Honestly I think a lot of Godox’s popularity in Western countries is due to informational videos made my Robert Hall. Try get info like this for Profoto or Broncolor. I think reflectors are one of the most overlooked types of modifiers.
Southern Charity some of he bigger brands aren’t as great as they make out to be. Trying the Elincrom, Profoto and Broncolor triggers I’m still confused why they can’t make something half decent.
Great video! My one complaint is you didn't lock your ladder on the left side. I've seen countless times people getting severely injured. The community needs you! Take the extra second to lock them sides down!😁
I really appreciate your straight-to-the-point/fluffless YT style, Rob. Your videos have been a tremendous resource. Thank you. Regarding the Godox background reflector: It would be interesting to see how the Glow equivalent compares. The Glow reflector is available in white or silver and has a rotating mount.
Thank you! I’ll try to get a Glow one soon. If it’s roughly the same shape I’d assume similar performance, and the twisting mount would make it a superior pick!
This is hands down the best video I have seen on reflectors. I just got my first EXPLOR600 and am wanting to get a reflector but wasn’t sure which way to go. Thank you.
Just a comment on the RFT series of reflectors. Excluding the RFT18 they are all exact copies of reflectors Bowens made for thier own lights. I have several original Bowens lights and they are indistinguishable from the Godox ones. Before they went out of business Bownes shipped manufacturing to China. My guess is that Godox bought the tooling from the liquidator and is using this to make these reflectors.
Yep, you are right, even the Godox beauty dish´s from the Pro series, the Pro BDR-S55 and Pro BDR-W55, are looking exactly like the last Bowens beauty dish´s before they did went out of business. I have an other theory: Maybe Godox did built the last Bowens metal lightshapers and also the last Bowens monolights. There are some details, like the shape from the reflectors from the last XMS and XMT Bowens monolights, you will find now on AD600 Pro and AD400 Pro monolights. The last Bowens Creo generators doesn´t have a Godox pendant yet, so i guess, this things was made by Bowens. Also the lumiair softboxes are an other story, because with the optional frames for the fabric-grids, they was on an other level.
To date I haven't used any reflectors, aside from some H+ water drop shots, mainly due to a lack of demonstration regarding light spread and throw uniformity; which is why I enjoyed this video of yours so much, and will be subscribing to your channel. Keep up the good work on providing actual, usable and repeatable data.
Very welcome video! I struggled with getting one compatible with the ADB2 umbrella mount. Gave up and have a separate umbrella holder In line on the stand.
Thanks Rob! I do some roller derby photography and generally use flash. One of my lights will be way across the derby track - maybe 100 feet from where I want to light. This video helps a lot! Hopefully can keep my power levels lower for faster recycling with the extra light these will put out.
Thanks for sharing this comparison. Aside from the important message about RFT-18 (obviously Godox missed it), I was told by the local store the new RFT-19 can't take the old 7" grids. I haven't seen any reviews on that, so not sure if it is true or not. If it is, it is a shame Godox missed it.
This is a fantastically helpful video! Can you let us know if Godox get back to you on that background reflector issue? I'd happy grab a couple if they lined up correctly.
Hey Rob! I am thinking of selling (just made a video that I am selling) all my Profoto gear and going all in on Godox. I am looking at the AD300's (I have the B10's now). I have used the B10's with the OCF Magnum reflector A LOT for fashion work and in my workshops. I love that combo on the B10. The magnum also offers almost +2 stops of power, making the B10 a great tool in bright sun. So, I was now looking at the AD-R12 "Long Throw" reflector with the native godox mount for the 300. What would you guess this would offer me in terms of increased power output?
@@robhallphoto So, I bought the AD300's and did some tests with that reflector and my B10's with the Magnum. The results are unreal. Just about the same LOL. In fact, the Godox with the AD-R12 not only produced about the same power output, it was a softer edge to the shadow values vs. the Mangum / Profoto. So, that was actually a nice thing. When comparing the same sized beauty dish (Godox version / Profoto version) I also get just about the same results. At most 1/3 stop difference / a few inches LOL. So, all good there. This is a no brainer for anyone now.. Godox all the way. Last question.. do you know if there are any small strip boxes with the godox mount (no adapter needed)? I have the AD-S60 and love it, plan on getting the larger AS-80, and wanted to know if there is a strip box just like this? THAT would be perfect! Thanks again Rob!
