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8 Lights Perfect for Off-Camera Flash Use by Beginners and Pros

Brett Day
No Comments
09/14/2019
5 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Sony a7r IV Extended Impressions 1-2500s1602.8FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM

Whether you’re new to lighting and off-camera flash, or you’re an old hat looking for new gear, this roundup is for you.

If you’re ready to take the next steps in your photography journey by adding off-camera flash to your workflow, congratulations! We applaud you for wanting to take this on. A lot of people think mastering flash is hard, but we’re here to tell you that’s a bunch of hogwash. Off-camera flash is an easy way to add drama and extra dimension to your images. The best part is you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started with it. We have rounded up some of our favorite lights that we have reviewed over the years and have put them in one place for you. These lights are great for beginners and even for pros looking for some new gear.

Light used. Flashpoint eVOLV 200.

All of the lights listed here in this roundup are fantastic. When using any of these as your off-camera flash, you will be able to shoot in just about any condition as you will be able to control the light. Yes! You will be in complete control. All of these lights work with triggers for the specific brand of camera you use, so make sure you pick up the correct trigger to control the light. Pretty soon, you will be creating images that wow you and your clients. Check out eight of our favorite lights that we like to use as off-camera flashes.

 

Flashpoint Zoom Mini/ Godox Thinklite TT350F Mini Flash

 

Godox TT350F

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Small
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • TTL works well
  • Good battery life
  • Powerful for its size
  • Works with Godox/Flashpoint R2 Triggers

Cons

  • Not the most user-friendly interface
  • Failed to fire on a few occasions
  • Some concerns with the build quality
  • Slow recycle times

Buy now Canon ($84.90): Adorama

Buy now Nikon ($84.90): Adorama

Buy now Fujifilm ($84.90): Adorama

Buy now Sony ($84.90): Adorama

Buy now Pentax ($84.90): Adorama

Buy now M4/3 ($84.90): Adorama

 

Flashpoint/Godox Thinklite TT685 TTL

 

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Super reliable
  • Automatic transition to high-speed sync
  • Stroboscopic mode
  • Incredible TTL output that meters will with the Sony system
  • Well built
  • Affordable
  • Pretty much gives you an awesome studio option in a small size with loads of features

Cons

  • Initially tough to use until you page through the manual

Buy now Canon ($110): Adorama

Buy now Nikon ($110): Adorama

Buy now Sony  ($110): Adorama

Buy now Fujifilm ($99): Adorama

Buy now Olympus/Panasonic ($110): Adorama

 

Flashpoint eVOLV 200 TTL Pocket Flash (Godox AD200)

 

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • TTL built-in
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Modular head design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Compatible with almost all camera systems on the market as long as you’ve got the corresponding remote

Cons

  • Only 200 watt-seconds of power

Buy now ($299): Adorama

 

Pro Tip: If you really want to create images that will stand out from the crowd, you should add color gels into your lighting workflow. Colors not only help balance lighting between your off-camera flash and the ambient lighting, but they can dramatically alter the look and feel of your images. Gels can help create moods and tell stories that regular light just cannot match. These gels easily clip on to your flash and will create the colors and looks you’ve been craving. You can check out our guide to using gels here.

 

Interfit Honey Badger Unleashed

 

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • It’s like $350 bucks
  • TTL
  • HSS
  • Manual mode
  • Radio capable
  • 250 watt-seconds of power
  • Powerful modeling lamp
  • Bowens mount
  • Umbrella holder built-in and it isn’t proprietary
  • Fantastic battery life
  • Built surprisingly well

Cons

  • It’s bigger than we’d like it to be

Buy now ($349.99): Adorama

 

ORLIT RoveLight RT 610 TTL Monolight

 

off camera flash orlit

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • Powerful
  • Available with a lot of different TTL types
  • Fast flash duration
  • Nice carrying case
  • Triggers available for various platforms

Cons

  • The manual mode won’t work if the Sony a7r III is in wireless flash mode
  • Best works when the Sony a7r III isn’t in wireless flash mode

Buy now ($449): Adorama

 

Flashpoint XPLOR 400 Pro TTL Rechargeable Monolight

 

off camera flash

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Built-in TTL
  • Can be used with Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax and Panasonic with the correct radio transmitter
  • Excellent build quality
  • Great battery life
  • Ultra-fast recycle times
  • Quality, consistent lighting
  • Big, bright, easy to read LCD display
  • Can work with multiple modifier types

Cons

  • When the Bowens adapter is attached, the fastener for the light stand mount almost doesn’t have enough clearance to loosen and tighten the mount
  • The included reflector comes pre-installed with a Godox mount adapter, and it takes tremendous force to remove it
  • Replacement Flash tubes are pricey

Buy now ($649): Adorama

 

Pro Tip: If you really want to be able to control the light coming from your flash, you’ll need a light modifier. Perhaps one of the very best for flashes is the Rogue Flashbender 2 XL. This easy to use reflector simply attaches to your flash with velcro, and you can then manipulate the panel to get light exactly where you want it on your subject. The best part is that it is super affordable. Read our review to find out why we love it so much.

 

Flashpoint XPLOR 600 Pro TTL Battery-Powered Monolight

 

off-camera flash

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • TTL built-in
  • Improved Bowens mounting system
  • Compatible with almost all camera systems on the market as long as you’ve got the corresponding remote
  • Excellent battery life
  • Very fast recycle time
  • Completely wireless when using included battery pack (optional AC power adapter available if you’re planning on using this in a studio environment and want to keep the light plugged in at all times)

Cons

  • Not compatible with the flash tube and battery pack from the previous generation XPLOR 600
  • Did not fire once during testing, despite the audible beep signaling the monolight was ready to be fired again (might have been a result of batteries in R2 Pro remote running low)

Buy Now ($899): Adorama

 

Profoto B10

 

off-camera flash

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Small size
  • Lots of power output
  • The LED light can change color for cinema use
  • Modeling lamp doesn’t drain the battery that often
  • In nearly six months of use, we had to charge it maybe three times with weekly use
  • The Profoto Air TTL system works flawlessly
  • We’ve never had a misfire as a result of the radio, only recycling and with Sony’s weird hot shoe
  • App control is cool. The fact that you can update the firmware via the app is also nice

Cons

  • It’s pricey, but it’s worth the money over Godox or anything else out there

Buy now ($1,695): Adorama