Initially, my 3 light kit was Godox V1 + AD200 + AD400. A good versatile kit whether using any combination of 1, 2, or 3 lights. I’ve since migrated to Godox AD100 + 2X AD300. These are a little easier to pack, but the best part, from a minimalist perspective, is how small my modifier kit is now. The Godox mount soft boxes, silicone floppy thing, etc. plus the mag mount goodies for the 100 are way smaller than the Bowens mount stuff. I sometimes still use really big (=heavy) soft boxes, and for that the AD300’s still work great with an S2 bracket.
As a lighting kit I have 2x Godox AD200 pro lights plus a V1 speed light as well as a Godox X pro trigger. They give me a nice portable lighting set up.
Thanks! I rarely do location work but the last job I did I used a handtruck to go crosstown(walk) I took 2 Einstein 640s and a Godox 300 ...I also brought a Nikon D850 a Nikon DF and a few lenses...I need to rethink all of this ...thanks for your ideas!
My fast and light kit is a an im2300 pelican case with four godox tt600 speedlites. My camera bag has a tt685 and a ttl and manual transmitter. I keep a compact reverse stand and an umbrella in the tripod slot on the camera bag. This is the most minimalist setup that I have. If I add the other speedlites, I have a grip bag with more stands, an x-drop and other umbrella style and speedlite modifiers.
Great video! I have basically the same kit, but on a budget: 2xAD200s by Godox, and 1xV1 also by Godox (plus an XPro trigger). I’m not a pro, so that kit serves me well for what I do!
Very similar plan for me as well. Still on speedlights (two) working my way up since I bought the first. AD200 are on my wish list mainly because of portability. Wondering about your experience. Another great video @danielnorton and it is an enthusiastic series. Hard for me to go minimalist, but trying hard. Cheers
Another Godox user - two AD200 and Stroboss 60 (dunno what are its other names); I did consider bigger lights, but I don't have a studio AND have to actually carry the lights everywhere, so extreme portability was mandated by these circumstances. Another advantage of AD200 are dedicated modifiers that don't require bowens or its analogues, so noticeably less there to carry as well.
I love the idea of this series. And as someone just beginning to build out their kit, I am finding your e-book very useful. Particularly in the grip department, where my knowledge base is probably the weakest. Thank you for taking the time to put it together!
I have a pair of Interfit Honey Badger 250W/s battery lights, and a couple of cheap little speedlights that I can use for little accents etc. I also have a larger Interfit S1 (500W/s, battery or AC) that is very useful when I need power, but it honestly to big to drag around most of the time. I use pop-up softboxes most of the time - I have two 60x60cm and one 80x80 that cover most of what I need. I'll take a bigger octa and/or stripbox if needed.
most of my work in last 5 years is street shooting so having a simple & effective set up which I can carry with ease is essential . I use a different brand but basically the same Godox Ad200pro x2 Godox TT600s Neewer 65cm folding soft box Light stand x1 Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod & I can carry all of it along with my Camera & couple of lenses for my night work I replace the 2 AD200s with Rotolight neo2 leds ..job done
I've just come back to photography after closing my main street studio in 2012. Formerly used Bowens. Now. ProFoto B10X Plus X2, and A2 X2. The latest tech is very cool!!!
I see a lot of people on youtube and even as acquaintances shooting with the Godox AD300 (or equivalent re-branded as flashpoint or what have you) and you mention them as the cheaper alternatives but I don't understand why people prefer them to the AD200. They're 50% more powerful and can be used on AC power, true, but they're 40% more expensive, the battery lasts less and they're more than 100% heavier. Even if you needed the additional power on the main light you'll never run 2 of them at full power, so there's a lot of weight to be saved, specifically if you want a minimalist kit. So why do you personally choose the AD300 over the AD200? It feels like I'm missing something. Looking forward to the next 2 videos!
I use 3 Einstein 640Ws in the studio. I also have 2 Nikon speedlights that I can use if needed. For outside shoots, I use one of the Einsteins along with a battery pack. With it, I use a 36 or 42 inch umbrella or a 36 inch octobox. This works perfectly if there is no wind. I've had this combo blown over numerous times. I'm looking for a lighter, more compact setup. A B10 with a 24 inch octo would do the trick.
Yep...I work with the Einstein 640 and two sb910 speedlights...I recently purchased a Godox pro300 wireless and love the lightness. I dont do much location and Im tired of spending all my profits on gear!
Currently using flashpoint (1) xplor 300 pro (2) xplor 100 (1) zoom li-on R2 [doubles as a backup light or transmitter] Just starting out doing portraits.
