We constantly get asked whether or not it’s necessary to have the latest and greatest in lighting equipment or which flash is truly the best on the market. This led us to create some of the most comprehensive online lighting tutorials on the internet, meant to guide you through the tricky, and often, confusing, waters of flash photography. The answer to either of those questions isn’t that simple – everyone has a different budget and different creative needs, and there is no one solution to the age-old question of “which light is best for me?” Instead, we decided it would be best to give you our favorite contenders for a wide range of power.

This article was originally written in 2021 and updated in 2023.

What Flash is Right For You?

We wanted to help you make a more educated decision based on how much power you need, what brand of flash you already own, and what budget you are working with. We are all about offering options based on positive results and luckily we’ve gone through months and years of testing some of these lights to give you the best of the best photography lighting equipment for every budget. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you purchase your first camera flash:

• How much power do I need?
• What is my budget?
• How often do I use flash?
• Do I need a constant light?
• Do I need more than one?

Once you’ve answered those questions, you should have a pretty clear indication of the purpose behind your purchase. It is so common to simply buy gear for the sake of it. So, for example, if you are more of an all-around photographer and only use flash for portraits and events every once in a while, then you should honestly spend more money on your lenses, and get one of the more affordable flashes!

The Best Camera Flashes

Most photographers start with one compact flash, on-camera. Almost all modern-day mirrorless and DSLR cameras come with a hot-shoe mount for this very reason and are also why our Lighting 101 course only discusses how to use your on-camera flash to create flattering and dynamic images. Once you’ve developed enough comfortability using an on-camera flash, then it’s time to move on to a more complex set-up and dive into off-camera flash photography.

With that being said, these are our top contenders for off-camera flash equipment in the 50-75Ws range:

Canon 430EX III-RT

The Canon 430EX III-RT is priced at just under $300. That’s a big deal, because its predecessor, the Canon 600EX-RT, debuted at $600. And yet, the Canon 430EX III-RT is almost as robust and powerful, at half the price!

This flash basically has everything that you’d want in a flash. Compared to most third-party options, the Canon has two advantages. In our opinion, it’s totally worth the price tag.

Firstly, since this is a Canon flash on a Canon device, you are going to get better operative features, like the autofocus assist in low light situations. Third-party flashes don’t always work perfectly with every autofocus mode and option that every Canon camera has. If you’re doing a lot of professional work, then it may be worthwhile to spend the money on the Canon 430EX III-RT, simply because everything works.

The other advantage of the 430EX III-RT is that it’s a little bit more refined in its menu system and controls. Third-party flashes are often confusing and even downright cumbersome to setup or use.  Other options have admittedly come a long way in recent years, but still, one thing Canon has always done well is create a user-friendly, intuitive interface. And now, having Canon’s reliable, durable quality in such a compact, affordable package is an obvious winner. (For you Nikon and Sony users out there, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on…)

• Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT (Adorama | B&H | Amazon)

Other Favorite(Small) Best Camera Flash

• Profoto A10 (Adorama | B&H | Amazon)
  At $1,195, the Profoto A10 is a high-end professional tool, indeed. The quality, reliability, and performance are only worth it if you’re heavily relying on your flashes to pay the bills.
• Godox Zoom Li-on R2 VING V860II (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji) (Adorama | B&H | Amazon)
  For $248 in a kit with the XPro TTL trigger, this flash has it all: a proprietary lithium-ion battery, a built-in flash head zoom range of 20-200mm.
• Yongnuo YN600EX-RTII (Adorama | B&H | Amazon)
  For just $138, this flash offers quite a lot, including 5 wireless groupings and 15 channels Unfortunately, it’s only available for Canon, and it likely won’t be compatible with the newest Canon mirrorless cameras.
• Godox V1 (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax) (Adorama | B&H | Amazon)
  At $259 for just the flash or $328 with the Xpro trigger, it’s a bit more expensive than the V860, but this compact hotshoe flash offers a circular strobe, and the optional accessory kit of  fitted filters, making it perfect for wedding photojournalism.

These flashes are compatible with on-camera flash photography and off-camera flash photography which is why they make our list. When we look for flashes we focus on versatility, weight, performance, and quality over time.

Honorable Mentions

Godox TT685S II Flash (Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic)

The Godox TT685S II Flash is a great “brand agnostic” on-camera and off-camera flash. It is a full-feature flash, including a built-in radio system, TTL compatibility, and high-speed sync! (HSS) At $129, it’s far less expensive than any name-brand equivalent, of course.

Pros 

The Godox TT685S II has all the features – TTL, front/rear curtain sync, high-speed sync, and a built-in radio system. It has four wireless groupings and 32 channels; basically everything you could need!

It has a good recycle time and a good wireless range. It has external power input, and a metal hotshoe. The recycle time is a mere 0.1 seconds at the lowest power, and 2.6 sec at the highest power.

Cons

This flash certainly “has it all”, so, the only downside with the Godox TT685S II is something that all third-party flashes may encounter, espeically lately: Canon, Nikon, and Sony may change their electronic hotshoe communication with newer cameras. Thus a third-party option may become either completely incompatible, or just lose HSS/TTL function.

Therefore, we do highly recommend making sure this flash is compatible, especially if you get one of the latest mirrorless cameras such as the Canon EOS R8.

2. Yongnuo YN560 IV Wireless Flash Speedlite

The Yongnuo YN560 IV is our most affordable, basic recommendation for aspiring or part-time professional photographers, or hobbyists who are on a very tight budget. Priced at a mere $85 per flash, you can purchase two or three flashes and still come out ahead of just one of some other flashes!

Having said that, its functions are truly basic. There is no TTL and no HSS, just manual flash power. This is perfect for those who are just getting started, of course, because of its simplicity, and you quickly learn the very important skill of manual flash power control.

Pros:

It is all manual, no-frills, and extremely affordable. This is the perfect flash for you if you prefer simple tools and want to use manual control. Maybe you’re a serious portrait photographer who does photo shoots once in a while, and you need 2-3 basic strobes for on and/or off-camera work. Maybe you’re an aspiring professional, and your startup budget is constrained.

As full-time wedding photographers, our studio has plenty of team members who have used these flashes. Simply put, if you take good care of them, they’ll last long enough to help you make enough money to afford a better quality, more advanced flagship model, if that’s what you ultimately decide you need.

