The NEW Godox X3 TOUCH SCREEN Flash Transmitter

[@patrickmckeethen2143]

Totally agree with your suggested adjustment to the user interface by adding individual zoom control.

[@sushi_donut]

Every review I am reminded that this is a photographer's channel for photographers, and not just another market segment review 😁💪. Any gear disrupting the space is always a benefit to the consumer, so this is very cool. I love my lil Q20 for street & candids, but I've always wished for a AD100Pro + smaller trigger. And here we are! Thank you!

[@robhallphoto]

You have no idea how much that comment means, I’ve been in the slow lane for growth for 7 years just to try and maintain that perspective! So I appreciate when people see that difference.

[@mribi]

@@robhallphoto just reiterating it. Every time I see one of your videos I know it's a "working pro" dropping real advice, not a "sponsored review after 1 hour of using the product i was sent for free". I have learned so much from you, even going back to the blue gels when shooting outdoors 🔥🔥 Thanks so much for your content, it is very appreciated from Gold Coast, Australia!

[@cooloox]

You are my GOTO person for anything flash related. I especially love your testing and comparisons between different models. Your channel is invaluable. Melbourne Australia, here.

[@markshirley01]

I've eshewed using a flash unit with the photography I do, because I found the triggers and flash units fidgety. But this trigger and a AD 100 pro looks a nice simple combo to use.

[@eotceotc]

@@robhallphoto Can you put this in App mode to do meter readings

[@Mac_Choudhry]

I agree with you on the change of the screen outlay. On all points. It makes sense and to me would be very intuitive. I use my flash in a studio setting for mainly portrait and product. So I think this device would work well for me after they make the changes you suggest.

[@robhallphoto]

lol, thank you for the support on changes, and especially doubling down that you’ll get it once they’ve been made 😂

[@Mac_Choudhry]

I mean anyone that is remotely a professional will understand that these changes are for the better and nowadays money talks 😂 make the change and you get my money. Don’t make the change and I start looking at competitors.🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Mac_Choudhry]

I would also go as far as to say I think the screen should be a little bit bigger. not too much bigger but at least a little bigger but I know it’s probably too late in development for that maybe the x3 version two

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

Great presentation! It often takes a minute for the rough edges to be smooth, and you hit all the major points. I think the more Godox listens, the better!

[@outdoorrnr]

I definitely like your suggested change to the display. I really like the concept of the trigger. Just holding my breath before purchasing.

[@eoslove2022]

I like your ideas to change the screen icons for more real estate. We pre-ordered a unit which will work of our finger size and type of shooting we do. Seeing the screen info outdoors is a big plus for us.

[@MrTabz2357]

LOVED your UI ideas 💡

[@pahountisg]

you have just confirmed my thoughts about size, monitor and interface. I will stick with the large one, works perfect !

[@MikeAsano]

im a wedding photographer and i have pre-ordered two of these. Thanks for the info about battery life, you have reassured me that it will last long enough for my needs - It's incredibly rare I would use it the entirety of a 10 hour day, and with a big break in the middle to charge from a power bank or swap out I think it will be great. I also have like 10 legacy triggers now as super backups. Your ideas about the touch screen interface are great tell godox I agree - in particular the zoom function does need to be more prominent in the menu (and with similar ALL or SINGLE group adjustment like the pro trigger has) as it's a great feature that had me move over to godox from neewer back in the day.

[@todddammit4628]

I like your suggestions for changes. I could definitely see myself getting a pair of these. Would save a lot of space in my bag.

[@trmbtrmb]

Yes to your suggestions. Thanks for the great content.

[@sternschnupper]

totally agree with your suggestions on the UI !!

[@robertruffo2134]

We often work with expensive models and locations. Being fast is very important, as is "staying in the moment". As such, I prefer actual buttons. After a while, you just know where they are by touch, without looking.

[@BrandonLuckain]

I love that suggestion Rob! I still shoot weddings, but this trigger would likely stay in my travel bag as the smallest trigger. The size is the most appealing aspect to me. One other suggestion I’d love to see is single pin mode, then I can really replace my Flashpoint Single pin tx/rx to eke out some extra flash FPS from my cameras. Sad that they didn’t include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for an app connection. Great review overall! Can’t wait to get my hands on the flashpoint version from Adorama.