@@travisharrisphotography oh that's excellent to hear that it's working so well for you. There is no stripbox available for the direct mount at the moment. I hope they get one out soon.
Well I just got my first reflector and it was the rft13 that was lucky and speaking of! I am a carpenter and remember watching helplessly as my boss and I were placing a big beam on top of two posts and his ladder wasn't locked and as he twisted his body just a little and got 1" of the beam over the post the ladder buckled under him and down he went hitting the concrete and landed on a anchor bolt on his kidney I couldn't move until I was sure I had my end placed where the whole freakin thing wouldn't come down on him, that was the last day he worked.
Another brilliant video thank you Robert, I actually only wanted to find out the primary use for a mirrored reflector (I bought a whole bunch of stuff second hand) your comment that it's used to whack light into a brolly was in retrospect a blinding flash of the obvious. But I went on to enjoy the innumerable insights into the use of the many other types of reflectors I have., Thank you. I say again another brilliant video (subscribe from way back- I'm not a complete idiot) ;)
Thanks for the comparison! Surprised the RFT-13 was not only the brightest but seemed to be one of the most controlled beam. I'm not able to find grids for this. Do they exist? I always need grids with my reflector. What reflector/grid combo do you recommend for the AD600pro? (Flashpoint has a 55 degree + 4 grid set...but unsure of output quality) Thanks again.
Thanks for the info. I assume that the RFT-19 would have the same effect on a (AD400Pro) modelling light for video purposes? Just thinking of the output vs say a ML-60.
I tested the RFT-19 yesterday on a SL-60 COB (60watt) and I got the result: it becomes brighter than a SL-150ii (150w) with a 85cm selens softbox which is one-time diffused. so I am sure it increases the modelling light at the ad400pro, too.
Ah, grids, barndoors, gel holders? I'd like a magnetic circle to just stick gels to the rim of the reflector, can improvise wiht some magnets of my own but any good holder kits?
Awesome video, I had been looking for an analysis like this one for weeks. I'm a newbie, what applications could I give the standard reflector as it is the cheapest and easiest one to get?
Is there some sort of a small native godox mount reflector for Ad400Pro that would make it work better with umbrellas? Also really curious what's the difference between the AD-R14 and AD-R12, any idea? I found the Bowens umbrella reflector, but I'd like to find one that does not require the adapter...
Interesting, Robert. Now you have established the LV each one puts out, could you repeat the test with the reflectors at, say, 6' from that wall and perpendicular, and shoot a rather wide angle so we can see where the light from each falls off, and how evenly they light within that light circle?
Would you recommend the RFT-13 reflector on the AD 400 Pro light for lighting big groups outdoors over the standard mini reflector that is included with 400 Pro? I just like the compactness of 400 Pro, but want to maximize output a little bit!
Nice! Have you ever tried using or comparing the reflectors for the Godox mount specifically for the AD300Pro? The AD-R12, AD-R14 and its AD300Pro reflector.
I do have them all but haven’t done any comparisons or used any of the reflectors on my 300 pro because I exclusively use it as a key light. And I don’t keep anything Godox mount in studio because I don’t want people to confused it with all the bowens stuff. Maybe I’ll check them out in the future.
This is completely off topic but since Robert covers the crap out of everything Godox that I’m either shopping or learning how to use I’ve set notifications to “all” and somehow it keeps getting turned off. Am I the only one this happens to? Anyone know of a fix?
Love the video! I honestly think these type of contents are sometime even more useful than the $2000 vs $500 light kind of videos. I have a question about the godox standard reflector though: I do a lot of product photography and I noticed that when using the standard reflector on ad200 bare bulb, I get a slight double shadow effect which is very annoying when I'm trying to get crisp shadows. Any suggestions?