Cons:

We’ll start the same way: It’s an all-manual flash, so if you’re looking for an advanced high-end unit with all the bells and whistles, this is the opposite. Having said that, we actually consider this a pro, for those who are, in fact, looking for manual control. The Yongnuo 560 IV is just delightfully simple and easy to use.

NOTE: The Yongnuo 560 series of flashes, including the Yongnuo 560 III, are so simple that they may even work cross-platform. For example, I can use a Canon-compatible Yongnuo on my Sony and Nikon mirrorless cameras!

The real drawback is the simple fact that any sub-$100 flash is going to have sub-par build quality, of course. If you drop one of these things, there’s a good chance you’ll destroy it. I’ve dropped mine plenty of times, and sometimes they survive, but other times they’re toast. This is true of all flashes, of course. But when you break one of these, the price tag of $85 usually means you simply toss it and buy another one. This is just not a good practice in the long run, both for your wallet and for the environment. They’re still an excellent value, and they make great backup units if you eventually do upgrade to something else.

Conclusion

If you want to learn more about lighting, be sure to check out our Lighting 101 and Lighting 201 courses. Both are accessible as a Premium Member. For more information on why we love these flashes and how we use them for wedding and portrait photography, stream our full library of lighting courses in SLR Lounge Premium!

Frio to create a lineup of incredibly innovative and resourceful lighting tools to do just that: solve problems. Each cold shoe mount is designed to help navigate through tough lighting conditions to make your job a little bit easier. Let’s take a look at why these tools deserve a permanent place in every pro’s kit and what solutions the lineup has to offer.

Frio Cold Shoe Mount Setups

• Frio Grasp Mini: With 360° base articulation and non-marring pads, this little wonder can make a big difference. Think outside the conventional shot and attach Frio Grasp Mini to anything round or flat, including table edges, stair railings, poles—pretty much anything short of the neighbor’s cat.
• Frio Grasp Bigi: Just like its pint-sized counterpart, the Frio Grasp Bigi mounts on anything round or flat—just bigger things. The Frio Grasp Bigi can also stand on its own, doubling as a mini-tripod. Even better, its adjustable stabilizer claw creates a third contact point for extra-secure mounting, giving you even more flexibility. Attach the Frio Grasp Bigi to everything from table edges and chairs to beams and stair railings for a strong, sturdy mount.
• Frio Cling: The Frio Cling securely attaches to smooth and nonporous surfaces like mirrors, windows, countertops—even car hoods. It’s perfect for portrait shots in which there’s no room for setting up a stand, mounting to a mirror in a bride’s makeup room, or even lighting up intricate auto engine shots.
• Frio Arch: With 360° base articulation, you can position the Frio Arch in any direction, providing you with countless ways to direct light in the most dynamic shoot environments.

Related Reading: What is the Best Cold Shoe Flash Bracket? | Never Break A Speedlight Again

Portable & Undetectable

All of the cold shoe mounts are meant to be transported and portable. I threw mine in my light stand bag, with no compartment for them to sit in, and they managed to make it through a month of travel banging against my light stands and tripod. It almost felt like I had a trick up my sleeve when I would pull out my flash, attach it to the Frio Cling and set it up on the window.

The best thing about being able to mount your flash on surfaces is how inconspicuous they are. If you analyze spotlights on stages or in restaurants/hotels you’ll notice that the best ones are undetectable. Light stands sometimes take up too much space in a small room or can get tripped over (speaking purely from personal experience). You can see in the image above that I was able to attach the Cling to the window and still give the videographer and my second shooter plenty of space to shoot.

Efficient & Easy to Use

I think it’s safe to say that wedding photographers are constantly on the lookout for tools to speed up their processes and add function and purpose to their workflow. The Frio cold shoe mounts all provide a different solution for the tricky lighting situations we often come across. Not to mention, when you are working solo and don’t have assistance, the Cling and the Grasp make it simple to light without fussing over setting up light stands. When I think about what’s missing in my toolkit, I always fixate on how my setup and workflow can become even more seamless. These mounts are simple to set up and easy to use when you are under a time crunch or working in tight spaces and therefore deserve a spot in your kit. I will say there were two major cons I found when I put these into practice:

• Cling suction too strong: While this is more of a pro for those worried about their flash falling, I was a little worried about it getting stuck to the window I attached it to. I ended up having to use a card to wedge between the window and the suction cup and wiggled it off.
• 360 degree rotation: While this is an ability I appreciate, I often use my flashes with an umbrella and when the flash is in Frio Hold (the blue portion of the mount) the hole for the umbrella isn’t in the right spot. You have to rotate the head of the flash in order for it to align. While this is an easy solution for me to figure out, some of my newer assistants or those that aren’t familiar with this mount might not find it as intuitive.

Unleash Your Creativity

One of the hardest parts about being a wedding photographer is providing overflowing creativity, wedding after wedding. Burnout is real and gets worse as you progress in your career as a wedding photographer simply because you feel as though you are repeating images and techniques from years past. Surprisingly after I put these mounts in my lighting bag, I found myself reaching for them trying to find unconventional ways to light scenes. It almost felt like being a kid and receiving a new toy to experiment and play with. It’s rare that we get moments like that in a career that is somewhat monotonous and repetitive.

For this example, I had about 10 minutes with the couple to get a variety of couples’ photos. Although the gazebo looked fine in natural light I wanted to go for a more dramatic vibe and decided this would be the perfect opportunity to use the Frio Grasp Bigi. Attached to the mount are an off-camera flash, MagSphere, and MagGrid. The reason I prefer this to a light stand with the same flash and modifier setup is that it took less than 30 seconds to get into place. Additionally, there is no Photoshop required, I actually edited this during the reception on my phone using Lightroom Mobile and was able to send this image as a teaser to my clients on the day of their wedding! In my eyes, this mount is what is all possible because it turned my vision into a reality.

Conclusion

I highly recommend scoping out the entire lineup and selecting which tools best fit your needs. The two I know will have a permanent place in my kit are the Frio Cling and the Frio Grasp Bigi. I find that these two are by far the most innovative of the bunch, providing a creative solution for lighting in tough scenarios. I can’t wait to find more ways to utilize these mounts and get creative with my lighting setups.

