Godox’s lens-sized AD300Pro strobe is a portable power house
Apr 23, 2020
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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The Godox AD300Pro is the latest portable flash in the Godox X 2.4Ghz system lineup. It sits between the AD200Pro and AD400Pro in terms of power, but it seems to have the best bits of both. It has a decent amount of power when you need it, with colour consistency and fast recycle times, but it’s also small. Smaller than a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
This review from Wes Perry goes through the features of the lens, with some practical tests and demonstrations offering up some of his thoughts of how the flash performs. It also has a few unique tricks of its own, that neither of its nearest siblings can perform – like a bicolour modelling light.
When it comes to the specs, it’s largely the same as the rest of the Pro models in the Godox lineup – except for the power and the bicolour LED.
| Power | 300Ws |
| Flash duration | t.1: 1/10,200 to 1/220 sec |
| Colour temp | 5600K +/-200K |
| Sync speed | Up to 1/8,000 (HSS) |
| Wireless | Built-in 2.4Ghz Godox X receiver |
| Exposure | Manual, TTL, HSS |
| Modifier mount | Godox |
| Modelling light | 12W COB LED |
| Modelling light colour temp | 3000-6000K +/- 500K |
| Power | Lithium Ion battery module |
| Battery | 37.44Wh (14.4v 2.6Ah) Lithium-ion battery |
| Number of flashes | Approx 320 full-power flashes per charge |
| Compatible with | Nikon. Canon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji and Pentax |
| Wireless channels | 32 |
| Wireless groups | 5 |
| Wireless range | 328.1′ (100m) radio |
| Pack dimensions | 190x100x90mm |
| Pack weight | 1.25kg (including battery) |
Like the AD400Pro, the AD300Pro has a bare bulb and the Godox modifier mount as standard. Unlike the AD400Pro, though, it doesn’t come with a Bowens mount adapter that you can attach to the unit (there is one on the way, though – thanks, Wes!). You have to use the new Godox S2 bracket if you want to use it with your existing Godox modifiers. This is largely the same as the original bracket, except that the opening for the light is round to accommodate the round shape of the AD300Pro as well as the round head of the Godox V1 speedlight and the H200R round head for the AD200Pro.
Like the AD200Pro, though, the AD300Pro is small. Very small. In width, it’s narrower than many fast long prime lenses, as demonstrated in Wes’ video, and it’s shorter than the AD200Pro with the bare bulb attached. This means it’ll easily fit inside most camera bags. If you’ve got room for a lens, you’ve got room for an AD300Pro. The disadvantage it may have for some of you over the AD200Pro is that the head is fixed. You can’t swap it out for a Fresnel for that speedlight look.
The AD300Pro isn’t the perfect light for everybody, but it’s going to be ideal for many. Personally, I have no desire to give up my Godox AD200, AD200Pro or AD400Pro units in favour of the AD300Pro. But if you’re looking to add to an existing setup, or build one up for the first time, it might be the ideal balance of size and power for you.
You’ll just have to watch the review above and make your own mind up.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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4 responses to “Godox’s lens-sized AD300Pro strobe is a portable power house”
One point of clarification: there Will be a Bowen’s adapter for this, but as I mentioned in the video, it makes it so much larger that I don’t quite see the point of using such a small flash anymore. And it screws on in a semi-permanent manner, so it’s not a quick change like the S2 bracket.
Thanks for that Wes. Yeah, a semi-permanent adapter makes sense on the AD400Pro, but on the AD300Pro I think the S2 bracket is definitely the better option. :)
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