Godox has been disrupting the lighting industry for several years now with their budget-friendly options for studio strobes and on location lighting. The Godox system is growing even larger with the addition of their newest on-location light, but does this new light make sense to those budget-conscious photographers that have adopted the system?
The Godox AD400 Pro Wistro, a 400 watt second strobe, is the new portable strobe on the block and many Godox users have been patiently waiting for the expected price point of the light to be released. With the news that was just made public, it looks like the Godox AD400 Pro will be priced at $649. In response, there has already been a steady group of detractors that seemed initially very excited for the light to become available. The question that deserves to be answered is is this price point really that high for those looking into pro-level lighting from Godox? Secondly, does this price make sense in relation to their line up?
Godox, and their rebranded lights like the Flashpoint series sold through Adorama, have really outpaced the industry namesakes the past three years. They have been the low-cost, high-value lighting brand and have garnered a reputation of lighting that is super powerful for the price with the same features of some high-end brands that are priced 300-400 percent higher. This has opened up high output lighting to many more people and lowered the barrier of entry into the most important part of photography: the quality and quantity of light available.
In January of this year, Godox made their foray into a pro-level strobe with color accurate light consistency within +-75 kelvin and a better recessed bulb design. The light took on a more rugged feel and the aforementioned light became the Godox AD600 Pro Wistro. The strobe added about 50 percent more to its predecessors price at $899 but gave the photographer a very high quality strobe for about two-fifths the price of a similar light like a Profoto B1x for $2,095. The cost and value of this strobe are still completely in line with that high value, very reasonable cost lighting that Godox began with.
I try to think of lighting with an emphasis on the cost per watt second and not just by brand name, features, and ruggedness. The Godox brand in their TTL strobe line-up have consistently stayed between $1.25 to $1.50 per watt second from their consumer- and prosumer-level strobes like the AD200 TTL, AD360 Wistro TTL, and AD600B Wistro TTL, to their professional grade lighting in the AD600 Pro. The “premium" the AD400 Pro is asking for is only about $0.12 per watt second more expensive than the AD600 Pro for a more compact yet just-as-rugged light. If you were to mount two AD200s together with the AD-B2 Bowens Mount, you would be paying just slightly more than the cost of the AD400 Pro with less color accuracy.
Within many industries, the premium for lighter and more compact attributes can be extremely high, and the Godox pro level series of strobes is incredibly reasonable, and is simply not charging what the photographic industry has commonly become accustomed to. It’s a robust system that works with the most common modifier mounts available for an absolutely reasonable cost, all while offering features that enable faster and more accurate creation. I would surmise that the AD400 Pro will become a hit as it works into the kits of hobbyists and professionals alike that are looking to save some cost and weight while affording the benefits of a strobe that is equal to some of the best lighting companies in the world.
Are you using Godox lighting in your kit? What do you think of the new AD400 Pro?
Godox has come a long way. I own the original AD600 and the newer Evolv 200 and have not been disappointed with the results. I really like the idea of the AD400 because it's sitting in that nice little goldilocks zone where you can light groups or use them for portraits. I recently did a little photo booth at a friend's wedding with the AD200 which was almost perfect, save for the fact that I had to have it on full power the whole time in order to properly light groups of about 5 or fewer. The AD400 would have been ideal for what I was doing.
The price for what you're getting is more than reasonable, given that it's just 100w shy of the B1X, and far below less than half the cost.
I think they're priced perfectly for their intended market. The Godox Pro-series lights (AD600 Pro, and AD400 Pro) are exactly that - professional. With 400Ws and 600Ws power output at +/-75 kelvin color temp accuracy, these aren't competing with the mainstream Godox AD600, AD200, or AD360 models, they're instead competing with Profoto B1 and Broncolor Siros L. These are the lights a professional would rely upon for color-critical photography where the client is on set and reviewing your shots (i.e. fashion, product, food/beverage, etc.). I'm really, really hoping they roll out an AD200 Pro model soon. Godox is making serious strides in the lighting market.
