Pro Flash vs Cheap Flash: What's the Best Choice? | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

Budget studio flash have come a long way in recent years, but can a low-cost studio flash head actually produce images that match a higher-end professional flash? The answer might not surprise you, so perhaps a better question is: will the compromises you make by choosing a cheap flash affect how it works in the studio?

Those two questions are tackled in a head-to-head portrait session in Gavin Hoey’s small home studio. Gavin has three very different lighting setups that will challenge both budget and pro flashes. It all starts with simple profile portraits, using a giant softbox as both the background and the light on his model.

Next, Gavin sets up a basic beauty light session where he compares the inconvenience of managing the power cables needed for the budget flash against the added weight of the battery-powered pro flash.

The last challenge is perhaps the biggest for the cheap flash to match: shallow depth-of-field portraits in a brightly lit small home studio. This is no problem for the pro flash with its high-speed sync (HSS) and TTL flash technology. But with no such features on the budget Flashpoint light, how will Gavin achieve the same results? Check out the full video to find out!

Gavin Hoey is a freelance photographer, writer, and trainer of all things photographic. His work is regularly featured in photography magazines, websites and videos. Gavin has a real passion for sharing his photography and Photoshop knowledge. In 2008 he started recording and uploading video tutorials to YouTube.

Video Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:56 Pro flash with oversized softbox
1:56 Cheap flash with oversized softbox
4:20 Pro flash in a beauty light set-up
6:05 Cheap flash in a beauty light set-up
7:17 Pro flash and shallow depth of field
8:38 Cheap flash and shallow depth of field
10:04 Outro

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✘ GEAR USED:

Flashpoint XPLOR 600PRO

Flashpoint Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

Flashpoint BLAZ 300-V

Sony Alpha a7R V

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm

Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter

Manfrotto 5x7' Vintage Collapsible Background, Smoke/Concrete

Glow EZ Lock Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish (25")

Tether Tools TetherGuard LeverLock Plate + USB Cable

K&F Concept Variable ND Filter

#flashphotography #budgetphotography #adorama

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Model: Chloe Kerley

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[nicsiu]

It’s always a pleasure to see Gavin and Chloe creating magic

[kennethnielsen]

Hello recorded Gavin from the past, using a Sony, so this must be a while back, this was recorded.
Thanks for sharing.

[The_Rockstar]

Its a very good comparisson...
If you have a good budget, then the "B" would be a no brainer...But with a tight budget, the "A" flash is a very good choice...
But if you'll ask me about the result, I can not see a big difference....
But maybe it will have a difference between the durability and physical quality of both flash...
For begginers, the A flash is the best option😊😊😊

[patricknehls]

I have two Streaklight 360's and two Xplor 600 units. Just perfect for location/outdoors where I may not be able to plug in the budget flash. I do have three budget flash units (not Flashpoint) but haven't used them in years. They are just less convenient. Great video Gavin, thank you and Chloe!

[jhenry]

I have the Godox brand of the 300w the older model with the tungsten modeling lamp. It's definitely a powerhouse of a budget strobe for any home studio.

[alexanderpons]

Excellent comparison video Gavin Howey! In the en it boils down to do the very best one can with what one has available.

[juliobarkan]

I have 4 MS300 V by Godox and see no need to have more power. MY Backups are also Godox 600 T speed lights, have 6 which do not have has much output but can adjust with other settings.
Great video. Love all of them.

[dunnymonster]

An excellent comparison Gavin that ultimately shows that light is simply light. My first flashes were purely manual affairs but for sure I wouldn't be without the convenience and flexibility of the fully wireless strobes/flashes we have today. I used to trigger my flashes with pocket wizards which worked well but was a right old faff everytine I had to go to each flash and adjust each one manually. In terms of light quantity and quality buying expensive or cheap doesnt matter regards the end result. More expensive just buys you better convenience features. Some of those convenience features however I wouldn't want to be without though, that " power dump " you have to go through and the messy trailing cables for sure would be enough to put me off no matter how cheap and cheerful they are 🙂

[Beezzzzy_]

I use the 300V and absolutely love them.

[marcjones]

I've been using the Godox ms300 for years and they work great.

[fountainvalley]

I like how you wrapped the cord around the stand. Beautiful images by the way.

[lisapalzer]

Love it, buy both I agree😊. Thanks Gavin!

[jimcazares]

What is the reflective surface on the white table top?

[alanroderick]

Every softbox should come with a ready-styled Chloe !

[rpsrps]

hi gavin, i just wonder if you ever use wide focal length in the studio

[cosmo]

working with Elinchrom flash that are about 30 years old no problem, also Gavin tape the wires to the floor to avoid tripping

[tugwilson]

The latest version of the MS300 has a screw on the umbrella mount. I presume the Adorama branded version does.

[GTGeorgeW]

hey Gavin.. one question.. would the 300 have a modeling light which goes off while taking the picture? and could you not use that to light the ambient instead of the nd filter?

[GTGeorgeW]

loved the video
and the suggestion:
Buy them both 😂😂😂

[deanlitzenberger]

Both look great. But with Gavin's skill, he could make my old Canon 199A look great.