“We’re proud to add our most compact, lightweight and affordable monolight to the Flashpoint family,” said Solomon Leifer, Senior Brand Manager at Flashpoint. “Weighing in at only a pound and about the size of a soda can, the XPLOR 100 Pro is the perfect travel companion for any photo shoot, no matter the location. Featuring seamless R2 connectivity, a magnetized front flash face for light modifiers, and rechargeable lithium battery packs, the XPLOR 100 Pro is the perfect way to join the R2 family on a budget.”

[Related Reading: Godox AD300 Pro Review : A Powerful and Compact Flash]

Features of the Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro Include:

• Compact, Lightweight, and Portable: Measuring in at 4.4” x 3.0” x 3.0” and weighing in at only 18.5 ounces with battery, the Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro is perfect for all on-the-go photography.
• Flexible Compatibility: Ready for wireless TTL or Manual action compatible with Flashpoint products. Seamless connectivity with R2 transmitters in speedlights or triggers for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and Pentax. The front flash face is magnetized to accept light modifiers from filters to grids, snoots, and super-wide diffusers, which also fit the Flashpoint round head flashes. 
• Bold Battery: 2600mAh rechargeable lithium battery packs are shared with the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on X and Zoom Li-on III Speedlights. Easily swap out for a new battery in seconds and keep shooting without delay. 
• Clear Display: LED panels clearly display the status of all remotely linked R2 compliant strobes, providing control of group lighting mastery. 
• Wireless Communication: R2 wireless communication gives the speed of light response to on-camera or off-camera R2 Family devices for a spectacular advantage on the shoot in any environment.

Additional Features Include:

• Flashpoint R2 2.4GHz Radio System
• Auto-Sensing radio slave modes for Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji, Pentax, Panasonic, and Olympus
• 328 feet/100 meter R2 signal reception range
• 0.01 – 1.5 second recycle time
• Manual flash range over 9 Stops – 1/256 – 1/1 Output
• TTL / M / Multi flash modes
• 5 Groups keep the pace – A/B/C/D/E
• 32 Channels protect the isolation of the signal
• High-speed sync to 1/8000th second
• Last shot auto memory function
• Second curtain sync
• FEC / FEB – 1/3rd Increments (±3 Stops)
• FEL (Flash Exposure Lock)
• S1 Standard & S2 ‘Smart’ optical slave modes
• Professional balanced color temperature at 5600°K ± 200°K
• Stable color mode narrows to variable down to ±75°K
• LED modeling light with user-directed intensity (1-10)
• Automatic fan-cooled stability
• Large dot-matrix OLED display
• Advanced IGBT circuity for stable and precise flash duration
• Recycle Time < 1.5 Seconds
• Delay Flash 0.0130 seconds
• Energy Output 100ws
• Price – $299

[Related Reading: Flashpoint Announces The XPLOR 300 Pro Monolight]

Additionally, Flashpoint announced new Color Correction and Creative Color Gel Kits for various Flashpoint and Godox lighting products. Each kit features custom pre-cut polycarbonate gels that are heat resistant, durable, and fade-proof, and fit perfectly on various Flashpoint and Godox monolights, streaks, and on-camera flashes.

The Color Correction Kits include eight CTO (color temperature orange) and CTB (color temperature blue) gels for ‘daylight’ and ‘nighttime’ color corrections, while the Creative Color Kits include eight saturated gels for playing with light on location. Each kit also includes two high-temperature mounting bands that withstand heat.

The Flashpoint color gel kits are available now at Adorama.com with MSRPs ranging from $19.00 to $29.00.

We’ve put in a request to test and review these lights asap, but until then, let us know any questions or thoughts in the comments below.

Pricing and Availability

The Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro battery-powered monolight is available for pre-order for $299 at Adorama.com. 

The Profoto A10 is like it’s siblings designed with light shaping capabilities. It has a round head that gives a natural light spread with smooth fall-off and thanks to the smart magnetic mount you can be creative with the full range of Profoto Clic light shaping tools. Clic light shapers can easily be stacked for more creative options. The A10 also offers a built-in LED modeling light that makes it easy to position the light and understand how light and shadows work together.

And it’s extremely easy to use. The user interface is large, clean, and clear. Like all Profoto products, it’s intuitive to use and you don’t need to read a long instruction manual to understand how it works. AirTTL remote is also built into the A10. With AirTTL and HSS, you create professional results fast and easy and with the remote, you can seamlessly connect to other Profoto flashes and control them easily from the A10.

Profoto A10 is not only an on-camera flash, but it’s also very effective off-camera as a standalone unit. The A10 has its own Li-Ion high capacity exchangeable battery that lasts up to four times longer than AA batteries with no performance fade, and a facility to recharge quickly – so you can shoot for longer with confidence. And the A10 can keep up with you because it recycles four times faster than other on-camera solutions – that’s 1.0s at full power. Put simply, you’ll never miss a shot.

[Related Reading: Profoto Connect Unboxing & Initial Test | Who is This For?]

Key Features of the A10 Light

• Round flash head design with for a natural light with smooth fall-off.
• Compatible with all magnetic Profoto Clic Light Shaping Tools.
• Compatible with all Profoto Air, AirTTL and Connect triggers.
• Smart Connectivity with Profoto app for iOS.
• Built-in AirX Bluetooth sync technology for future proof compatibility with mobile cameras.
• Clean and easy user interface with a large hi-res display.
• Extremely fast flash recycling
• Exchangeable and rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with high capacity.
• Flash head with 90˚ tilt and 360˚ rotation.
• Laser AF-assist and LED modeling light.
• Auto or manual zoom for flash and modeling light.
• Optional Hotshoe versions for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras.

Also Available as a Kit

The Profoto Off-Camera Kit is simplicity personified. Profoto Connect and the A10; a powerful and easy to use combination. Featuring Profoto Connect; a trigger for flash that’s completely button-free. Better still, it’s a trigger that makes the natural and beautiful light from the Profoto A10 more accessible to more image creators than ever before. Slide it to auto; it’s point-and-shoot because the correct flash exposure is calculated for you when you press the shutter. Or you can establish a starting exposure in auto, and then slide it over to manual to creatively fine-tune it.

Key Features of the A10 Kit

• Includes Profoto Connect providing TTL and HSS for using the A10 off-camera.
• Light and portable studio light system.
• Intuitive user experience.
• Never miss a shot – superior power and battery life.
• Smart connectivity through the Profoto app.
• Optional versions for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras.

