The EC200 is an extension cable which allows you to mount the detachable head on top of a light stand and the head unit at the bottom. It’s takes more time to set up but having the weight at the bottom helps the stability if you use lightstands. In practice I found it a bit of a faff to set up at weddings. Magmod So no real surprises. The AD200 is less powerful than the AD360 but more than the normal speedlight. However, It may surprise some that there is only a 1/3 stop difference between the AD200 and the AD360. Whilst in percentage terms that seems a lot (ie. 33%), the AD200 of course is much more portable with the integrated battery. Technically not a Godox AD200 accessory but I think it’s fair to say that this is the light modifier of choice for most wedding photographers. Even with the introduction of the Godox AD300 which are much more like the Profoto B10's, I am not remotely tempted to switch. The fact they fit neatly into my camera bag. Slip into my think tank pouch so I can carry one on my hip when I am walking to take photos. It’s just perfect for a wedding photographer on the move. Pre-AD200. I was using the Godox AD360. This was a popular flash amongst wedding photographers. However, the was external bare bulb flash only. This meant I had to use a light modifier and usually large one like a softbox or beauty dish. In the field it wasn’t always the most practical solution. It was also quite an intimidating set up to hand to a bridesmaid or best man if you needed help during a wedding.

The reason is because more powerful, I can use a lower power setting to emit the same amount of light and minimise the flash recycle time. For example if using speedlights I had to use 1/4 power to light a scene. With the AD200, I could shoot at say 1/32 and have almost unlimited flashes whereas on the speedlight I'd have to wait for the battery to recycle. This means if something unexpected happens. I don’t need to worry about the flash recycle time and I can concentrate on capturing the moment. The speedlight, fresnel head is by far the most useful for weddings due to the plethora of light modifiers available already.

Top of the list for me was Magmod. Suddenly I could use their innovative lighting solutions and still pump out much more power than a single speedlight. But more on this later!

With the introduction of the AD200. Suddenly we had an all in one solution that used the Fresnel head. Suddenly we could use all the light modifiers designed for speedlights! Something us wedding photographers did a lot. I often use this combination for group photos and wedding portraits (time permitting) and corporate headshots.To get into the custom menu, long press the C.Fn button which is also the test fire button. One of the first things I recommend you do if like me you will be using this for weddings is switch off the beep. This is F01 and it should be set to OFF. The reason I use the AD200’s indoors rather than speedlights is simply because of the power. And by that I don’t mean I shoot at full power. No no! That’d be retina scorching after a while. I don’t use high speed sync. If I wanted to keep the aperture shallow then I would have to go into HSS mode. In which case I don’t think one AD200 would be enough to overpower the sun due to the power loss inherent with HSS. If you are mounting AD200's on a light stand. Then my strong advice is to either have someone hold it or use a weight like a sandbag to stop the stand from toppling over.

I’ve had quite a few messages from people asking what the differences are between them and if the additional cost is worth it. The photo above was taken just before sunset with a single Godox AD200 using the Magmod & Maggrid/Magsphere from camera left. And single AD200 behind the bride & groom with fresnel head, no modifier. If you do find yourself often in these situations at a wedding then you may want to consider a more powerful flash. Godox have released a range of strobes with more power. From the AD300 right the way to the upcoming retina burning AD1200! More powerful flashes will give you the option to use larger light modifiers to help you project softer light for better results.There! If you are a stats nerd then fill your boots! 🙂 Suffice to say it pretty much has all the features you'd expect from a modern flash and some you'll probably never use. Interface At weddings, the Godox AD200’s are my main flashes for pretty much everything. Outdoors for groups. Portraits. Indoors, I use them to light speeches, first dances and occasionally if the situation demands, wedding ceremonies.

Overall the LCD is perfectly usable. My only minor quibble is I'd like to have seen the rear LCD to be a little brighter. It can be hard to see in bright sunlight but it's not a big deal. I no longer take the bare bulb head out to weddings with me. The only times I’ve used it in the last two years were for commercial headshots where I can put the barebulb head into a softbox. And more recently for a destination wedding where I opted to take the AD-S7 softbox due to its small, portable size. For me the most exciting change was really the flash holder/umbrella mount. That says a lot really! Godox have added a couple of small holes in the chassis which the flash holder now fits into when tightened up. The flash will no longer accidentally come loose and rotate around like with the non-pro version. This is a big improvement and had this been on the original AD200, I would have never have bought the Magshoe’s! Whilst technically Magmod did not design their softbox specifically for the AD200. They do work really well with it. Three years on and competitors have tried to copy the AD200. The Yongnuo YN200 and the Geekoto GT-200 are two that spring to mind. But in my opinion, none are really challenging the Godox AD200. The Technical StuffYou can change groups by pressing the GR/CH button and change to a different channel by holding down the same button for two seconds then using the dial to choose which channel you would like. Three years after their release, there are imitators but no-one close to competing with this innovative flash. The Godox AD200's really are the perfect mix of flexibility, portability as well as being great value for money.