The AD200 is one of the most versatile portable affordable battery powered stobes on the market. It was designed the way it was to be modular, so you can connect a fesnel head, extension head, bulb head, magnetic round head, ring flash... show me another product that does this! Battery lasts FOREVER. Of course recycle will be dimished if you are in high speed sync, like any other flash out there. No one is forcing you to use ring flash, if you want to use another modifier to suit your needs, go ahead. Ring flash needs to be used in a certain way to produce pleasing results... of course you will get a halo shadow if you position model right next to backdrop! If you dont want halo separate your foreground light to your background light. Complaining about a product because you dont understand how to use it, simply for a clickbait YT video is lame. Maybe put a bit more time into planning content for your channel 🤔🤔 Going out to use my AD200 right now... 👍📸

Dude you should have googled this flash before reviewing it. You’re complaining about it as if Godox has done something wrong. You complain about the shadows but that’s exactly what it does, then you overexpose then complain again. Please google and learn what it does and how to use it before reviewing.

It's a Ring Flash. It has a look to it ( which I love ) and it does it well. If you place your subject against a background that's ( in my opinion ) where it shines. Giving you that "Shadowless" look ( more like a halo of light) that it is known for. If used as intended it usually is a "One Trick Pony". However, rules were meant to be broken 😎 Keep that content coming homie. ✌❤

My man, you gotta start bring some sandbags with for your light stands. Keep your kit/ people safe. Some leg or wrist weights will do the job. :)

You should be more subtle with your ring flash make sure it is metered at -2 or -3 stops from your main light or ambient light and you will get a completely different look

Why do you say the AD200 is a "gimmick light" (9:04)? It's small, it's 200ws, can take a barebulb head, or a round head with a modeling light, you can use an extension head on it so the body acts as a [light] sandbag, or you can use it with the new sturdier swivel bracket, or the S2 bracket if you wanna use Bowens-mount modifiers, *and the tint is better than the AD100 and AD300*😁. It's just a flash; how's it "gimmicky"?

I love the AD300, has a decent modeling light for when you’re in a pinch, I love the smaller Godox mount and it still small enough to fit the case in my bag!

I just got the ad200 and it’s perfect for what i do

Just a question about your slow ad200 recycle time: Are you shooting the ad200 at full power every shot?

Great review I almost bought this product glad I saw ur review first you just gained a subscriber

Ring flash has very specific use scenarios I have seen them used in portraits only one time with really good results but it was always in conjunction with other lights. As far as the AD200 goes I like it in most scenarios there are times it just doesn’t have enough power but I know the limitations so I adjust my shooting or I break out the AD400 Pro. I rarely shoot with it at full power so the overheating isn’t an issue I admit the recycle time is slow and something that sometimes annoys me but then it can also be good because it forces me to slowdown

I have an ad600pro, an ad400pro and 3 ad200Pro’s. The only time I use my 600 is outdoors in bright sunlight where I need that power. If I can get by with my 400, which is almost always, I use that one. But for indoors I use my ad200’s and my V1’s for hair lights. I almost never need anything bigger than my 200’s for singles and small groups indoors.

When I use a meter on my ad400pro and my ad-b2 dual power bracket with two ad200 pros I get nearly identical readings.

So glad I listened to you a while back and just went for the AD300. Also picked up the AD100 so it's a great combo. Need to sell some modifiers and consolidate some gear this summer. Streamline! 😎 Thanks Ryan

I appreciate you sharing your view and experience with the R200, but I would not call it a review. To be fair I’m not sure you did. I would like to know if it worked correctly. Your application of it was a bit odd in my opinion. As a fill you would typically use a key light, exposed correctly, and then fill the shadows with the ring light a stop or two under. This is particularly convenient on location where a big fill reflector is cumbersome. The other area it is indispensable is in macro photography. Small subjects can be very difficult to light with the lens up close causing shadows. There are also some scientific uses. Then there is photogrammetry, but that should be done with cross polarization (typically). Like you said, no hard and fast rules. Hope that sheds a new light😅. Thank you for sharing.

I’ve watched lots of videos on the ring light and it’s really a fill light used with other flashes and does fill in the shadows. I think everything has a purpose in life and whilst I agree that the AD 200 has its limitations it does what it’s supposed to do and when you need more power then there is the 300/400/600 Yes there are better lights on the market but at this price point and choice I really do think that Godox knock it out of the park 😀

Can I have your godox ad200pro stuff then?