Sample Shots Lit with Profoto A10

[Related Reading: 10 Step User Guide to Setting Up Your Profoto Flash Gear]

Technical Specifications of the Profoto A10

Profoto Connect Specifications

Pricing & Availability

Launching on its own with an MSRP of $1,095 USD ($1,495 CAD) available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm, or as a kit bundled with the Profoto Connect with an MSRP of $1,195 USD ($1,595 CAD)

With the launch of this new light, the Profoto A1X has had its price reduced! The new MSRP is $895 USD ($1,195 CAD)!

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Want to see this light in action? Stay tuned for a new Slice of Pye with all the details coming soon! Until then be sure to let us know any questions you might have and what you think about this new system in the comments below.

Cameras, lenses, speed lights, strobes, power packs, softboxes, strip banks, octa boxes, grids, nets, flags, cookies, silks, scrims, gels, reflectors: the list of things we photographers spend money on is just about endless. When you think about it, it’s not only overwhelming, it’s a little crazy, especially from the perspective of a beginner.

The truth of it is, you don’t need a thousand pieces of gear to do impressive studio work. All you need is your camera & lens, a good light, and your subject! That’s what’s most important, ensuring you the best light possible for your subject. Finding one that comes at a great price point is an added bonus, making what Westcott can offer in this setup one of the best and safest strobe investments at this time.

In this write up we’ll go over how you can create amazing portraits anywhere with a lighting kit that can fit into a suitcase, and costs just around $1000

Where To Start

First things first, don’t worry about your camera and lens selection. Just use the camera you have. For the images in this post, while I was shooting on a newer Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, I was also using the “kit” 24-70mm f/4 lens to capture everything. The difference between a good portrait and a missed opportunity is often just a very small amount of light. With some practice, you can get great results by reading the scene and adding just a little bit extra.

When I shoot environmental portraits, I’ll often just use a single light to fill in any hard or contrasty shadows on my subjects, making it feel softer and more natural. Studio shooting is something entirely different. You can create something epic with just a single light, or you can start adding reflectors, flags, and additional lights to further shape the light and add extra drama.

My Single Light Gear Use In My Career

I’ve done a large number of fashion shoots, corporate events, and headshot sessions using just a single light and reflector combination, which is why I know that this setup is more than a viable and very usable solution for portrait photographers, and why I’d personally recommend it. When we’re just starting, most of us have the well known Gear Acquisition Syndrome, and yes, a lot of times it feels like no one will take you seriously unless you have a truck full of gear and accessories…but the truth is you can make incredible images without all of that gear! Yes having more lights can make things more interesting, but it’s not needed and can overcomplicate things pretty quickly. As I’ve mentioned in my originals before and in this post, when I shoot for clients, (Fashion/Editorial), I’m often just adding lights to fill in and shape what’s already present in the room, and for me that is often, just a single light!

In both of these images, I used a single light with a 36-42” softbox to light my subject. For the male model shot on the left, it was used in the studio as my main light source and to carve and add drama. For the female model shot on the right, it was used to feather and fill in the shadows a little bit to make it a softer image from the hard Nevada sun.

The images below show a last-second setup done at a trade show using a single light and reflector to create a fantastic corporate headshot for the company’s entire team! No joke, I literally created over 700 headshots that day with a single light setup. Were the clients happy? Well, I’ve been hired annually to do their updated headshots ever since so I think it’s a fair assumption they were, and this type of setup is more than worth it!

What You’ll Need

To create an epic portrait, indeed, a single light is enough. For the purpose of this post, we’re going to assume you already have the basics like your camera & lens(es), plus a tripod & light stand. So, let’s discuss those items you may not have that’ll help you start creating…

Start With A Light

What would a studio portrait be would it be without a good light source? For the portraits of myself and my dog Harley, I used the new Westcott FJ400, which cost $570, and I have to admit I’m impressed with this light. It’s the first 400Ws AC/DC light with less than a 1 second recycle time at full power. (And believe me, I had to fire quite a few burst shots to capture my puppy sitting still! Even with treats involved!)

I was also impressed with the battery life of this light. It charged quickly, and over the course of my testing, using it on both the puppy and my own headshots, I barely even went through 1/4 of the charge.

The white balance (the color of the light itself) was consistent, and it was incredibly easy to get set up and running out of the box.

FJ400 Flash Head

• • Maximum Power 400 Ws
  • Flash Duration 1/19,000 Sec
  • Color Temperature 5500K ± 150K
  • Flash Modes Hi-Speed Sync, Second-Curtain Sync, Stroboscopic
  • Reflector 5.5″ / 13.97 cm Changeable
  • Accessory Fitting Type Bowens S Type
  • Modeling Light Type LED
  • Modeling Light Wattage 20 W
  • Sync Type Button, Cable, Radio
  • Wireless Channels 16
  • Wireless Groups 6
  • Wireless Range 985′ / 300.2 m (Radio)
  • Price $569 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Westcott

Integrated Radio Triggers & Wireless Power Control

Radio triggers are an item that anyone looking to work with strobes will have to invest in. These triggers or “Transmitters” let you fire your flash wirelessly from a distance, and in some cases can even let you control the settings of that light or lights letting you focus on your subject and camera rather than running back and forth to make minor adjustments. With radio transmitters, like with any investment, you’ll want to be sure to put your money into a set that’ll cater to your photography for the immediate and hopefully future needs.

This is where the $100 Westcott FJ-X2M Trigger excels. The device can work with pretty much any camera on the market, (including Sony, when paired with their adapter), and it’ll command any newer Westcott light automatically since the receivers are built-in to the strobes. Something I really liked about this trigger compared to some other brands is, you can see the power setting of the light (not just making up/down adjustments to it), so you always know where you stand in terms of your light’s capability.

You can even use it to control your non-Westcott lights, if you pick up the $25 FJ-XR Wireless Receiver! For my testing, I actually used this with an old Paul C Buff AB1600 light which I had set up as a hair/rim light on some “Quarantine Self portraits” (shown further down) and it worked fantastically!

