Contemplating the hike in energy and new coloration touchscreen interface of the most recent V100, I reckon it’s equally nice worth at $349 / £339 / AU$610. By the way, the XPro TTL set off is appropriate with the entire V1, V1Pro and V100 round-headed flashguns however a extra seamless match for the V100 is the newer Godox X3 / Xnano wi-fi RF set off which additionally contains a newer type coloration touchscreen, and prices $89 / £79 / AU$149.
Godox V100: Design & Dealing with Most flashguns have a most energy score that’s quoted as a ‘Information quantity’, alongside the traces of Gn60 with ISO and meters or ft being taken into the equation. The Godox V100 follows on from its predecessors with a ‘Watt second’ score, extra typically utilized in studio flashheads. And there’s a sizeable power-up over the earlier V1 and V1Pro, which have been rated at 76Ws, the V100 topping out at 100Ws. That’s mighty highly effective for a hot-shoe-based on-camera flash, though it nonetheless falls wanting most standalone flash heads, just like the 200Ws Godox AD200 Professional II .
What’s within the field? The V100 flashgun comes full with a carrying pouch, tabletop/tripod stand, clip-on sub-flash module, Li-ion battery, mains charger (varies per area) and charging cable. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Together with a rise in energy, the V100 boasts a quicker flip of pace. Hello-speed sync helps shutter speeds of as much as 1/80,000th of a second, making it absolutely appropriate with cameras that function a ‘world shutter’, just like the Sony A9 III . I additionally actually just like the blisteringly quick recycle speeds. These are just about instantaneous at energy settings as much as and together with 1/4 energy output. This places high-speed steady capturing on the menu, full with flash, for while you’re attempting to nail a definitive second in sports activities, wildlife, or press images, in addition to for catching fleeting expressions in portraiture or at occasions like weddings.
And also you’re not simply restricted to capturing in brief bursts, because of the V100’s new cooling system. Even at full energy output, you may take as much as 100 consecutive pictures and the flashgun will hold a cool head. At the very least, that’s the case within the 80-105mm part of the flash zoom vary, though it drops off to between 70 and 90 pictures within the 28-70mm zoom sector.
The V100 has an upgraded cooling system that allows as much as 100 or so consecutive pictures even at full energy output. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Regardless of the highly effective 100W score, the 2980mAh battery has enough stamina for as much as 400 full-power flashes on a full cost (down from 500 pictures within the V1Pro). Naturally, you’ll get very many extra flashes per cost at decrease energy settings. An improve over the unique V1 is that the newer VB30 battery has its personal USB-C port that allows quick charging, as used within the V1Pro. You can too run the flashgun from a mains adapter or energy financial institution through the USB-C port.
Extra VB30 batteries, do you have to really feel the necessity, price round $55 / £51 / AU$94 every. One other different is that you may purchase a separate, elective Godox PB960 battery pack for $120 / £105 / AU$175 that feeds the flashgun through an umbilical twine. One benefit of that is that the recycle time after a full-power flash is boosted from about 1.7 seconds to simply 0.8 seconds.
A 3-pin connector beneath a protecting rubber flap allows the connection of an elective PB960 exterior energy pack. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
I actually like the complete vary of flash modes and changes featured within the V100. Full TTL dedication is on the market with separate Canon , Nikon , Sony , Fujifilm , OM System and Pentax variations of the flashgun. There’s a -7 to 120 levels of vertical bounce and 150 or 180 levels of swivel to left and proper, respectively. The motorized zoom head has a 28-105mm vary (in full-frame phrases). That’s not overly beneficiant within the scale of issues however is because of the round-head nature of the flashgun, whereas the oblong V860III has a 20-200mm zoom vary.
In addition to a purple AF-assist gentle to be used with DSLRs, the V100 options an LED modelling lamp constructed into the primary tube, which works for AF-assist with mirrorless cameras in addition to for modelling. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The V100 contains a purple AF help gentle which is beneficial for DSLRs, though it’s incompatible with mirrorless cameras. To get round that drawback, there’s additionally a reasonably highly effective LED modeling gentle constructed into the primary flash tube, which works for AF help in addition to for modeling. Superior flash modes embody the everyday up-market vary of Excessive-speed sync, rear-curtain, and programmable repeat (or strobe). The final of those is good for sequential flashes all through an extended publicity, for particular results.
Just like the V1Pro earlier than it, the V100 contains a small clip-on sub-flash module, which is fast and straightforward to connect and take away. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
In contrast to some flashguns that solely comprise a built-in RF receiver, or no RF connectivity in any respect, the V100 continues the Godox custom of that includes an RF transceiver. This lets you use the flashgun as both a grasp or slave unit in multi-flashgun setups. It’s based mostly on a 2.4GHz transmission and options 5 teams and 32 channels, with a spread of as much as 100m / 328 ft.
