Thanks for excellent description of the R200 and good examples. I'm also after contrast management of subtle shadow tonality and this is the tool to be in shopping list.
If I have all the time and space in the world, I prefer to use large off-axis lights and mods for fill, because any planes nearly parallel to the axis of your camera are darker than planes perpendicular to it, so the fill is less even. However, the convenience is so nice in itself and I love using ring flash for run and gun.
It's a nice gadget - thanks for introducing. As a fill light for outdoors one must be aware that the R200 doesn't support HSS. That takes a lot from its versatility.
Has anyone actually tried this ring flash with HSS? Given that it is the AD200 that is being used which on its own can be used for HSS, what is it if anything about the flash tube that prevents it being used above normal sync speed. I can’t find anything on the Godox web site or anywhere else on RUclips to confirm that HSS is not available with the R200
Nice and informative video. You can definitely tell the difference in quality between is this video and the old one. You have made some significant progress! Would you recommend the ring light for event type work as well? Clubs, weddings etc?
Great tips on positioning the camera on the bracket! I’ve been suffering from flaring that’s definitely from not having it far out enough. Do you also recommend always using a lens hood? A petal type as well?
How well do you think this would perform in an uncontrolled lighting situation, such as direct on camera, out doors, bright day shooting street portraits, with no other asseserys, like reflectors, foam boards to redirect light ect.
Thank you, Tommy. My main work is real estate photography, and I have an AD200 Pro, which is great. I have never done much in the way of portraits, but your video inspired me to get the R200 ring flash, and it has made my portrait photography so much better (and easier). I love using natural light from a window with just a touch of fill from the R200. The results are really terrific, so again, a very big thank-you!
@@彼岸左岸 That is strange. R200 uses AD200(pro) which is compatible with Xpro trigger. AD200(pro) is able to HSS and second curtain sync. Why does it not work technically ?
Finally someone using Panasonic cameras like me. But you say it supports has but godox told me it doesn't support hss. So what is true? Even the manual said it doesn't support it. I have it and can confirm it doesn't support it or doesn't work. I am using the normal ad200 (non pro). Other than that awesome video!
Thank you for pointing this out dude - After going to pixapro to query this, they have since confirmed you’re right and it sadly doesn’t support HSS and misinformed me it did before filming so apologise for this. I will make a note in the description of my video
Could this be used for a photobooth built with a ring light, instead of an external light somewhere sticking out? How many shots do you get at full power with the ring flash? Is heat a problem? The problem is of course, that there is no way to power the AD200 with AC, it's only possible with the battery. It's just hard to find anything else. There are some old vintage studio flash adapters for old studio flashes from the 1980s & 1990s, but that is old and unreliable. And on the other spectrum you have tiny macro ring lights who are not powerful enough, obviously.
Thanks Tommy, I was hoping that someone would talk about using the R200 as a fill light. I really like the idea - but the extra catchlight bang in the center for the eye, not so much... What are your thoughts about this? And is it and easy, or difficult fix in software, if you want to get rid of it?
I find ringflash catchlights that are contained within the pupil area a cinch to remove in PS. If you're very close to the subject it might be a problem.
I updated my Godox AD200 Pro to V1.5 version A firmware from V1.0 firmware. Now I can’t shoot Godox R200 with HSS. I can enable HSS with regular flash head. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
@@TommyReynolds89 in your video, you said it supports HSS. However, when I contacted Godox, they said it’s not from the manual itself, page 8 for English. I was able to shoot with HSS with V1.0 firmware though. With 1.5 firmware, Godox disables HSS mode for R200.
By itself the R200 is horrible. Too small a light and awkward. As a fill perhaps it works, somewhat - and why you can't explain it; but almost any speedlight will do that.
This is what I have been waiting for thanks Tommy. Definitely going to be having a play about with it more. As you say it just gives it that extra, how does it go 😂.
would you trust the tripod mount on the bracket of the 400w version instead of using the mount on the flash body? The only reason why I prefer the 400 is that when using it in a photobooth style shoot ( on a tripod ) there is no extra attachments to worry about, like the lead from the AD200.
Great review, missed these types of videos from you - not sure if I need this in my life vs just using any number of off camera flashes I own from Pixapro or a big reflector especially just to give a small lift. Personally I quite like hte dark moody original images you produced but as you say each to their own. Certainly looks to be perfect for your needs and how you like to use it.
Anyone that can laugh at him or her self and past video definitely has earned my like! Great video, very useful information. Many thanks!
Great review!
I love this ring flash. had the old one with the enormous battery, and this one is so much more comfortable!
Great execution and photos!
Thanks for excellent description of the R200 and good examples. I'm also after contrast management of subtle shadow tonality and this is the tool to be in shopping list.
really good insight , Ive been in two minds about a ring flash but your point of view really helped & puts a different perspective for its use
Thanks this helps me with a decision. Now to find it in stock
Nicely put together video very informative, as a fashion photographer in Los Angeles I’ll be using the ring light for some time!
great video and nice work on the test shoot for it 👍
Thank you Tomáš 😃
Love that POP!
If I have all the time and space in the world, I prefer to use large off-axis lights and mods for fill, because any planes nearly parallel to the axis of your camera are darker than planes perpendicular to it, so the fill is less even. However, the convenience is so nice in itself and I love using ring flash for run and gun.
It's a nice gadget - thanks for introducing. As a fill light for outdoors one must be aware that the R200 doesn't support HSS. That takes a lot from its versatility.
Not really. I use ND filters over HSS anyhow so this is in no way a deal breaker.
