Godox AD400 Pro Review
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- I've gotten a lot of requests to test this new light, so I put it through the mill and here's what I found. For more info here's the link on Amazon: www.amazon.com... and for more on my real estate photography series see www.amazon.com...
Got a lot of questions on my DIY knob/bolt/handle for the XPLOR 600. Here are the parts:
Carriage Bolt: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGWDX4Q/
Washer: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KQ198NP/
Knurled Knob: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XYDT8TY/
TIP: The parts are so inexpensive that you can make an extra set to keep in a gear bag/case in case of emergency. I'm also planning another video on how to make special handles for the AD400 Pro, AD200, and AD600.
Excellent review, Nathan, but, the heck with the AD400, it's your house I want!
Great review! I replaced my broken XPLOR 600 w/ AD400 Pro and I’m really happy with it. As a petite person, that 1.5# less weight really helps and my hands are small so the handle is not an issue :)
I put a pistol grip on my 400...works like a darn! Mind you I never put it on a stand. Great review!
Where did you get the grip??
@@trosencrantz Just off Amazon...needed a small screw adapter because the hole was too large...but it works very well to handhold. There was also a video on You Tube on it. Sorry I can't remember the guys name.
@@trosencrantz Found it....
ua-cam.com/video/eexN_hUhgkY/v-deo.html
Very good and honest review. I value your opinion when it comes to real-world use. I have a xPlorer 600 and I love it. I feel better about my choice now. Thanks!
Superb level of detail. I wish all reviewers were so meticulous. Question: If I leave the Bowens adapter on the ad400, when I pack it away in a Pelican or other case, would that leave the bulb fully exposed? Or does the bulb cover fit on the device even when the Bowens adapter is attached. Thanks!!!
Really like the bowens mount included! Good review, as always man!
Thanks Nathan - lots of very useful information and well presented>
You either read my mind or my comment. Either way, thanks!
Thank you for this!
Nice review and I like the interior color of your home.
I just ordered the AD400 Pro from Adorama for $400
Thanks Nathan, great review as usual!
The most complete review I have seen of the three with one exemption I would like your thoughts on the ad-b2 and the two ad200 attached.
Not a fan of that setup. Now that the AD400 Pro is out there's just one light at a lower cost than two AD200s with the b2.
I have been using the ad200 with the round head for interiors. It works pretty good if you don't mind popping alot of flash. I have also used one of those small softboxes with it that also works well.
Well I was looking at this in addition to my 600 and you may have talked me out of it, lol.
Great comparison!
I've been using the AD400 Pro exclusively. To me the stand mount on the 600 is a deal breaker. The AD400 is much better build quality and mine has a handle on the back. You can also use the standard reflector with the Bowens mount adapter. You just take the back part of the reflector off.
What stand are you using??? (On the 400pro)
Well done
Hey nathan,
First thank you so much for your tutorials. It really helped me improving my photography.
I do have one question regarding real estate indoor photography and the lightning set up.
Would you recommend the Godox AD400 Pro as only light source?
--> It´s winter time in germany and there is no good light.
I do want to know if I should buy a specific kind of lightning in combination with the Godox AD400 Pro
What would you recommend?
Kind regards from Hesse Germany
Yakob
Guten Morgen Yakob! That's a great question, and with low light this time of year there's a lot more flexibility using the flash-ambient technique, so you can use that to your advantage. To determine what lights could help you out (as primary, secondary, etc.) there's no simple single answer since it depends on your budget, home sizes, and more. I think though that my new lighting guide would help you out, here's a link for Germany if you want to take a look: www.amazon.de/dp/B07Z9KKGCS
Excellent review. May I ask how you sync your camera with the Xplor 600 and the AD200 pro?
Thank you! There are a few ways to go, especially since this video, which is now a bit on the old side. But I show how to deal with lighting, triggers, and more in my pro interiors course at LearnRE.NathanCool.com and also in my book on interior photography at amzn.to/44XbOIJ
@@NathanCoolPhoto So these are online courses? Do you get the book as well when you enroll?
Yes, these are all online courses that you take at your own pace, and they don't expire. The books are sold separately.
Hey Nathan...did you ever come up with a better handle solution for the AD400? Also...how did you end up packing it for transport for RE work?
I just handhold it when I need to use the case it came in. You might want to look at the AD300Pro which is between the 200 and 400, smaller, easier to handle and pack, and this particular package deal amzn.to/3FzxZud has a handle, which could also be made for the AD400. The handle is just this amzn.to/3UDkQVd with a spigot adapter like this amzn.to/3iKkvTv
Hey Nathan, cheers for the review. Is it possible to custom fit a decent handle to the AD400pro?
I made one, and was going to post a video on it, but I haven't been using it, so I didn't :) Perhaps a video on what I made?
Hi Natan, thanks for the review, I have the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 which has the same handle (or lack of) as the AD400 in this review. Did you find a handle to buy or a DYI solution?
I ordered parts and once hobbling one together I'll make another video on that.
The tilt mechanism on my AD400 is locked! I can't get it to tilt no matter what I do with the clutch mechanism..is there a trick to this? Thanks?
Isn't the XPlore600 identical with the Godox AD600?
Hi Nathan,
I have a Canon 600d with wide-angle lens, 50mm lens and Neewer NW565EX E-TTL Slave Flash Speedlite Kit.
I am hoping to take some interior shots of window blinds and would like to know if a single Godox AD400 is all I need, apart from some reflectors. I am l starting out and am about to buy your books also. Hope you can point me in the right direction.