[@robhallphoto]

I have a feeling that we'll see some additions considering mine is firmware version .72. I can't imagine they'll go backwards on any options so hopefully we'll see both of those.

[@srwilson917]

I like your suggestions and feel they need to be added. I have two of these preorderd and if I had known these features weren’t available I probably would have held off on buying them.

[@vanyates9175]

I agree with you on all the changes you suggested for the screen interface. Also, including the APP Mode is important to me becuase I use the Sekonic L-858D-U with Godox transmitter. Controlling the flashes through the large screen of the meter and having a very small trigger on the camera would be a great conbination.

[@fototeknika-rg1lm]

Great idea for the UI changes

[@WeddingDocumentary]

You have to choose multi shooter though right if you are using two cameras to control the same lights?

[@robhallphoto]

If you're using two cameras and you want the settings to update between the two lights (presumably for TTL or because the settings are different). I used to shoot two cameras two triggers, but didn't use multi shooter because I would keep the flash power settings the same on both cameras.

[@MizomiPhotography]

Great suggestion on the interface alteration. Was thinking of buying several of these but will wait and see if they make that improvement

[@stevemoeller4931]

Rob, I agree with your redesign of the UI. I am an architectural and portrait photographer with a studio. I am experimenting with the Xnano as a remote control of my strobe output when shooting twilight shots. I leave the R2 Pro 2 on the camera and fire it with my Camranger 2. I also use the Godox Flash app on my Android phone to adjust my strobe lights, especially in my studio.

[@thenexthobby]

Nice overview, Rob. Can’t argue with your suggestions.

[@bernardlaplante3743]

I use my strobes in the studio and 100% agree with your layout suggestions.

[@gaborlenart]

Your interface idea would definitely be better! I really wanted to upgrade my XPro1 trigger for a bluetooth app controllable version for so long. I was super happy when I saw this little new trigger because I really like the new more simple and easy to read interface, but it's so sad they didn't put the app support in it. I really really hope the bluetooth app function will be in the final production unit, that would make it an instant buy for me :)

[@AndyMitchell.]

I think your points on the zoom function on the layout is super valid and would be nice to see that implemented, one thing I’d like to know what is the hot shoe connection is like on the Sony does it still have the pins on the front to connect to the camera? As I’ve bent the pins on my xpro2 somehow so would be nice to have the standard pin on the base for connection

[@adamjclaus]

Great stuff, preordered one as soon as I saw it available. I agree about the zoom display/functionality!

[@angelfelixphotographyandvi9889]

Love the zoom idea! ✨👌🏾

[@RonK]

Miss the "App"-Mode the most, always using it together with a Seconic L858D with Godox Transmitter. Plus One (+1) to your suggested menu changes, though I would miss the Pause-Button there. Found one problem with my X3: When using it with my Sony A1, and activating HSS-Mode, this setting reverts automatically back to "front curtain" after a while, meaning I get an over exposed shot and have to re-enable HSS. Did not find out yet what triggers the reset, perhaps toggling the camera off and on, or the X3 going to sleep and waking up, don't know yet

[@jacques060]

Awesome video ! I totally agree with your ideas to improuve the trigger!

[@StuartWeir]

Another question: does this do single pin mode? It might be called Legacy mode or something similar. Looking for a trigger that works for my (film) Leica MP

[@vincentnavea6999]

I agree with your screen adjustments. I just bought this trigger

[@livestreamsuk6004]

The God of Godox channel!

[@JaredRibic]

I pre-ordered a few of these. Would love a tempered glass screen protector though.

[@graxxor]

Not sure if your Xpro was faulty but mine shows group A-E but goes to group F plus 0-9 just by pressing group up and down buttons. damn. I had no idea the X3 doesn't have per group zoom. I, too love controlling the zooms on my AD100s.

[@daltonrandall4348]

You showed how to change group power levels, but how do you change levels of individual lights within a group?

