I have a few projects where I'm looking for the specific look of a ring light, and would like to keep it in the Profoto system, but the way the ring flashes are named is a little confusing.
Am I correct in assuming that the Profoto Acute/D4 ring flashes will work with both the D4 and Acute packs? The Acute B2 600 ws packs are pretty cheap, but I guess my only worry is that some of these packs are pretty long in the tooth at this point.
Alternative would be to just use a Godox AR400 ring flash, and just have an all in one unit for a reasonable price, that is new and has modern conveniences like TTL. I'm demoing it this weekend on a shoot that needs a really small footprint lighting wise. Wondering if anyone has any experience with the AR400 or the new AD200 attachment R200 ring light.
Compared to any AC powered Profoto setup, the Godox AD200 + R200 ring light or standalone AR400 are zero foot print since you hold the whole thing. Neither of those Godox lights are nearly as powerful as the Profoto ProRing. To get comparable output you'd need the Godox AD1200 battery or P2400 AC power pack. There are 1200 and 2400WS ring lights to match those Godox power packs. The AD1200 only supports one light. The P2400 has two outlets like the Profoto pack. You'd have a similar footprint to the Profoto with the pack on the floor and cable connections.
If you want small and modern, get the AD200 + R200 combo so long as the 200WS output is adequate for you. The AR400 is purely manual output. It has no TTL control. I opted for the R200 for that reason.
FYI: If you do get an R200, be sure to check the AD200 firmware. You need v1.4 or later to run the ring light. New ones should be updated. But older used ones might never have been updated if the original owner never used the ring light.
I switched to Godox a long time ago and have no regrets.
sungphoto wrote:
Am I correct in assuming that the Profoto Acute/D4 ring flashes will work with both the D4 and Acute packs? The Acute B2 600 ws packs are pretty cheap, but I guess my only worry is that some of these packs are pretty long in the tooth at this point.
I own a full mix of Acute/D4/Pro packs and lighting fixtures, although not the rings. The Acute/D4 ring will work with the AC-powered Acute and D4 packs. Both ProRing versions work with Pro packs, and D4 in Pro Mode. The AcuteB has curious aspects: can be worn on your person with the shoulder strap to allow mobile ring usage, but the modelling light is not supported. All the Profoto rings except ProRing2 have a WS/minute discharge limit to prevent overheating (ProRing2 is fan cooled). The AcuteB and AcuteB2 are cute and I don't worry about the age, but expect to need a recell of any unit you buy. The AcuteB, for example, takes a SLA motorcycle battery that you can readily purchase from eBay for $25 and swap into the pack without tools. The AcuteB2 ideally takes the LiFePO4 variant that is a little harder to find.
jeffbuzz wrote:
Compared to any AC powered Profoto setup, the Godox AD200 + R200 ring light or standalone AR400 are zero foot print since you hold the whole thing. Neither of those Godox lights are nearly as powerful as the Profoto ProRing. To get comparable output you'd need the Godox AD1200 battery or P2400 AC power pack. There are 1200 and 2400WS ring lights to match those Godox power packs. The AD1200 only supports one light. The P2400 has two outlets like the Profoto pack. You'd have a similar footprint to the Profoto with the pack on the floor and cable connections.
If you want small and modern, get the AD200 + R200 combo so long as the 200WS output is adequate for you. The AR400 is purely manual output. It has no TTL control. I opted for the R200 for that reason.
FYI: If you do get an R200, be sure to check the AD200 firmware. You need v1.4 or later to run the ring light. New ones should be updated. But older used ones might never have been updated if the original owner never used the ring light.
I switched to Godox a long time ago and have no regrets....Show more →
Thanks for the tips. I just tried out the AR400, and it has some issues when it comes to mating with a Z8 and 14-30 f4. In order for the lens to sit at the proper distance within the ring, there basically isn't clearance for your fingers on the grip. Not a huge deal if you're using it on a tripod, but given the extra weight of the battery and lack of grip surfaces, it makes the AR400 kind of a non-starter handheld. Also in order to use the AR400 with the modern 2.4 ghz triggers, you need an additional radio receiver on the ring light on the USB port making it that much more cumbersome.
The AD200 + R200 seems to be the way to go, considering getting the Profoto setup at a similar price point would be significantly less portable, and the specific scenario I'm using it on is on location on a city street.
I have switched from Godox to Profoto twice lol, and I often think about going back to Godox
rico wrote:
I own a full mix of Acute/D4/Pro packs and lighting fixtures, although not the rings. The Acute/D4 ring will work with the AC-powered Acute and D4 packs. Both ProRing versions work with Pro packs, and D4 in Pro Mode. The AcuteB has curious aspects: can be worn on your person with the shoulder strap to allow mobile ring usage, but the modelling light is not supported. All the Profoto rings except ProRing2 have a WS/minute discharge limit to prevent overheating (ProRing2 is fan cooled). The AcuteB and AcuteB2 are cute and I don't worry about the age, but expect to need a recell of any unit you buy. The AcuteB, for example, takes a SLA motorcycle battery that you can readily purchase from eBay for $25 and swap into the pack without tools. The AcuteB2 ideally takes the LiFePO4 variant that is a little harder to find....Show more →
I always think about getting an Acute B2 when one pops up locally. Good to know regarding the battery compatibility, it does seem like the old school packs are pretty bulletproof when not abused. Thanks for the info regarding the ring and pack compatibility
I went for A Godox AD200pro and its Ringflash adapter.
