Put a Little Light on the Subject: GODOX Review

Photography comes from the Greeks - the word meaning drawing with light. Of course, it was over a millennia when Kodak, Fuji, Ilford, and all the others introduced their light sensitive materials that required wet processing and printing. Today, with the advent of digital age, film was mostly replaced by light sensitive sensors. Whichever method, all need to have light focused through the lens and light drawn onto the film or digital camera. Sometimes, the existing light needs a little help or, maybe, even a big kick to make the photograph happen.

I give you the GODOX line which can help you do just that.

[caption id="attachment_4862" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Credit: GODOX[/caption]

For me, a certain kind of light, along with an interesting subject, makes it all happen with photography. The trick for me over the years is to recognize the situations where I take advantage of the existing light to document a scene or I move my subject into the appropriate light. Many times, especially on a commercial shoot, I have to modify the existing light with a reflector, an LED light (not great for outside daylight shots), or an onboard flash or a flash unit such as the Godox, which I am reviewing here.

My first impression of the Godox was the solid build and easy function workflow. I was also impressed with the ability to take advantage of the TTL feature, which allows spot on exposure every time - very important for events, social, commercial, or weddings where one wants to assure that each shot will be lit properly.

Another feature I fell in love with from the small basic unit to the top of the line professional flash is the HSS (High Speed Sync), which allows the photographer many options past the camera’s slower flash sync, syncing up to a whopping 1/8000th of a second. There are so many other features, such as:

• Rear curtain 
• Stroboscopic flash
• Plus minus power
• Manual settings
• Light activated slave, along with the option of using several units with the wireless flash trigger.

I also like the little pouch with an inside sleeve to hold the foot that attaches to the flash to stand it on its own on the floor or a table. Or, you can even screw it on your tripod or tripod quick release plate. They have thought out all the details and possibilities for practically any situation.

The smallest unit, the TT350C-GN36, 22 steps of power output(1/1-1/128); Approx.0.1-2.2s Recycle Time, 210 Full Power Flashes. 24-105mm auto/manual zooming.

[caption id="attachment_4856" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: GODOX[/caption]

GODOX's smallest unit is perfect for the small camera, fast lens photographer, traveler, amateur, and fine art, professional or macro photographer who wants to add something with more options than their onboard flash or when their camera has no built in flash.

[caption id="attachment_4868" align="aligncenter" width="640"] GODOX TT350C | Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]

This is for adding just enough light without overpowering the scene in those low light situations. Even at this economy end of the Godox line, it packs all the features of the larger flashes I also tested.

For me, the two more powerful units, the TT685C (which is powered by 4 AA batteries), and the V860IIC (powered by its own removable rechargeable battery) both with a GN of 60. 

[caption id="attachment_4857" align="aligncenter" width="640"] GODOX TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash for Canon Cameras | Credit: GODOX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4869" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]

The units can zoom from 20mm-200mm as well as a wide-angle diffusion panel that can be used with even light output for a very wide angle 14mm lens. These flashes ensure maximum compatibility with a range of lenses.

[caption id="attachment_4858" align="aligncenter" width="640"] GODOX VING V860IIC TTL Li-Ion Flash Kit for Canon Cameras | Credit: GODOX[/caption]

These two more powerful flashes are my are my first choice for commercial and location work. One light or one flash can do many things if one knows how to use it - such as bouncing off the ceiling as high as 10 - 15' for an even overall coverage or on a white-ish wall for an interesting sidelight. Both of these methods one can keep the flash on the hotshoe. But (here is where it gets fun and the creativity begins), with the attachment of the X1T-O TTL Wireless Flash Trigger, one can place the flash or other several flash units anywhere off camera to get a desired end result.

[caption id="attachment_4860" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]   Just a note, I would not use the AA batteries from the cheap dollar stores but the more powerful batteries that cost a bit more or make the investment in lithium ion rechargeable batteries that you can get from Samy’s Camera. Visit Samys.com and check out more of GODOX's lighting solutions.