I just bought the Godox AD 100pro and used it a few times on shoots and boy it is a great wee light that doesn't take up room in my bag. Eventually I will probably get either another two of them or the 300w version
I bought a pair of B10s and a B10 plus in 2021, when I realized that none of the lower cost options could provide TTL with high speed sync for my R5 and R6 bodies (I do a lot of outdoor animal portraiture and asking them to move more slowly never really worked for me). At the time I begrudged the cost and bought a range of non-genuine quick pop up Phottix Raja soft boxes to go with them, just to save a buck; these have been really great. However, looking back, I’ve used these lights a heap, I love how simple they are, especially now with the Connect Pro controller. I love the power control based on f stops. They’ve improved my photography and got me using artificial lighting a lot more. When I buy a fourth, it’ll be another B10 plus, since I don’t need the brighter constant light of the newer x models but there are occasions where the extra stop of light helps outdoors, compared to the B10. Would I buy them if I was refurbishing my kit in 2023? Probably not if I hadn’t experienced them, as I expect some of the cheaper brands have caught up with the Canon mirrorless hot shoe protocols by now, but now I’ve used them, I won’t go back. Perhaps the lesson in this ramble is hire and try before you buy, maybe something less expensive will do it for you, or maybe you’ll find the investment in something more costly is worth it. In any case, you can’t go wrong with good battery lights and Daniel’s lighting tips if you’re new to strobes. Most of the time 3 is enough, sometimes 4 is good, sometimes 2 is all you need; nice to have the options though and a system that is easily expandable from whatever your starting point.
Nice video, as always. I was kind of hoping it would also include suggestions for suitable light modifiers for a minimalist kit. Maybe in a future episode?
I use 3 Nikon Speedlights for portable lighting. Which I can use with my Speedotron studio flash system. I like to travel as light as possible! Thanks Daniel and Have Good Weekend 😎👍🇨🇦
I own 2 x b10s, a b10plus and a couple of A1s. I thought I needed the b10 plus to overpower the sun (midday Australian summer), however on a recent dancer beach shoot, I went for a minimal approach and used a b10 with full CTO and OCF Magnum Reflector. Sometimes just a single A1 is sufficient to provide some fill.
A great alternative is the elinchrom 3 system at about half the price per head but every bit as good and even compatible with the bayonet profoto mount. But if you are a pro and travel at all, profoto is best because pretty much any big city will have a rental house with profoto or broncolor gear for rent. Not the same for other brands.
Something that may be a bit counter intuitive, but a colleague of mine also has b10's and had damaged screens, which it turns out are pretty expensive to repair, while the strobe section is relatively cheap to repair. So he suggested using the rubber cover on the screen instead of the strobe...makes sense to me at least!
Great video mate, for on the move flash I use a couple godox AD600 pros and a couple AD200pros and a V1 for studio I use the same lights except I have some wall powered godox 600ii so that's 6 lights that are portable and 3 that are not, I find it's good as it gives me flexibility and enough lighting to do what ever is needed,
I recently bought a Godox AD300 Pro as I wanted a light with a modelling lamp. I also have a Neewer speedlight which actually works off the same trigger as the Godox so I now have a two light setup.
I have 2 Godox TT685 speedlights in my camera bag at all times. I am a food and product photographer, so my studio lights are two Godox DP400III, which I hope to supplement with a DP800III. Eventually I’d like to move to the Godox P2400 pack and head system.
Canon EX430 (first flash) Canon EX580 (follow-up ) then Godox (gasp) 4x AD_200 with two ADB2 ... an enormous level of flexibility compromised only by flash inconsistency. For a hobbyist, like me, there is no better value. Without doubt; I'd write off (tax expense) a Profoto setup if I were commercial.
Hello Daniel, Thank you for this as I am at present thinking about updating my old Nikon SB900, I am looking at the Profoto A10 for some of my work to go with my Z9. I also shoot with Broncolor that I love but they do not do any thing like the A10. From what I have seen Profoto just work like the Broncolor system. I just would like a system that works 100% of the time. Thank you for all you do. Keep well, keep safe and enjoy life it is too short.
great, for digital 35 mm photographers, but what about if you want a light setup for film, aka a Hasselblad, Bronica, or Mamiya medium format setup, where TTL/ hot shoe is non existant, or a luxury, and a pc socket is the normal find.
Thanks to you (and Seth Miranda) I have two Profoto B10s, a B10-plus, and two A10X units. The only thing I want now is a D2 Air TTL to stop dancers mid leap and handle larger modifiers. But I can’t justify the cost.