[@JerryC25]

Hope they throw that bright screen on the ad200 pro’s too

[@richardkuan491]

I do like your suggestion on UI change

[@kencccgs]

Yes, I'll definitely wish the pause function can be access on the through the home screen, either hold down or double tap to pause light will be handy, that's function that's stopping from getting the x3

[@cpowellfreelance]

Definitely agree with your suggested interface idea.

[@PBFilms-od2kj]

One of the good product review.....thank you SHARPEN 🤞

[@jaylevan3769]

Love your change ideas!

[@forsak3none]

i drooled over the screen when i saw this cute little f*cker then instantly changed my mind when you said it didnt have zoom control. that is by far the best feature of a transmitter, especially for the outdoor OCF guys, in this current stante it seems that it was intended to be an indoor studio trigger (just because it prioritised the modeling light over the more usefull zoom feature)... tell godox ill get it when they add individual zoom control :D

[@charleshamilton635]

I appreciate that you touched on the tactile vs touch in a fast pace environment like a wedding. Even though I haven't shot weddings for years, any potential new equipment still gets its function and feature set ran through the 'Wedding Filter' so to speak. The vast majority of my photography is in studio, and is more planned out vs the fly by the seat of your pants problem solving done at a wedding. The visibility of this remote looks great, and I was waiting for its actual working battery life. The changes you are suggesting are valid. But, everything I've seen on this indicates that it doesn't have a legacy or single pin mode. Going forward, I don't think I would consider a remote without that feature. I have specific remotes to do that, but I want a single solution. Thanks for a great review.

[@chrissetter]

I agree with your changes in UI and UX. Another change I would make is the ability to display 4 groups at once. Or at least have the ability to choose to display, 1, 2, 3, or 4 groups. However, I don’t know just how small the screen is so I can’t really say if this is a good idea. Thank you so much for looking out for us photographers, keep up the good work!

[@robhallphoto]

Having used the multi group screen for 2 weeks now, you don’t want more than 3 groups on it. Even my very medium hands occasionally slide into the wrong group.

[@chrissetter]

@@robhallphoto Ah I see. Just how small is this sucker?! Thanks for the heads up!

[@ricardorgomez]

Wow! I'm super-impressed with this new trigger from Godox! I've been envious of Profoto's trigger display which Godox looked to have gotten inspiration from. And the Godox is so superior with its touch/dynamic screen. They did a super job with the interface. It looks so intuitive. I love that they give you the knob functionality. Super smart thinking. I do think your ideas for the interface would be good ones. Not too big deal for me because I always use modifiers and use the same setting for all of them. But it would be nice to have that control. Personally, I would like to see the unit 50% bigger. It would still be tiny but just have more space so you don't accidentally touch another button while making adjustments. Especially in a hurry. I only use a dedicated trigger when I'm in the studio. So this would totally work for me. I was A LITTLE concerned about battery life... But after your testimony... Should not be a problem. I charge everything before a shoot so that issue is out of the way. And that little guy should take less than an hour to charge I bet. I've been using Flashpoint products (AWESOME Godox rebrand) for years and equipment has been absolutely fantastic. ZERO issues whatsoever. Six years and everything still working perfectly. Well done Godox! Thanks for the news and video!

[@ZarliWin]

your ideas about the UI make sense. i went and pre-ordered it, so i guess we'll see if they listen to you. I primarily shoot studio and mostly been switching to LED. I wanted to give this a try because i've been experimenting with light painting so having a small unit with that led screen might make it easier to adda flash at the end of my painting. I also like the low profile of the unit compared to the x-pro

[@Martinwhynot]

I currently use the XT2 as I can turn groups on/off in seconds. Not convinced I can do that with this quite as easily!

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!! still debating if I need this but I do love the size of it

[@BlackZEddie]

How do you transfer the last pop from TTL to Manual (TCM). Do you have to menu dive? Or, just by switching to M will transfer the whatever was used in the last TTL?

