Joined in 2023 
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To get into the custom menu, long press the C.Fn button which is also the test fire button. One of the first things I recommend you do if like me you will be using this for weddings is switch off the beep. This is F01 and it should be set to OFF. Even with the introduction of the Godox AD300 which are much more like the Profoto B10's, I am not remotely tempted to switch. The fact they fit neatly into my camera bag. Slip into my think tank pouch so I can carry one on my hip when I am walking to take photos. It’s just perfect for a wedding photographer on the move.
It is worth noting that the AD200 Pro does have a recessed LCD screen which should help though I still remain sceptical it would survive a 2m drop. If you do find yourself often in these situations at a wedding then you may want to consider a more powerful flash. Godox have released a range of strobes with more power. From the AD300 right the way to the upcoming retina burning AD1200! More powerful flashes will give you the option to use larger light modifiers to help you project softer light for better results. The photo above was taken just before sunset with a single Godox AD200 using the Magmod & Maggrid/Magsphere from camera left. And single AD200 behind the bride & groom with fresnel head, no modifier.
The on/off switch at the side has been changed. The original AD200 switch was not easy to find if you don't know what you are looking for. I've had assistants who have never used the AD200 be unable to find it. The Pro switch feels a bit better and more obvious. It's a small improvement but hardly groundbreaking. With the introduction of the AD200. Suddenly we had an all in one solution that used the Fresnel head. Suddenly we could use all the light modifiers designed for speedlights! Something us wedding photographers did a lot.
You can change groups by pressing the GR/CH button and change to a different channel by holding down the same button for two seconds then using the dial to choose which channel you would like. If I have to and have no other choice. Then I do use the AD200 as a fill flash for group photos. In which case I put one of them into my Magbox and it is usually enough power. Occasionally I use two to give my 400Ws but I loathe to do it. Since it means I am totally out of options and taking photos in those sorts of conditions aren't ideal.
For me the most exciting change was really the flash holder/umbrella mount. That says a lot really! Godox have added a couple of small holes in the chassis which the flash holder now fits into when tightened up. The flash will no longer accidentally come loose and rotate around like with the non-pro version. This is a big improvement and had this been on the original AD200, I would have never have bought the Magshoe’s! The reason I use the AD200’s indoors rather than speedlights is simply because of the power. And by that I don’t mean I shoot at full power. No no! That’d be retina scorching after a while. It’s hard to think that my original Godox AD200 review is already three years old. So I thought it was about time update my review and let you know how my experience has been. Have my feelings changed over time? Has the AD200 stood up to the demands of professional use? I don’t use high speed sync. If I wanted to keep the aperture shallow then I would have to go into HSS mode. In which case I don’t think one AD200 would be enough to overpower the sun due to the power loss inherent with HSS.
Flash power can now be controlled by 1/10 increments and minimum power is now 1/256 rather than 1/128 on the original Godox AD200. I’ve had quite a few messages from people asking what the differences are between them and if the additional cost is worth it. Overall the LCD is perfectly usable. My only minor quibble is I'd like to have seen the rear LCD to be a little brighter. It can be hard to see in bright sunlight but it's not a big deal. Three years after their release, there are imitators but no-one close to competing with this innovative flash. The Godox AD200's really are the perfect mix of flexibility, portability as well as being great value for money. Using my Sekonic light meter I have tested the Godox AD200 against its bigger brother the AD360 as well as the trusty Godox v860ii. For the bare bulb test I have used the same 5" standard reflector. For the Fresnel head I did not use any modifier. Testing was done from a distance of 3m. Godox V860ii @ 35mmPre-AD200. I was using the Godox AD360. This was a popular flash amongst wedding photographers. However, the was external bare bulb flash only. This meant I had to use a light modifier and usually large one like a softbox or beauty dish. In the field it wasn’t always the most practical solution. It was also quite an intimidating set up to hand to a bridesmaid or best man if you needed help during a wedding. The unit feels chunky and solid in your hands. With the battery and flash head, the AD200 is definitely heavier than a speedlight.
At weddings, the Godox AD200’s are my main flashes for pretty much everything. Outdoors for groups. Portraits. Indoors, I use them to light speeches, first dances and occasionally if the situation demands, wedding ceremonies. If you’re not familiar with the Godox AD200 flash. Prior to the AD200, if you wanted a portable flash solution for location shooting. Your choices were extremely limited. Sure you could use a single speedlight but outdoors the humble speedlight was limiting. Combining them together was a cumbersome affair. The speedlight, fresnel head is by far the most useful for weddings due to the plethora of light modifiers available already. The rear LCD screen is on the bottom of the flash. It's small but functional and the buttons are logically placed. The buttons and dial feel nice and responsive.If you are mounting AD200's on a light stand. Then my strong advice is to either have someone hold it or use a weight like a sandbag to stop the stand from toppling over. I no longer take the bare bulb head out to weddings with me. The only times I’ve used it in the last two years were for commercial headshots where I can put the barebulb head into a softbox. And more recently for a destination wedding where I opted to take the AD-S7 softbox due to its small, portable size. As I said, I’m not going to ramble on about specs but for a review, it does make sense to at least list the most important features: Power The Maggrip fits over the Fresnel head. Just make sure you take care and don’t cover the heat vents. The Maggrip does JUST about fit over the H200R head but it’s not recommended. I’ve seen plenty of people split the rubber this way.
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