Personally I'd rather see an AD800 model, you can always dial down an AD400. ;-)
While I do think that the estimated $649 is a bit too high, its only about $50-$100 too high. Considering the features, output, and quality it offers, it fits well below the market leaders. I personally feel that 400ws is not enough output to really make an impact on the high power mono-light market, but it is enough to extend into the location shooters. You can do a lot with 400ws combined with High ISO cameras and this could be another lethal dart for manufacturers like...Elinchrom and Hensel. We'll see what the final MSRP soon enough along with the sponsored (Opps!) I mean unbiased Youtube reviews.
I agree, I was expecting $499 max unless the price was decided to get me to just go for the AD600pro (which I honestly think is too high too - personally I think AD600pro should be closer to $750).
The price is ok. Also consider the new series have powerfull led modelling lights. I supose I will get one og these soon. Good stuff and good price compeared to what else om the marker.
I've been using the AD200 for almost a year now and have found for the price it is the best small flash unit I have ever purchased. I plan on buying another soon.
When I first read the initial article about the AD400 I guessed it to be at around $600. It's a bit higher (and for us in Canada it's around $850) but it is still very reasonable.
Has anybody had any experience dealing with Godox in regards to service and repair issues ? Just curious as to what their customer service is like .
Godox service is non-existent. Choose your retailer wisely for the best fault replacement warranty, but if you break it, don't expect to get it fixed. A couple of retailers--the smaller guys who are trying to compete on their customer service--do attempt repairs, but Godox makes it tough for them by not providing a reliable spare parts inventory.
That said, I've moved from Buff (legendary for customer service) to Godox primarily to gain HSS and simpler battery operation.
Kirk , thanks for the reply . I’m currently using the S1 from interfit , which I really like and whose service is top notch . However , interfit’s ecosystem is non existent .
Agreed. It's better to buy Godox's Flashpoint line with Adorama.
If you buy the Adorama version you will have their support when in the US. There are other who re-brand Godox and offer service. Godox itself does not have good support but than again neither does Nikon here in Canada (one service office in the second largest mass on the planet, what a joke).
Is there a 1000W battery mono?
No but there is one from Broncolor at 800ws
I know they've got an adapter that turns two of the original AD600s into a 1200 strobe. Do they not make it for the pro models yet?
curious how good it is in comparison with jinbei hd 610? which i think is cheaper and more powerful.
I am not familiar with the Jinbei brand however, as for the Godox, they offer a very wide and diverse lighting equipment all triggered by the same system. From speedlights to strobes you can trigger all of them with one trigger or a speedlight.
Their quality easily competes with the Profoto and others and you don't even have to go for the Pro line to have great results. The AD200 although does not have the 'Pro' label is an excellent light source that can do most of what you will need. The V860II is an amazing speedlight that easily surpasses the Nikon version speedlights (in my opinion. I have the SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910 and the SB-80DX)
Their Pro versions are even better.
When investing in a system you know that whatever they will release in the future it will be workin fine with whatever you already have.
For about $100 more you can get a couple AD200s in dual configuration giving you a single 400 ws strobe or, if needed, a couple separate 200 ws strobes. I think that the extra versatility would certainly be worth the extra $100.
But then you don't get the +/-75º color accuracy. That's the great thing about the Godox line, though. They've just about got something for everyone's needs.
I own the Neewer variant of this and love it. $600 was a cheap price to pay for a battery powered strobe that has served me extremely well over the last year. I would like to one day own the Profoto B1s, but at $2,000 they're quite a lot more money for wireless pops of light.
This is what scares me as I've yet to need service on my old Hensel setup (1000 and two 500's) They just work each and every time so I'm very hesitant to jump over to something else. I'd love to have new features such as built in triggers, HSS, etc., but at the expense of them having issues? Decisions...
