Using Adorama’s Most Popular Flash | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

The choice of Speedlight flashes has never been larger and each design has its merits. But if you’re looking to buy your first flash or upgrade to an older speedlight, you really can’t go wrong with the most popular flash on the market and according to Adorma’s online website (at the time of recording), that’s the Flashpoint R2 Li-Ion Zoom X with the optional accessories kit.
Photographer Gavin Hoey puts the popular Zoom X flash through its paces in his small home studio, starting with some on-camera flash testing. Next, he takes things up a gear with some off-camera flash techniques. By using a combination of the flashes built-in zoom function and the snoot from the accessories kit, Gavin creates a tight beam of light for a simple but dramatic lighting effect.
Of course, a good flash needs to work with many different light modifiers, so next Gavin uses a small Glow Hexapop softbox to light Sophie, his model and adds a second Zoom X speedlight as a background flash. Finally, Gavin tests the Zoom X to the max by testing if the small speedlight can fill a large softbox. The results might surprise you!
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:10 On camera flash + accessories TTL test
2:17 Off-camera flash zoom and camera settings
4:28 Beam of light photo session
5:35 HSS flash set up and testing
7:30 Adding a 2nd Zoom X Speedlight
8:25 Shallow DOF photo session
9:10 Testing a small flash in a big softbox
10:57 Large softbox photo session
11:40 Conclusions and Subscribe
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on X R2 Round Flash + Accessories Kit www.adorama.com/fplfsmzlxcak....
Glow HexaPop 24" II Octagonal Softbox
www.adorama.com/glsbhp24v2.html
Glow ParaPop OTA-C Softbox Adapter
www.adorama.com/glsbppotac.html
Glow OTA Adapter Handle
www.adorama.com/glsbppotah.html
Glow EZ Lock 12x56" Quick Strip Softbox
www.adorama.com/glsbez1256.html
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
www.adorama.com/fplsc.html
Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter
www.adorama.com/sksk401305.html
Westcott 8x8' X-Drop Pro Fabric Backdrop, Grunge Concrete
www.adorama.com/we640f8.html
OM SYSTEM OM-1
www.adorama.com/iomom1.html
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
www.adorama.com/iom1240pb.html
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
www.adorama.com/iom4512.html
Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
www.adorama.com/ttcu1917.html
#flashphotography #lightingtutorial #adorama
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Model and MUA Sophie Daly
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@benitodelrosario6336]

Gavin’s collection of videos are a masterclass in photography. Dude I appreciate everything that you put out.

[@krazyk57]

💯

[@sandraamato6004]

I agree. Gavin is always putting out great content and does an excellent job explaining the scene, how and why.❤️💯

[@happymystic9800]

Now is the time to say thank you for a year of fantastic videos from you and your team. Always entertaining, always informative, always with something to learn and incorporate into the own approach. And it is not only the technical side why I have not missed one of your videos. It is also the way how you bring your lessons across … joyful, funny, hilarious, entertaining and always enormously likeable. ❤❤❤ … a big thank you 🙏 You, Sophie, Chloe, and the woman behind the video camera 😊 have a wonderful festive season. I am looking forward to viewing new great stuff from all of you in 2024. Cheers 🎉🎉🎉

[@jamesg1974a]

Watching Gavin make everything seem easy

[@GavinHoey]

It's all in the edit :) Go watch any of the Adorama live streams to get the "real world" experience where random things go wrong at the worst possible moments 😉

[@alanvandever9683]

Personally, if I had just one speed light, it would be the AD 200. I'm an old codger who started my career in the 1960s so I've seen a lot of evolution in lighting. So far, I don't think I've seen a more versatile light than the 200.

[@GavinHoey]

Not sure about the 60's Alan but I barely saw studio lighting change during the 80's and 90's and most of the 00's. Then it went nuts! The EVOLV200 (AD200) has so much going for it, you can't really go wrong 👍

[@charleyl264]

I missed the live show, but caught it 10 hours later. Good proof that speedlites can be quite effective, even in the studio. Thanks Stacy and Gavin.