I'm not a Godox fan but their ecosystem over that AD200 is incredible.
A capable ringflash for 750eur instead of way more and less portable from Profoto/Broncolor or even Elinchrom it's a no brainer.
Its construction is pretty basic and sometimes irritating. But it does the job. I used it on many different cameras and its system allows proper adjustment on pretty much anything. Did it on Canon R5, GFX50SII or even the X100V )
For my use it's more than enough. Just make sure to buy a few batteries, I had once the bad experience of having a fully charged battery showing up as empty even if I charged it the day before.
3BIGMAMAS wrote:
I went for A Godox AD200pro and its Ringflash adapter.
I'm not a Godox fan but their ecosystem over that AD200 is incredible.
A capable ringflash for 750eur instead of way more and less portable from Profoto/Broncolor or even Elinchrom it's a no brainer.
Its construction is pretty basic and sometimes irritating. But it does the job. I used it on many different cameras and its system allows proper adjustment on pretty much anything. Did it on Canon R5, GFX50SII or even the X100V )
For my use it's more than enough. Just make sure to buy a few batteries, I had once the bad experience of having a fully charged battery showing up as empty even if I charged it the day before....Show more →
Beautiful work, gave you a follow. I've been feeling less enamored with Profoto as of late, so I think it's a matter of how long my B10s last before I decide to switch to Godox for strobes. Also saving up for more continuous lighting kit.
I am going to pick up an AD200 Pro secondhand soon, and will pick up the R200. I've been doing more on location stuff lately, and I'd love something that can give me a subtle fill without needing a stand on the ground.
Until then, I've found an XL umbrella with diffusion behind me gives me on-axis fill without needing more gear.
Regarding Godox I was fairly against it until recently.
I got a part time position in a rental house and their AD600 pro is fairly durable. Same for their V1/V1PRO. A pretty cool alternative to the Profoto one.
Not everything is so cool though. We just got in their new Knowled panels and we can tell just by mounting them at the shop to make sure it works properly that it won't last long before it will have to go to repair.
it's very hit or miss with them I believe. But they will eventually get there.
3BIGMAMAS wrote:
Regarding Godox I was fairly against it until recently.
I got a part time position in a rental house and their AD600 pro is fairly durable. Same for their V1/V1PRO. A pretty cool alternative to the Profoto one.
Not everything is so cool though. We just got in their new Knowled panels and we can tell just by mounting them at the shop to make sure it works properly that it won't last long before it will have to go to repair.
it's very hit or miss with them I believe. But they will eventually get there.
Yeah I had great experience with the AD200/pro, AD600 v1 and AD600 pro, though I did have one of the battery packs brick from not getting recharged often enough. I did not like the V1 as I found that the battery pack fitment tolerances were not great, especially after they got warm. I also have a V300 and V150 COB light in the studio and they've been fine, but prefer the Nanlite LEDs. I wouldn't have any qualms doing a job with godox lights. I started with them and they've come a very long way since the early days. Profoto works great but I don't see a reason to upgrade to the new lights, and though my D2s work fine, my B10s are really showing their age. One light fall onto a dirt road broke the casing on one of the B10 batteries, and the back of the strobe itself is a little loose and something is rattling inside, plus the bulbs are not user replaceable!
sungphoto wrote:
Yeah I had great experience with the AD200/pro, AD600 v1 and AD600 pro, though I did have one of the battery packs brick from not getting recharged often enough. I did not like the V1 as I found that the battery pack fitment tolerances were not great, especially after they got warm. I also have a V300 and V150 COB light in the studio and they've been fine, but prefer the Nanlite LEDs. I wouldn't have any qualms doing a job with godox lights. I started with them and they've come a very long way since the early days. Profoto works great but I don't see a reason to upgrade to the new lights, and though my D2s work fine, my B10s are really showing their age. One light fall onto a dirt road broke the casing on one of the B10 batteries, and the back of the strobe itself is a little loose and something is rattling inside, plus the bulbs are not user replaceable! ...Show more →
If you own Profoto gear that works I don't see the point of selling/upgrading for the newest versions/items "as of now" indeed.
For "real" or "big" or "important jobs I don't see myself using a whole Godox kit, it's still too risky to my taste. But like I changed my mind with the AD200 as said above I am sure they will be even better within 5 years.
They are making bold moves with their new continuous lights. Uneven, yes, but bold.
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