I Dan I work with dancers all the time,,,I use Einstein 640(not wireless)but works great($500) I have a few of them and use one as an edge light...you really dont need Pro foto...slick and nice but no better...I paid way too much for a few of their umbrellas!
Thanks for the vid. I use three Canon 580EX II and Godox X1R trigs for location portraits. It would be interesting to see what mods you’d pair with your kit on a location shoot. Thanks
Cool video. I've found myself carrying 4 lights. One 500ws, 2 250ws, and a speed light because every once in a while I find myself needing just a little more light than what I can muster with the 250ws light. It usually stays packed away in the car, but has been a life saver on more than one occasion. What do you do when you're in that situation?
Great video Daniel and I totally understand about minimizing your kit. For lighting I'm stilling playing around with what should be in the kit, but I think I've got a pretty good idea. Here is what I've put together (All Profoto): 1 B10, 2 A2s, 1 A10 and a Pro Connect. I also own a B10 Plus and a pair of B2s with battery packs but I wanted to keep it small.
by "rent" do you mean just borrow mine?...?
Initially, my 3 light kit was Godox V1 + AD200 + AD400. A good versatile kit whether using any combination of 1, 2, or 3 lights. I’ve since migrated to Godox AD100 + 2X AD300. These are a little easier to pack, but the best part, from a minimalist perspective, is how small my modifier kit is now. The Godox mount soft boxes, silicone floppy thing, etc. plus the mag mount goodies for the 100 are way smaller than the Bowens mount stuff. I sometimes still use really big (=heavy) soft boxes, and for that the AD300’s still work great with an S2 bracket.
Daniel Norton, you are Amazing and a gift to the photography and creative world. Thank you for doing what you do.
I've been using 3-point lighting, only now I know WHY, not just because I was taught to (without being told why). Thank you.
One of my favorite photographers on RUclips. Appreciate all of the info you provide.
As a lighting kit I have 2x Godox AD200 pro lights plus a V1 speed light as well as a Godox X pro trigger. They give me a nice portable lighting set up.
two light is enough, even one with the right modifier!! those profoto are marvelous tools.
Many thanks Daniel. Just the informational series I need, as I put my home studio together during the next couple of months....
Thanks! I rarely do location work but the last job I did I used a handtruck to go crosstown(walk) I took 2 Einstein 640s and a Godox 300 ...I also brought a Nikon D850 a Nikon DF and a few lenses...I need to rethink all of this ...thanks for your ideas!
My fast and light kit is a an im2300 pelican case with four godox tt600 speedlites. My camera bag has a tt685 and a ttl and manual transmitter.
I keep a compact reverse stand and an umbrella in the tripod slot on the camera bag. This is the most minimalist setup that I have. If I add the other speedlites, I have a grip bag with more stands, an x-drop and other umbrella style and speedlite modifiers.
Love a Profoto!!.. great stuff!! Thanks dANIEL!!
Great video! I have basically the same kit, but on a budget: 2xAD200s by Godox, and 1xV1 also by Godox (plus an XPro trigger). I’m not a pro, so that kit serves me well for what I do!
Very similar plan for me as well. Still on speedlights (two) working my way up since I bought the first. AD200 are on my wish list mainly because of portability. Wondering about your experience. Another great video @danielnorton and it is an enthusiastic series. Hard for me to go minimalist, but trying hard. Cheers
Ad200 is all I need. All of this - needing 1000w is crazy to me.
Another Godox user - two AD200 and Stroboss 60 (dunno what are its other names); I did consider bigger lights, but I don't have a studio AND have to actually carry the lights everywhere, so extreme portability was mandated by these circumstances. Another advantage of AD200 are dedicated modifiers that don't require bowens or its analogues, so noticeably less there to carry as well.
I love the idea of this series. And as someone just beginning to build out their kit, I am finding your e-book very useful. Particularly in the grip department, where my knowledge base is probably the weakest. Thank you for taking the time to put it together!
I have a pair of Interfit Honey Badger 250W/s battery lights, and a couple of cheap little speedlights that I can use for little accents etc. I also have a larger Interfit S1 (500W/s, battery or AC) that is very useful when I need power, but it honestly to big to drag around most of the time. I use pop-up softboxes most of the time - I have two 60x60cm and one 80x80 that cover most of what I need. I'll take a bigger octa and/or stripbox if needed.
most of my work in last 5 years is street shooting so having a simple & effective set up which I can carry with ease is essential . I use a different brand but basically the same
Godox Ad200pro x2
Godox TT600s
Neewer 65cm folding soft box
Light stand x1
Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod
& I can carry all of it along with my Camera & couple of lenses
for my night work I replace the 2 AD200s with Rotolight neo2 leds ..job done
I've just come back to photography after closing my main street studio in 2012. Formerly used Bowens. Now. ProFoto B10X Plus X2, and A2 X2. The latest tech is very cool!!!