[@AlSo-Fotografie]

Got mine today. Activate TCM in settings menu and choose your flashdevice (oncam-flash, 100j, 200j and so on). Go back to the group and set it to TTL. Trigger the camera and set the flash to M. Now u got the TTL-Settings in M-Mode🖖

[@BlackZEddie]

@@AlSo-Fotografie Cool. Thanks! 👍

[@peterjefferson4776]

I use flash in studio settings and also like to zoom AD100pro so agree totally on layout and zoom function suggestions

[@misaelmarroquin6504]

I pre ordered mine, do you know when it will start shipping out? I like the suggestion you gave.

[@mverick160]

We had talked about this exact style years ago. Around the time Profoto came out with their Connect. I had said I'd love a tiny transmitter and control from the app. You were adamant about being able to adjust flashes on the transmitter for weddings and didn't see a use for the Connect. Which I saw a benefit too of the larger transmitter for weddings. Being 2 different style photographers showed the differences and for good reasons. I'm wondering if app control will be available. Or if I can adjust on a Sekonic light meter. Both are a benefit. Also, as I already tether most of the time, having a second window with light control while having capture one up for large pics for the shoot would be wonderful. Look at large shot, adjust lighting at the tripod. Re shoot. I mount a Surface Pro to my tripod. I can still walk away from the tripod to shoot freestyle but it's there to hold the surface pro and camera for slow stills. We shall see what the future holds. I now try to use the smaller transmitters. I don't have a direct line to Godox anymore. But have 2 of these on order. Next wish. An AD2400pro battery flash with 2 outputs. And fix the Godox Focusable Parabolic by using a more reflective inner liner instead of the dispersion liner. I love the Broncolor Para's. Godox got the shape right, and the liner wrong. Down the line step. A great wireless transfer option from camera to Surface Pro built in. The camera then stays as small as can be. I hate the large transmitters hanging off it. I would love great wireless transfer. Canon are you listening? Build it in. It's 2024 for christ sake. P.S. tried this with my M6II that they are no longer making. It works. A tiny pro level camera with tiny transmitter and a couple Ad100 pros. When I don't want to haul out the R5.

[@csc-photo]

Amazing overview, thanks! 👏🏻

[@SOTZRIDER]

i see another model how is the diference with a x nano version?

[@robhallphoto]

This is the "X nano". It's name was changed after it's initial announcement.

[@cmashfaq]

I agree with your suggested adjustments. Have they done it? I would like to know.. I just ordered the trigger today. Please comment. Thanks a lot.

[@micronet67]

I agree with you on rearranging the screen!

[@markkempton4579]

Thanks for sharing. I'm excited to see that Godox has finally moved beyond 90s LCD displays, but I'm turned off by the size and the touch screen. I was hoping for something that looked more like the Westcott FJ80 II but with some physical buttons. Maybe next time.

[@joemiglionico6527]

I used one of these for the first time yesterday and even though I have HSS enabled on the remote and HHS enabled on my camera, I couldn't increase the shutter speed past 1/250. I checked multiple times that HSS was enabled on both, but no matter what I did, I could not get the shutter speed to increase. This was using a Nikon btw.

[@miller_de]

Nifty little thing. Would love to see your suggestion to be implemented. Shooting fashion btw.

[@poerava]

I wish you could please explain these settings a little more

[@jmh1512]

Thanks for the review. I've the X2T and, for me, it's enought. Just a question about this trigger. Can you enable/disable groups from the main window? It seems you have to enter to a group sub menu, then hit the pause button. This is a feature that I really use a lot. On the X2T, you just double-click the group button to enable/disable a group. Thanks.

[@kirsanovproduction]

Thanks for the detailed review! How did you change the size of the buttons and their position on the screen?

[@dexon555]

That thing is pretty cool. I have one on preorder. The hot shoe mount self destructed on my MK2 under warranty and they replaced it, the plastic broke that retained the springs inside, I’m hoping this shoe mount is more durable.

[@iransirijillo]

One reason I miss profoto is compact connect trigger with battery that lasted forever, my use is a lot more basic and the app on my phone to change parameters on all my lights worked amazingly. This trigger is just as compact and has built in long lasting battery so 2 out 3 things from the profoto. I’m sold I’ll still keep my other triggers but must likely will switch all of them to these

[@CoryParris1]

I would love the change to the flash power adjustment. This works well for all my needs otherwise.

