This was a great review. I have had this accessory for several months and really haven’t used it. Now I am heading into the studio to set it up with the new Glow Wing Like modifier. Thanks. Super well done.
Great overview and assessment of the AD-B2, Wes. I've had mine for quite a while and find it indispensable. One "feature" that you overlooked that it shares with S-Type brackets is the slightly greater than 6-inch diameter plastic ring on the front of the device surrounding the Bowens mount. That plastic flange makes the AD-B2 and S-Type brackets directly compatible with those folding, spring-metal framed softboxes that hardly anyone uses. If you sand or file off just the rounded edge of this flange, the AD-B2 and, more usefully, S-Type brackets can be used in place of 152mm/6" speed ring inserts. Since I've pretty much standardized on AD200s, I have a few S-type brackets mounted directly to my most used softboxes. The brackets pop in where a Bowens (or other) speed ring insert would normally go.
Oh...I actually tried to mount one of those to my AD-B2 last summer in a pinch and couldn’t get it to stay on. Ended up having to use some huge zip ties to secure it 😂
It was a tough situation. I was traveling to a wedding in Grand Rapids, and the two stores that rented equipment when I was making my plans stopped renting equipment by the the time I arrived there (super annoying). And neither of them even carried softboxes anymore (pretty sorry state of photography gear selection for a decent sized city like that). One of the stores still had this old, beat up, softbox leftover in a corner of the their warehouse after selling off their rental stock, and sold it to me for $5. It was the best I could come up with! Haha.
You could probably find a replacement (or other) knob to replace the handle with. I had thought about doing that with some of my S-brackets (I assume that if you turn the handle so it loosens, eventually it will unscrew itself). I think this bracket is good for those who maybe need 400ws in a pinch, but otherwise have 2+ AD200's and don't want to go with the bulk of, say, and AD400. I mean when you think about it, two AD200's plus the B2 bracket costs about the same price as the AD400 pro. And granted there are other potential areas for concern, like both strobes firing at the same time consistently, it is a bit more flexible because you can go back to using two separate lights if you need to, and then use the B2 bracket if you want a single 400ws light, plus two AD200's with the bracket is much smaller than the AD400 probably so packing them for travel may be easier too.
I have been using this for a year at least and love it. I live in Arizona, and when it's full sunlight, I need the ad600 for the key light, but put this together for a backlight or hair light and I can get the distance I need to keep it out of the shot.
Competing with the sun is all about distance and modifiers. The further away your flash, and the bigger the modifier, the more power you need. If you want the soft modifier not right next to your subject, you pretty much need the 600. If something smaller or closer, you can do the AD-B2.
@@WesPerry Thanks Wes. In your first review video I thought you said two 200's were stronger than the 600 when combined, or perhaps I am incorrect and need to rewatch it .. Also, considering recycle time, would a photographer be better off with 2 200's or one 600 for their first purchase, for outdoor sunny portrait model photography . Thanks !
Depends if you’re talking regular 200 or pro. The regulars can be really slow to cycle, especially in HSS at high power levels. The 600’s don’t struggle with HSS quite so much.
Even though it was published 3+ years ago, I found it very helpful! P.S. Can I use just on AD200Pro and one bulb with it? To get LED/modelling light, for example...
Just did the math and with both lights and batteries installed AD-B2: 2.4kg AD400: 2.1kg Close, but the 400 being a more streamlined setup is both smaller and lighter.
Hello! Thank you for the insight! I am about to buy a couple of AD200 pro's with the AD-B2. My question is, are the LEDs on the AD-B2 brighter than the AD-L head that goes on a single AD200? As you mentioned on the video, the leds on the AD-B2 are 20 watts each whereas the AD-L is 3.6 watts. I cannot imagine that the twin leds on the AD-B2 are almost 10 times brighter than the AD-L. It makes the AD-L dead on arrival.
Hi Wes, great video as usual. Thank you for sharing. I've just done some tests and discovered that in fact adb2 is not really that powerful with two ad200 compared to a single ad200 with fresnel head. I used light meter and my results were as follows: adb2 with two ad200s plus 7inch reflector gave me F11 when a single ad200 with fresnel head gave me F16. If I use single ad200 with magsphere it will give me same F11 as adb2. What are your thoughts on that? Is there any point to use adb2 when in fact it's not that powerful? Cheers
I think you’re going to have to look at the directionality of the light in your testing. Where it’s more powerful is when you put it in a well diffused soft box. The fresnel head fires directional light straight ahead, so often fools people testing it with a light meter by generating a central hot spot that gets metered high. In actual practice, though, in a double diffused soft box, the AD-B2 yields more light overall. Not just one really bright hot spot.