Without testing and working on a solution I couldn’t say for sure, but you might be seeing a double shadow due to the helical design of the AD200’s bare bulb. A horseshoe style bulb is what’s commonly used in still life photography, and even at that, photographers will often light with the bulb’s side, and not its front, for the most clear and crisply defined shadow. You can make a “poor man’s hardbox” using Cinefoil to maximize this effect - essentially creating a black dome over the strobe’s bulb, with a small window cut out on the side.
Godox 7" RFT-19 Reflector - Can you use grids with this? I was going to ask the question on the Adorama website but the Q&A option wasn't available. I'd be interested in this reflector if I could add grids.
@@willivalentin9732 - I didn't even think about the barndoors. I guess those attachments would take grids. I was hoping the reflector would just take grids as is. I've never seen the grid in the output of my other reflectors (strobe or continuous) but I'll have to check it out.
Hey Robert, have you ever had the chance or do you still intend to do a Godox, Westcott comparison? I need to purchase some flashes here soon and can’t find much info on the fj lights.
I do still intend on doing it, I just spent every spare hour of February working to open up my studio and then scheduled all these sessions early March to refine the space and get marketing materials for rentals. That being said, I’ve put in a request to get the Westcott units so hope to cover them relatively soon. But, I can’t guarantee how fast I’ll get them!
I covered a different long throw reflector in my quest to find the most powerful light modifier. Found the cheetahstand colt 45 to be .7 stop more powerful than the RFT-19 reflector used here, which would still put it over the RFT-13 that was the brightest in this video. But ultimately I found a 20” deep para to be brighter than both. ua-cam.com/video/aANkCm_T8FI/v-deo.html
The issue with the background reflctor you mentioned at the end: they should make it swivel (and possibly lock down with a little screw/knob), imho. I'm guessing the Bowens locking pins are located differently on different lights, so it might help with that too.
I don't think a sock would be helpful for a background light. Don't need to worry as much about specularity on a BG. It would only kill power and maybe increase spread.
Yup, not interested in a sock. The objective is to find a reflector that is even at this distance, covering the entire background, so there’s no specularity to be concerned with in the first place. And it would indeed increase the coverage and eliminate all the effort of finding a reflector that doesn’t hit my subject.
Honestly I think a lot of Godox’s popularity in Western countries is due to informational videos made my Robert Hall. Try get info like this for Profoto or Broncolor.
I think reflectors are one of the most overlooked types of modifiers.
Broncolor and friends wouldn't want to demostrate Godox is actually more innovative.
Southern Charity some of he bigger brands aren’t as great as they make out to be. Trying the Elincrom, Profoto and Broncolor triggers I’m still confused why they can’t make something half decent.
I love your studio and the set up
11:35 Your model has been working out and now has some body! Hahaha
I laughed when i saw that too....they wanted to see if anyone noticed lol
Oh, for sure...had me cracking up!
Great video! My one complaint is you didn't lock your ladder on the left side. I've seen countless times people getting severely injured. The community needs you! Take the extra second to lock them sides down!😁
I really appreciate your straight-to-the-point/fluffless YT style, Rob. Your videos have been a tremendous resource. Thank you. Regarding the Godox background reflector: It would be interesting to see how the Glow equivalent compares. The Glow reflector is available in white or silver and has a rotating mount.
Thank you! I’ll try to get a Glow one soon. If it’s roughly the same shape I’d assume similar performance, and the twisting mount would make it a superior pick!
If I ever start using light meters I'm gonna say "ayo, output check!" every time I take a reading.🤣
😂😂😂
This is hands down the best video I have seen on reflectors. I just got my first EXPLOR600 and am wanting to get a reflector but wasn’t sure which way to go. Thank you.
Another excellent video with simple explanations and yet so much information.
Just a comment on the RFT series of reflectors. Excluding the RFT18 they are all exact copies of reflectors Bowens made for thier own lights. I have several original Bowens lights and they are indistinguishable from the Godox ones. Before they went out of business Bownes shipped manufacturing to China. My guess is that Godox bought the tooling from the liquidator and is using this to make these reflectors.