Check other people's experience with Godox (and the Adorama brand), they just work. They are easy to operate and very affordable. If you are not sure, buy a cheap Godox speedlight -the TT600 goes for around $60- then use it to death and see how it handles it.
I have a three years old V580 that I have been taking everywhere. It's been to India and many other countries for both personal and professional work and it never failed.
Do the same. Your personal experience is the most important.
Exactly this. Adorama provides a one year warranty on their re branded Godox. Plus, reports of people having problems with them are rare. People claim that "professionals" in the photography business need to spend that extra money because they are, well, a business. Fore example spending $2000 for a single B1 Air when you can get a Godox AD600 Pro for $900 makes zero business sense in my opinion. For $1600 you can have a couple AD600 Pros vs spending $2000 for a single B1. Hell, you have a backup and STILL spent less.
Right on! Godox and Adorama products are excellent and cost so much less. Why "pros" make decision that have no business sense is beyond me. And that goes for modifiers and other accessories.
It is really tiring when people (in the US in particular) group everything CHINESE in one drawer with the word garbage. Seriously? How many components of Alien Bees, Profoto atc. are made in China? Lots.
When someone generalize China as one (and as garbage) I know it's phobia and hidden ideology (I am reluctant to use the word ignorant here since I am sure you are not) rather than an objective and logical opinion.
I hope we are all smarter than that.
If you want Godox products and good service buy the Adorama version. It's the same price and includes the warranty.
I recognize this is a very late reply, but it’s important to think about service *beyond* the warranty. Adorama does not actually service the units, they swap them out (unless that’s recently changed).
I have six lights in the Flashpoint/Godox line and really like them. But once they’re out of warranty, what do we do? There’s no repair service. The lights are pretty damn reliable. But if one breaks, my fault or otherwise, there’s no Godox service and Adorama has no obligation to take care of out-of-warranty issues. So it’s a very valid concern. It’s a risk, though one that so far has been ok for me. Definitely important to have backups.
Hey Michael, you are right of course but as a Nikon user I know how bad service can be had even by known brands like Nikon. Even when under warranty Nikon fixing service (in Canada) is about 6 out of 10. When they fix and you pay it's even worse.
Also, Nikon refuses to sell parts to third party people.
Godox lights on the other hand can be fixed by anyone who has some experience. I even saw parts on Ebay.
I have had Godox equipment for three years this coming December (bought the first three speedlights on December 2015). My real first assignment was a trip and wedding in India. They have been in use since then and my Nikon speedlights have been staying home since.
I don't see them stop working any time soon. My SB-900 on the other hand did not last four years and cost triple Godox flashes.
Michael Teak, since we're talking about pro people doing business, they can insure their gears. It's the first thing to do, for pro foto, godox, or any other brand. With that, it does no more matters which one you choose.
I am interested in purchasing the AD600 Pro or AD400 Pro. Unfortunately, I am have been having issues with the trigger & flash firing with the Xpro trigger and a set of two TT685c flashes. If I have the trigger close to the ground in front of the flash (so that the flash is on a stand behind me two feet away), it won't fire AT ALL. Also, reviewing my last shoot, the last 20 images, with a simple main/rim light setup. Both main/rim light fired 16/20 times, with the main only firing 3/20, and the rim light only 1/20. Meaning an 80% success rate in optimal conditions. Maybe the trigger is faulty? It seems to always show low battery even after battery replacement with fully charged batteries. I'll probably order another trigger since they cheap, if I purchase the more power AD600/400 Pro model, but I remain skeptical.
I have the AD200, AD360, and a couple of the AD600 units. They are fantastic. I don't use the TTL features at all, just full manual. I'd love to see some less expensive, manual-only units for a lower price. I love the system, the units themselves are reliable, battery life is amazing, and they've withstood some abuse. I agree with the other poster that an AD800 would be great. The AD1200 is nice, but the separate pack and head means a lot more footprint for shooting in the field.