immediately with just one tap on your device’s screen. You can also choose between your flash and modeling light's auto or manual zoom capabilities. Using the laser AF-assist and LED modeling light, focusing becomes an effortless task even in low light conditions.


The Profoto user interface is beautiful and easy to use. It's one of the most intuitive designs on the market.


Note: This is the Nikon version. Make sure you get the version for your camera brand.

Pros:
  • Excellent user interface
  • Small & lightweight
  • Works with Profoto app
  • Modeling light
  • Magnetic ring to attach accessories
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Off camera flash use requires Profoto trigger
  • The TTL switch and zoom control switch poorly placed on side of the flash is easy to change accidentally
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03/15/2024 01:22 am GMT

Yet it’s just a small flash.

A comparable system with a Godox V1-N and X-Pro-N radio trigger is $328.

Round Head Flash
GODOX V1 Flash

The GODOX V1 is a powerful flash perfect for on and off-camera use. A powerful Li-ion battery offers a recycling time of 1.5s and up to 480 full power pops. Additionally, the built-in 2.4G wireless transmission offers all-in-one functions and allows you to shoot from 100 meters away. The built-in intelligent magnetic mount makes it easy to click on and off or stack with other light modifiers.

Pros:
  • The head rotates 120 degrees
  • Lithium-ion batteries
  • It has a modeling light
  • The round head creates a pleasing shape
  • More power than most small flashes
Cons:
  • More expensive than Godox V860IIC
  • The controls feel flimsy
  • The Godox magnetic accessories are of poor quality. Get the MagMod system, instead
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Godox XPro-N Wireless Flash Trigger

The Godox XPro Wireless Trigger can communicate and trigger any Godox flashes, making it universally effective for flashes and strobes.


With its ability to control Nikon original flashes, Godox camera flashes, and studio flashes, this trigger gives you a wide range of options to choose from regarding your lighting set-up. Featuring multi-channel triggering and stable signal transmission, the XPro is a reliable and user-friendly choice that will help you take your photography to new heights.


IMPORTANT: This is the Nikon version. Make sure you get the version of this trigger that works with your camera brand.

Pros:
  • Easy to use
  • Works with all Godox (Flashpoint) flashes and strobes
  • 16 Groups and 32 Channels
  • 100-meter range
  • Modeling Light Status Control
Cons:
  • The Sony version seems to have a fragile hot shoe connector
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I used to spend over $600 for a Nikon flash that didn’t even have batteries or a trigger. Now I can get this small flash, a Li-on battery, and a radio trigger for about HALF that price – the comparable Profoto flash is more than FIVE times the price.

Yet they do the same thing – put out a bright burst of light.

1: Compare Godox to Profoto

The first Godox flash that I bought was the Godox AD200. It’s an interesting device with more power than the typical on-camera flash, but not quite as much as a strobe. Now, it’s replaced by the Godox AD200 Pro.

My Pick
Godox AD200Pro Flash
4.9

The Godox AD200 Pro Flash has all of the great features of the AD200 but improves color consistency and a more durable casing with a metal flash holder/umbrella mount. You'll also appreciate the ability to change power in 1/10 stop increments and the faster recycling times.


Like the standard AD200, it comes with a fresnel head and a bare bulb. You can also purchase the Godox Round Head attachment for a 3rd option.

Pros:
  • Color stable mode
  • Multiple flash heads
  • Quick recycle time (15% faster than AD200)
  • Power adjustments in 1/10th stop increments
  • More powerful than on-camera flash
  • Great battery life
  • Easy to use
Cons:
  • Only works off-camera
  • Rapid-fire HSS causes overheating
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Offering two or three times more power than a typical flash in a unit that’s roughly the same size with faster recycle time and hundreds of full-power pops due to its Li-on battery was very attractive. You can’t put it on your camera, but that’s the worst place to put a flash in most cases.

I bought two of these for about $270 and they threw in a free radio transmitter. That’s less than the cost of one Nikon SB-10 – a unit that isn’t as powerful doesn’t include batteries or a trigger and still relies upon line of sight to trigger it.

Wow, things have changed.

My next unit was the Godox AD600 Pro – a color stable, battery-operated studio strobe for $899. Compare that with a Profoto B1X at $2669. If you want to add the Profoto Air Remote radio trigger at $249 (and you must use it), the cost goes up to $2918.

Profoto B1X 500 AirTTL 1-Light to-Go Kit
$2,095.00 $1,995.00

The Profoto B1X is a powerful and versatile off-camera flash that gives you the freedom to shoot in any location. It features a cordless design and can be controlled wirelessly from up to 300 m away. The built-in battery provides 325 flashes at full power, and the flash can be fired at up to 20 fps with short durations. The B1X also features a high-resolution display, HSS, and LED modeling light for superior control.

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03/15/2024 01:17 pm GMT
Best User Interface
Profoto Air Remote TTL-N

The Profoto Air Remote is a must-have accessory for any photographer using Profoto lights. With it, you can wirelessly connect your camera to any AirTV light and control it up to 300 m away. The Air Remote makes it easy to shoot in TTL Mode for fully automatic point-and-shoot shots or in HSS Mode to shape light in broad daylight. You can also switch from TTL Mode to Manual Mode with settings intact. Plus, the Air Remote has a USB port for firmware upgrades.

Pros:
  • Outstanding user interface
  • Works at a long range of 300 meters
  • Set up and pairing with strobes is easy
Cons:
  • Good for about 1000 frames on one set of batteries.
  • Only controls 3 groups
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They’re both battery-operated 500ws strobes. They’re both excellent. I’d say the case on the Profoto is a bit studied, and the interface is cleaner. If that’s worth the price difference, then you won’t go wrong with the Profoto.