@@WesPerry fair enough, good point. I bought adb2 to have more power when I need it for family group photos at the weddings. I normally don't have time to set up a softbox but it's really fast to put a 7inch reflect with a sock on adb2. So will do another test to see if adb2 spread of light has more power in comparison to ad200.
@@MI-ni1ck also the fresnel head doesn't allow the use of many of the modifiers.The light from the bare bulb exits in all directions and is suited for reflectors. To use a fresnel head with a the 7 inch reflector is not taking full advantage of how the reflector is designed to distribute light.
Happy New Year Wes ! I have a quick query ... I wanted to know if the AD-B2 will support a AD200 Pro + AD200 together or does it have to be only 2 AD200 at the same time or 2 AD200pro at the same time ? I mean can I mix and match the AD200Pro with the AD200 while using it on the ADB2 ... My AD200 fell and broke so I wanted to upgrade to the Pro version without losing the usability of my ADB2 Thank you all for your support in advance 🌟
Hi, i got 1 ad200, and i need better modeling lamp, is better for me to get this holder, or maybe round head? Ps: if i buy holder , i will probably buy another ad200 in future. Thanks 👍.
Yes and if you need to use three Bowens mount modifiers 1 ad400 pro 1 each ad200 pro and adapter x2 Basically gives you almost 50% more light than s brackets plus modeling lights Helps on those important portrait shoots
I bought a bowens bulb cover for this on eBay, and also asked godox why they don’t make one “Why would we?” “Uhh… because people want one?” “They can buy one on eBay.” BUT … UGH
@@WesPerry Wow. I'm pretty convinced they don't have photographers working at Godox, just engineers and bureaucrats. They're relying too heavily on RUclipsrs (no offense) to explain and sell their often flawed/limited/gelded products. And low-profile covers aren't really available on eBay...mostly 3D custom printed ones on maker-spaces.
hello Wes.. Have you noticed if the LEDs on the AD-B2 have a timer or time limit before they go off? I was doing some video work and after a while (need to time it) they go off and I have to turn on again. I checked to make sure the AD-200s have the Standby Feature set to OFF. Thanks!
Not quite, no. The AD600 pro meters as F11 +9/10, while the AD-B2 meters at F11 +5/10. An even bigger difference, though, is the cycle time. At max output, the AD600 cycles a tiny bit faster, and doesn’t overheat for a long time. The AD200’s will overheat pretty quickly when fired at 1/1 repeatedly.
Nothing fancy at all. In this vid it’s a cheap Neewer LED ring light as the main light, and then the AD600 Pro modeling lamp and stock reflector for the side light.
Oh wow, those didn’t last long. I so wish the AD600 Pro reflector cover/cap fit on it. That thing is great and super versatile. I actually had to buy mine on eBay since I’m in Canada: rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253403534501
You set up your videos like me and same music ! haha . Can I ask ..... your on manual focus, what lens and aperture did you set. Your alway on focus and wide open?
There’s only so much free music to go around, apparently 😏 I’m using continuous face detect autofocus on the a9 at f/1.6, not manual. Makes life super easy when you can just trust it to do its thing!
Thanks, very sharp. No hunting :) Im a big Godox fan, have most of there gear and currently selling all my mains stobes as I can get some AD-B2 and make up two 400watt stobes. As long as batteries hold up, which I have spares, I will be far more portable/lighter and won't trip over cables lol
Well, if or when I sell my two 400w mains strobes I will buy a 4th AD200 and a couple of B2 and that will make up 2 x 400w portable units. When I do event photography I wont need to use mains and trip over cables! Godox have reinvented lights. Dont need my quantum battery packs, don't need my 4 pocket wizards and dont need my mains strobes ( yes I have 4 !) Pretty annoying thou!!!
AD200’s are definitely great for event photography. Most of the time they have enough power on their own as well. As long as you’re not firing them much past 1/8 power they’ll recycle like crazy.
I wish both electrical contact strips where rotated 180, facing the pins outwards, so that the AD200 could be slided in from the outside inwards. I like to mount (thin) PeakDesign capture system standard plates on the wide side of my AD200s (to be able to snap them on my belt or backpack shoulder plate when I use the EC200 extension) and with them fitted I cannot put the AD200s in the AD-B2.