Could you please review the MS200v against the MS300v for portrait work on location

Lol fam are complaining about the effects of this lens??? That’s what a ring flash does, it will cast a shadow perfectly around a model if you’re close enough to a background. You could also use a big umbrella or softbox or natural light to soften the shadows. You also have to pay more attention to balancing the light especially if you’re shooting close to your model. Listen Fam send it to me Godox keep sending their products to the wrong people 😂😂😂 sheesh

Greetings Ryan from across the "Pond" here in the UK, trust you and the family are all well. Just watched this video on your experience with the R200, and your disappointment with it. From my limited knowledge these "Ring" type flash units are normally used for "Macro" Photography. The harsh light effect you experienced, is due to you not being able to place a modifier over the ring flash to diffuse and soften it's light. Keep up your excellent work, "the king is dead (AD200) long live the king (AD300)" and enjoy your AD300.

Not surprised, It's a ring light and that is what they do. That ring light is too small to fill in shadows if it can't "see" the shadow. Shadow fill comes from direct angles to directly fill in shadows. A large umbrella fills in shadows because the large surface area creates more line-of-sight angles to illuminate those shadows from center to edge of the modifier. The edge of the modifier has to "see" the shadow. The larger the modifier, the more lines-of-sight you have.

If you "don't like shadows" (3:33), you can't use a ringlight. A ringlight is not *a large enough source of light* to give a shadowless look [with the model near a background] (and also, the center cutout); in fact, people use it *for* the particular type of light & shadow it throws in studio with a model close to the bg. Also, when you say (8:04) "this look right here" - that's one of the correct uses of a ringflash, that "on-camera-flash" look *with* no shadows because the light is around the lens axis and the model has no bg right behind her.

At 6:18 there is two lights in that photo.... Maybe I am wrong (You said 1 umbrella) am I wrong ??

we invest and buy controlled lights not to be controlled by lights.

The funny thing about ring light is everything you hated about it is the reason why some photographers actually love it. Some people have a love/hate relationship with it, however, the light can be used other than an actual ring light. Use it as a “normal” light. Not attached to the barrel of the lens of a camera, but “off camera” at the usual 45 degree angle that you would use any other light. Place a diffuser scrim in front of it and you will get that soft light you desire. I do it all the time.

You basically didn’t get what the ring light effect was or you wouldn’t have to complain. And if you see what previously had to be done to get the ring light effect .. you’d really appreciate this product

Comparing an umbrella to a ring light and being upset they don't look alike, it's a recipe for unmet expectations. It's like comparing a knife to a fork. Bragging about selling the AD200...? It's fine to not like it, but saying the ring light sucks compared to the AD300, misses the point of different modifiers and light direction. An umbrella is designed to bounce light, where a ring light is design to fire in a straight line with the lens. You even had a grid on it, which only makes it more of a direct line of light.

No piece of equipment is right for everyone and no piece or equipment is right for every purpose so if the ad200 and the ring flash don't work for you that makes sense but you should understand that you didn't give either one a chance. The photos you took outside that weren't properly exposed for your taste were like that because you didn't bother to use the correct settings and that's on you but not the equipment. Would you complain that a camera wasn't any good because you used it with the settings it had when you took it out of the box too? The shadow you didn't like in the studio can be minimized to something that is considered one of the selling points of a ring light by having the subject right up against the background. Have your subject six or eight feet away from the wall and no shadow. The r200 in the studio when used properly is a perfect fill light when having a key light off to the side as long as it's on manual and set for 1,2 or 3 stops less than the key light depending on the look you want. I've used the ad200 since they first were on the market and the accessories made for it makes it like a swiss army knife of lights. I've used the traditional speed light head that comes with to get a certain look but mostly I use it with the round head with a dome diffuser, no diffuser and direct and with different third partly modifiers. Using it outside with HSS lets you turn day to night shooting as high a shutter speed as 1/8000 second or to get the perfect fill light. It can be use on camera and off camera with great results but only if the shooter bothers to learn how to use it. As far as light stands falling over you can get a head extension cable and mount the ad200 to the bottom of the stand with the head at the top and have more stability if you don't want to bring a sandbag with you.