FJ-X2M Trigger

• Channels 16 (Normal)
• Groups 6
• Wireless Range 985′ / 300.23 m
• Radio Frequency 2.4 GHz
• Control Modes Group, Manual, TTL
• Up to 200,000 flashes per charge cycle
•  Connectivity
  • Ports 1 x USB Type-C (Data)
• Bluetooth compatible with free mobile app
• Dimensions 1.1 x 1.65 x 1.25″ / 28 x 42 x 31.7 mm
• Weight 0.8 oz / 22.7 g
• Price $99 or $119 with Sony Adapter – Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Westcott

FJ-XR Wireless Receiver

• Wireless Range 164′ / 49.99 m
• Radio Frequency 2.4 GHz
• Ports 1 x USB Type-C
• Operating Temperature 14 to 122°F / -10 to 50°C
• Dimensions 2.13 x 1.13 x 1″ / 5.41 x 2.87 x 2.54 cm
• Weight 0.81 oz / 23 g
• Price $24.90 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Westcott

Adding Boom Arms To Your Lighting Setup

Boom Arms may not seem like a necessity when you’re starting out, but you’ll be able to do so much more with your lighting with them. Using the $70 Westcott Mini-Boom arm was really great since, just like the name says, it’s small, portable, and surprisingly strong!

I was able to use this to get creative with my angles in a small space, and it packs up REALLY small which makes it easy to fit in a suitcase or standard gear bag.

Mini-Boom Arm & Weight Bag

• Color Black
• Load Capacity 11 lb / 5 kg
• Thread Size Reversible Spigot with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 Male
• Length 31 – 57″ / 79 – 145 cm
• Height 4.5″ / 11.4 cm
• Width 4.3″ / 10.8 cm
• Weight 3.3 lb / 1.5 kg
• Price – $69.90 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Westcott

Strobe Lighting Modifiers

With this single light setup, I had used the $260 Westcott Rapid-Box Switch Octa (Medium) as it was compact, quick to set up & tear down, comes with a free grid for added light control, and it’s incredibly versatile with what you can do. Not to mention how easily it travels when collapsed and tucked into a suitcase!

Basically this modifier, (I personally own a few of them) is a must-have for the photographer on the move. Use it for directly lit portraits like a beauty/glamor, headshot, or pet portrait, or use it feathered like with my self-portraits below or my environmental work; the possibilities for what you can do are limited only by your own creativity. While the subject in the photo below may not be the greatest (don’t judge my Domo shirt ^_^), it’s hard to argue that the lighting isn’t on point!

I actually fired this using the TTL mode with my camera controlled by my phone so I could see what I was doing….as you can tell, I was concentrating REALLY hard on getting the shot.
Here’s an example shot near Las Vegas using the Rapid Box to fill in some shadows in a bright daylight lit environmental portrait.

Rapid Box Switch Octa-M

• Shape Octagon
• Interior Silver
• Requires Speed Ring Yes, Included
• Accepts Grids Yes
• Removable Front Face Yes
• Removable Interior Baffle Yes
• Light Loss None
• Rectangular Dimensions W: 36.0 x H: 36.0 x D: 17.8″ / W: 91.4 x H: 91.4 x D: 45.1 cm (Open)
• Weight 2.25 lb / 1.02 kg
• Price – $259.90 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Westcott

Now let’s Do The Math

With all these items added to your cart, you’re looking at the following: The FJ400 Light $570 + The Trigger $100 + The Mini Boom Arm $70 + The Rapid-Box Switch Octa $260 = that’s a total of only $930!!! You literally built a portrait kit for under $1000 before taxes! That’s pretty epic. Don’t forget, also, you can pull in your other strobes at $25 per receiver/light to expand on the single-light kit.

So, now that we’ve shown you you can build an incredible kit on a budget, let’s have a look at some more of these images. Keep in mind, since we’re under the Covid-19 quarantine my subjects for shooting were limited to my new puppy and myself. First up I decided to try some single light portraits of Harley using the FJ400 shot beauty-dish style from a 45-degree angle directly from above and slightly in front.

While it was….challenging….to keep my pup sitting still for any amount of time, after some trial and error with a LOT of treats, some burst fire shots, and auto timers, well, we finally got it right!

Check out the before & after here and the gallery of finished shots below

It’s pretty impressive what you can do with just a single light and some patience for your puppy…err…I mean model/client! The retouches required just a quick crop and then a quick edit in whatever raw processing software of choice is. (For Me it was Adobe Lightroom and a quick run-through of Luminar 4‘s Portrait tools to get these finished shots. Pretty adorable right? It took more time to get Harley focused where I needed than to set up the lights, tear them down, and edit the images. Honestly, I was impressed with how easy this light was to use. The power was consistent, it never missed a shot (in the hundreds of frames Ii had to fire) and it could pump out quite a bit of power! Next up, was a more challenging subject – _ME_

So, here’s where things got interesting. I now wanted to test out the FJ-XR Receiver on my old Alien Bee Lighting to make sure they fired since I had mine set up as a hair light behind some v-flats, out of line of sight.

Let me tell you, it was seamless. I sat myself down and used my phone to control my camera wirelessly and other than my own expressions, (it was challenging being in front of the camera for a change haha), the lighting was gorgeous. I tested a few shots using just the FJ400 in TTL and then set the power manually. Then added the rim/hair light from behind my v-flat and here were the results;

Just the Westcott FJ400 Light

FJ400 and AB1600 combined

FJ400 and AB1600 combined

FJ400 and AB1600 combined

FJ400 and AB1600 combined

The first shot is lit with JUST the FJ400 and then the rest have the AB1600 added for the rim light. So if you ignore that it’s me in front of the camera, you can capture some pretty awesome shots with a very affordable setup that can travel with you in a suitcase with ease!

For the technical savvy and inclined, the portraits of myself were shot at 70mm f/14, ISO100, and a shutter speed of 1/160.

Here’s A Peek Behind-The-Scenes Of This Setup:

[Related Reading: Westcott Announces The FJ400 – Beating Godox At Their Own Game To Become The “Best Value Strobe”]

Final Thoughts

I’ve used a lot of gear over the years ranging from homemade DIY gear hobbled together for a few dollars from a Home Depot trip to testing and reviewing some of the most expensive luxury brands in the world where the modifiers alone were nearly $20,000! During this time, whenever I’d speak to fellow creatives about non-DIY budget lighting the options were always Paul C Buff or Godox. But now, with the recent additions to the Westcott Line up, the FJ400 will definitely be giving both of these brands some serious competition.

The FJ400 can outlast the Godox when shooting full power when operating from the battery, and the color (white balance), is far more consistent than both (Godox or PCB) with only a 150 Kelvin shift, and frankly, the durability of the Westcott lighting and modifiers seem to be far better than most I’ve tested. Having used/owned/tested all of these brands, I feel pretty confident when I say I’d actually use this light in my day to day client work.