[@JacobTheoPower]

Love this video, I have a Godox V1 myself (from what I can see is the same thing but repackaged) and has worked so well for me starting out my professional career. For the first time the other day it overheated on me, but then again I was using it on full power trying to light an entire room with it. Any other situation and this thing is perfect. Think this shows the versatility of these things

[@alanroderick7153]

I love my equivalent flash here in UK. Small, powerful and very adaptable with the accessories. On camera, it is great for a dash of fill-flash and adding catchlights. Certainly see why it is so popular. We are very spoiled these days for useful and affordable kit compared to when I first started flash work. Great images and well done to all ! Shout out for Sophie !

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alan and once again Sophie made my job easy and made me look like I'm actually OK at it 😉

[@geraldinebryce594]

Which is the uk equivalent? What are the extra charges if I buy from Adorama to uk? Love you videos Gavin you make everything look so easy and makes me want to try them out.

[@gidpod]

Learning so much from Gavin, absolutely brilliant teacher, own these flashes in the UK but really need softboxes now, only for own use really and learning but having fun.

[@marktomphotography]

Thank you for this and all your videos, they're always a joy to watch and informative. From this one I was reminded of the TCM button. For run and gun situations where I only have this on my camera that can be super helpful to lock in the light amount because sometimes the TTL output can vary with slight shifts in composition/angle. Also, FYI for folks unfamiliar, this flash also works as a remote. So you can control your other Flashpoint lights and have this on your camera to bounce some light into a wall or ceiling to add some shadow fill.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the comment Mark and those are all really good points 👍

[@GiannisVeronis]

Gavin I wish you and your family happy XMAS and new year! Always learning something new with your videos

[@michaelschmitt5413]

I own one of these flashes, and love it. It's a bit heavy as an on-camera flash. BTW, I loved the overhead strip box shots. I recently order another strip box from Adorama. They are really versatile.

[@marcusprime6766]

I like the videos because the lessons I've learned here have been vital to my development and work. Thanks Gavin Hoey.

[@GavinHoey]

That's awesome Marcus. There's so much talent and knowledge here on Adorama TV.

[@HuguexRojas]

Wow Gavin, this portraits are really beautiful!!!! Happy to see how you are making amazing portraits with OM SYSTEM cameras (I still have my Olympus M1 Mark II). I'm getting very inspired with your work. Now I'm ready to make some portraits my self and see how it goes!!! Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge!

[@asilvaphotography]

Thumbs up 👍 for having the amazing, absolutely beautiful Sophie on today!

[@johnclay7644]

very informative video Gavin, some great results useful piece of kit. Well done.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks John and yes, a very useful flash 😁

[@paulbell9957]

Nice piece of kit Gavin. Loved the images, mate 🙂👍

[@danovenchjean9710]

another great video by Gavin!

[@carlostochehenderson2990]

that was an amazing video, as usual :)! thank you for all the content!!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Carlos 👍

[@rayman5704]

Great video! And beautiful foto! Thanks for the shooting ideas! 👍

[@CattaAttoAI]

Thanks again guys for an amazing video 📸🎉.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

GAVINNNNN!!!!! My man, I love that flash, pared with a couple of AD200pro, it's magic.

[@GavinHoey]

Sounds like a very good combo Kenneth 👍

[@jerrym8140]

Beautiful moody image you’re so fun to watch! I forget at times what you can do with just a small speed light. I have one round head one too from Flashpoint and I believe the reason is because of how it shapes/ spreads its light being round more even if you were comparing against a wall for example vs the rectangle shape of light spread/shape. I think people just find it a little more pleasing to look at. Then there is the price.

[@robertdepaulis5188]

I’ve got two myself . I like the round as it matches the lens shape and is a more natural light fall off . The sun is round not square

[@jhenry248]

More than likely it was the heavy influence of the Profoto A1 speed lights. Subconsciously we take Profoto to be a standard of portable flash technology, so the round head make sense with it's adaptability. And with the introduction on the Flashpoints xplor100 Pro your accessories are interchangeable between the two systems. I have two R2's and the xplora 100 I love them all.

[@GavinHoey]

Makes sense. Profoto makes some amazing flash products!

[@prakashkadam9712]

Great sir u r' s photography tutorial are more learning & understanding how to use equipment, & get a great images, so thanks again, waiting for another tutorial.

[@davidprior8624]

Fantastic episode (even without the smoke !)