Although I have no personal experience with this, I’ve heard that the wire placement was changed slightly in a silent V2 revision of the EC200’s to allow them to work with the AD-B2
@@WesPerry Correct, that was to allow the use of 2 EC200s(v2) at once with the AD-B2, because EC200(v1) had the cable coming out in such an angle that prevented that. But my issue/sugestion is not with the EC200 extension, its with the electrical pins of the AD-B2 interface itself being exposed inwards facing each other, living a little/minimal gap to clip the second AD200 after one AD200 has already been clipped onto the AD-B2. If any of those AD200s has a plate (arca Swiss style) attached then it becomes impossible to clip the second AD200 in place. I use a PeakDesign standard plate (thinner than a standard Arca Swiss plate) attached to each of my 2 AD200s (on the wide side) to allow for quick snap on/off onto mini tripods with mini-ballheads and quick release clamps or my PeakDesign camera capture clip on my belt. These PeakDesign plates are tightly fixed in place and require a tool to be removed, with makes it that much more of an hassle to do if/when I want to attached both my AD200s on the same AD-B2. If the AD-B2 electrical contacts would be facing outwards instead then I would be able to slide then in place from the outwards without needing to remove the plates from both AD200s as those would now be on the external side away from each other.. EDIT: I realised that the reason that the pins are placed the way they are might be because of the need to have the AD200's optical sensors facing outwards in case one was to trigger them in optical-slave (S1/S2) mode.
@@WesPerry I have the ADB2 and 2 x EC200 but can't use both the EC200 at same time because the ports on the ADB2 face the wrong way. I bought them recently. The EC200 are not marked V2, how do you know which version your buying ?
It’s actually really hard to tell whether or not you have the V2. It’s pretty annoying, really. I had figured that they’d be out of V1’s by now, though.
@@WesPerry My mistake, I have the V2. It does fit. I was just being dumb and rushed the way I tried to fit it. All works Ps great channel. I love your reviews
Hi Wes thanks for the video. I've got a question, Does the modelling light(s) go off when the bulbs flash? I mean like a proper modelling light functionality. Or do they stay on?
@@WesPerry Some Cheetah softboxes have been much praised by a few pros for having a narrow profile bowens adaptor that allows the light bulbs to end up being deeper inside the softbox (closer to its ideal optical focus point) and not having too much of the light exiting sideways from the bulbs being wasted hitting the close-by metal ring of the deep/standart bowens mount. With S-brackets one can simply push the single AD 200 deeper inside to place the bulb there but with the AD-B2 one looses that ability. Also interesting if you could refer the potencial to use the AD-B2 with 2 ER200 extensions on a boom rod and use the 2 AD200s as counterweights on the rear end of the boom.
interesting, i saw a video for the led light for the ad200 where he powered the led head direct from a Sony battery. So i'm wondering could you power one of the leds with the ad200 and the other with the same mod used on the led light giving a good video light without buying a second ad200
@@WesPerry ruclips.net/video/5HFJxpLsQik/видео.html pretty sure that the leds would be using the same connectors after all they both connect to the ad200. the other thing might be to use the ad-b2 separate to the ad200. i think i will buy the ad-b2 anyway since the led head + bowens mount would be around the same cost.
No idea how you manage it to turn on the two LED-Lights, would have been nice to show it exactly (I only see you press something on the AD 200´s back, but what?) Sorry, maybe I´m too stupid to figure it out.
You press the Sun/HSS button on the bottom right hand corner of the back of the AD200. Each time you press it it cycles through one of the power output settings.
Yes, but they only stay on for 10-15 minutes before shutting off automatically (you can turn them right back on again) I used to use it all the time for video, actually, before I got my hands on more “real” video lights.
Thanks for the review. I must add the following: the AD B2 unfortunately is slightly incompatible with some 5/8 inches spigots, e.g. from Walimex. Its mount is about 3 mm too short so it does not fit very well on the spigot and it is impossible to mount it properly. This is important if you want to connect large softboxes like my Godox P120L. So build quality for me is just a 3 out of 10.
I haven’t tested it yet, but the longest I’ve run them is 45 minutes I think. I doubt you could get more than an hour out of them, though. They have 41 watt hour batteries, so with no efficiency losses, that would be a max of 2 hours (each LED is 20W). So somewhere between 1 and 2 hours in all likelihood. They shut themselves off after about 15 minutes, which can be a bit annoying, depending on what you’re doing. The AD600 Pro does the same, though.
@@WesPerry Thank you, that is extremely useful. I shoot personal headshot sessions that normally run around 30 minutes each so, in theory at least, I could use the modelling lights during a typical session without the batteries running down on me. Thanks again, you have been a great help.