I see a lot of people on youtube and even as acquaintances shooting with the Godox AD300 (or equivalent re-branded as flashpoint or what have you) and you mention them as the cheaper alternatives but I don't understand why people prefer them to the AD200. They're 50% more powerful and can be used on AC power, true, but they're 40% more expensive, the battery lasts less and they're more than 100% heavier. Even if you needed the additional power on the main light you'll never run 2 of them at full power, so there's a lot of weight to be saved, specifically if you want a minimalist kit.
So why do you personally choose the AD300 over the AD200? It feels like I'm missing something. Looking forward to the next 2 videos!
Interesting thoughts as I was considering another AD300.
Ah, Daniel moving from 'heavy weapons' to 'light fighter/hunter'. Plus points for agility/mobility.
I shoot mostly macro so it's either my Canon Ring Light, Canon 430EXIII flash , or Adaptalux LED pod/arm lighting (Canon R5)!
I use 3 Einstein 640Ws in the studio. I also have 2 Nikon speedlights that I can use if needed.
For outside shoots, I use one of the Einsteins along with a battery pack. With it, I use a 36 or 42 inch umbrella or a 36 inch octobox. This works perfectly if there is no wind. I've had this combo blown over numerous times. I'm looking for a lighter, more compact setup. A B10 with a 24 inch octo would do the trick.
Yep...I work with the Einstein 640 and two sb910 speedlights...I recently purchased a Godox pro300 wireless and love the lightness. I dont do much location and Im tired of spending all my profits on gear!
@@janlasalle8845 Profits!? For me, it's a hobby.
Currently using flashpoint
(1) xplor 300 pro
(2) xplor 100
(1) zoom li-on R2 [doubles as a backup light or transmitter]
Just starting out doing portraits.
I just bought the Godox AD 100pro and used it a few times on shoots and boy it is a great wee light that doesn't take up room in my bag. Eventually I will probably get either another two of them or the 300w version
I really like this concept, me being a minimalist in most every aspect of life. I'm looking forward to seeing more in this series!
I bought a pair of B10s and a B10 plus in 2021, when I realized that none of the lower cost options could provide TTL with high speed sync for my R5 and R6 bodies (I do a lot of outdoor animal portraiture and asking them to move more slowly never really worked for me). At the time I begrudged the cost and bought a range of non-genuine quick pop up Phottix Raja soft boxes to go with them, just to save a buck; these have been really great. However, looking back, I’ve used these lights a heap, I love how simple they are, especially now with the Connect Pro controller. I love the power control based on f stops. They’ve improved my photography and got me using artificial lighting a lot more. When I buy a fourth, it’ll be another B10 plus, since I don’t need the brighter constant light of the newer x models but there are occasions where the extra stop of light helps outdoors, compared to the B10. Would I buy them if I was refurbishing my kit in 2023? Probably not if I hadn’t experienced them, as I expect some of the cheaper brands have caught up with the Canon mirrorless hot shoe protocols by now, but now I’ve used them, I won’t go back. Perhaps the lesson in this ramble is hire and try before you buy, maybe something less expensive will do it for you, or maybe you’ll find the investment in something more costly is worth it. In any case, you can’t go wrong with good battery lights and Daniel’s lighting tips if you’re new to strobes. Most of the time 3 is enough, sometimes 4 is good, sometimes 2 is all you need; nice to have the options though and a system that is easily expandable from whatever your starting point.
Great Thanks Daniel!! I currently have 2 Flashpoint roundhead speedlights. #Adorama #CreateNoMatterWhat
Thanks for the information.
Daniel, great content and valuable information as always. Also, extremely timely as I am considering making some gear changes. Thanks!
Very interesting Daniel!
What you share comes from a life of professional experience and is very precious! Thanks!
Nice video, as always. I was kind of hoping it would also include suggestions for suitable light modifiers for a minimalist kit. Maybe in a future episode?
I use 3 Nikon Speedlights for portable lighting. Which I can use with my Speedotron studio flash system. I like to travel as light as possible! Thanks Daniel and Have Good Weekend 😎👍🇨🇦
I own 2 x b10s, a b10plus and a couple of A1s. I thought I needed the b10 plus to overpower the sun (midday Australian summer), however on a recent dancer beach shoot, I went for a minimal approach and used a b10 with full CTO and OCF Magnum Reflector. Sometimes just a single A1 is sufficient to provide some fill.