Hi Ken, I'd recommend looking through my interiors book and lighting guide, which will help you better understand the "whys" behind the "whats" when it comes to all gear for RE photography, here's a link to those: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078NLRKNM?ref_=series_rw_dp_labf
love your video Nathan, got your real state dvds
Thanks so much! But I don't have DVDs. I do though have books on REP, here's a link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078NLRKNM?ref_=series_rw_dp_labf
How long is the bolt you used for the 600 handle and where did you get the knob? Mine on the 600 is not stripped but I'm not a fan of the current wing knob. Thanks, Nathan!
Just added new pinned comment at the top of the comments with links to all the parts. New video planned to cover this and other custom made handles.
Hi Nathan, do you think Godox tt350 is a good flash for small rooms? thank you
Speedlights are speedlights. I break down lights, gear, and more in in the interiors e-book at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0755KXSL4
Great review! Did you have any overheating issues with any of those. I find that flashes with TTL function tend to overheat more easily.
Thanks! Never had an overheating problem with any of the Godox/Flashpoint lights.
@@NathanCoolPhoto That's great news thank you! Just ordered the Ad600B
Hi Nathan, i'm looking at getting a more powerful flash as I've been running into a lot of rooms with harsh Australian sunlight that my current Godox speedlights are struggling with. What's your current recommendation for a more powerful light to deal with harsh light and large open plan spaces? What are your thoughts on the new ad300? i'm trying to weigh portability, convenience, power. and workflow.....will probably concede somewhere haha Thanks for any advice.
Hi Darran, I cover that in my lighting guide, here's a link: www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9KKGCS
Hi Nathan, just wondering if you have plans to review the Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro TTL R2 Battery-Powered Monolight (Godox AD300) ?
Great question, but nope. I see no advantage in having a footprint the size of an AD400 for a light with less power. Between the AD200 and AD400, I see no need for another in-betweener :) I don't actually understand why they would come up with such a light.
Ok - thanks for your thoughts and the quick follow up.
Dumb question. I am seeing lights with the same guide numbers claiming significantly different performance. Also, I will see a guide number listed as 60 and then again 197 on the same light? Ideas?
Look closely at the ISO rating and distance for the guide number, sometimes they vary. In either case, I find the only way to really know the power is to test it myself. I have lighting tables that break this down in my lighting guide, which you might want to check out at amzn.to/2XuufD2
Hi Nathan, I already have ad 200, but I need more power, what will be better for real estate additional ad 200 or ad 400 pro? Size and weight also important for me
Hi Llya, hopefully there's enough info in this and my AD200 Pro video to help with that decision. AD400 has many advantages over the AD200, yet the AD200 has advantages over the AD400. Perhaps rewatch the video a few times after shopping around, and see if something stands out to you to help make that decision.
You could always get that seperate head option that lets you plug a second AD200 into it. Might be a little unwieldy but you could save a couple bucks and you have the versatility of 2 strobes instead of one.
@@GeraldBertramPhotography Yes I know, but if I will use two ad 200 with this head, it will give me the same power as ad 400, or less?)
Pretty much the same power as 2 AD200s, slightly less, but similar.
@@ilyamalloy Yup, pretty much exactly what Nathan said.
have you checked out the westcott fj400 ?
Nope, so many lights, so little time :)
Have you had any updated thoughts on the AD400? I've been shooting with a speedlite and AD200, but ran into a situation where I really needed more power, so trying to decide between the 400 and 600.... I would prefer to stay lighter and more compact if possible. - Chris
I've been using the AD400 on a variety of shoots. Follow me on IG and FB and you'll see regular posts where I talk about lighting setups and what I used.
Anyone think it’s possible to use LED lights for real estate photography ??
Hi Lexi, I talk about this in my new lighting guide, basically no, you won't get enough light and it would take far too long to shoot an entire property compared to using flash. More on that at www.amazon.com/Lighting-Guide-Real-Estate-Photography-ebook/dp/B07Z9KKGCS/
Where did you get the knurled knob?
See new pinned comment at the top...included links to all the parts.
I have the ad360 and after your review I don’t think I will be buying the 400. What do you think about the ad600 pro? Is it better for real estate photography than the ad600?
Hi Paul, the 600 Pro is about $900 compared to the AD600 non-TTL at about $550. Same handle issue as the AD400 pro, so at this point I don't know if I'd consider the 600 pro. AD400 pro though has great portability, and the power was very impressive.
@@NathanCoolPhoto I think I will get the AD600 non TTL. I will then use my AD360 as a portable and the 600 as my main light for large rooms.
Have you tested the AD300 yet?!
Nope. I don't see a need for it since it's about the size of an AD400, which has more power, yet bulkier than an AD200, which has just a little less power. Having an AD400 and AD200 I couldn't see where a 300 would make much sense...not even sure why they made that light :)
what is TTL actualy?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through-the-lens_metering
Man I’m so torn. I just have flashpoint speedlights at the moment and want to move to my first mono light. I mostly just get portrait/headshot and the occasional wedding work. I’m really really hoping to get into real estate. So I’m wondering if I should get the 400pro for 650$ with the color stable feature and ttl, or if I’m doing outdoor portraits I’ll really miss out on the extra power of the ad600. The ad600 pro is just too much for me (900$), so I’m debating between the ad600, ad600 ttl, or ad400 pro.
If it were me, I'd get the non-TTL AD600 (or XPLOR 600, same thing by Flashpoint), which runs about $565, I never use TTL for anything...I'm a control freak that way :) www.adorama.com/fplfx600bf.html