Photographers can enhance their images with the appropriate lighting, and strobe lights are one of the essential tools for that effect.
When shopping for strobe lighting options, there are plenty of choices available on the market. When selecting which type of strobe is best suited to your requirements, there are factors you should take into account.
Our Top Picks:
- Fomito Godox DE400 400W Compact Studio Flash
- Pixapro ML60 5600x Strobe Lights
- Godox DP400III Studio Flash Light 400Ws 2.4G Wireless
- Godox QT400IIIM Studio Strobe Flash Light
- Neewer Vision 4 300Ws 2.4G Li-ion Battery Powered Outdoor Flash
- Godox SK300II 300Ws GN58 5600K Studio Strobe
- Godox SK400II Compact 400Ws Studio Flash
- Visico Vision 5S 400W Li-ion Battery Powered
Fomito Godox DE400 400W Compact Studio Flash
Strobe lighting is an invaluable tool for photographers, enabling them to shoot at wide-open apertures without needing a neutral density filter. Furthermore, it allows you to control how much light is added to your image.
If you’re searching for an affordable strobe that can be used in either small or large studio settings, the Fomito Godox DE400 400W Compact Studio Flash is worth considering. It’s small and lightweight so it’s easy to transport between locations and shoot under various conditions.
This unit comes with a Bowens mount, making it compatible with most studio flash accessories available on the market. Furthermore, it supports various modifiers and umbrellas as well.
This flash is ideal for e-commerce product shooting, headshots and lifestyle photography in a small or medium studio setting. It’s especially advantageous for photographers new to strobe lights who need an economical yet high quality option that helps them capture great shots quickly.
Pixapro ML60 5600x Strobe Lights
When taking photos for your portfolio or to capture a special moment, lighting is key to getting that perfect shot. Thankfully, there are some incredible strobe lights available on the market that can help make your pictures stand out in the crowd.
Before you purchase a strobe, take some time to weigh all of the features. In particular, pay attention to the flash duration and color temperature.
When selecting a strobe, it’s essential to consider both power and accessory compatibility. This is especially pertinent if you plan to utilize multiple light modifiers like softboxes or beauty dishes.
Powerful strobes offer a bright, even light that’s ideal for studio and product photography. On the other hand, less powerful units might be best suited to outdoor portraiture or environmental portraiture.
Pixapro ML60 5600x Strobe Lights are ideal for both indoor and outdoor photography, boasting impressive 450 full-power flashes with TTL wireless control. Furthermore, this model supports high-speed first and second curtain sync for added convenience and flexibility.
Godox DP400III Studio Flash Light 400Ws Wireless
The Godox DP400III flash is an ideal starting point for professional photographers seeking to break into studio lighting. It’s compact and lightweight for portability, boasting several useful features like wireless control and a handy test button.
The DP400III boasts an oversized LCD display that’s easy to navigate through and features single functions for group/channel, modelling lamp, test fire, S1/S2 slave mode, wireless operation, custom function and beep alert.
It has a nice selection of buttons, the most prominent being the select dial and set button. Here you can access various functions such as group/channel switching and more intricate ones (modelling lamp, test fire).
The DP400III boasts many impressive features, such as its built-in Godox X system that synchronizes it with Godox X1, X2, XPro or XT16 radio triggering devices. Furthermore, this unit boasts a speedy recycle time of 1 second and the brightest LED modeling lamp available on the market.
Godox QT400IIIM Studio Strobe Flash Light
The Godox QT400IIIM is a professional studio flash built for speed. Crafted of aluminium, it has an ergonomic handle and multiple mount points to attach lighting or c-stands.
This lighting tool also features a Bowens mount for attaching modifiers and an umbrella point, making it an incredibly versatile lighting choice. Plus, with various light shapers available, you can even sculpt your flash to achieve creative effects.
When photographing product photography or fashion shoots, the Godox QT400IIIM flash is an ideal choice. It’s lightweight enough to transport easily and has a good power output for this type of flash, making it an ideal addition to your studio lighting kit.
It also features a 2.4 GHz 32-channel wireless X system that lets you choose HSS or High Speed modes, modeling light mode, remote triggering and more with an optional X1, X2 or XPro transmitter from distances up to 164′. Plus its head has S1/S2 slave triggering for working with cameras using pre-flash.
Neewer Vision 4 300Ws 2.4G Li-ion Battery Powered
The Neewer Vision 4 300Ws 2.4G Li-ion Battery Powered is an ideal strobe light to start with, offering decent power at an affordable price point and working well in various lighting situations. Plus, this strobe light is easy to use and set up, making it suitable for beginners or small studios alike.
First and foremost, this strobe features TTL metering capability for modern Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras – making it an ideal on-location tool to get the ideal exposure.
One great benefit of this strobe is its modeling lamp, which helps ensure the light output matches what you expect for final images when shooting product or on location environmental portraits. This is especially beneficial when doing product or on location environmental portraits.
It features a Bowens mount design which makes it simpler to attach accessories like softboxes and umbrellas. Weighing just over 2.2lbs, you can even use it as a handheld flash! Perfect for both small studio and on location photography projects alike.
Godox SK300II 300Ws GN58 5600K Studio Strobe
Selecting the ideal strobe lighting for your photography setup can be a challenge. There are plenty of options available, but factors like color temperature, flash duration and budget should all be taken into account when making a decision.