At the same power level the AD400 will have wildly faster recycle times (ie < 1 sec vs 2.5 sec @ full power), + some people state if you hammer the AD200's at full power, their battery doesn't cope as well as the AD400/600's will.@@karaokekingskingdom
Hi Walo: I tried his Amazon US link and they do not know if they will ever have the cover again. I tried his Amazon CA link and it took me to EBAY where the covers are available. Like 9,00 dollars.
This was a great review. I have had this accessory for several months and really haven’t used it. Now I am heading into the studio to set it up with the new Glow Wing Like modifier. Thanks. Super well done.
Thanks for your video. I bought the Godox AD-B2 after I watched your videos. =D
Great overview and assessment of the AD-B2, Wes. I've had mine for quite a while and find it indispensable. One "feature" that you overlooked that it shares with S-Type brackets is the slightly greater than 6-inch diameter plastic ring on the front of the device surrounding the Bowens mount. That plastic flange makes the AD-B2 and S-Type brackets directly compatible with those folding, spring-metal framed softboxes that hardly anyone uses. If you sand or file off just the rounded edge of this flange, the AD-B2 and, more usefully, S-Type brackets can be used in place of 152mm/6" speed ring inserts. Since I've pretty much standardized on AD200s, I have a few S-type brackets mounted directly to my most used softboxes. The brackets pop in where a Bowens (or other) speed ring insert would normally go.
Oh...I actually tried to mount one of those to my AD-B2 last summer in a pinch and couldn’t get it to stay on. Ended up having to use some huge zip ties to secure it 😂
@@WesPerry So you're the guy who uses those guaranteed-to-fall-off springy folding softboxes! Not to worry, Wes. Your secret is safe with us.
It was a tough situation. I was traveling to a wedding in Grand Rapids, and the two stores that rented equipment when I was making my plans stopped renting equipment by the the time I arrived there (super annoying). And neither of them even carried softboxes anymore (pretty sorry state of photography gear selection for a decent sized city like that). One of the stores still had this old, beat up, softbox leftover in a corner of the their warehouse after selling off their rental stock, and sold it to me for $5. It was the best I could come up with! Haha.
Excellent complete review. Thank you!
Nice video! I'm going to buy it, it's like having a AD400 but more portable :D
Well...once you put everything together I think it’s a tiny bit bigger than an AD400. But it is certainly more modular, and easier to flat pack.
You could probably find a replacement (or other) knob to replace the handle with. I had thought about doing that with some of my S-brackets (I assume that if you turn the handle so it loosens, eventually it will unscrew itself). I think this bracket is good for those who maybe need 400ws in a pinch, but otherwise have 2+ AD200's and don't want to go with the bulk of, say, and AD400. I mean when you think about it, two AD200's plus the B2 bracket costs about the same price as the AD400 pro. And granted there are other potential areas for concern, like both strobes firing at the same time consistently, it is a bit more flexible because you can go back to using two separate lights if you need to, and then use the B2 bracket if you want a single 400ws light, plus two AD200's with the bracket is much smaller than the AD400 probably so packing them for travel may be easier too.
But 2x ad200 gives you more flexibility, compared to one AD400... Just to say
I absolutely love your style man. Great job!
Subscribed and by the way I own that set up and love it!
Thanks! And it’s definitely a very interesting setup!
Recently found you here, Wes. Another cool review. 😁 Cheers!!
I have been using this for a year at least and love it. I live in Arizona, and when it's full sunlight, I need the ad600 for the key light, but put this together for a backlight or hair light and I can get the distance I need to keep it out of the shot.
hi is this good if i dont have a ad600 but still want to compete w the sun outdoors?
Competing with the sun is all about distance and modifiers. The further away your flash, and the bigger the modifier, the more power you need. If you want the soft modifier not right next to your subject, you pretty much need the 600. If something smaller or closer, you can do the AD-B2.
@@WesPerry Thanks Wes. In your first review video I thought you said two 200's were stronger than the 600 when combined, or perhaps I am incorrect and need to rewatch it ..
Also, considering recycle time, would a photographer be better off with 2 200's or one 600 for their first purchase, for outdoor sunny portrait model photography . Thanks !
Depends if you’re talking regular 200 or pro. The regulars can be really slow to cycle, especially in HSS at high power levels. The 600’s don’t struggle with HSS quite so much.