That would make sense!
Yep, you are right, even the Godox beauty dish´s from the Pro series, the Pro BDR-S55 and Pro BDR-W55, are looking exactly like the last Bowens beauty dish´s before they did went out of business.
I have an other theory: Maybe Godox did built the last Bowens metal lightshapers and also the last Bowens monolights. There are some details, like the shape from the reflectors from the last XMS and XMT Bowens monolights, you will find now on AD600 Pro and AD400 Pro monolights.
The last Bowens Creo generators doesn´t have a Godox pendant yet, so i guess, this things was made by Bowens. Also the lumiair softboxes are an other story, because with the optional frames for the fabric-grids, they was on an other level.
Highly appreciated The best reflectors Comparison video. 👏
To date I haven't used any reflectors, aside from some H+ water drop shots, mainly due to a lack of demonstration regarding light spread and throw uniformity; which is why I enjoyed this video of yours so much, and will be subscribing to your channel. Keep up the good work on providing actual, usable and repeatable data.
Nice Easter egg with Manny Quinn.
Great knowledge. I have to echo frmrff70. PLEASE lock BOTH ladder spreaders before climbing up that bad boy!
Dammit I just ordered a reflector last week and then this comes out!
i'm sold on the rft-14. thanks for doing the review.
Very welcome video! I struggled with getting one compatible with the ADB2 umbrella mount. Gave up and have a separate umbrella holder In line on the stand.
Drill!
Please make video on which light for which purpose ( like.... broad light , split light , hard light , butteryfly ) 🇮🇳 ❤️
Thanks Rob! I do some roller derby photography and generally use flash. One of my lights will be way across the derby track - maybe 100 feet from where I want to light. This video helps a lot! Hopefully can keep my power levels lower for faster recycling with the extra light these will put out.
11:33 Switches the manikin out for a human... thought we wouldn't notice, but we did... 12:00
Interesting ending..things just spawn to life and disapear..LOL!
O.O After watching this tests, i have now to test my old Bowens backlight reflector on my Godox AD600 Pro and QT600II´s at this weekend...
Loved the dude standing there as if it was all normal )) MINUTE 11:35
We always ❤️ your diamond 💎💎💎 videos sir... Please mention studio dimensions, please
66 x 25 ft.
20 x 8 m.
Thank you sir... Sir one more request... Please make a video on light meter what u used please sir
Already have a video up on the Sekonic L-858d-U light meter with Godox module.
Thank you sir
The best part is the switch between mannequin and human...lo... great informational video.
Thanks for sharing this comparison. Aside from the important message about RFT-18 (obviously Godox missed it), I was told by the local store the new RFT-19 can't take the old 7" grids. I haven't seen any reviews on that, so not sure if it is true or not. If it is, it is a shame Godox missed it.
This is a fantastically helpful video! Can you let us know if Godox get back to you on that background reflector issue? I'd happy grab a couple if they lined up correctly.
11:34 oh man, i'm way too tired to deal with that lol
Awesome studio!!!! Great video!!
Thank you!
@@robhallphoto more then welcome! Thanks for your informative videos!!
Which one produces the most uniform light?
Hey Rob! I am thinking of selling (just made a video that I am selling) all my Profoto gear and going all in on Godox. I am looking at the AD300's (I have the B10's now). I have used the B10's with the OCF Magnum reflector A LOT for fashion work and in my workshops. I love that combo on the B10. The magnum also offers almost +2 stops of power, making the B10 a great tool in bright sun. So, I was now looking at the AD-R12 "Long Throw" reflector with the native godox mount for the 300. What would you guess this would offer me in terms of increased power output?
I really don't want to guess because reflectors are so peculiar. But I have one somewhere and if I can find it I'll measure it for you.
@@robhallphoto your the best Rob!! Thank you so much for all that you do on your channel. Truly the best!