The sub-flash module is beneficial for including just a little fill-in gentle when utilizing the primary head in bounce/swivel mode. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
I’ve saved maybe the most important new function till final, and that’s the colour touchscreen interface. As I’ve talked about, the interface of earlier current Godox flashguns appeared fairly antiquated to me. The mono display and row of context-sensitive buttons for the varied capabilities additionally regarded fairly uninteresting. By sharp distinction, the colour touchscreen of the V100 seems and feels bang updated. You additionally get choices for adjusting energy output within the ordinary fractions of full energy right down to 1/256 energy ranges, or on a scale of two.0 to 10, the latter being extra akin to studio flash heads.
In addition to full grasp/slave RF wi-fi capabilities, the V100 options two modes of optical slave to be used with studio flash heads or different flashguns, plus a 2.5mm sync terminal for cable linked synchronization. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
I principally love the touchscreen interface and solely have two minor niggles. Firstly, switching the flashgun on is a two-stage course of. As a substitute of merely urgent and holding the facility on/off button to modify on the V100, you might have press the button after which rotate the rotary dial or apply the identical motion on the touchscreen as soon as the display involves life. It appears an pointless additional step to me. Secondly, I favored that the rotary dial in earlier variations additionally labored as a 4-way pad. For instance, you can enhance or lower the facility output in full increments with up/down presses, or in 1/10th increments with left/proper presses. Sliding the facility bar on the touchscreen to set the output can really feel just a little hit or miss by comparability, and the +/- contact factors are just for small 1/10th increments of change.
The gallery of pictures beneath reveals what’s on provide within the coloration touchscreen interface.
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The principle display has an influence bar that you may swipe for growing or reducing TTL flash compensation or guide energy. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
In guide energy output mode, you may alter the facility setting by swiping in addition to utilizing the +/- contact areas for modifications in minor increments. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Urgent the Zoom icon on the backside proper lets you modify the zoom setting of the motorized head manually. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Swiping downwards on the primary display reveals a secondary display for adjusting sync mode, AF-assist beam, beep, modelling gentle, lock and programmable multi-flash. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Press the Residence icon and also you get a spread of Wi-fi choices together with organising the flashgun as a sender or receiver, and a Menu possibility on the backside left. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The Menu obtainable from the earlier display lets you modify a spread of customized settings. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Godox V100: Efficiency As I stated on the outset, a principal promoting level of the earlier V1 and V1Pro flashguns is that their spherical heads with a particular lens constructed into the entrance ship a stunning high quality of sunshine, which is softer and with a pleasant gradual falloff in the direction of the circumference, whereas additionally eliminating the central sizzling spot for which rectangular flashguns are infamous.
One other bonus of the spherical flash head, so far as I’m involved, is that it offers extra pure trying catchlights within the eyes while you’re taking portraits. This benefit is essentially misplaced when you use the clip-on sub-flash module, however the sub-flash can work very well for nonetheless life images and different situations the place you wish to use bounce flash for softness whereas including just a little direct flash so as to add element or scale back the depth of shadows. I like that the output or the sub-flash module is independently adjustable on a sliding scale, through the colour touchscreen.
As used with the V1Pro, the VB30 battery has a 2980mAh score, thus having a better capability than the 2600mAh battery of the unique V1 and V860III flashguns. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
For additional enhancing the standard of sunshine, I’m happy that Godox provides a spread of modifiers, that are simple to connect to the V100 through magnetic attraction, identical to with the earlier V1 and V1Pro. Favorites embody the Godox AK-R22 collapsible diffusion dome at $27 / £25 / AU$45 and the Godox AK-R1 accent package at $56 / £58 / AU$85. The latter is very good worth, comprising a diffusion dome, three warming filters, a inexperienced filter, a filter holder, snoot, honeycomb grid, 4-way barndoor set and bounce card with body.
In contrast to for the unique V1, the VB30 battery has a built-in USB charging port that’s appropriate with high-speed chargers. You can too energy the flashgun immediately from a USB outlet utilizing this socket. An extra USB socket on the opposite facet of the flashgun is featured for making use of firmware updates. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
When it comes to outright flash energy, I discovered that the V100 solely gave a slight enhance over the earlier V1 and V1Pro editions, equating to about 1/3 of a cease in my assessments. What actually did impress me is that at any guide energy setting, there’s little or no distinction within the depth of output all through all the 35-105mm part of the zoom vary. I solely actually observed a drop-off on the shortest 28mm zoom setting. I actually like this for once I’m utilizing guide energy settings relatively than TTL flash metering, and altering between completely different focal lengths.