@@WesPerry Never had an issue
Even though it was published 3+ years ago, I found it very helpful! P.S. Can I use just on AD200Pro and one bulb with it? To get LED/modelling light, for example...
Yes, you can ;)
@@WesPerry Waiting for my AD-B2 to be delivered from @StrobeproStudio
Nice overview Wes. What interessts me is the weight ready to use. I dont find anny data especially in comparison with the ad400pro.
Just did the math and with both lights and batteries installed
AD-B2: 2.4kg
AD400: 2.1kg
Close, but the 400 being a more streamlined setup is both smaller and lighter.
@Wes Perry Amazing! Thank you very much 🙏
Now I don't know - should i sell 2 of my 4 ad200 and buy a 400pro or go with adb2....hmm
Well, I know that the Cheaper option is. Haha
I purchased one of these for my two ad200’s and I love it and I paid $25 for mines brand new
I bought the duel AD 200 kit and the AD-B came with the kit. I’m thinking I could use, just have to remember to pack it .
No reason not to try!
Whit what camera do you film yourself? Awesome quality!
This one was shot on a Sony a9 with the Sony/Zeiss 35 1.4
Thank you for the video! Does it work with just one AD200? Or do you need two attached for it work?
You can mix and match to your heart’s content ;) each side is a separate circuit.
Hello! Thank you for the insight! I am about to buy a couple of AD200 pro's with the AD-B2. My question is, are the LEDs on the AD-B2 brighter than the AD-L head that goes on a single AD200?
As you mentioned on the video, the leds on the AD-B2 are 20 watts each whereas the AD-L is 3.6 watts. I cannot imagine that the twin leds on the AD-B2 are almost 10 times brighter than the AD-L. It makes the AD-L dead on arrival.
They are indeed Much brighter on the AD-B2. I use them for video work regularly.
@@WesPerry awesome! thank you very much.
Hi Wes, great video as usual. Thank you for sharing. I've just done some tests and discovered that in fact adb2 is not really that powerful with two ad200 compared to a single ad200 with fresnel head. I used light meter and my results were as follows: adb2 with two ad200s plus 7inch reflector gave me F11 when a single ad200 with fresnel head gave me F16. If I use single ad200 with magsphere it will give me same F11 as adb2. What are your thoughts on that? Is there any point to use adb2 when in fact it's not that powerful? Cheers
I think you’re going to have to look at the directionality of the light in your testing. Where it’s more powerful is when you put it in a well diffused soft box. The fresnel head fires directional light straight ahead, so often fools people testing it with a light meter by generating a central hot spot that gets metered high. In actual practice, though, in a double diffused soft box, the AD-B2 yields more light overall. Not just one really bright hot spot.
@@WesPerry fair enough, good point. I bought adb2 to have more power when I need it for family group photos at the weddings. I normally don't have time to set up a softbox but it's really fast to put a 7inch reflect with a sock on adb2. So will do another test to see if adb2 spread of light has more power in comparison to ad200.
@@MI-ni1ck also the fresnel head doesn't allow the use of many of the modifiers.The light from the bare bulb exits in all directions and is suited for reflectors.
To use a fresnel head with a the 7 inch reflector is not taking full advantage of how the reflector is designed to distribute light.
Great video! I just got one today and I’m just wondering if the bulbs go in a certain way? Does the red dot go in a particular position? Thanks.
Yes, they definitely go in a certain way. There’s a smaller leg that goes in the smaller hole.
Happy New Year Wes !
I have a quick query ...
I wanted to know if the AD-B2 will support a AD200 Pro + AD200 together or does it have to be only 2 AD200 at the same time or 2 AD200pro at the same time ?
I mean can I mix and match the AD200Pro with the AD200 while using it on the ADB2 ...
My AD200 fell and broke so I wanted to upgrade to the Pro version without losing the usability of my ADB2
Thank you all for your support in advance 🌟
Yes, you can mix and match them, but I’ve heard the Pro is very tight in the bracket (but does fit)
Hi, i got 1 ad200, and i need better modeling lamp, is better for me to get this holder, or maybe round head?
Ps: if i buy holder , i will probably buy another ad200 in future. Thanks 👍.
This is quite a bit brighter than the round head. Also has a better LED colour (round is yellower).
BUT be aware no matter what the AD200 light only stays on for about 15 mins before automatically shutting down, regardless of battery life.
if you are two photographers, you can set each AD200 to different channel and both of you, can use same modifier.
Interesting idea!
