Choosing between the Godox AD200 Pro, AD300 Pro, and AD400 Pro

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In this video I offer a rare recommendation into who I think each light will be most suitable for.
I start by making suggestions based on budget alone. With the Godox AD200 coming highly recommended to anyone with a budget of under $400. This is kind of obvious, as the AD300 Pro and AD400 Pro are too expensive.
At a budget above $700, I still recommend AD200's / Flashpoint eVolv 200, although I recommend a kit of 2x AD200's, 1 AD-B2, 1 H200R, and 1 AK-R1 modifier kit. This gets you two AD200's, 2 fresnels heads, 2 barebulbs, and the round head compatible with bounce, snoot, grid, sphere and gels. The AD-B2 allows you to bring together two AD200's for a single, 400w light source that is actually about 1.3 stops more powerful than a single AD200 in an S-bracket, due to the reflective background.
After the budget discussion I make suggestions on lights based on the niche of photography.
For wedding photographers, the Godox AD200 is still king because of it's ultimate compactness, and compatibility with bowens modifiers (using Bowens S Bracket), umbrellas, magmod, and the AK-R1 kit. This gives access to lighting tools that wedding photographers can move around a space quickly.
For solo-subject outdoor portraiture, I think the Godox AD300 Pro / Flashpoint Xplor 400 Pro is the new king. Pairing up with an AD-S65 or AD-S85 softbox and you have a portable lighting tool that will work great even outdoors in bright conditions, at short distances.
As for the Godox AD400 Pro / Flashpoint Xplor 400 Pro, being that it's a bit less portable and lightweight, I think it's better suited to photographers who use larger light sources than are available on the proprietary Godox mount like the AD-S85. To me what sticks out is family photographers or those working with small groups outdoors.
Please leave your comments below if you have a reason why one of these lights works best for your applications!

[@juliojimenez6286]

Robert: AD200Pro, AD300Pro or AD400Pro

[@fallyhag]

We have three AD200’s to do Weddings. Perfect for the price. I would like faster recycle but I would also like a Porsche. Great video. Thanks 👍

[@tderrenberger1]

I have the 600BM and 2 AD200 Pros. I can simulate pretty much any lighting scenario I need. All for less than 1 Profoto light. Not a slam, just a fact. Love the Godox ecosystem

[@richardhopkins3214]

I have two AD400pro, one AD200Pro and V1 speedlite. If I was buying again today I would probably make that three AD400Pro and a V1. I'm unmoved by the AD300Pro, appealing though it is, because the AD400Pro is just better at everything. It has serious power and fast recycling. It has a decent modelling LED which is massively advantageous in a studio situation and makes it a true all-rounder, plus it has a battery that can run both the flash and LED for a workable amount of time. Bowens mount comes in the standard kit. All of which also applies to the AD600Pro, but you've got to draw the line somewhere and IMHO that's just too big, too heavy, and more expensive. The AD300Pro is very cute, but falls behind on every aspect of performance and by the time you've added a stand and softbox (and S2 bracket?) not to mention a camera bag and tripod etc, a couple of pounds weight saved isn't going to make much difference.

[@nelxonmiranda]

Why are you talking about 8200 pro and nothing about what you listed on the title?

[@aussie2uGA]

I've mentioned before how I wish Godox would invent a common battery that all their lights could use, like power tools. If an AD600 needs more power than the AD300, they just allow the batteries to be stacked. Lots of solutions, see Milwaukee M12 & M18 examples, and this would keep everyone in the Godox ecosystem because they adopted that "battery system". Right now if I want to add AD1200's, there is no incentive to stay with Godox as nothing from the AD300, 400, or 600 carries over.

[@rus19297]

Anyone else cringing at the one piece of foam behind him out of place? Just me? Ok.

[@chasingmanhattan]

I have the dual AD200 head setup as well as a BLAZ300 that I purchased to haul back and forth to studio shoots in Manhattan from my home in Queens. I take the subway to all of my shoots, so size and portability were crucial. Basically, I use a three-point lighting setup with the 200s as my hair and fill lights and the 300 as my key light. In concert, these lights work great. Now that the AD300PRO is out, I am considering replacing my BLAZ for my mobile needs since it's super compact. Obviously, I can still keep the BLAZ as a backup. I also have the Flashpoint Zoom (aka Godox V1) that I can use to light up my backdrops where needed. My thinking is this: start with a pair of AD200's - they're the most versatile and they're really what you need to get started with pro lighting. Get them in a kit with the dual-AD200 kit so you have either 2 200 W/s lights or one 400 W/s light. Then get you a 300 W/s light to meet that middle ground when you need it. Then, you'll have 2 200s, 1 300 and 1 400 effectively. If you need more than that, then you're obviously making enough money from your photography to be able to jump up to a 600/1200 W/s setup. Start small, and as the money flows in, fill out your kit proportionately. And as a rule of thumb, never buy something until you've actually needed it on a shoot at least twice and had to improvise around not having it. Let the gear follow the revenue rather than the other way around.

[@alvindu1711]

Thank you for sharing

[@joycewatercolor4083]

the difference in France right now between the AD200 pro and AD300 pro is around 150$ , would you still choose AD200pro if it cost 400$?

[@rashadalmilad]

unfortunately, i keep getting lost. can't seem to be able to follow you on all the ifs and buts and jumping between the three models...... :-(

[@GauriSharmaNEET]

Wow your 1st minute explanation just resolved all my doubts about getting confused. I will now happily buy the AD200 pro as it fits my budget 😍

[@thejaebeing]

You read my mind... I was hoping someone made a video like this. Thanks for knowing your market so well.

[@jacquesmarotte3645]

Thanks Robert, as usual awesome video and I love your way to explain everyhting.

[@guidomenendez7807]

I always appreciate you’ve concise and knowledgeable breakdown of light as well as uses of them. Thank you. I am a wedding, outdoor modeling photographer in sunny Miami and although a AD 600 would be best to make quick work before my clients melt and sweat reflection shows I had to settle for a AD 200 and a 860 but I don’t regret it. I think more that lights a wide angle lens where I’m much closer to the subject thus having my light closer is the trick to not spending more money right now since I like having more of the scene and don’t do photoshop yet (I know 😞). I’m struggling to get the output lowered for venues on the aD200 but that’s probably my inability to get that remote to work correctly. Thanks for any input.

[@jordannedavis2814]

Just ordered the bundle Kit!! I'm so excited

[@markkempton4579]

So glad I found this today. Can't decide what to buy with the crazy Flashpoint prices this weekend. I own a single 200 Pro and was going to pick up a 400 to compliment it and help with outdoor shooting of large groups (e.g. sports teams) but then I saw the 600 (non-pro) is less than $350! I know it's a lot heavier, but I don't think I'd miss the TTL and it saves money.

[@adrianveal8856]

My godox ad 300 just came in! I love the output it produces!!

[@hbpixelsstudios]

thank you man

[@emmanuelarredondo5365]

You don’t mess around with photography/culture mess. You give the info as a real person and what people really wanna know. Thank you.