Godox V860ii Long Term Review (vs V1)

I've been running the new Godox V1 through its paces at weddings, commercial photography, and concept shoots to see what it's really made of, so it's time to hear my thoughts on it.

Want a closer look, and more images? Head on over to my website here:

V860ii:

Magnetic Adapter:

Godox V1:

AK-R1 Round Head Accessories:

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Shot on the Sony a9 with the Sony/Zeiss 35 1.4

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#v860ii #godox #flash

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[prewishjay]

the godox system is a gift from the lowbudget gods

[kalpeshrawal]

Wes,
Thank you for giving importance to a version or two old flash. Something most of the YouTube channels don’t do it these days. Veracity in a review is only implied when a device is used for more than six months in today’s time. Love the content of your channel. Thank you very much.

[cheungcs]

Thanks Wes for the comparison. I now have the V1, AD200Pro and TT685. Really like the V1 LCD menu screen and buttons to allow for remote triggering of my other Godox flashes. It's so convenient to have the V1 flash on my Canon 90D hotshoe as a remote transmitter that I don't need to use the Godox X2T transmitter anymore. Great video as usual.

[Hawtload]

typically speedlites/OCF's are something you do because you have to, not because you want to. and the V860ii has been a solid choice for a long time now.

[YLITE]

Just found this channel last month, and so glad I did! A Wes Perry review is all I need when I'm looking for honest info that is in sync (pun intended) with my needs. Fantastic! (and yes, I bought a V860ii) Liked, commented, bell'd, and subscribed! Thanks Wes!

[idrissstudio]

Your videos are always high quality man. Graphs and notes to understand visually, your explanations are honest and clear. Really appreciate it !

[artmaltman]

Excellent reviews and comparisons on this site. Concise, perceptive, clear, practical. I just hit the “bell” to ensure that I get all notifications. Thanks!

[Jay-srge]

The photos in the opening sequence look good

[darrinlalla]

Yes. I think I'm going to get the V12... thank you for this!

[Panagiotis-Skordilis]

if someone manage to depletes v860 battery in one wedding day probably he shot with 100 iso. Just saying...

[Tzadeck]

This video saved me a lot of money.

I got the TT685, haha.

[stevecarrillo]

do you have a video on how you use a flash manually on the go? I'm assuming that's what you mean when you said you don't use ttl.

[GregThurtle]

love the intro again - reminds me of christmas :)

I think you're right in your recs too: tt685 is great value if you don't mind AA's - I think v860ii are still the best overall option as v1s is a little bit much for the round head feature - especially as you have a different interface to v860ii so it's more confusing if you're running both.

I know it's not really the same thing but the v850ii is also an option if you're manual flash/off camera only and is cheaper again than v860ii but more than tt685 (at least in UK).

Looking forward to your next flash review!

[stevenwaldstein]

Wes, thank you. My biggest issue with the V860II after having a TT685 and also a V1 that was bought when they were only $159, is that its Li-Ion battery and the V1 are different and can not be shared. That means different battery, different charger, etc. I originally bought the TT685 because it used standard AA batteries and I could use a CP-4 Canon (there are others) external battery pack with it. Could also use the larger batter packs I got with the AD360II-C if I really worried about long battery life. Not sure if the 860II can use external battery pack. I know the V1 can not so having a spare battery is important. So even though there is no great deals now on the V1 (Mine is Sony and also need a Canon one) I will end up just buying that so I don't need to buy yet another spare battery. How about one battery to rule them all?

[jaybhushan]

This was a great comparison, still i would like to get an advice from you guys,
I have a sony a7iii, going forward 8-9 months later i will buy a AD200, so now buying which flash would be a value added for me
V860ii or V1
Kindly advise

[GEMINIJAPAN]

Want to ask

The flash blinks 3-4 times, not in sync with the shutter

When the shutter is fully pressed, then released, then the flash blinks 3-4 times, sir, why is this? I have restarted but still the same, can you help me?

Nikon 7200+ godox v8600ii (N)

[SugaHoneyIceTea]

Im picking one up this week as I need one as a secondary location strobe to an ad200. Thought about the tt600 as I don’t really need TTL as I manly use manual strobes but it’s a nice to have but the price used is hard to beat.

[TW-iuzy]

... a solid flash, that's true Wes! But I prefer the V1 as part of my Godox system (two AD200pro for on location shootings). My best on camera flash is the Sony HVL-F60RM. And the new firmware for the a7 III, a7R III or a7R IV makes it easy to handle ... and thx for the video! 👍🏻

[russmarino]

Asking for a recommendation to reduce the stiffness of the V860ii flash head rotation; as it is loosening my camera's hot shoe. Holding the flash body is not always possible in quick situations where a turn of the head needs to happen in an instant. Has anyone resolved this issue?

[dwmspace]

Hi Wes! I have a new gig (socially distanced) this weekend. Can you recommend a small lightweight on camera flash for Sony? Will need it mostly for a low light nightclub setting to take group photos (2-8 ppl) and dance floor pictures with a 20-24mm focal range. Overall new to flash and will be using TTL for simplicity due to varying low light conditions. Do you think the Godox V350 fits this bill? Or can I even get away with something smaller like the super basic Sony F20M or Meike MK320? Appreciate any feedback.