Yes and if you need to use three Bowens mount modifiers
1 ad400 pro
1 each ad200 pro and adapter x2
Basically gives you almost 50% more light than s brackets plus modeling lights
Helps on those important portrait shoots
Hola, a la fecha lo sigues usando??? lei en algunos grupos que con el uso los bulbos se tienen a quemar (malograr)
Yep! I still use it in the studio every week!
If Godox made low-profile Bowen's covers for their products and bare bulb storage options, the ecosystem would feel more cohesive and practical.
I bought a bowens bulb cover for this on eBay, and also asked godox why they don’t make one
“Why would we?”
“Uhh… because people want one?”
“They can buy one on eBay.”
BUT … UGH
@@WesPerry Wow. I'm pretty convinced they don't have photographers working at Godox, just engineers and bureaucrats. They're relying too heavily on RUclipsrs (no offense) to explain and sell their often flawed/limited/gelded products. And low-profile covers aren't really available on eBay...mostly 3D custom printed ones on maker-spaces.
hello Wes.. Have you noticed if the LEDs on the AD-B2 have a timer or time limit before they go off? I was doing some video work and after a while (need to time it) they go off and I have to turn on again. I checked to make sure the AD-200s have the Standby Feature set to OFF. Thanks!
The standby feature of the AD200 is just with regard to the flash unit itself. It’ll still turn off the LED’s after 15 or so minutes.
@@WesPerry thanks for the reply. I was looking to see if there was a way to turn that off but didn't find. I guess it is what it is...
I think it’s overheating protection, so probably would be best to not turn it off. It doesn’t have a fan like most powerful LED lights. 🔥
I only have one Ad200, and I always use bowens mount modifier. Should I go for the H200R with S bracket or this?
If you’re Always using a Bowen’s modifier, I’d say go with this. Then get another AD200 someday.
5:08 - Just got one. The click handle does feel cheap and awkward. I thought there was something wrong with mine, but then I watched this video...
What is brighter, the ad200 LED attachment or the 1X AD B2 LED (not both)
The LED head is only 3.6Watts, while the AD-B2 LED’s are 20W each. The latter is Much brighter.
@@WesPerry awesome thank you 🙏🏼
Your link to the Adorama site for the Bowens Bulb cover links to a cover that customers say is too short for this use.
Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll remove it and check again.
with 2 x AD200 on this AD-B2, will the light output be as powerful as a single AD600 ? Thanks for the video.
Not quite, no. The AD600 pro meters as F11 +9/10, while the AD-B2 meters at F11 +5/10. An even bigger difference, though, is the cycle time. At max output, the AD600 cycles a tiny bit faster, and doesn’t overheat for a long time. The AD200’s will overheat pretty quickly when fired at 1/1 repeatedly.
What is the colour temperature of the LED lights? Does it match with AD600pro?
Your lighting/audio RUclips setup looks great. Do you have a vid on your setup gear?
Not yet, no. Maybe soon, since people have been asking. It’s literally just my kitchen, so it’s not actually super interesting 😂
Wes Perry just wondering what light and/or modifier it was. It looks great. Keep up the great vids.
Nothing fancy at all. In this vid it’s a cheap Neewer LED ring light as the main light, and then the AD600 Pro modeling lamp and stock reflector for the side light.
In my more recent AD200 video I put an umbrella in front of the ring light to reduce the “head glare” 😏
I have one! great product..
The protective cover that you link to in USA is no longer available. Any other suggestions.
Oh wow, those didn’t last long. I so wish the AD600 Pro reflector cover/cap fit on it. That thing is great and super versatile.
I actually had to buy mine on eBay since I’m in Canada:
rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253403534501
Wes Perry - Thanks.
You set up your videos like me and same music ! haha . Can I ask ..... your on manual focus, what lens and aperture did you set. Your alway on focus and wide open?
There’s only so much free music to go around, apparently 😏
I’m using continuous face detect autofocus on the a9 at f/1.6, not manual. Makes life super easy when you can just trust it to do its thing!
Thanks, very sharp. No hunting :) Im a big Godox fan, have most of there gear and currently selling all my mains stobes as I can get some AD-B2 and make up two 400watt stobes. As long as batteries hold up, which I have spares, I will be far more portable/lighter and won't trip over cables lol
“Some” AD-B2’s?? How many do you need? Haha
Well, if or when I sell my two 400w mains strobes I will buy a 4th AD200 and a couple of B2 and that will make up 2 x 400w portable units. When I do event photography I wont need to use mains and trip over cables! Godox have reinvented lights. Dont need my quantum battery packs, don't need my 4 pocket wizards and dont need my mains strobes ( yes I have 4 !) Pretty annoying thou!!!
