Godox AD-S200 review: Powerful, flexible lighting
Looking for some powerful, flexible lighting for photography in and out of the studio? Perhaps something a little out of the norm? Something that works well in really tight spaces? Then, perhaps the new Godox AD-S200 stick flash head might be for you. It has so much potential.
Keep in mind this is only a flash head, it’s designed to attach to the Godox AD200/200Pro, but boy, is it cool! I had so much fun with this light on a recent Halloween shoot, it will be getting used again and again.
Out of the box, it’s pretty simple to use. Remove the standard AD200 Flash head and clip in the AD-S200. But as there are no batteries (it’s powered by the AD200), it’s ready to go once plugged in. This light is quite powerful. You can set it anywhere from full power down to 1/128, which is dictated by the Godox AD200 or from the Godox trigger (X1). I used it recently for portrait shoots, getting our Halloween on! Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Godox sent the AD-S200 kit to review. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are our own.
Pros
Simple to use, just connect to the AD200/200Pro, turn the AD200Pro on and shoot
Minimalist design, Small and lightweight, easily to clip to light stands
3600 transparent flash tube, soft even light. The light is just so beautiful
Perfect for shooting in limited space
Cons
Only comes in one size**
Does not currently come with gels that could just slip over the top (but you can make your own)**
Can only be used with the Godox AD200/200Pro (not exactly a con, just something to be noted)
No modeling light
Price
** To be fair most of these are not really cons, more of a wish list on my part
Godox AD-S200 — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications are from the Godox website/marketing material.
Flash Power: 200Ws
Flash CCT: 5800K+_200K
Dimensions (excluding power cable and including the barn door): 652x210x60mm
Net Weight (including barndoor): 1.12kg
Godox AD-S200 — Versatility
The AD-S200 features a 360° transparent light tube design, offering flawless coverage of light that fills every corner in complex settings such as cars, dressing rooms, and more. Moreover, harnessing its distinctive cylindrical lighting characteristic, the light wraps around your subject evenly, producing a soft and natural illuminance even without an additional modifier. Add some gels … oh what fun can be had.
Delivering light directly from the stick flash without any diffusion, the AD-S200 brings out vivid colors, clear textiles, and intricate details in photography, elevating your work to a whole new level. It can be hand-held (it doesn’t get very hot) or on a lighting stand.
Build quality
Small and sturdy, the adapter locks in securely and comes out easily. The cable is plenty long enough for most jobs and is nonslip. Not sure what the cylinder is made of but I don’t think it is glass. It’s pretty strong and robust, it doesn’t get overly hot either.
Out of the box
It comes in a handy carry case with the flash head adapter and cable. There is also a really cool barn door attachment. In the below images, I had the barn doors open just slightly, allowing a slice of light to shine on my client.
Godox AD-S200 — Expanding possibilities
Thanks to some innovative technology this little flash head might just change the way you see speed lights. Small and compact but very powerful for professional interior lighting (and even external). Great for small compact spaces or even in the studio, and great for product/portrait photography. Versatile and adaptable to whatever you want to use it for. And the best part, simple to use.
Mounting
I mounted mine on a light stand, it has the standard Godox AD200 thread, I used the light stand adapter (for the AD200). You could mount it on a boom arm as well as hold it, or place it in a tree, on a car dashboard … so many options.
Setup
It’s so simple to use. It gives amazing light and the barn doors allow you to give just a small sliver of light on your subject. Making dramatic portraits a breeze. A modeling light would make it slightly easier to see exactly where the light is hitting. But a few test shots and it’s pretty easy to work out.
Model & HMUA: Hary May
Camera settings: ISO100, f/5.8, shutter speed min 1/160 seconds
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Our verdict
Godox AD-S200
★★★★★5/5
This is such an amazing flash head to use with my beloved AD200Pro in my studio. I wish I had two (I have two AD200/200Pro). Five stars from me. I fell in love from the first shot I took.