A great alternative is the elinchrom 3 system at about half the price per head but every bit as good and even compatible with the bayonet profoto mount. But if you are a pro and travel at all, profoto is best because pretty much any big city will have a rental house with profoto or broncolor gear for rent. Not the same for other brands.
In studio
1-D-2
2-B2’s with 3 heads
1 A1X
On location 2 B2’s
Something that may be a bit counter intuitive, but a colleague of mine also has b10's and had damaged screens, which it turns out are pretty expensive to repair, while the strobe section is relatively cheap to repair. So he suggested using the rubber cover on the screen instead of the strobe...makes sense to me at least!
Great video mate, for on the move flash I use a couple godox AD600 pros and a couple AD200pros and a V1 for studio I use the same lights except I have some wall powered godox 600ii so that's 6 lights that are portable and 3 that are not, I find it's good as it gives me flexibility and enough lighting to do what ever is needed,
I recently bought a Godox AD300 Pro as I wanted a light with a modelling lamp. I also have a Neewer speedlight which actually works off the same trigger as the Godox so I now have a two light setup.
Yes...I like the Godox 300! I would like another one but must resist for awhile!
Very good advice again and again!
I have 2 Godox TT685 speedlights in my camera bag at all times.
I am a food and product photographer, so my studio lights are two Godox DP400III, which I hope to supplement with a DP800III. Eventually I’d like to move to the Godox P2400 pack and head system.
Canon EX430 (first flash) Canon EX580 (follow-up ) then Godox (gasp) 4x AD_200 with two ADB2 ...
an enormous level of flexibility compromised only by flash inconsistency.
For a hobbyist, like me, there is no better value. Without doubt; I'd write off (tax expense) a Profoto setup if I were commercial.
Hello Daniel, Thank you for this as I am at present thinking about updating my old Nikon SB900, I am looking at the Profoto A10 for some of my work to go with my Z9. I also shoot with Broncolor that I love but they do not do any thing like the A10. From what I have seen Profoto just work like the Broncolor system. I just would like a system that works 100% of the time. Thank you for all you do. Keep well, keep safe and enjoy life it is too short.
I have 2 lights, flashpoint HSS and evolv 200
great, for digital 35 mm photographers, but what about if you want a light setup for film, aka a Hasselblad, Bronica, or Mamiya medium format setup, where TTL/ hot shoe is non existant, or a luxury, and a pc socket is the normal find.
Currently just use 3 speed lights with a couple of softboxs
Thanks to you (and Seth Miranda) I have two Profoto B10s, a B10-plus, and two A10X units. The only thing I want now is a D2 Air TTL to stop dancers mid leap and handle larger modifiers. But I can’t justify the cost.
I Dan I work with dancers all the time,,,I use Einstein 640(not wireless)but works great($500) I have a few of them and use one as an edge light...you really dont need Pro foto...slick and nice but no better...I paid way too much for a few of their umbrellas!
Thanks for the vid. I use three Canon 580EX II and Godox X1R trigs for location portraits. It would be interesting to see what mods you’d pair with your kit on a location shoot. Thanks
I want to see the episode on grip. I just got a flag frame in the mail today
Coming up soon
Cool video. I've found myself carrying 4 lights. One 500ws, 2 250ws, and a speed light because every once in a while I find myself needing just a little more light than what I can muster with the 250ws light. It usually stays packed away in the car, but has been a life saver on more than one occasion. What do you do when you're in that situation?
I try to plan ahead and rent if I need it.
Hi Daniel, followed the link, subscribed to the website to download the Ebook but can't find the PDF
Sorry, Got it, I white listed you but still got into the you know what mail folder. Thanks
Great video Daniel and I totally understand about minimizing your kit. For lighting I'm stilling playing around with what should be in the kit, but I think I've got a pretty good idea. Here is what I've put together (All Profoto): 1 B10, 2 A2s, 1 A10 and a Pro Connect. I also own a B10 Plus and a pair of B2s with battery packs but I wanted to keep it small.
Just wondering why Profoto vs say, Godox ? Profoto are quite expensive.
They’ve always been reliable
👍📷😎
A minimalist guitar player will have at his disposal 54 electric guitars, 12 acoustics, and 23 amps.
But don't you also say the more lights you use, the more you can charge? 😉
B10 $ 1495,- where does the "minimalist" comes in ??
the same equipment but in godox brand !!!, ad200 and v1. greetings from México