AD200’s are definitely great for event photography. Most of the time they have enough power on their own as well. As long as you’re not firing them much past 1/8 power they’ll recycle like crazy.
I wish both electrical contact strips where rotated 180, facing the pins outwards, so that the AD200 could be slided in from the outside inwards. I like to mount (thin) PeakDesign capture system standard plates on the wide side of my AD200s (to be able to snap them on my belt or backpack shoulder plate when I use the EC200 extension) and with them fitted I cannot put the AD200s in the AD-B2.
Although I have no personal experience with this, I’ve heard that the wire placement was changed slightly in a silent V2 revision of the EC200’s to allow them to work with the AD-B2
@@WesPerry Correct, that was to allow the use of 2 EC200s(v2) at once with the AD-B2, because EC200(v1) had the cable coming out in such an angle that prevented that. But my issue/sugestion is not with the EC200 extension, its with the electrical pins of the AD-B2 interface itself being exposed inwards facing each other, living a little/minimal gap to clip the second AD200 after one AD200 has already been clipped onto the AD-B2.
If any of those AD200s has a plate (arca Swiss style) attached then it becomes impossible to clip the second AD200 in place.
I use a PeakDesign standard plate (thinner than a standard Arca Swiss plate) attached to each of my 2 AD200s (on the wide side) to allow for quick snap on/off onto mini tripods with mini-ballheads and quick release clamps or my PeakDesign camera capture clip on my belt. These PeakDesign plates are tightly fixed in place and require a tool to be removed, with makes it that much more of an hassle to do if/when I want to attached both my AD200s on the same AD-B2. If the AD-B2 electrical contacts would be facing outwards instead then I would be able to slide then in place from the outwards without needing to remove the plates from both AD200s as those would now be on the external side away from each other..
EDIT: I realised that the reason that the pins are placed the way they are might be because of the need to have the AD200's optical sensors facing outwards in case one was to trigger them in optical-slave (S1/S2) mode.
@@WesPerry I have the ADB2 and 2 x EC200 but can't use both the EC200 at same time because the ports on the ADB2 face the wrong way.
I bought them recently.
The EC200 are not marked V2, how do you know which version your buying ?
It’s actually really hard to tell whether or not you have the V2. It’s pretty annoying, really. I had figured that they’d be out of V1’s by now, though.
@@WesPerry My mistake, I have the V2. It does fit. I was just being dumb and rushed the way I tried to fit it.
All works
Ps great channel. I love your reviews
Is it easy to move the light output up and down in unison from a controller - or did you have to nudge one light up then the other light up etc.
Just set them to the same group and then they operate as one. Easy peasy.
@@WesPerry thanks Wes - great review. I think they make a couple of AD200 look a lot more useful. 👌
Hi Wes thanks for the video. I've got a question, Does the modelling light(s) go off when the bulbs flash? I mean like a proper modelling light functionality. Or do they stay on?
Thanks. Can you put a reflector on it and narrow the beam of light?
I sometimes put a cheap Bowens reflector on it that came with some honeycomb grids to narrow it down when needed.
Great video
Great comment 👌🏻😏
Narrow/shallow bowens mount would fit this AD B2, or one should only use the standart/deep bowens mount rings ?
I’m not sure what “narrow Bowens Mount” is.
@@WesPerry Some Cheetah softboxes have been much praised by a few pros for having a narrow profile bowens adaptor that allows the light bulbs to end up being deeper inside the softbox (closer to its ideal optical focus point) and not having too much of the light exiting sideways from the bulbs being wasted hitting the close-by metal ring of the deep/standart bowens mount. With S-brackets one can simply push the single AD 200 deeper inside to place the bulb there but with the AD-B2 one looses that ability. Also interesting if you could refer the potencial to use the AD-B2 with 2 ER200 extensions on a boom rod and use the 2 AD200s as counterweights on the rear end of the boom.
Did a little looking and it would seem that this Won’t fit the Cheetah low profile Bowens.
Dumb question - can you use an AD200 and an AD200Pro in this without things exploding?
Haha yeah
The two sides of the B2 are technically entirely different/independent units.
@@WesPerry Awww yeah! Although, if you said no, they both need to be the same, I'd have the perfect excuse to buy TWO pros! haha
Thanks mate
Hahaha.