Yet tests show that the output and color consistency of the Godox AD600 Pro are actually comparable to the Profoto.

For my money, the value with Godox is very clear.

2: My Current Godox Kit

After the AD600 600 Pro came out, Godox came out with the AD400 Pro. It’s a slightly less powerful strobe – about .6 of a stop less power, but at a $649 price point. This seems like the best bang for the buck in strobe power, so I bought two of them.

That puts my current kit as such:

  1. Godox AD200Pro Flash
    4.9

    The Godox AD200 Pro Flash has all of the great features of the AD200 but improves color consistency and a more durable casing with a metal flash holder/umbrella mount. You'll also appreciate the ability to change power in 1/10 stop increments and the faster recycling times.


    Like the standard AD200, it comes with a fresnel head and a bare bulb. You can also purchase the Godox Round Head attachment for a 3rd option.

    Pros:
    • Color stable mode
    • Multiple flash heads
    • Quick recycle time (15% faster than AD200)
    • Power adjustments in 1/10th stop increments
    • More powerful than on-camera flash
    • Great battery life
    • Easy to use
    Cons:
    • Only works off-camera
    • Rapid-fire HSS causes overheating
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  2. Godox AD600Pro 600Ws

    The Godox AD600Pro is built-in with the Godox 2.4G Wireless X System. This system allows you to use the flash with other Godox products like TTL camera flashes and TTL outdoor flashes. With this system, you'll be able to create fantastic lighting effects that will make your photos pop.


    Another great feature of the Godox AD600Pro is its compatibility with Bowens mount accessories. This gives you a lot of flexibility regarding accessories and allows you to find the perfect setup for your needs.


    Finally, the Godox AD600Pro has two power supply methods for added convenience. You can use the professional lithium battery pack, which provides 360 full power flashes, or the AC26 AC power source. Either way, you'll be able to get excellent performance out of this flash.

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  3. Godox AD400Pro Strobe

    The Godox AD400Pro is a powerful flash with a whopping 400Ws of power, making it perfect for everything from portraits to product photography.


    With a recycle time of just 0.01-1 seconds and 12 continuous flashes at 1/16 power output, the AD400Pro is perfect for high-speed shooting. And with a built-in 30W LED modeling lamp, you can easily see what your final image will look like before you even take the shot.


    Best of all, the AD400Pro is compatible with TTL auto flash systems of multiple camera brands, making it an excellent choice for photographers who use multiple cameras.


    Note: I own two of these.

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  4. Godox V860III-N Flash for Nikon

    The Godox V860III is a powerful flash that is perfect for any photographer. You can easily pre-visualize your shots with a quick switch to TTL mode. The Godox 2.4g wireless X system provides reliable shooting with seamless connectivity. The upgraded Li-ion battery provides 1.5s recycling time and 480 full-power flashes. Zoom the flash head from 20mm to 200mm, and the swivel angle from 0° to 330° horizontally and from -7° to 120° vertically makes it easy to complete direct flash or bounce flash.


    IMPORTANT: This link is for the Nikon version. Make sure you choose the model that works for your camera's hot-shoe.

    Pros:
    • Inexpensive
    • Fast recycle time
    • Plenty of flashes per charge (Li-on battery)
    Cons:
    • Sony version has problems with hot shoe
    • Burst mode misses some frames
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  5. GODOX V1 Flash

    The GODOX V1 is a powerful flash perfect for on and off-camera use. A powerful Li-ion battery offers a recycling time of 1.5s and up to 480 full power pops. Additionally, the built-in 2.4G wireless transmission offers all-in-one functions and allows you to shoot from 100 meters away. The built-in intelligent magnetic mount makes it easy to click on and off or stack with other light modifiers.

    Pros:
    • The head rotates 120 degrees
    • Lithium-ion batteries
    • It has a modeling light
    • The round head creates a pleasing shape
    • More power than most small flashes
    Cons:
    • More expensive than Godox V860IIC
    • The controls feel flimsy
    • The Godox magnetic accessories are of poor quality. Get the MagMod system, instead
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  6. Godox Round Flash Head for AD200Pro/AD200
    5.0

    The Godox Round Flash Head for AD200 is another option, rather than the bare bulb or rectangular fresnel head that comes with the AD200. It attaches quickly and easily, providing a more attractive result for a background spotlight effect.


    Note: I have two of these.

    Pros:
    • Adds round head to AD200 or AD200 Pro
    • Easy to use
    Cons:
    • Only works with AD200 or AD200 Pro
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Lasso Brag

That current kit would cost me $3510 today at Amazon. Compare that to a single Profoto B1X with a radio trigger at $2918.


The Godox AD600 Pro recycle time is a second faster than the Profoto, and the color consistency is the same. I can change the mounting point on the Godox strobes to accept Bowens, Elinchrom, or Profoto light modifiers.

It’s a great system at an excellent value for me.

It’s a Golden Age for Flash Systems

Not everyone needs or wants the same flash system. I chose these pieces because of the flexibility they offer. Most of my flash work uses the Godox AD200 flashes. They’re light, easy to use, and often have sufficient power to do the job. It’s easy to combine them to get the same power as a Godox AD400 Pro yet have the flexibility to split them apart when needed.

Profoto is an excellent system. Expensive but great. If you use studios and need to rent gear rather than lugging your strobes, you’ll likely find Profoto gear available to use. If that’s the system you like, you can rent and use gear already that you already know how to use.

Also, Profoto has more powerful lighting solutions that work the same way. You may have more flexibility going with Profoto. For the average hobby photographer or portrait photographer, I think you’ll do well with Godox lights and save a lot of money.


Wondering what light modifiers you can use with your Godox Flashes? Check out this article.
Is the MagMod System Right for You?


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