dyximan

I Realize These are very general question and depends a great deal on what your shooting. I have a few questions all related to flashes. I see flashes that are rectangular which are photos are, and I see flashes that are round which are lenses are, What are the advantages a Disadvantages to each and is there a particular scenario when you would choose one over the other. I would use them for some portraits and/or outdoor shots when I needed I guess it's called fill Flash when the Sun is behind my subjects. And other times I would like to use it for long exposures to set off the final image to identify it at the end and/or beginning of say a light trail of a cable car etc. I want to thank you in advance for your kind answers please refrain from the snarky ones if you can't come up with a nice one.

CO

Godox introduced the V1 round head flash. I've seen videos that show how it can be better for portraits. Both of my speedlights have rectangular heads. I might check out the Godox V1 sometime.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Here is a great article on the Godox that CO is referring to.

https://fstoppers.com/review/round-heads-are-all-rage-fstoppers-reviews-godox-v1-385330

Looks like a winner.

For years I used SunPak 120J, the older manual version, which was able to be used as a bare bulb flash - all the rage back in the day. ProPhoto has a very good light, but it is more than 2X the price of the Godox VI. Others worth considering are Flashpoint and Quantum with the latter being quite a bit more powerful than the rest of the speedlights.

Round lights do offer a round light pattern, but I have used them because they often are more powerful than the rectangular ones.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Look at Godox I have 2 camera systems and 1 dedicated Godox to each for TTL but the Interesting thing I can with Godox on camera controller use both on both systems

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I borrowed a Godox V1 as a backup to my Nikon SB 5000 for wedding I shot last September.
Wound up using the V1 a lot more.
(The SB 5000 is Nikon’s current top of the line flash and costs more than twice as much as the V1.)

With the V1, the exposures were more consistently correct, the backward tilting head was easier to use than Nikon and the long lasting Lithium Ion batteries were a big plus as well. As shown in the article, the round head filled my softbox and umbrella better. (With a rectangular head, the clip-on diffuser is helpful here)
The magnetic accessory attachment is a good idea as well. Beats rubber bands or tape.
I may have a last minute wedding to shoot next week and will borrow again or just break down and buy one of my own.

Here is an article comparing the Godox V1 to the Profoto A1.
https://www.slrlounge.com/profoto-vs-godox-review/

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I had been using Godox flashes for Nikon and now Sony for several years. I think they are equal to the camera brand at a fraction of the cost. I like the improvement of the V1 but for my type of shooting the circular pattern doesn't make any difference compared to rectangular. The Lithium battery is the outstanding feature for me as it recycles quicker and provides more flashes.

The TT860 also has the lithium battery and boasts similar specs at lower cost. For me the advantage of this flash is the Better Beamer for the SB900 fits perfectly improves the specs even more.

As a side note Flashpoint is Godox with a different label.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I urge you to read "The Speedliter's Handbook" by Syl Arena before you leap into flash photography. It will tell you all you need to know about the subject.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The rectangular shape was engineered to be used as an efficient light transfer for DIRECT flash from the camera position - matching the frame format of 35mm and similar medium formats. The round/square shape is meant for 6X6 medium formats. If you are bouncing the flash ( and you SHOULD be) the shape matters less, but should loosely match what you are bouncing off for efficiency - ie square/round umbrellas with square/round flash heads . All this is mostly about not wasting light !
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RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

I have been using Metz Mecablitz for many years, very accurate, keyed to each camera I’ve used them on, never failed me over at least a 50 year span

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

dyximan lots of very interesting and thoughtful replies, albeit there seems to be a compelling concern to showcase a particular unit/brand etc.

In my experience unless you are using a modifier between the flash head/bulb etc. you are not going to optimize your results. dyximan it is most likely the modifier(s) and whether you have the illumination source on/off camera that will ultimately determine the aesthetic qualities latent within the capture... However for many of my clients HSS is germane and is pivotal to the outcome. Add to this mix how you are able to trigger the off-camera flash is another layer of complexity.

The good news is unlike the lion's share of UHH photograhers you are looking to take your work entirely to the next level via illumination scenarios. Flash will certainly help you do this... So would using agency models for portraiture (Note: Nearly all commercial photographers portfolios showcase agency i.e. professional talent not their paying clients.) At the commercial level photography is a team effort where the photographer is only one member of the team, no more or less important than any other member. Hope this makes sense.

If you are serious about commercial portraiture then you'll also greatly benefit from collaboration with the best makeup artist and hair stylist in your market. Where to find them? https://www.weddingwire.com/

Please realize what I'm sharing here is not meant to be "snarky" as you expressed concern about. My thoughts come from years of commercial experience with not only flash/speedlights/studio strobes etc but with a focus on generating a viable revenue stream.

Bottom line? Photographic Excellence is not a consumer product but rather the aggregate result of mastering a rather complex craft. My path has been by assisting other commercial shooters in my market place. I stand entirely on their shoulders at this juncture.

What are my primary location tool(s)? A mix of Nikon SB910 and Shanny SN600SN (an SB910 clone). I use these in combo with Phottix Oden radio controllers/triggers.
Please see image below.

Wishing all the best on your journey dyximan...
Please stay safe, practice social distancing and wear a mask while in public...
.

Nikon D3x in HSS with four SB910 Speedlights though a 72" parabolic

(Download)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

That looks to be Canon specific

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

No - You can use everything he writes about with any flashes that can be used off the camera and synched.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

This first electronic flashes were oriented in a vertical way while 35mm frames were horizontal; once they got that straightened out, on-camera flashes have tended to match the camera frame. Off-camera flashes are a completely different story.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, WHAT were they thinking

Chris981 Loc: Pacific Palisades

It is all about the modifiers not the head unit configuration, in my opinion.
A lot of good input here.