Additionally, the controls are easy to use both on the remote trigger and on the side of the light itself. Most of the lights I own personally are Profoto with a few older PCB’s lingering around, and even I have to admit that the Fj400 system kind of blows it out of the water for ease of use. Westcott also said they are “quickly working to put a complete system in place to support the FJ400” and given the system is only about 6 months old and they’ve already launched a collection of Reflectors, Grids, and a Snoot, I’d say they’re delivering on that promise.

Building a portrait kit that will let you create diverse and stunning images for a price of less than $1,000 is a huge asset to beginners and professionals alike. The combination of gear available from Westcott is easy to use, impressively powerful, travels easily, and is just too affordable to pass over.

The Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro flash system is available now for $1,599 at Adorama.com, (or the Godox Version here),  and includes a power pack, flash head, reflector, glass lamp cover, lithium battery, battery charger and power cable, with a convenient carrying case and rolling case. An optional EC1200 Flash head extension cord, 36V/2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and AC1200 AC Adapter are also available for purchase.

“The Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro is our most robust and powerful wireless flash, while remaining lightweight and portable for location shooting,” said Solomon Leifer, Brand Manager at Flashpoint. “With 1200W output and an excellent battery-powered system, the XPLOR Power 1200 Pro flash is perfect for ‘big event’ and outdoor photographers. The flash system includes both a carrying case and rolling case for ultimate convenience and portability.”

[Related Reading: Flashpoint Announces The XPLOR 300 Pro Monolight]

Features of the Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro flash system include:

• Fully Supports TTL and HSS: The built-in Flashpoint 2.4 GHz R2 wireless flash system provides wireless control for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax TTL camera systems.
• Precise Control and Stable Output: The XPLOR Power 1200 Pro offers up to nine steps of output power, ranging from 1/1 to 1/256. It recycles to full power in just two seconds and features a high-speed sync mode that works with shutter speeds up to 1/8000 second with action-stopping flash durations from 1/220 to 1/10,860 seconds. Its Stable Color Temperature mode tightly controls color to keep temperature changes within ±75K across the entire power range. Features two 3.5mm sync cord plug holes for direct connection, a wireless control port, and USB Type-C port for firmware upgrades.
• High Performance, Large-Capacity Battery: A powerful 36V/5200mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack delivers 480 full-power flashes, and re-charges in only two hours. Easily swap out a new battery on the rear port in seconds to keep shooting without delay. An optional AC adapter replaces the battery chamber for a direct main connection for studio and indoor location shoots. For photographers traveling by air, Flashpoint offers a 36V/2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack option.
• Bowens S-Mount Compatibility: The XPLOR Power 1200 Pro’s lightweight flash head with the popular Bowens S-Type mount allows for the attachment of hundreds of light modifiers, including the Glow Profond Quick-Open Deep Octadecagon Softbox with Focus Rod. The Glow Profond combines the strength of a keylight while acting as an excellent reflector, blending perfectly with daylight or additional fill soft lights. The impressive Quick-Open system allows for rapid setup, painless disassembly, and convenient storage. Once constructed, the gracefully curved interior creates a perfect silvered reflector for a reverse light throw design using the Focus Rod mounted flash head.

Additional features include:

• True 1200ws flash head dedicated output
• Three active Flash modes: Manual, TTL and Multiflash
• Stroboscopic Mode capable of 100 continuous pops at 1/16 power output
• High-Speed Sync and Custom Function for Masking, Delay and Sequence
• 1200ws head has 12 feet of non-tangle cable
• A 40W LED modeling lamp with three selectable modes to provide a clear preview of the lighting
• Portable, lightweight pack and head weighs less than 18 pounds
• Rechargeable lithium battery pack or AC powered
• Fan cooled head and pack keeps it going under the gun

[Related Reading: Flashpoint XPLOR 600PRO Review | Is This The Best Value In Location Lighting?]

Technical Specifications

• Maximum Power 1200 Ws
• Guide Number 406.82′ / 124 m at ISO100
• Flash Duration t.1: 1/10,860 to 1/220 Sec
• Color Temperature 5600K ± 200K
• Exposure Control Manual
• Flash Modes Hi-Speed Sync, Second-Curtain Sync, Slow Sync, Stroboscopic
• Flash Ready Indicator Audio
• Reflector Changeable
• Accessory Fitting Type Bowens S Type
• Replaceable Flashtube Yes
• Modeling Light
  • Type LED
  • Wattage 40 W
• Sync Type Button, Cable, Optical, Radio
• Sync Speed 1/8000 Sec (High-Speed)
• Wireless Channels 32
• Wireless Groups 5
• Wireless Range 328.1′ / 100 m (Radio)
• Interface Mini (1/8″)
• Delay Range 0.01 to 30 Sec
• Mounting 5/8″ Receiver
• Fan Cooled Yes
• Circuit Protection None
• Dimensions 9.06 x 7.87 x 4.92″ / 23 x 20 x 12.5 cm (with Reflector)
• Weight 18.19 lb / 8.25 kg
• Package Weight 31.585 lb
• Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 22.5 x 14.8 x 12″

Pricing and Availability

The Flashpoint XPLOR Power 1200 Pro flash system is available now for $1,599 at Adorama.com, (or Godox here) and includes a power pack, flash head, reflector, glass lamp cover, lithium battery, battery charger and power cable, with a convenient carrying case and rolling case.

An optional EC1200 Flash head extension cord and AC1200 AC Adapter are also available for purchase.

We’ve already put in a request to test and review these lights, so until we get a full review done internally, let us know any thoughts, comments, or questions you might have in the comments below!

Size and Weight

Let’s start with the size, which is hard to appreciate from a standalone image. While it’s placed in between the Godox AD200 Pro and AD400 Pro in terms of wattage, the size argument is more complex than that. The AD200 Pro is longer and skinnier, whereas the AD300 Pro is shorter and fatter. The AD200 Pro with bare-bulb is 10x2x3.25″, or 65 cubic inches. The AD300 Pro is 7.5×3.5×4″, or 100 cubic inches. So despite its compact look, the chunky AD300 Pro does take up roughly 50% more space. The AD300 Pro just makes the cut inside my LowePro Photostream SP 200, standing upright just as a large prime lens would.

Including the bulb and battery, the AD300 pro weighs in at 2.7lbs, .6 lbs more than the AD200 Pro.  This light payload makes it great for use on a monopod or small stand. Overall, the size and weight difference from the AD200 Pro is very minor. It is considerably smaller and lighter than the AD400 Pro, but what type of power can you expect in this small of a package?