[@artmaltman]

I love the nano for studio where I don’t change settings often. For other work do you recommend R2 PRO MK2 or R2 XPRO 2? I read the descriptions carefully and they were no help. Thank you.

[@adlapl]

It has no physical switch. So the question is, if after 6 months in storage it will still have power in battery?

[@robhallphoto]

What is the concern? If the battery is dead, you charge it.

[@sergiorphoto6749]

Agree with your zoom control layout!

[@gixster92]

I do like my x3 but have noticed an issue in using it. I am a high school senior photog and I am on location shooter and noticed that HSS just magically turns off on my unit. Have you ever noticed this? do you know why this happens?

[@sjoerdsiemes]

Did they go with the suggested changes?

[@jimb2500]

Need the compatibility for Leica

[@KamenMinkov]

Haven't tried the X3 yet, but something that I'm sorely missing from the XPro and the XPro II I'm using is a way to quickly toggle whole sets of groups. I'm a concert photographer and very often I have a setup of two flashes (A and B) pointed at the stage and a third flash (C) pointed at the crowd; so 95% of the time I'm looking at the stage, but from time to time something interesting happens in the crowd and I wish there was a quick way to turn off A and B and turn on C; with the current implementation on the XPro II - say I have A and B enabled and I want to switch to C only - I have to double tap A, double tap B, double tap C - and for that time the moment might be gone. If I have group C enabled all the time, it might be annoying to the crowd. If there was something like user banks through which I could switch quickly, it would address the problem. I know there is a preset menu, but going through it is even slower than what I described. On the XPro II I can see this doable by sacrificing one of the soft buttons - I very rarely use modelling lights; the HSS toggle can probably also sit in the menu.

[@jeromehutchinson1961]

I approve this message. Ideas are on point.

[@haraldniederstatter4068]

Thank you for yet another outstanding video! I'm fully on board with your suggestions for enhancing the user interface. I fully share your views on the importance of allowing per-channel zoom settings and the implementation of an 'app' mode. It would be definitely beneficial if the X3 could integrate with the Godox module in my light meter…

[@ThierryMinet]

Agree with your UI suggestions!

[@isis32]

I agree with your changes to the interface! I'll admit I saw this and got 😍. I love small and sleek equipment, but I'll stick to the X-Pro for now. Thank you for preventing me from making a GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) purchase. However, based on your previous review, I purchased the BFP gobo projector, and it is a substantial upgrade from the S-AP. The S-AP isn't bad, per se, but the lack of built-in cutters, the sagging, and the terrible Gobo holder did not always make it a joy to work with. It was way better than the MagBeam or using a cookie/cucoloris.

[@PavittarSingh_Bob]

This looks very appealing. Thank you for the quick bit very informative review. Love the size and form factor, interested in studio setting myself so don't mind the slower interaction with the touch ui. One more thing of interest that I wish you could have mentioned. Does it have focus assist lights?

[@marcusmurray5440]

Is it a tight fit on the Sony a7iv By that, does it feel like something will break on the camera or receiver when put it on or take it off?

[@noelty]

I received two of these and have an issue I cannot resolve. The nano will fire the flash when attached to my A7IV, but I cannot adjust the exposure on the camera's screen. If I change modes on the camera dial say to M1....I can now control exposure, but the flash does not fire. It does fire with the test button, but not when I take a shot. I need help figuring out what I am doing wrong. When I put one of my older triggers on the camera no problem, the flash fires nomrally and I can control the exposure in the viewfinder.