[@vagabondfotos]

Thanks for a great video Gavin/Adorama! & for feeding my hunger for photo gear! (btw if only all the people I shot were as photogenic as Sophie, I would go pro!)

[@PeterSzaban]

I primarily shoot macro outdoors and tend to use the lower flash power level settings. I prefer rectangular over round head flash. I own both, and haven't been able to prove the shape of the flash head matching the sensor shape makes much of a difference.. The shape of the head could be easily changed with a cheap modifier, but I never felt a need to do so. The thing is, I can fit two rectangular flashes in my pack, versus one round head. Also, the rectangular modifiers are smaller, and rectangular flashes have a bounce card and fresnel built in. Additionally, rectangular head flash is cheaper. I very much prefer velcro modifiers over magnets, because sticking gels between magnetic modifiers and the flash head results in modifiers falling off into the dirt/snow/whatever. I also find those magnets seem to attract grit that reduces their effectiveness.

[@keithcain5268]

Excellent video, thanks for demostraiting how a small flash can make a big difference? Has Sophie ever made a bad picture?

[@omegaman1409]

I have the tt865ii square head but have an adapter to fit in the round accessories. It works.

[@BenB225]

I think its a great flash, I use a couple of ex-demo pixapro GIO1, chosen i admit as they were a reduced price but had a decent power range coupled with the accessory kit, a couple of modest sized softboxes and an Rk-r21 just for fun I've been really impressed with the results, the battery life, and the features. plus in a living room based home studio the size profile and no trailing leads is a huge bonus.

[@97nelsn]

This is my go-to flash when I cover events and do portraits. I also got it for free as part of an A7III bundle so thank you Adorama! EDIT: I also have the accessory kit and now I want to explore more of it beyond the diffuser and reflecting card.

[@karikaru]

I just bought the v860iii which is just the rectangular version, but I'm pretty new to flash photography. What's your go-to set up for portraits?

[@tom73bom]

It is? I own the Godox V1 which should be the same, just rebranded, but never got TTL to work properly with my A7III. It works fine with manual settings, but when I do events and I need to be quick. TTL would help to get at something properly exposed rather quickly. Did you try TTL with the A7III and the V1?

[@MichaelWDietrich]

Well I can feel like Bruce Gilden when going out for my streetphotography with this light ;-)

[@free_re_fells]

Always a pleasure watching you work Gavin . Love my Zoom X I used it last night for an event I shot along with an Xplor 100. I think people love it because it's so versatile and also the fact that you can also use it as a trigger for other flashes. The modeling lamp is also a great feature which you don't get in most speedlights.

[@truthsayers8725]

very good work! i want to come to the UK and shoot with you and Sophie. im not a schlub but i need more hands on than just watching yt

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Great vidio,thank you again so much

[@stephendubois3337]

I like that background! Where can I get it?

[@atticautos484]

Hello Gavin. Love your videos. I have a question. When you use models for your shoots they mostly are 1) professionals and 2) attractive. There are times as you know that people, average folks, all shapes, sizes and attractiveness need or want their photo taken. You place a pretty model in front of a lens and almost automatically you have a good photo. I think we might be able to learn more from a shoot where you use an everyday, non-model subject and then witness how you work with them to gain your usual great results. Would you consider doing this?

[@chazM6116]

Great as always Gavin, question why a grid on with the snoot?

[@GavinHoey]

In my tests it gave a slightly tighter beam then just the snoot, which is OK but rather short.

[@johnpollock6996]

Thanks for the high-info video Gavin. I have that flash, but it came as an accessory to either a camera body or lens purchase, so I do not have the accessory kit you showed. (You've unintentionally given me GAS.) I also have a similar rectangular flash, which I seldom use. The reason for the vast difference in use is that the rectangular uses AA batteries and the round one has one rechargeable. Thanks again.

[@GavinHoey]

Totally understandable. I have a draw full of AA batteries gathering dust from back in the days before Li-ion power!

[@user-tl5fq6bu3w]

thanks Gavin, always enjoy, and learn from your videos, is purchasing from Adorma easy from the UK? Do we have to pay (sometimes excessive) duties/taxes?

