Godox GAS Attack: I currently have a Canon 430EX II and received $150 in Amazon gift cards. Looking to spend it on the Godox V860. The Canon flash is over 10 years old. Can I expect a...

Amadeus Loc: New York

I currently have a Canon 430EX II and received $150 in Amazon gift cards. Looking to spend it on the Godox V860.
The Canon flash is over 10 years old. Can I expect a considerable improvement over the old Canon flash? It's working well. I don't like the color cast I get with it, but it's easily corrected in PP.
Should I go for the Godox or am I wasting my time and money?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You've got nothing to lose. Amazon has a great return policy. Just buy it, try it, and send it back if you don't like it. Be careful to keep all the packing. (I would anyway)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

G.A.S.

I usually don't replace stuff until it breaks.
Is your current flash not performing the way you want it to perform?
What would the Godox do that your current flash will not do?

Amadeus Loc: New York

Longshadow wrote:

G.A.S.

I usually don't replace stuff until it breaks.
Is your current flash not performing the way you want it to perform?
What would the Godox do that your current flash will not do?

That’s why I was asking. Have things changed in 10 years where it’s worth getting a new unit? Will it perform better than a 10 year old flash?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Longshadow wrote:

G.A.S.

What would the Godox do that your current flash will not do?

Well, built in radio control for starters.
I love my Godox flashes.
Do a lot of off camera flash and this system is great.
I have the V-1, AD 200 and an AD-600

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Well, built in radio control for starters.
I love my Godox flashes.
Do a lot of off camera flash and this system is great.
I have the V-1, AD 200 and an AD-600

That sounds like a real benefit!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Longshadow wrote:

That sounds like a real benefit!

Huge! Also, the 860 has a Lithium ion battery pack, that gives a ton more full power flashes than 4 AA’s can provide.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Huge! Also, the 860 has a Lithium ion battery pack, that gives a ton more full power flashes than 4 AA’s can provide.

That would definitely help if one does a lot of flash photography.

But only the poster will know if these are reasons that are good enough for his requirements to justify the purchase.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Longshadow wrote:

That would definitely help if one does a lot of flash photography.

But only the poster will know if these are reasons that are good enough for his requirements to justify the purchase.

Yep. Lots of different wants, needs and skill levels.
You don’t know what you don’t know.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

If you only ever use 1 flash on camera, I doubt it'll make much difference. The magic in the Godox (or Flashpoint, same stuff) brand is that all of it can work together: off camera with an on camera trigger; on camera flash that can trigger off camera flashes as well, low cost flashes, low cost strobes, medium cost strobes, etc. It all works together.

Haydon

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Well, built in radio control for starters.
I love my Godox flashes.
Do a lot of off camera flash and this system is great.
I have the V-1, AD 200 and an AD-600

The propriety battery is said to hold up to 650 shots without a charge. That beats AA batteries hands down. It's liable to have a faster refresh rate as well.

Amadeus Loc: New York

I believe it is more powerful than my older Canon. Has more reach. I really just shoot with one flash on camera but I may do what someone said. Get it, try it and see if there is any difference or improvement. If I do want to use the older Canon as a slave, I'm guessing that will work. I appreciate your input.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Amadeus wrote:

I currently have a Canon 430EX II and received $150 in Amazon gift cards. Looking to spend it on the Godox V860.
The Canon flash is over 10 years old. Can I expect a considerable improvement over the old Canon flash? It's working well. I don't like the color cast I get with it, but it's easily corrected in PP.
Should I go for the Godox or am I wasting my time and money?

The link below shows the power ratings at different zoom settings for your 430 flash. You will need to find similar ratings for the Godox V860. I have both flashes and I like the Godox better for the included flash card, battery and recycle time. It definitely last longer at family events. To me the output seems to be similar between them but I do a lot of flash compensation during shooting so not sure regarding power rating.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/flash/430ex-ii.htm

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

DavidM wrote:

The link below shows the power ratings at different zoom settings for your 430 flash. You will need to find similar ratings for the Godox V860. I have both flashes and I like the Godox better for the included flash card, battery and recycle time. It definitely last longer at family events. To me the output seems to be similar between them but I do a lot of flash compensation during shooting so not sure regarding power rating.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/flash/430ex-ii.htm

below is some info regarding the V860 for comparison.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/flash-review-the-godox-ving-v860-ii-is-a-great-value-wireless-solution
http://www.godox.com/EN/Products_Camera_Flash_V860II.html

Amadeus Loc: New York

Those are quite helpful. The 860 has significantly more power and the rechargeable battery is a big plus too.