Round flash head
Jan 26, 2024 13:18:10 #
I am curious, what are the advantages/disadvantages of round flash heads (like the Godox V1) over the traditional type?
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
Jan 26, 2024 13:43:43 #
M1911
Loc: DFW Metromess
Generally there is a wider selection of light modifiers available for round head flash units,
Jan 26, 2024 13:45:42 #
PHRubin wrote:
I am curious, what are the advantages/disadvantages of round flash heads (like the Godox V1) over the traditional type?
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
You can do whatever you want with it.
Jan 26, 2024 14:08:13 #
Maybe this will help: https://fstoppers.com/review/round-heads-are-all-rage-fstoppers-reviews-godox-v1-385330
Jan 26, 2024 17:43:44 #
Many reasons, but they are not necessarily only what advertising hype says.
If yo are a long-time flash user, you might remember the "old school" strobes. They were comprised of a comparatively large round lamp head powered by an external shoulder or belt-carried power supply. Mostof those unts had a well-placed helical or U-shaped flash tube and a matte or stippled finished reflector surface. This configuration yielded a soft and more even light than most current rectangular Speedlights. Even with an on-camera single light, the results were usually softer and more natural than what is obtained with many of the latest unmodified speedlights.
The average small rectangular Speedlight utilizes a small linear flash tube in a comparatively small enclosure with a highly polished metal or kind of Morror-Mylar reflector. There is a plastic lenticular-like lens to somewhat diffuse and spread the light but it is not the same as the larger lampheads as described above. If the Speedlight has a zoom enablement, it will be softer and have more coverage in wide-angle mode.
A backstory: The big old round units were very popular among wedding photographers. Back in the day, wedding photoghay was in the preview of many local and established portrat studios. Mostof the better wedding shooters were trained in portrait techniques and applied them to their candid work. The technique of feathering is best applied with a parabolic reflector in play and the softer and wider lightg pattern and quality were well suited for group, full-length shots and were less likely to burn out and deliver detal in broad gowns. The old unts were in the 100 to the 200-watt-second range so there was plety of power to compensate for the soft working reflectors. The average speedlights weigh in at 75 to 85-watt seconds and get their effective power from a more concentrated beam and a highly polished reflector.
The latest round-head Speedligh from Godox? It's a nice little unit. The round head, as per their tests and illustrations, is an improvement over the rectangular models and for me, somewhat reminiscent of the old-time units, plus, there's an n available external power pack for more flash per charge. There is a nice kit of easily attachable modofires. I think it has a usable onboard modelig lamp.
My rough guess is that it will not exactly substitute for a unit with a much larger lamp head and reflector but it is a marked improvement over the usual Speedlights. One of my second shooters has 2 of them and the results are quite good. Size and portability is an advantage over larger units.
If yo are a long-time flash user, you might remember the "old school" strobes. They were comprised of a comparatively large round lamp head powered by an external shoulder or belt-carried power supply. Mostof those unts had a well-placed helical or U-shaped flash tube and a matte or stippled finished reflector surface. This configuration yielded a soft and more even light than most current rectangular Speedlights. Even with an on-camera single light, the results were usually softer and more natural than what is obtained with many of the latest unmodified speedlights.
The average small rectangular Speedlight utilizes a small linear flash tube in a comparatively small enclosure with a highly polished metal or kind of Morror-Mylar reflector. There is a plastic lenticular-like lens to somewhat diffuse and spread the light but it is not the same as the larger lampheads as described above. If the Speedlight has a zoom enablement, it will be softer and have more coverage in wide-angle mode.
A backstory: The big old round units were very popular among wedding photographers. Back in the day, wedding photoghay was in the preview of many local and established portrat studios. Mostof the better wedding shooters were trained in portrait techniques and applied them to their candid work. The technique of feathering is best applied with a parabolic reflector in play and the softer and wider lightg pattern and quality were well suited for group, full-length shots and were less likely to burn out and deliver detal in broad gowns. The old unts were in the 100 to the 200-watt-second range so there was plety of power to compensate for the soft working reflectors. The average speedlights weigh in at 75 to 85-watt seconds and get their effective power from a more concentrated beam and a highly polished reflector.
The latest round-head Speedligh from Godox? It's a nice little unit. The round head, as per their tests and illustrations, is an improvement over the rectangular models and for me, somewhat reminiscent of the old-time units, plus, there's an n available external power pack for more flash per charge. There is a nice kit of easily attachable modofires. I think it has a usable onboard modelig lamp.
My rough guess is that it will not exactly substitute for a unit with a much larger lamp head and reflector but it is a marked improvement over the usual Speedlights. One of my second shooters has 2 of them and the results are quite good. Size and portability is an advantage over larger units.
Jan 26, 2024 18:36:55 #
PHRubin wrote:
I am curious, what are the advantages/disadvantages of round flash heads (like the Godox V1) over the traditional type?
