Flashpoint XPLOR 600 TTL VS. Godox AD600

jmaher wrote in post #17984691
I am debating which way to go the Xplor 600 TTL for it's power and bells and whistles or the 360II for it's size and weight.

I sold my Rovelight in anticipation this morning.

Now to sell a few other things to pay for this

Both are great and no matter which one you pick you will be happy with it.

jmaher wrote in post #17984691
I am debating which way to go the Xplor 600 TTL for it's power and bells and whistles or the 360II for it's size and weight.

I sold my Rovelight in anticipation this morning.

Now to sell a few other things to pay for this

I see the numbers and ratings, but can someone confirm that the AD600/Xplor 600 is less than 1 stop more powerful than the AD360II?

I keep hearing about the size and weight of the AD600 vs. the AD360 and I wonder if the (2/3 of a stop?) extra power is going to make a difference to me.

For me, I really miss a modelling light. That is just as much of a selling point as 'no wires' for the AD600. At this point, my photos still benefit from a modelling light. I miss the little details without being able to see a 'preview'.

I've not once taken my Einstein640 outdoors since buying the AD360.

When I'm using the AD360, I sometimes miss having more power. But, I'm not sure that the AD600 has that much more. I will be happy when someone who uses both will compare the two (and provide exposure info) for shots where the AD360/600 are competing with the sun.

I do not have an AD600, but I can say that the AD360 has changed everything for me. It is so versatile, small, and easy to use.

Can anybody confirm if the TTL versions of these units will emit a preflash when using them in manual mode?

I use a lightmeter and will not get a TTL version if it they emit a preflash.

Ryan7 wrote in post #17985613
Can anybody confirm if the TTL versions of these units will emit a preflash when using them in manual mode?

I use a lightmeter and will not get a TTL version if it they emit a preflash.

As with any TTL capable speedlite or strobe, the only time there is a pre-flash is when its in TTL mode. When in M mode it just fires when it gets the fire signal, either x sync or FP sync.

The AD600 makes a noticeable pop when firing the pre-flash. That's not there with firing in M mode.

This “pop” is it distracting, or overly obvious? I am about to push the button, but am trying to mentally compare the Xplor with the handheld attachment to something like the Prophoto B2… ill still get the pop using the handheld, but will it be the same amount of “pop”?

digitalduck wrote in post #17985797
This “pop” is it distracting, or overly obvious? I am about to push the button, but am trying to mentally compare the Xplor with the handheld attachment to something like the Prophoto B2… ill still get the pop using the handheld, but will it be the same amount of “pop”?

The pop isn't distracting, at least in my opinion. Using the handheld unit should have no impact on that sort of thing.

dmward wrote in post #17985793
As with any TTL capable speedlite or strobe, the only time there is a pre-flash is when its in TTL mode.

Actually there are some that do still fire a pre-flash when in M mode. The Phottix Odin with mitros+ system still fires a preflash when you use the mitros+ in Manual mode. That is what I don't like about it and may be the reason I switch.

Ryan7 wrote in post #17985873
Actually there are some that do still fire a pre-flash when in M mode. The Phottix Odin with mitros+ system still fires a preflash when you use the mitros+ in Manual mode. That is what I don't like about it and may be the reason I switch.

OK, That makes no sense and I agree it would be problematic using a meter.

So will there be a pre-flash using the Xplor and X1 in M?

digitalduck wrote in post #17985917
So will there be a pre-flash using the Xplor and X1 in M?

No. There is not a pre-flash with 600 in M. I don't have an X1Ts. I used a TT685s as a controller/trigger. No pre-flash.

When the light is in M mode, the controller causes power setting to change just as if an XTR-16/16s is doing the power change.

BTW, the way I confirm a pre-flash is by looking through the view finder. Even an optical VF its possible to see the pre-flash light the subject just before the VF goes dark for the shutter to open. Same with electronic view finder on Sony A7RII.

digitalduck wrote in post #17985917
So will there be a pre-flash using the Xplor and X1 in M?

I would certainly hope not. A studio strobe that fires an unnecessary pre-flash would be a huge design flaw and usability issue, because it's common to meter lights in the studio and this would prevent many meters from getting accurate results.

Ryan7 wrote in post #17985873
Actually there are some that do still fire a pre-flash when in M mode. The Phottix Odin with mitros+ system still fires a preflash when you use the mitros+ in Manual mode. That is what I don't like about it and may be the reason I switch.

The Phottix system only seems to do that in certain situations, but not all.

But I do know what you're talking about. I believe part of the reason for it is because even when it appears you're shooting in Manual mode from an Odin or with a Mitros+ as master flash, you're actually still in TTL mode. The signals that tell the remote flashes at which power to fire are still conveyed via a sort of TTL communication. It's actually a sort of hybrid mode rather than TRUE "manual mode".

Or so the theory goes.

Ulysses01 wrote in post #17986614
The Phottix system only seems to do that in certain situations, but not all.

But I do know what you're talking about. I believe part of the reason for it is because even when it appears you're shooting in Manual mode from an Odin or with a Mitros+ as master flash, you're actually still in TTL mode. The signals that tell the remote flashes at which power to fire are still conveyed via a sort of TTL communication. It's actually a sort of hybrid mode rather than TRUE "manual mode".

Or so the theory goes.

If you are talking about using optical communication for the remote lights there may be a communications pre-flash. If that's the case get it out of optical and into the radio mode.
Optical multi-group is a real pain for a lot of reasons. Especially if you have equipment that can do it in radio mode.

dmward wrote in post #17987296
If you are talking about using optical communication for the remote lights there may be a communications pre-flash. If that's the case get it out of optical and into the radio mode.
Optical multi-group is a real pain for a lot of reasons. Especially if you have equipment that can do it in radio mode.

No, I'm talking about radio control.

Ulysses01 wrote in post #17987653
No, I'm talking about radio control.

Ok, it was just a thought.
I owned a Mitros+ for about a week. It didn't impress me and it was expensive. At the time it was the only Sony TTL speedlite available other than Sony.

I did some testing yesterday with the Godox X1Ts controller/trigger. Confirmed the functionality. The AD600, as well as the TT685s and the V860IIs do not produce a pre-flash in manual mode.