I wouldn’t want to stop you, but…maybe save a buck or two. Lol
interesting, i saw a video for the led light for the ad200 where he powered the led head direct from a Sony battery. So i'm wondering could you power one of the leds with the ad200 and the other with the same mod used on the led light giving a good video light without buying a second ad200
Yeah, I suppose you could
I can’t say that I’d recommend doing that, though.
@@WesPerry ruclips.net/video/5HFJxpLsQik/видео.html pretty sure that the leds would be using the same connectors after all they both connect to the ad200. the other thing might be to use the ad-b2 separate to the ad200. i think i will buy the ad-b2 anyway since the led head + bowens mount would be around the same cost.
well no go on the ad-b2 but was able to power up the modeling lamp on the fresnel head
I bought one but how do you turn the model light part on
It’s the light button on the back corner of the flash unit, or by using the control on an XPro.
It's very interesting product
Would the 2 ad200 pro fit the bowens mount?
Yes, but I’ve heard it’s a bit of a tight fit (I haven’t tried it myself).
Is AD-B2 compatible with AD 200 pro?
I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve been told “yes, but it’s a bit tight”
does anyone know how to keep the AD-B2 modeling lights from switching off after a while ? Mine turns off after 30 min or so.
It’s not possible. It’s usually the case with Godox’s battery powered products, to prevents running the batteries down dangerously far.
No idea how you manage it to turn on the two LED-Lights, would have been nice to show it exactly (I only see you press something on the AD 200´s back, but what?) Sorry, maybe I´m too stupid to figure it out.
You press the Sun/HSS button on the bottom right hand corner of the back of the AD200. Each time you press it it cycles through one of the power output settings.
@@WesPerry Thank You very much!
That’s what I’m here for! 👍🏻
Can it be used as a continuous video light?
Yes, but they only stay on for 10-15 minutes before shutting off automatically (you can turn them right back on again)
I used to use it all the time for video, actually, before I got my hands on more “real” video lights.
@@WesPerry Thanks!!!
Thanks for the review. I must add the following: the AD B2 unfortunately is slightly incompatible with some 5/8 inches spigots, e.g. from Walimex. Its mount is about 3 mm too short so it does not fit very well on the spigot and it is impossible to mount it properly. This is important if you want to connect large softboxes like my Godox P120L. So build quality for me is just a 3 out of 10.
What is the color temperature of the two LEDs?
It’s rated at 5600K +\- 200
@@WesPerry Thanks, it looks great! I'm about to purchase one.
Does the LED modelling lamp drain the batteries quickly? It looks fairly bright so it must use a fair amount of battery power.
I haven’t tested it yet, but the longest I’ve run them is 45 minutes I think. I doubt you could get more than an hour out of them, though.
They have 41 watt hour batteries, so with no efficiency losses, that would be a max of 2 hours (each LED is 20W). So somewhere between 1 and 2 hours in all likelihood. They shut themselves off after about 15 minutes, which can be a bit annoying, depending on what you’re doing. The AD600 Pro does the same, though.
@@WesPerry Thank you, that is extremely useful. I shoot personal headshot sessions that normally run around 30 minutes each so, in theory at least, I could use the modelling lights during a typical session without the batteries running down on me. Thanks again, you have been a great help.
Yeah, you should be fine as long as it’s not a marathon session :)
3 levels of brightness on 2 devices gives you 9 different levels total
Permutation without repetition. 3! Or 3x2x1 =6
how does It compare to the ad400
50% more light and slightly larger?
@@WesPerry sorry I meant the ad-b2 set up with two ad200s in comparison to the ad400pro
Ohh sorry. Wrong video in my head ;)
The AD400 Pro will have slightly faster recycle times and slightly better light/color consistency.
At the same power level the AD400 will have wildly faster recycle times (ie < 1 sec vs 2.5 sec @ full power), + some people state if you hammer the AD200's at full power, their battery doesn't cope as well as the AD400/600's will.@@karaokekingskingdom
"do as i say, not as i do" :D :D
👀
It's 1000 USD in Hungary. :(
That’s crazy!
this thing is great, I like it very much. Tried to get the protection cap, but without success.....thx 4 the vid ! saluti walo
Hi Walo: I tried his Amazon US link and they do not know if they will ever have the cover again. I tried his Amazon CA link and it took me to EBAY where the covers are available. Like 9,00 dollars.
Yeah, I seem to have caused a North American clearout of them. Haha. Have to find a new source...
haha 30cm of snow is only 12", not 55" haha
Blah Blah Blah
Does it fit with the godox sa-17?
No, the bulbs are too large as far as I know