[@GavinHoey]

Visit the Adorama store if you're ever visiting NYC, otherwise like, comment, subscribe and enjoy the free content 😉

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@MicahTischler]

For me, what finally pushed me to this flash over a more traditional speedlight was the presence of a modeling light mounted in the head. Oddly, it seems our dearest Gavin didn't cover that feature here, unless I just missed it. Anyway, it's not the most intense modeling light, but it's bright enough that I have repeatedly found it to be useful. The related, traditionally-shaped flash (which, I believe, takes the same battery pack, as does the 100 Pro) also ostensibly has a modeling light, but that one is mounted in the flash body and will always point out perpendicularly from that section of the speedlight - rendering it nearly useless. So, on that point, the round one is clearly superior. P.S. Thank you, Gavin (and Sophie (and likely Sam too)), for another lovely video!

[@GavinHoey]

Fair point. The modelling light is a nice thing to have but in my studio it's lost against the crazy bright video lights!

[@MicahTischler]

@@GavinHoey Indeed - where I've found it relevant are more like Pye Jirsa-esque shooting-in-an-alley-around-dusk setups. Thank you again for a wonderful video and being such a fantastic human being. :)

[@sh8736]

So Daniel gets 3 pro photo lights for his video and Gavin 2 flashguns lol! Adorama are they delivering to UK yet?

[@viciwo3396]

Love how the round flash falls off on the edges compared to the rectangular flashes.

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Great video Gavin

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks as always Kirsty 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@GavinHoey your very welcome Gavin merry Christmas

[@peerlessportraits]

Before even finishing this video, I know that it’s going to impact the items currently sitting in my Adorama shopping cart. I love large modifiers and having recently sold my Explore 600 and 1200pros I’m left with a V1 and an 860iii (with a couple of AD200s that were going to serve as the replacement for the 600 and 1200). If you pull off what I think you’re about to attempt, there’s no reason for me to buy the QS-800s sitting in my cart (even though at $210 each they would have been a great value-that’s for anyone who didn’t know and doesn’t mind the cords).

[@Mcwordless]

hello gavin hello everyone this is sooooo good

[@GavinHoey]

Checkout a camera store called Adorama, they're rather good I hear 😉Gear links are in the video description... Westcott 8x8' X-Drop Pro Fabric Backdrop, Grunge Concrete www.adorama.com/we640f8.html

[@photonsonpixels]

Nice tutorial Gavin. It looks as though you have "disabled what you see is what you get" (for lack of a better term) from your camera when you are focusing and composing the shot. Is this correct? Thank you.

[@alun7006]

When shooting with flash this is the way to do it as what you see in the EVF isn't anything like the final image anyway.

[@thenexthobby]

I have a different camera but if I enable WYSIWYG for the viewfinder/back screen, the camera acts the same as if there's no light (which, in a way, is true) And so it'll never achieve focus. None of that surprises me. What I don't understand is, once I disable WYSIWYG and the viewfinder always looks as if there's enough light ... the AF system "gets tricked" (for lack of a better explanation) and instantly focuses. My suspicion is that WYSIWYG emulates the stopped-down aperture or faster shutter somehow, to decrease sensitivity such that the AF can't function ... but none of that matters because no one wants to shoot "in the dark" anyway.

[@dalegarman8393]

I have been using Canon 600 RT flashes. It seems they have developed an issue where they lose sync with some of the newer wifi systems, and Canon has no fix. Any info on whether these flashes also have that issue?

[@alun7006]

The 600EX RT is a decade-plus old item at this point. Have you had them that long? They could just be worn out.

[@gohumberto]

So you used 1/2000th sec and f/1.4 (plus HSS flash) to keep the ambient light out of the equation? f/1.4 allowing too much ambient light in?

[@GavinHoey]

I made a video recently that goes into more detail on when and why HSS is used kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4OpaKKZr51-a6csi=MdYCZZNA6JgyFesS&t=85 I hope that helps 🙂

[@dunnymonster]

If I had to guess the most popular flash I'd have said the Evolve200 ( Godox AD200 clone ). Love mine so much I bought two 🙂 Awesome images as always Gavin and Sophie is a fantastic model 👍

[@martinblais2197]

Hello Gavin I encountered a photograph in B+W photography mag 285, the strand by Eve Marie Lancaster, a lady is holding a pearl necklace but only her hands and head and neck are visible.....black clothing of some sort against a black backgroung with flash, this is done with wet plate, is this the method? There most be more to itI am sure, can you provided some clues and directions, a tutorial? can it be done in numeric camera? Thanks Martin

[@jasonthompson2364]

Do you deliver to uk

[@barneylaurance1865]

What was the reason for high speed sync? Couldn't you get the same effect more cheaply by turning the house lights off and keeping the shutters speed at 1/250?