[Related Reading: Godox AD200 Review | One Year and 75 Weddings Later]

Power

I tested the light in an indirect softbox to eliminate the chance of a hot spot influencing the result.
For light output, the AD300 Pro fits directly between the AD400 Pro and AD200 Pro. It was a half stop more powerful than the AD200, and a half stop less powerful than the AD400 Pro, which makes perfect sense.

Interface and Design

The AD300 Pro has a familiar interface, that will have any X series user feel right at home. The first thing I noticed when side by side with the AD200 Pro was how much brighter the AD300 Pro’s display is. This will make setting the group and channel easier when outdoors.

There are buttons on the back to control the group and channel,  test fire the flash, a power button, and mode selection, to swap between Manual, TTL, and Stroboscopic. There’s a custom functions menu for controlling details like recycle beep and flash duration display, and a button to turn on the modeling lamp. The dial on the back can be used to adjust the power output. Holding the modeling lamp button will change the display to control the Bicolor LED lamp output, pressing the dial-in allows you to change the color temperature.

Unfortunately, controlling the Bi-color LED lamp can only be done from the AD300 Pro menu, as it’s not currently available on any X Series transmitter. Otherwise, once you set the channel and group, the only reason you should have to touch the display often is to turn the light on and off. The design of the AD300 Pro also leaves the display completely exposed should a drop occur, a lesson I thought Godox learned between the AD200 and AD200 Pro.

While I put little weight in the aesthetics of photography tools, the display and buttons do look dated when compared to the competition.

Battery and Recycle Speed

The WB300P Battery provides 320 full-power flashes and recycles 1/1 in 1 second.  While the WB300P battery is new, the AD300 Pro is backward compatible with the AD200 or AD200 Pro battery. However, it’s worth noting that the recycle speed is not quite as fast. By ⅛ power the flash recycles in 1/10th of a second, and below ⅛ power it can keep up with 10 fps for an extended burst. I tested 50 full-power flashes in a row and did not trigger any thermal protection. For this size, the speed at which the AD300 Pro delivers its power is exceptional.

Modeling Lamp

I want to focus on the bi-colour LED modeling lamp, a first for a Godox X series strobe, and no doubt influenced by Profoto’s introduction of the feature on the B10. The AD300 Pro’s modeling lamp color can be adjusted from 3000k to 6000k. Again, this can only currently be done on the strobe itself, not from the trigger. Perhaps this will be added with a firmware update, there’s certainly room for this control on the Flashpoint R2 Pro Mark II. Now, don’t get too excited about this, as it’s only a 12w LED.

In it’s included reflector, at 2 feet away, the modeling lamp metered at F/2 +.2, at 1/250s and ISO 400. This means just over F/1.0 at ISO 100. It’s extremely dim, and that’s when it’s close, using a reflector. In any type of softbox, it’s going to be even less bright, and less useable. Some might wonder if this will function as a video light, and I just don’t see it being very useful. Not only because of it’s low brightness, but also the fan creates a fair amount of noise when the LED is on max power. At most I imagine you’ll be able to use the LED for lighting close detail shots and getting focus in dark environments.

I will give credit to Godox for improving the light quality of this modeling lamp. It has a CRI average of 95.4, which means it does a decent job at accurately representing colors, and its Kelvin temperature was accurate when testing with my Sekonic C-800 colorimeter.

Color Accuracy

The strobe is equally accurate as the AD200 Pro in it’s stable color mode, at +/-100k. With stable color off it’s +/-200k. Testing with the C-800 colorimeter, I saw color temperatures in the 5900-6000k range with color stable mode on.  Stable color mode can be turned on or off in the custom functions. When off, the flash durations are shorter.

The CRI of the flash is very high at 97.9, with a CCI green cast of .1. In layman’s terms, this light is extremely neutral and will render colors accurately.
In high-speed sync however, the color temperature drops to the 5300K range, with a CRI of 95 and .4 green cast, which is still acceptable and will only require a minor adjustment. You may find however that when combined with a softbox, especially one with a white interior, that the AD300 Pro in HSS renders a subject overly warm when in a daylight or cloudy environment.

T.1 Flash durations.

If you turn it on in the custom functions, the AD300 Pro will display T.1 flash durations on the LCD. This figure measures the time it takes for the flash to drop from its peak brightness to 10% of its peak brightness. It’s useful for determining how well the flash can freeze motion at a given power setting.
I tested the flash durations using the Sekonic L-858d-u light meter, and the results were all better than the figures Godox includes on the display.

1/256 : 1/12,000
1/128: 1/9460
1/64: 1/7660
1/32: 1/5850
1/16: 1/4400
⅛: 1/2810
¼: 1/1670
½: 1/805
1/1: 1/280

[Related Reading: Westcott Announces The FJ400 – Beating Godox At Their Own Game To Become The “Best Value Strobe”]

Technical Specifications of the Godox AD300 Pro

• Flashpoint Model XPLOR 300Pro TTL
• Power 300Ws
• Compatible Cameras w/R2 Wireless Radio Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Fujifilm
• Flash Mode TTL/M/Multi
• Flash Duration 1/220 to 1/11490 seconds
• Power Output 9 Stops: 1/256~1/1
• Controllable Slave Groups 5 (A, B, C, D, and E)
• R2 Reception Range 328ft / 100m (approx.)Channels32 (1~32)
• Wireless ID 99
• Power Supply Lithium Battery pack (14.4v/2600mAh/37.44Wh)
• Recycle time 0.01-1.5s (approx.)
• Battery Level Indicator Yes
• Full Power Flashes 320
• Stroboscopic Flash Up to 100 times, 100Hz
• Flash exposure compensation (FEC) Manual. Adjustable ±3 stops in 1/3 stop increments.
• Sync Modes High Speed Sync (up to 1/8000 second), First-Curtain Sync, and Second-Curtain Sync
• Delay Flash Feature 0.01~30 seconds
• Color Temperature 5600°± 200k
• Stable Color Mode 5600°±75°K Throughout
• Mask Feature Yes / N1 & N2
• Fan Yes
• Audio Beeper Yes
• Modeling Lamp (LED) 3000°K ~ 6000°K / 10 Levels
• Optical Slave Sensor S1 Standard /S2 Smart
• Direct Sync Trigger 3.5mm Sync Cord
• Flash Duration Indication Yes
• Display Dot-matrix LCD Panel
• Wireless Flash Function Slave, off
• Power Sleep Power off automatically after approximately 30~120 minutes of idle operation. User-selectable in Custom Functions.
• Dimension 7.5×3.8×3.4in / 19.0×9.8×8.7cm
• Net Weight (with battery) 3 lb 1oz / 1.4kg

Godox Mount

The AD300 Pro is a bare-bulb flash that uses the proprietary Godox mount (don’t freak out yet) for attaching light modifiers. As of writing, the selection of modifiers for this mount is very limited. At launch you really only have reflectors and collapsible softboxes like the AD-S65 and AD-S85. There are plans for a grid, snoot, gels, and more, but they have yet to hit shelves in the U.S.