@@robhallphoto So, I bought the AD300's and did some tests with that reflector and my B10's with the Magnum. The results are unreal. Just about the same LOL. In fact, the Godox with the AD-R12 not only produced about the same power output, it was a softer edge to the shadow values vs. the Mangum / Profoto. So, that was actually a nice thing. When comparing the same sized beauty dish (Godox version / Profoto version) I also get just about the same results. At most 1/3 stop difference / a few inches LOL. So, all good there. This is a no brainer for anyone now.. Godox all the way. Last question.. do you know if there are any small strip boxes with the godox mount (no adapter needed)? I have the AD-S60 and love it, plan on getting the larger AS-80, and wanted to know if there is a strip box just like this? THAT would be perfect! Thanks again Rob!
@@travisharrisphotography oh that's excellent to hear that it's working so well for you.
There is no stripbox available for the direct mount at the moment. I hope they get one out soon.
Well I just got my first reflector and it was the rft13 that was lucky and speaking of! I am a carpenter and remember watching helplessly as my boss and I were placing a big beam on top of two posts and his ladder wasn't locked and as he twisted his body just a little and got 1" of the beam over the post the ladder buckled under him and down he went hitting the concrete and landed on a anchor bolt on his kidney I couldn't move until I was sure I had my end placed where the whole freakin thing wouldn't come down on him, that was the last day he worked.
Another brilliant video thank you Robert, I actually only wanted to find out the primary use for a mirrored reflector (I bought a whole bunch of stuff second hand) your comment that it's used to whack light into a brolly was in retrospect a blinding flash of the obvious. But I went on to enjoy the innumerable insights into the use of the many other types of reflectors I have., Thank you. I say again another brilliant video (subscribe from way back- I'm not a complete idiot) ;)
Haha, come for the stuff you wanna know and stay for the stuff you didn't know you wanted to know! Thanks for being a long time subscriber!
Thanks for the comparison! Surprised the RFT-13 was not only the brightest but seemed to be one of the most controlled beam. I'm not able to find grids for this. Do they exist? I always need grids with my reflector. What reflector/grid combo do you recommend for the AD600pro? (Flashpoint has a 55 degree + 4 grid set...but unsure of output quality) Thanks again.
Thanks for the info. I assume that the RFT-19 would have the same effect on a (AD400Pro) modelling light for video purposes? Just thinking of the output vs say a ML-60.
I tested the RFT-19 yesterday on a SL-60 COB (60watt) and I got the result: it becomes brighter than a SL-150ii (150w) with a 85cm selens softbox which is one-time diffused. so I am sure it increases the modelling light at the ad400pro, too.
@@willivalentin9732 Thank you, that is really interesting, much appreciated.
@@TheSeniorGolfMan no worries mate! :)
Ah, grids, barndoors, gel holders? I'd like a magnetic circle to just stick gels to the rim of the reflector, can improvise wiht some magnets of my own but any good holder kits?
Awesome video, I had been looking for an analysis like this one for weeks. I'm a newbie, what applications could I give the standard reflector as it is the cheapest and easiest one to get?
Is there some sort of a small native godox mount reflector for Ad400Pro that would make it work better with umbrellas? Also really curious what's the difference between the AD-R14 and AD-R12, any idea? I found the Bowens umbrella reflector, but I'd like to find one that does not require the adapter...
Very informative review! Thank you for this! Out of curiosity, what did you use to mount you MS300s from above? Thanks, Ariel.
I use this super clamp : adorama.rfvk.net/9KmqQ
And then a safety leash through the umbrella holder in case anything disconnects.
Interesting, Robert. Now you have established the LV each one puts out, could you repeat the test with the reflectors at, say, 6' from that wall and perpendicular, and shoot a rather wide angle so we can see where the light from each falls off, and how evenly they light within that light circle?
Would you recommend the RFT-13 reflector on the AD 400 Pro light for lighting big groups outdoors over the standard mini reflector that is included with 400 Pro? I just like the compactness of 400 Pro, but want to maximize output a little bit!