Has anyone actually tried this ring flash with HSS? Given that it is the AD200 that is being used which on its own can be used for HSS, what is it if anything about the flash tube that prevents it being used above normal sync speed. I can’t find anything on the Godox web site or anywhere else on RUclips to confirm that HSS is not available with the R200
@@jamesmartin532 yes, it doesn't support the HSS. It's a big fraud. D.
Great in depth video
Thank you Dwight :)
Great to see you at the photography show. I missed your demo of the ring flash. Did you record it at all?
You too Paul and yes the session was recorded and will be online soon :)
Nice and informative video. You can definitely tell the difference in quality between is this video and the old one. You have made some significant progress! Would you recommend the ring light for event type work as well? Clubs, weddings etc?
Great tips on positioning the camera on the bracket! I’ve been suffering from flaring that’s definitely from not having it far out enough. Do you also recommend always using a lens hood? A petal type as well?
How well do you think this would perform in an uncontrolled lighting situation, such as direct on camera, out doors, bright day shooting street portraits, with no other asseserys, like reflectors, foam boards to redirect light ect.
Great job...
Thank you, Tommy. My main work is real estate photography, and I have an AD200 Pro, which is great. I have never done much in the way of portraits, but your video inspired me to get the R200 ring flash, and it has made my portrait photography so much better (and easier). I love using natural light from a window with just a touch of fill from the R200. The results are really terrific, so again, a very big thank-you!
Nice that you now can use all the flashtypes (ttl, second curtain and HSS. I think the old 400 could not do this.
NEW R200 CAN NOT HSS ，AR400 use X1R can TTL OR HSS
@@彼岸左岸 That is strange. R200 uses AD200(pro) which is compatible with Xpro trigger. AD200(pro) is able to HSS and second curtain sync. Why does it not work technically ?
Finally someone using Panasonic cameras like me. But you say it supports has but godox told me it doesn't support hss. So what is true? Even the manual said it doesn't support it. I have it and can confirm it doesn't support it or doesn't work. I am using the normal ad200 (non pro). Other than that awesome video!
Thank you for pointing this out dude - After going to pixapro to query this, they have since confirmed you’re right and it sadly doesn’t support HSS and misinformed me it did before filming so apologise for this. I will make a note in the description of my video
@@TommyReynolds89 no problem . Just wanted others to know :). Other than that it's a very great video.
I would like an R600 for mobile outdoor photogrammetry stuff, but with a battery pack like the R200. The R1200 is just too much.
Are you Austin Powers son? Groovy video baby.
Yeah baby
Great video. I have a quick question - does the foldable bracket of the R200 fit the AR400 aswell?
Could this be used for a photobooth built with a ring light, instead of an external light somewhere sticking out? How many shots do you get at full power with the ring flash? Is heat a problem? The problem is of course, that there is no way to power the AD200 with AC, it's only possible with the battery. It's just hard to find anything else. There are some old vintage studio flash adapters for old studio flashes from the 1980s & 1990s, but that is old and unreliable. And on the other spectrum you have tiny macro ring lights who are not powerful enough, obviously.
Very interesting
Thanks Tommy, I was hoping that someone would talk about using the R200 as a fill light. I really like the idea - but the extra catchlight bang in the center for the eye, not so much...
What are your thoughts about this?
And is it and easy, or difficult fix in software, if you want to get rid of it?
Thank you Karsten :) the extra catchlight honestly doesn’t bother me at all but if you wanted to remove it, it’s a click away in photoshop :)
I find ringflash catchlights that are contained within the pupil area a cinch to remove in PS. If you're very close to the subject it might be a problem.
I ended up buying one also but I’m curious if your using any attachments on the ring flash?
what camera did you use for the self portrait
Canon R5 😃
I updated my Godox AD200 Pro to V1.5 version A firmware from V1.0 firmware. Now I can’t shoot Godox R200 with HSS. I can enable HSS with regular flash head. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
Just want to say that I was able to shoot HSS mode with AD200 Pro firmware V1.0 and R200.
Read the description of the video Nam
@@TommyReynolds89 in your video, you said it supports HSS. However, when I contacted Godox, they said it’s not from the manual itself, page 8 for English. I was able to shoot with HSS with V1.0 firmware though. With 1.5 firmware, Godox disables HSS mode for R200.
@@NamTran-uq8kj any way possible to downgrade ad200pro firmware to v1.0?
Does high speed sync work with this head?
Not on the R200 no but yes on the Riko400
does a grid on the ring light reduce the halo?
No it doesn’t, but reduces the spread of light instead
You should state why you removed your glasses. I think that is the biggest WEAK POINT.
I mean, that's a deal breaker.
By itself the R200 is horrible. Too small a light and awkward. As a fill perhaps it works, somewhat - and why you can't explain it; but almost any speedlight will do that.
Can the 400 be used as an optical slave? For example, I want it to trigger when other lights have flashed that are not godox.
Side note: I remember your original video on the 400 when I was first getting into photography! Wow where has the time gone??
This is what I have been waiting for thanks Tommy. Definitely going to be having a play about with it more. As you say it just gives it that extra, how does it go 😂.
Haha just gives it that little > 👌🏻😘
would you trust the tripod mount on the bracket of the 400w version instead of using the mount on the flash body?
The only reason why I prefer the 400 is that when using it in a photobooth style shoot ( on a tripod ) there is no extra attachments to worry about, like the lead from the AD200.
Great review, missed these types of videos from you - not sure if I need this in my life vs just using any number of off camera flashes I own from Pixapro or a big reflector especially just to give a small lift. Personally I quite like hte dark moody original images you produced but as you say each to their own. Certainly looks to be perfect for your needs and how you like to use it.
I use mine with RFT-25S Silver Reflector added for that extra softness and no direct flash from the R200