However, just like the Godox AD200, there is a bracket available that will make it compatible with any Bowens mount light modifier. For the AD300 Pro, you’ll need the newer S2 Bowens Mount Bracket. Godox has also shown adapters that will attach directly to the AD300 Pro body for Bowens, Profoto, Broncolor, and Elinchrom.

While it’s not yet available for me to test, I have concerns about mounting large modifiers directly to the AD300 Pro body through the use of adapters. The included stand attachment is small and lightweight. I question its ability to support large softboxes, something that is no problem when using the S2 Bracket instead.

Godox AD300 Pro Review | Conclusion

The AD300 Pro is another great blend of power and performance from Godox. I think this light will be most suitable for photographers who are looking to have a minimal lighting kit, such as a single softbox for outdoor portrait sessions. Its weight is easy to manage with an assistant or a small stand with a light sandbag. While some photographers will be fine sticking with the AD-S85 or AD-S65 softbox, those accustomed to a larger variety of light shaping tools will still yearn for the Bowens mount. It is appropriately priced at $499, which is a price level directly between the AD200 Pro and AD400 Pro.

Check Pricing & Availability of the Godox AD300 Pro Here

The Godox AD300 Pro is currently exclusively sold in the U.S. as the Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro at Adorama.

“We’re so excited to debut the next generation Flashpoint monolight that is the ultimate combination of power and size for on-the-go photography,” said Solomon Leifer, Brand Manager at Flashpoint. “The XPLOR 300 allows photographers to capture high-quality images using any camera system, while its easy-to-use modifier mount allows for unlimited lighting creativity.”

Features of the Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro monolight include:

• Compact and Portable: With a lightweight, three-pound body and measuring in at 7.5” x 3.8” x 3.4”, the Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro is perfect for wedding, event, commercial, and environmental portrait photographers, as well as run-and-gun photojournalists and adventure travelers.
• Seamless Syncing Across Camera Systems: Sync cameras across any of the major brands (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympic, and Pentax) to guarantee accuracy and consistency across images, even if one photographer’s on Sony while the other shoots on Canon. The XPLOR 300 automatically senses the camera system, and responds accordingly to guarantee a seamless, cohesive, and high-quality final product.
• High Performance, Large-Capacity Battery: A 2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers up to 320 full-power flashes, and re-charges in less than 2.5 hours. Easily swap out a new battery on the rear port in seconds to keep shooting without delay.
• Bowens S-Mount compatibility: The XPLOR 300 Pro is designed with compatibility in mind. Attach the Glow S2 Round flash bracket or the AD-AB Adapter ring and enjoy the world of the popular Bowens S-Type modifier mount, with limitless light shaping tools from softboxes to focusing spot lenses.
• Bi-Color LED Modelling Light: Intense Bi-Color LED guided modeling offers unlimited flexibility, combined with the dimmable Bi-Color LED modeling lamp to aid pre-visualization. Its 12W continuous light is also great for creating short-form video.
• Optional Modifiers: Easily attach any XPLOR 300 or 400 Pro direct mount modifiers to achieve more light effects, such as a softbox, snoot, or barndoor.

Additional features include:

• Flashpoint R2 2.4GHz Radio System
• Manual flash over 9 stops
• TTL/M/Multi flash modes
• 32 channels to isolate and protect the signal
• High-speed sync up to 1/8000 second
• Last shot auto memory function
• Second curtain sync
• Professional balanced color temperature at 5600K – 200K
• Bi-color LED modeling light (3000K – 6000K)
• Quiet fan-cooled mechanism
• Large dot-matrix LCD display

Technical Specifications

• Flashpoint Model XPLOR 300Pro TTL
• Power 300Ws
• Compatible Cameras w/R2 Wireless Radio Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Fujifilm
• Flash Mode TTL/M/Multi
• Flash Duration 1/220 to 1/11490 seconds
• Power Output 9 Stops: 1/256~1/1
• Controllable Slave Groups 5 (A, B, C, D, and E)
• R2 Reception Range 328ft / 100m (approx.)
• Channels32 (1~32)
• Wireless ID 99
• Power Supply Lithium Battery pack (14.4v/2600mAh/37.44Wh)
• Recycle time 0.01-1.5s (approx.)
• Full Power Flashes 320
• Stroboscopic Flash Up to 100 times, 100Hz
• Color Temperature 5600°± 200k
• Stable Color Mode 5600°±75°K Throughout
• Modeling Lamp (LED) 3000°K ~ 6000°K / 10 Levels
• Optical Slave Sensor S1 Standard /S2 Smart
• Direct Sync Trigger 3.5mm Sync Cord
• Power Sleep Power off automatically after approximately 30~120 minutes of idle operation. User selectable in Custom Functions.
• Dimension 7.5×3.8×3.4in / 19.0×9.8×8.7cm
• Net Weight (with battery) 3 lb 1oz / 1.4kg

Here’s an overview & hands-on video of the Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro from photographer Seth Miranda

Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Giveaway

Now through May 17, Adorama has teamed up with Art of Visuals to give away ten Flashpoint lighting systems to photographers. To enter, follow @adorama, like the contest post, tag three friends in the comment section, and post a photo to your personal Instagram created using any form of artificial lighting and use the hashtags #aovLitUp #CreateNoMatterWhat.

Pricing and Availability

The Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro moonlight is available now for $499 at Adorama.com, and comes with a reflector and cap, flash tube, AD-E2 bracket, and lithium battery charger and cord, all in a convenient carrying case. A Softbox Kit, Travel Kit, and Location Kit are also available with added accessories at a discounted price.