This is our review of Godox AD100pro.
This comprehensive Godox AD100pro review will analyze the high quality features of this product. We will also discuss customer reviews, and potential alternatives for this camera flashes from Godox.
Let’s get started!
Godox AD100pro Overview
The Godox AD100pro is well and slightly smaller than the Godox V1. If you’re still interested in the Godox V1, please read our full review of this Godox v1 flash.
The Godox AD camera flash line includes many options. Here is a list of some excellent Godox camera flashes offered in this range.
Our detailed analysis will focus on the Godox AD100pro. This Godox camera flash is the most popular product in the Godox camera flash line and is suitable for a wide range of photography situations.
Build Quality
The Godox AD100pro is less surprising due to its plastic construction. Many Godox camera flashes are made of plastic as well. The Godox AD100pro is particularly plastic-heavy, with a plastic body without a metal front ring. However, this unique material choice contributes to its lightweight design, weighing less than an on-camera flash.
Interestingly, despite the Godox ad100pro having 100-watt seconds of power, there is considerable simplicity inside. The design of this Godox ad100pro is lightweight and compact, allowing photographers to carry it around easily.
I didn't use sandbags during my photo shoots with this light stand as I had intended only to use my small 25-inch softbox. However, it turned out fine, and I used a 47-inch layout fast softbox on it, which also worked well, even at full power.
With the large softbox, the light stand kept falling over, causing it to hit the ground numerous times. Compared to the ad200, which I broke when it fell from just a couple of feet, this one has endured the falls better. This device, perhaps due to its lightweight, is less prone to breakage in snowy conditions. Godox has learned from past experiences that a substantial protective lip surrounds the screen.
100 watt seconds of power
The main feature of this camera flash is its 100-watt seconds of power. Compared to a high-end strobe, which generally offers around 60 seconds of power, this device provides approximately 50 more watts, making it significantly more powerful. Comparing power levels becomes more straightforward as you move up to the 200 and 300-watt-second models. The 200 watt-second and 300 watt-second options offer distinct differences in power output.
Focusing Head
One significant advantage of the AD100pro is its focusing head, allowing you to adjust the focus from 28 to 85 millimeters. While it offers slightly less zoom range than the V1, it provides a significantly greater zoom range than the round head for the ad200, which lacks zoom functionality entirely. It's fixed at 35 millimeters. In addition to this, the head on the ad200 is very soft and relies on a diffusion layer to disperse the light in a circular pattern. On the other hand, the AD100pro utilizes a fresnel layer, diffusing the light and refocusing it, providing a different lighting effect.
You can achieve more power output with the AD100pro than the AD200 with the round head attachment. However, it's important to note that the AD100pro may not be as bright as the light emitted by the 300 model, which is expected given the higher power rating.
The AD100pro lacks certain features in many other Godox Pro products, such as a stable color mode and a channel scan mode. Additionally, it comes with a built-in lamp that could be more brightly, resembling the same lamp found on the V1 model, from what I can gather. The built-in light on the AD100pro has a wattage of 1.8 watts and emits a warm color. Surprisingly, there has yet to be an upgrade in this aspect. Interestingly, after being left on for a while, the device activates its fan, which operates quietly.
The Godox magnetic mounting system has not undergone significant evolution since the introduction of the round heads on the V1 and ad200 models. Substantial updates in the system are needed to satisfy users hoping for further advancements. However, with the release of another strobe featuring the magnetic roundhead, Godox may continue to innovate and improve the system.
The AD100pro has a built-in battery that we could find in the V1 model. A closer look reveals that the V1 battery has a slight curvature on the back, designed to align with the V1's shape.
Built-in Battery
Unlike the V1 battery, the battery included with the AD100pro has a flat back to match the flat back of the device. Therefore, they are interchangeable. However, inserting the V1 battery into the AD100pro may feel slightly different as it sinks in a bit and only pops out slowly. It's worth noting that the cross-compatibility of the batteries is an improvement compared to the prototype version of the AD100pro, which had issues with the battery getting stuck.
Recycle Time
The AD100pro offers a 1.5-second recycle time at full power, which can be essential for many photographers. Suppose you have concerns about overheating or the recycling time. In that case, refer to my previous video, where you tested the flash's performance in terms of overheating and high-speed sync. Indeed, compared to other Godox Pro products, the AD100pro may not have all the features one might expect.
Usability
The Godox AD100pro's small and lightweight design is a crucial advantage, allowing for easy usability and portability. Its compact size enables it to fit into various shooting environments, and you can easily carry multiple AD100pro units.
The Godox AD100pro shares the same battery as the V1, which means you can use the same battery and charger for both devices. This compatibility adds convenience and flexibility for photographers already owning the V1 or other compatible Godox products.
When the AD8100 was first announced, I had high hopes that it would be an on-camera flash, offering a truly impressive alternative to the renowned options from brands like Profoto.
But it can function as an on-camera flash since it is lightweight, comparable to, or even lighter than many high-end flashes. If you engage in bounce flash techniques, you can attach the AD8100 to the top of your camera using a standard 1/4-20 to cold shoe adapter, allowing for convenient on-camera flash usage.
If you own a camera like the A9 or any with a sync port, you're in luck, as you can directly connect the flash to the sync port. However, if your camera doesn't have a sync port, you'll need to use an accessory like an X1T transmitter or a similar device to transmit the signal from your camera to the flash.
After a few tries, this setup works very well. The Refire Radon performs flawlessly, and the power level is impressive. Although it looks unconventional, it's much more stable and reliable than setups where people use the AD8200 directly on top of their camera. With this setup, there's no risk of damaging or ripping off the hot shoe.
Light Quality
The light quality is where I find a bit of disappointment with the AD100pro. It has a color temperature of approximately 5,800K with a variance of plus or minus 200K, and unfortunately, it lacks a stable color mode, which seems a bit unusual.
There is an ongoing debate about whether to compare flash exposures by adjusting the aperture or by keeping it constant and increasing the shutter speed. In my opinion, it is more practical to maintain a consistent aperture and adjust the shutter speed. This approach is based on the understanding that the shutter speed, as long as it stays below the camera's sync speed should not significantly impact the amount of flash exposure entering the camera.
When we raise the shutter speed while maintaining a consistent flash power, the exposure remains constant. However, once the shutter speed surpasses the high-speed sync threshold, it becomes progressively more difficult for the flash to properly synchronize with it.
Due to the extended duration and increased intensity of the pulses, the flash unit encounters difficulties in maintaining adequate output. Hence, when utilizing a shutter speed as fast as 1/8000 of a second, the flash may face challenges in achieving optimal synchronization.
At approximately 1/8000 of a second, significant banding can become apparent, as demonstrated in these pictures. While the AD100pro does have its shortcomings and may not deliver the utmost image quality, its versatility allows for a range of creative possibilities.
Once again, the main selling point of the AD100pro lies in its ability to deliver power within an incredibly compact package. This flash unit might suit your needs if you require a compact solution with sufficient power. Its most significant utility lies in event photography or situations that involve setting up multiple lights within an indoor environment, where achieving proper exposure is relatively straightforward. The AD100pro offers advantages such as fast recycle times and remarkable versatility in these scenarios.
If you're looking for a flash that prioritizes convenience, portability, and travel-friendliness, the AD100pro is an ideal choice. It excels in being compact enough to fit into pockets, making it highly convenient for photographers on the go.
Godox AD100pro Reviews
96% of Godox AD100pro owners on Amazon would recommend Godox AD100pro. Many reviews give this product an average rating of 4.4/5 stars.