Thoughts on next light - monolight or Speedlight...

Just wanted to see if I can get some input here.

First off, I'm not a professional, no paying gigs - I shoot mainly sports / family / animals.
Started to shoot my kids volleyball teams - picked up a 300W monolight kit - but one of the strobes doesn't work.
I also have a Godox 680, so I used the moonlight and the speedlight and was pretty happy with the results, but would have liked to have a third light for hair etc.
So, I have one working 300W monolight and one Speedlight. What to get for the third light is my dilemma.

Mostly leaning to getting a second Speedlight as I really like the idea of portability, TTL and ease to use Speedlights outside as well. Also wondering about using the Speedlights in the gym on the net for some staged shots of the kids in action. But like the idea of extra power and Bowen's attachments (which I already have from the broken strobe) for the strobe.
I've read tons of pros and cons of each, but still on the fence as to which to get.
Anyone out there is a similar situation - I don't have a studio, never will, so location shoots - mainly gyms.
Looking at a basic, cheap-is monolight (Godox with built in wireless) which is about $75 less than the odour 680.

Guessing I'm going to get more use of the flash vs the monolight at this time - but love to hear anyone else's experiences.

Thanks for letting me "vent".

Here was one of the shots with the speedlight (on left of pic) / monolight (on right) combo:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/214X​rbo

What is the budget for light? Is AC power available where you shoot?

BTW, I like the shot a lot, moody, nice poses, definitely different from the traditional team shots. Nice job!

Heya,

There are excellent wired monolights you could get for cheap (400Ws for $120 with R2 receivers built in). But, location shoots often means no AC outlets, so you're either going to be on a battery pack or need to look at more portable lights (which means more money).

Speedlites are good, but you'll find you quickly run out of power outside with them when they're at any kind of distance and especially in a modifier.

Getting TTL and a monolight in a single package that is portable is going to cost you a good bit. But it's there.

The 360 Streaklights for example are affordable and are on a battery pack. Much more powerful than a speedlite. Bigger of course, like a big strobe with the battery and all.
The AD200 is also affordable and super portable, the size of a speedlite, and 3 times as powerful while having TTL and HSS. I would lean towards this ultimately.
More speedlites can be ganged up, but ultimately you will have limits with distances with them, but having a few is always a good idea (great for having small back lights you can hide and for just bouncing inside a gym).

Personally I would start moving towards something like the AD200 because you can use it like a speedlite, or like a monolight with the different attachments, and its the size of a speedlite, while being significantly more powerful and using lithium batteries, with ETTL & HSS as options and the R2 communication system.

AD200

If you want a handful of powerful wired monolights (manual ones) with R2 communication, the Flashpoint Studio series is great.

Very best,

Thanks for the feedback!

My budget is about $250CAN which would cover a Godox 680 Li-ion speedlight and easily a Godox strobe with built in wireless (I already have a Godox X1 transmitter).

I have had pretty easy access to outlets during my shoots in the gym and I just bring a couple of extra long extension cords with me.

Thanks for the link on the AD200 - I like the idea of that or similar "hybrid" - and I'm definitely going to look into that system a bit more - especially if I can find one in my budget.

Heya,

What modifiers are using? Or are you doing bare light?

You can always gang several speedlites up, if you need to get more output and get the coverage spread for a large modifier (such as a 7 foot parabolic).

The other big benefit of a monolight/strobe, is one with a modeling light so that you can see where the light falls, etc.

Very best,

For the shot above I used bare light, but I have a couple of white umbrellas and reflector umbrellas, a barn door, a snoot and a small grid diffuser.
Eventually I'd like to get a larger modifier.

DrMitch wrote in post #18517971
My budget is about $250CAN which would cover a Godox 680 Li-ion speedlight

I think you mean V860II. The Mark I doesn't have the radio trigger built in, and Godox actually does make a TT680-N (which has no radio or Li-ion battery), so make sure you're getting the right one.

Godox has five series of Mk II strobes that have X receivers built in that can be remotely power controlled: the QTII, QSII, DPII, GSII, and SKII monolights.

The AD200 might be your best solution, but I think it's outside your budget at this time. Amazon.ca is listing it for CDN$ 395.00.

Did you look if any of your speedlite options have a means to attach a 'sports' reflector. Something to throw the lights in a focused area. I missed out on getting a lightly used PCB retro laser reflector which would have been perfect for sports. I think the 360 flash would have such a option.. Gyms are also famous for eating light since they have tall ceilings.

Yes you are right, I have the V860II - forgot to specify.
I was looking at the SK series of monolights.
Yeah, the AD200 looks quite nice but is a bit out of my price range right now - I may hold off for the next couple of weeks and keep my eye out for any Boxing Day sales - I have two lights to use for now - so no huge rush.

Ended up stumbling across a 300w moonlight for $50 near me. Should do the trick for the next little while! Give me time to save up for the ad200.