[@alun7006]

But then the video would be dark. ;)

[@compaticher7932]

thanks

[@robjphotos]

does anyome know what software gavin uses to teather?

[@Pawel__M]

Is it a rebranded Godox V1?

[@igorrutsch]

hi hss and ettl doesn't seem to work together with my canon r6 mk2. godox v1 + xt2 trigger does anybody know how to fix this ?

[@Michel_Vanaken]

Doesn't it have a modelling light? That might explain the popularity. But is it good? And.... Yay! Sophie ! (sorry, couldn't resist 😅)

[@GavinHoey]

It does have a small modelling light. It's not great but it's there 🙂

[@TheSkyenet]

Isn't that flash basically a Godox V1 ?

[@T-Slider]

Why round? To avoid rectangular catch lights in the eye. To emulate the style of natural light, the Sun.

[@LeCitadin1960]

I have the Godox V1 which is the same as the one you used. The reasons it's my preferred flash are: 1. the battery, which allows for a faster recycle time than regular AA batteries; 2. the flash comes with a modelling light which can be quite useful and; 3. when a rectangular head flash is directly on the camera and pointing up, the bounce card is only useful when the camera is in a landscape position. With the bounce card found in the accessory kit, you can turn it to match the position of the flash in any camera position.

[@kevins8575]

I'm guessing that a lot of people think the round heads are the "professional" type.

[@jesusgjchuza6491]

😎😎

[@dvongrad]

Tsk, tsk, Gavin! It sure looks as if the sandbag you placed on the C Stand at 9:11 is touching the ground! The small flash and not very heavy modifier probably meant there wasn't any real danger, but still... 😀 I think round flash is more popular because it offers more evenly spread light than the "bulged" spread of a square head, similar to something like the sun. I think the round highlight on the background is more pleasing as well. However, I did ask you in your "Supercharge Your eVOLV200 Flash" (22:22) from about a week ago if the H200R head for the eVOLV 200 was worth getting and you said that although the output is more round, it wasn't really worth it in your opinion. I didn't opt for it because I can still use my first-generation MagMod attachments on the eVOLV 200 that I've used on my Nikon SB-910s for over a decade!

[@GavinHoey]

Ah but did you spot the 2nd sandbag on the stand at 9:11 just in case ;) Totally agree on the round heads giving round(ish) light when used bare on the background but in a softbox it does its shape really it make any difference?

[@dvongrad]

I did see it, but I'm curious if there are any sandbag weight recommendations based on the width, height, and width of the stands they're used on. What do you think about wheeled C stands? I've seen them on regular stands but not often, if ever, on C stands, so I'm wondering if wheels hurt more than help. I know a dome would increase the spread. I'm not sure where, but I did see a demo about how a square head in a softbox didn't fully cover it. This may have been because of the large size ratio, opposing orientation between them, or how deep the flash was within the box. I'll have to do some testing to see if these make any difference, but this is why I watch you and all the other presenters on AdoramaTV for the best photography tips and advice!

[@GavinHoey]

@@dvongrad Just a word on adding aftermarket wheels to C-Stand Turtle base... Tried it once, loved the freedom, then realised how incredibly unstable it had become and returned them. A proper wheeled base is expensive but MUCH safer :)

[@gdwprints]

It's the most popular because it's small and has a modeling lamp

[@sturk6528]

София молодец!

[@Colin_Ward_Photography]

I guess a lot of people are shooting round photos......

[@rjhphotos]

Your transmitter's battery is almost dead in every video I watch!!!

[@Draxooo]

lol Godox V1 clone.. even with the trigger Xpro 😂

[@cosmo0080]

people do not know that the original design of the flash match the camera sensor that is why they are rectangle. also that flash is cheap

[@copaeg]

[@igorrutsch]

hi hss and ettl doesn't seem to work together with my canon r6 mk2. godox v1 + xt2 trigger does anybody know how to fix this ?