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
Traditional type ??!?!???!?? ROTFL.
Funny. I know you werent born yesterday.
Jan 26, 2024 19:05:00 #
Oh! I forgot about the bracket issue.
If you are using on-camera flash as a man of fill light, that kind of bracket is the best approach. It keeps the unit about 12" over the lens and precludes distracting background shadows in nearby walls and "red eye". It will improve the modeling and depth of light SLIGHTLY!
It will work well with a road or rectangular head.
If you are using on-camera flash as a man of fill light, that kind of bracket is the best approach. It keeps the unit about 12" over the lens and precludes distracting background shadows in nearby walls and "red eye". It will improve the modeling and depth of light SLIGHTLY!
It will work well with a road or rectangular head.
Jan 27, 2024 07:58:08 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
PHRubin wrote:
I am curious, what are the advantages/disadvantages of round flash heads (like the Godox V1) over the traditional type?
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
Light output and coverage is the same if both are set for the mm of lens you are using.
Jan 27, 2024 10:17:49 #
In the beginning and after flash powder, there were flashbulbs, and flashbulbs are round (I still have some from my Speed Graphic days).
Jan 27, 2024 11:58:53 #
BurghByrd
Loc: Pittsburgh
PHRubin wrote:
I am curious, what are the advantages/disadvantages of round flash heads (like the Godox V1) over the traditional type?
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
I use the traditional type with a bracket (Vello CB-100) that keeps the head in the same orientation as the camera sensor.
The marketing says it's a more "natural" pattern but I have yet to see a round sensor. My conclusion is it's a marketing gimmik. Base your decision on other more useful features (build quality, compatibility with your camera's TTL system, is it remote capable either by radio or optical pulse etc.).
Jan 27, 2024 12:45:55 #
billnikon wrote:
Light output and coverage is the same if both are set for the mm of lens you are using.
Please inform if youve encounterd a bowl reflector flash that adjusts for that.
Jan 27, 2024 12:47:25 #
FlaGator wrote:
In the beginning and after flash powder, there were flashbulbs, and flashbulbs are round (I still have some from my Speed Graphic days).
And then came cube flash...
Jan 27, 2024 12:49:07 #
The most important thing about small flash is how you use it. Round or square a small flash on camera will give predictable results and relatively unflattering light. Using a flip bracket does help both with red-eye and tell tale shadows.
The sensor shape reflectors concentrate the beam to give a slightly higher GN for a given watt/second input
With the flash on the camera pointed at the subject there may be a bit more evenness to the beam..... but it is still direct flash on camera with high contrast harsh shadows and obvious fall off.
The biggest improvement in Quality of light from a small flash is good use of bouncing technique.
If you bounce the small difference in evenness between rectangular and round goes away.
However where Round flashes do have an advantage is in off camera flash where modifiers are used. Round is just an easier fit to many pore modifiers and soft boxes
For years we used Quantum Flashes and Batteries which were essentially small studio units that were portable and had gobs more power and near instant recycling.
But with modern cameras there is less need for high power.
Good makes a nice, well thought out flash system. They also OEM for Adorama and Westcott and Westcott offers USA based service They are also cheaper than Brand name flashes.
So either type of flash can produce great results ....in capable hands, and both can produce "Deer in the Headlights" effects when used on camera.
So if you own flashes , don't change, if you are looking for a new flash system take a look at round, and I would go with Westcott for the service.
The sensor shape reflectors concentrate the beam to give a slightly higher GN for a given watt/second input
With the flash on the camera pointed at the subject there may be a bit more evenness to the beam..... but it is still direct flash on camera with high contrast harsh shadows and obvious fall off.
The biggest improvement in Quality of light from a small flash is good use of bouncing technique.
If you bounce the small difference in evenness between rectangular and round goes away.
However where Round flashes do have an advantage is in off camera flash where modifiers are used. Round is just an easier fit to many pore modifiers and soft boxes
For years we used Quantum Flashes and Batteries which were essentially small studio units that were portable and had gobs more power and near instant recycling.
But with modern cameras there is less need for high power.
Good makes a nice, well thought out flash system. They also OEM for Adorama and Westcott and Westcott offers USA based service They are also cheaper than Brand name flashes.
So either type of flash can produce great results ....in capable hands, and both can produce "Deer in the Headlights" effects when used on camera.
So if you own flashes , don't change, if you are looking for a new flash system take a look at round, and I would go with Westcott for the service.
Jan 27, 2024 12:50:46 #
BurghByrd wrote:
The marketing says it's a more "natural" pattern but I have yet to see a round sensor. My conclusion is it's a marketing gimmik. ........).
Thaz such nonsense. Your lens is round and thaz what really matters.
Jan 27, 2024 13:52:37 #
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