When you say you couldn't do what you wanted to do with the 200, I'm wondering what it was you wanted to do? I have a couple of them and I use them all the time. I use them in bright sunlight, at dusk, and at night. Next time you want to sell one, let me know, I'll buy it off of you. Also, I checked out the Westcott and it's $100 more.

It is shadowless. Look at your subject. If you don't want shadows on your background then light the background separately. Even better, use the ring as a fill as its intended for a perfect on-axis fill but DONT overpower your key. Basics.

I had an AD200 for years, good beginner light for the price and the time that it came out, but over the years I just did not like using it and felt it was something I grew out of. From the recycle time to the random misfires it was something I didn't like using professionally anymore. Got an AD400 Pro, big improvement, still had recycle time issues and ended up upgrading into Profoto, no regrets. Also funny enough I have had a B10X Plus get knocked over twice and still survive to finish a shoot...not looking forward to the repair bill on it though.

Yikes, Total ROOKIE; I’ve forgotten more than this guy has learned.

I'm sorry you hated it... but to think that a Ring Flash wouldn't produce shadows was the biggest mistake. They're infamous for the type of shadowing effect they have., I'm quite surprised you never knew that? Ideal for photobooths, Fashion and Wedding Receptions/Night Clubs etc...

I always assumed the R200 was meant for product and macro style shooting. I use a similar product for macro. The look this gives isn’t flattering for portraits IMO. The lighting is too flat and reminiscent of a pocket camera, with the built in flash. That look is why I’ve never been fond of on camera flash. I have the original ad200 and the ad200pro and I only use them nowadays for travel and when I need a lightweight kit. Nice video

I have 2 AD200 Pros and love them. They have rubber mounts for the backs of them bro. Be careful with your gear.

hehe this halo is part of the charme. But I don't get the product either. for really cool stuff you want sunlight, shiny surfaces and 1200Ws

I loved the *idea* of this thing. Not because of what it was but what ELSE could they come up with that would be powered by a light a lot of us already have. I had hoped they would start coming out with new things every few months for it. But I'll stick with the 300's either way.

I have never had any of the issues you speak of and I’ve had the Godox ad200 pro since it came out hell I got 2. But honestly since I got the ad300 I hardly use anything else I will say the R200 is very finicky though I only use it off camera and it’s a pain to set up for sure but the ad200 pro for me is a great product across the board though my biggest complaint with Godox is the color temperature shift during rapid shots there is a way to fix it somewhat I don’t know what it is but you get what you pay for

what did you expect from a ring flash?

I don't really understand what you were expecting? Sure its a ring light, but its still a small light source. You cant compare this to a large light modifier.

Definitely not entertaining a ring light. Never tried one for wedding details, never needed too. FYI: I returned my AD300's. The AD200 bare bulb + modifier proved brighter than the AD300 with the same modifier. Shit, for the size, I think the AD100 was brighter than the 300. Kept 4xAD200's, & 2 AD100's while the 400's and 600's are collecting dust.

I cringed so hard in that original video of the AD300 going down. Few weeks later, same happened to me but it landed on its back and survived but I absolutely thought of you and meant to go back and add to my original comment but forgot until just now lol

I’m confused 😐 ??

5:40 R200

Busted your AD300 and struck by lightning? You're cursed? lol. AD200/AD400/AD600 all have extension heads - these are life/light savers! Wishing the AD300Pro had an extension head. As for the R200, it makes NO sense. I challenge anyone here to prove otherwise. They can talk all day on KZfaq how great it is - but their work proves otherwise (imo) As a fill? OK. But so can a speedlight. Perhaps for Macro? Although I doubt it works well for that without a diffuser.

eeeh, no. The ad200 is an pocket flash, it fills a specific use-case. An ad200 that looks just like any other flash is pointless At that point it would just be a less powerfull ad300 and you would just get an ad300 instead and dial it down

Looking at the outside street stuff now, dude why you overexposing so much? Of course it looks terrible you're blown out. If you're using TTL and have the same compensation you do for darker skinned subjects, you're going to blow this poor girl out. Shoot, look, adjust, repeat.

sandbag your shit bro

why ? ad200 is the best planet ! i watch 5 seconds thumbs down 👎