[@robhallphoto]

This is the default behavior of Sony Cameras when using a flash/trigger that connects via the multi-interface shoe (has the pins on the front of the trigger / will do TTL and HSS). The idea is that if you are in a studio shooting at F11 with a flash setup, your ambient settings would likely show a black frame and therefore your screen should instead show a balanced exposure based on your metering mode for visibility purposes. Your older triggers must be a "dumb" trigger, connected via the center pin only, and therefore did not trigger this behavior. You can override this behavior via mapping a custom function button to a specific setting. I've never owned an A7IV so I'm not positive what options it has, on older cameras like the A7III / A7RIII it was called "Shot Result Preview", which can be mapped as a hold function but only available on certain buttons (I myself used the AE-L button since it's useless when shooting in manual). But on newer cameras like the A1, you can use "shot result preview" as a hold function, or "Exposure Effect Select" as a toggle function to override this behavior and see the effects that your camera settings have on the ambient light with a flash attached.

[@sonyak7983]

Will this work with the 860iii on a sony a7iv

[@nipontaikham7923]

Thanks for the info but I have one question. Can the trigger be charged while in use?

[@robhallphoto]

@@nipontaikham7923 yup

[@vgomesbr]

absolutely agrre with your suggestions!!!

[@miguel_p1000]

I have a sony A7c for photography with the transmitter. I want to use a Sony A7i for photos and use the A7c for videos Can the transmitter work with the a7i??

[@junk3r43]

Yes the ideea of zoom button is realy good, and also the +- buttons they need to be much bigger, i do studio photography and also weddings.

[@emmdod]

Has anyone figured out why the TCM gives random numbers instead of the real TTL flash output?

[@mr.tastetechtravel]

Agree with your “button” layout!

[@frankline.gonzalez-dwindt2355]

I agree on the changes you propose. I would also like to have an easier way to set HSS

[@prosunsport1]

No Bluetooth like xpro11, why.?Its so useful adjusting lights mounted high in a studio on the app , when camera is also not easily accessible to get too.

[@Zomlies]

I would love to know if you could have it in use while charging with a power bank. I think your idea for the UI is spot on. I’m a wedding photographer. I actually think this trigger will be nice to use! I preordered one and I’m excited to try it. I’ve had the X2s and the Pro one, I got a lot of misfires with those and they were huge and often got caught on things while moving around a venue. The x3 being smaller will be nice.

[@StuartWeir]

What’s the difference between this and the Xnano?

[@Soul_Visuals_Photography]

Wish they put this interface on the v1pro

[@stevenevosando8840]

Robert I need help any suggestions in how to connect the r2 nano trans with my ad400 pro strobe ?? I’m able to use it and it flashes only but can’t pass my native camera 1/250 shutter speed . Do you think I need to adjust some of my camera settings on my Sony a7rv ??

[@robhallphoto]

you just have to turn HSS on.

[@maxwellmawji240]

Does it have a legacy hotshoe mode? Sony shooter here

[@xaviercastillo9048]

I just came from your Hypersync video and I want to know if it is possible to do with this trigger. Great Job in your videos

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

Just a thought; maybe it is good to combine the very small trigger with an ipad or so using the Bluetooth interface of the godox devices? Maybe an idea in the studio? On an ipad each group could be a vertical slider for power. Easy interface, fast; provide possibility to save a setup and name it in the App. Going crazy would be to have a file that can be used in Set.a.light.3D.

[@tugwilson]

It doesn't support Bluetooth

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

@@tugwilson o_O OK! Lets hope changes quickly.

[@tugwilson]

@@PhotoArtBrussels I think that's unlikely as it requires a hardware change not a firmware one

[@SuperManBen]

Can you adjust the power of 1 unit with the tactile scroll wheel on the right?

[@robhallphoto]

Yup.

[@nigelpugh7003]

Hi Rob I agree with your changes wait and see if Godox act on them😊

[@craiggreville2565]

looks very interesting but your suggestions on the UI would certainly get me to buy on - Commercial / lifestyle and portrait shooter

[@pascalhibon7928]

Quick question: the X3 allows for 1/256 output power. Would that work on a V860II? I have an XPRO trigger which only goes down to 1/28. In some cases this is still to much power. Good suggestion on the UI; +1 on that!

[@franciscosunworld]

Good sugestions!

[@Battlem0nk]

Have they implemented any of your ideas? Noticed your device firmware was v0.72 and the latest one is now v1.15