Got it today, 1.3 stops brighter! :)
Nice! Have you ever tried using or comparing the reflectors for the Godox mount specifically for the AD300Pro? The AD-R12, AD-R14 and its AD300Pro reflector.
I do have them all but haven’t done any comparisons or used any of the reflectors on my 300 pro because I exclusively use it as a key light. And I don’t keep anything Godox mount in studio because I don’t want people to confused it with all the bowens stuff. Maybe I’ll check them out in the future.
This is completely off topic but since Robert covers the crap out of everything Godox that I’m either shopping or learning how to use I’ve set notifications to “all” and somehow it keeps getting turned off. Am I the only one this happens to? Anyone know of a fix?
Love the video! I honestly think these type of contents are sometime even more useful than the $2000 vs $500 light kind of videos. I have a question about the godox standard reflector though: I do a lot of product photography and I noticed that when using the standard reflector on ad200 bare bulb, I get a slight double shadow effect which is very annoying when I'm trying to get crisp shadows. Any suggestions?
Without testing and working on a solution I couldn’t say for sure, but you might be seeing a double shadow due to the helical design of the AD200’s bare bulb. A horseshoe style bulb is what’s commonly used in still life photography, and even at that, photographers will often light with the bulb’s side, and not its front, for the most clear and crisply defined shadow. You can make a “poor man’s hardbox” using Cinefoil to maximize this effect - essentially creating a black dome over the strobe’s bulb, with a small window cut out on the side.
Anyone have a link to grids that fit with the RFT-13 Pro?
Godox 7" RFT-19 Reflector - Can you use grids with this?
I was going to ask the question on the Adorama website but the Q&A option wasn't available.
I'd be interested in this reflector if I could add grids.
you can add the grid that comes with the barndoors. not useful with continuous light (you see the grid in its output).
@@willivalentin9732 - I didn't even think about the barndoors. I guess those attachments would take grids. I was hoping the reflector would just take grids as is.
I've never seen the grid in the output of my other reflectors (strobe or continuous) but I'll have to check it out.
Hey Robert, have you ever had the chance or do you still intend to do a Godox, Westcott comparison? I need to purchase some flashes here soon and can’t find much info on the fj lights.
I do still intend on doing it, I just spent every spare hour of February working to open up my studio and then scheduled all these sessions early March to refine the space and get marketing materials for rentals. That being said, I’ve put in a request to get the Westcott units so hope to cover them relatively soon. But, I can’t guarantee how fast I’ll get them!
Thanks Robert. I need to make a decision here pretty quick to get back up and running. Debating between the FJ200s and ad300. Thanks again.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Do you happen to have any of the long throw reflectors to test out? Looking at getting a few of the Glow 45degree long throw reflectors.
I covered a different long throw reflector in my quest to find the most powerful light modifier. Found the cheetahstand colt 45 to be .7 stop more powerful than the RFT-19 reflector used here, which would still put it over the RFT-13 that was the brightest in this video. But ultimately I found a 20” deep para to be brighter than both.
ua-cam.com/video/aANkCm_T8FI/v-deo.html
@@robhallphototry the Glow Magnum ;)
The issue with the background reflctor you mentioned at the end: they should make it swivel (and possibly lock down with a little screw/knob), imho. I'm guessing the Bowens locking pins are located differently on different lights, so it might help with that too.
Yes I agree you should be able to modify it once it’s locked down just so it can accommodate different grip positions and lights.
I have the Adorama/Glow version and it has a knurled bolt to adjust the position of the reflector.
Any recommendation for a diffuser sock or it's moot to put one?
I don't think a sock would be helpful for a background light. Don't need to worry as much about specularity on a BG. It would only kill power and maybe increase spread.
Yup, not interested in a sock. The objective is to find a reflector that is even at this distance, covering the entire background, so there’s no specularity to be concerned with in the first place. And it would indeed increase the coverage and eliminate all the effort of finding a reflector that doesn’t hit my subject.
just wondering: a perfect test would have been without daylight, right? or did I miss something?
So we ain't going to mention that the mannequin turned into a guy lol and then turned back
What with the dude 😂 he subd for the manucan