As marketed, recycle speeds are super-fast. I discovered just about no lag in any respect when utilizing energy settings of 1/256 proper as much as 1/4 energy. Even at 1/2 energy output, recycle pace was a fast 0.8 seconds, dropping to 1.7 seconds after a full-power flash. As I’ve talked about, you may pace up the recycle time after a full-power flash to simply 0.8 seconds when you purchase the elective Godox PB960 exterior battery pack.
The just lately launched Godox X3 / Xnano wi-fi RF set off is a perfect match for the V100, because the set off additionally options an intuitive coloration touchscreen. It very fairly priced at $89 / £79 / AU$149. (Picture credit score: Gareth Bevan / Digital Digital camera World)
Godox V100: Pattern Photos The next pattern pictures of a bunch of flowers have been taken with the round-head Godox V100 and rectangular-head Godox VING V860III in varied direct and bounce modes, for comparability.
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V100 with direct flash in TTL mode. Lighting is comparatively gentle and clean with no hotspot on the middle of the picture. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Utilizing the V860III in direct flash mode leads to a comparatively vibrant hotspot on the middle of the picture. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
In bounce mode, the V100 offers fairly good TTL metering outcomes, typically with comparatively no use for flash compensation. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Utilizing the V860III in bounce mode with TTL flash metering can lead to comparatively darkish pictures, requiring just a little flash compensation. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The sub-flash module of the V100 allows just a little direct gentle along with the primary bounced flash, which might work effectively for including element and filling in shadows. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Godox V100: Lab Outcomes We take a look at all obtainable options for every flashgun that goes via out labs. To check energy output, we used a Sekonic flash meter positioned at a distance of 1 meter from every flashgun. We test the entire vary of guide energy settings, in one-stop increments. Based mostly on a sensitivity of ISO 100, the figures correlate immediately with the Gn (Information quantity). The outcomes are double-checked by taking pictures of a grey card with the suitable lens apertures and utilizing the digital camera’s histogram show in playback mode. That is performed for flash zoom settings of 24mm, 50mm and 105mm (in full-frame phrases), the place obtainable.
We additionally test the accuracy and consistency of digital/clever TTL (Via The Lens) flash metering, and the pace with which every flashgun can recycle to a state of readiness after a full-power flash, utilizing each Ni-MH and alkaline cells, or a Li-ion energy pack the place equipped.
Energy output:
(Picture credit score: Future)
With its smoother, extra even lighting and the absence of a sizzling spot, most output energy isn’t fairly as sturdy as with some top-end rectangular flashguns, as measured on the middle of the picture body. Nonetheless, energy output is remarkably constant all through the 35-105mm sector of the zoom vary, solely dropping off just a little on the shortest 28mm setting.
TTL accuracy:
(Picture credit score: Future)
Automated TTL (via the lens) flash metering may be very correct and really constant, all through the zoom vary.
Recycle pace:
(Picture credit score: Future)
As I’ve come to count on from flashguns that run on a Li-ion battery relatively than alkaline or Ni-MH AA batteries, recycling speeds are very quick. Nonetheless, within the 1/2 to full energy sector of the facility vary, the V100 isn’t fairly as quick as the unique Godox V1 or V1Pro, on account of its larger output energy.
Godox V100: Verdict For my cash, the Godox V100 is essentially the most fascinating flashgun available on the market proper now. It’s very highly effective, has a full set of superior options and capabilities, and runs on a Li-ion battery that allows glorious stamina and really fast recycling pace even after a full-power flash. In the meantime, the superior cooling system allows lengthy bursts of steady capturing. The brand new coloration touchscreen may be very effectively applied and makes superior capabilities extra intuitive to make use of and faster to get at. All in all, it’s a spectacular flashgun that’s obtainable in a variety of devoted choices to go well with most makes of digital camera, and it’s glorious worth on the worth.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Options
There’s a full vary of superior flash modes, RF wi-fi grasp/slave and a number of different options.
★★★★★
Design
The standout improve in an already glorious design is the colour touchscreen which is fast and intuitive to make use of.
★★★★★
Efficiency
The standard of sunshine is superb and most output energy is beneficiant, whereas recycling speeds are super-quick.
★★★★★
Worth
It’s pricier than some older flashguns from Godox however the upgrades make the V100 standout worth on the worth.
★★★★★
(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Alternate options 