To maximize depth of field in your photos, it is recommended that you invest in a strobe light with high power output and quick recycle time. This will enable you to take advantage of small lens apertures and achieve excellent results.
The Godox SK300II 300Ws GN58 5600K Studio Strobe Light Bowens Mount Monolight is a popular choice among photographers due to its integrated 2.4G wireless system and ease of use. Furthermore, this light offers excellent output stability as well as anti-preflash technology for added safety.
The SK300II can be used with a variety of accessories, such as softbox or umbrella. Its quick recycle time and short flash duration make it ideal for lifestyle and portrait photography. Furthermore, its compatibility with other Godox strobes makes it an easy choice for beginners looking to start their photographic business.
Godox SK400II Compact 400Ws Studio Flash
The Godox SK400II is one of the top studio strobe lights currently available. At an affordable price point, it has earned a great reputation within the photography community for quality performance and dependability over time.
The SK400ii is a 5600K daylight-balanced flash source ideal for e-commerce product, portrait and lifestyle photography. With a 0.4-3 sec recycling time and flash durations as short as 1/2000sec, its power ranges from 1/16 to full power with 40 step adjustment possibilities.
Another impressive feature of this unit is its built-in heat dissipation technology. This helps shield the strobe light from becoming overheated and damaged due to excessive usage or heavy usage in busy studios.
The control system on the SK400ii is intuitive and user-friendly, making it a great option for anyone seeking an entry-level studio strobe light that will help them take their photography to the next level quickly. Its LCD panel is crystal clear and makes tweaking settings in low light situations a breeze – making it an ideal choice for beginner photographers just beginning to experiment with lighting setups.
Visico Vision 5S 400W Li-ion Battery Powered
Strobe lighting is an excellent way to add dramatic flair to your photos. They enable you to shoot from a distance without losing the beautiful lighting that surrounds your subject, plus they come in various power levels so you can customize the intensity according to individual needs.
Strobes typically come in two styles: those with TTL (which automatically sets the light power based on your camera settings and test flashes) and those that require full manual operation. This means you must adjust both distance and intensity manually for consistent output from your strobe.
When selecting a strobe, another factor to consider is maximum power – which is usually indicated in watt-seconds as part of its model name. While it can be tempting to go for the largest strobe you can afford, don’t use all its potential; going for less power could prove overkill in the end.
The Visico Vision 5S is a robust battery-operated option that can shoot off 400 continuous flashes at 20 frames per second. Plus, its built-in cooling system prevents the light from overheating and ensures safe usage at all times.
Well Known Strobe Lighting Brands for Photography
No matter if you’re just starting out or have some experience under your belt, having quality lighting equipment is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of top-notch brands to choose from when it comes to this aspect.
These lights offer a range of features designed to make your shoots more successful, such as high power intensity, quick recycle times and compatible accessories. However, which one to buy should not just depend on budget but rather your shooting style.
Profoto
Strobe lighting is essential for photographers who want to create intense illumination that really brings out their subjects. Profoto strobe lights have earned a place of honor as one of the premier brands in this arena, offering an extensive range of products designed to meet all professional requirements.
Monolight strobes are the most popular type of strobe, as they contain both flash head and power source in one compact unit. These lights are lightweight and easy to set up.
Another option is a ring-shaped light, which mounts on the camera to reduce shadows and bring out fine details. These lights are especially helpful for modeling photography since they can illuminate large areas or fill in shadows in the background.
Smart-TTL from Profoto is an innovative feature that allows you to take photos without needing to manually adjust your exposure settings. This mode uses a computational flash algorithm that optimizes lighting and exposure automatically.
Strobes also boast a fast recycle time, so you don’t have to wait around for the flash to fire again. In some lights, this can be as quick as 1.2 seconds – ideal for action shots!
Profoto offers a selection of radio transmitters to connect their lights to compatible cameras. These are available for many different models and brands, including Canon, Sony, Nikon, OM System and Panasonic.
Wireless transmitters make it easy to trigger your lights remotely with ease – some even allow you to control it from your phone! This makes using your strobes especially convenient when traveling or doing remote shoots!
Profoto is an innovative company, always creating new technologies and tools. Their latest release, Connect Pro, serves as proof of this. It allows you to use your phone remotely control a Profoto A2 and upgrade its firmware through AirX wireless connection – an incredible advancement for Profoto which will save time and energy in the field!
Westcott
Westcott is one of the leading lighting brands for photographers, offering a vast range of quality equipment from large, powerful strobes to light modifiers that help photographers work in tight spots. Their products have earned themselves an enviable reputation for producing reliable results.
They offer a selection of ‘educational’ kits perfect for new photographers. These ‘photo basics’ sets include the strobe and flash head, plus light meters, tripods and carrying bags – all packaged together at discounted prices so it’s easier to purchase everything you need at once.
Flashpoint’s FJ400 and Flashpoint Xplor 400 Pro are both 400 Ws lights featuring remote power control, TTL, HSS, and stroboscopic capabilities. Both lights are battery operated and accept Bowens-type reflectors or heads for installation.
Though slightly heavier than its smaller counterpart, the FJ400 offers superior color and output stability. This helps photographers capture more consistent results when working with natural-looking light sources. It’s an ideal option for photographers who don’t require extensive control over their flash settings but prefer working with natural-looking illumination.
It’s essential to remember that a light is only as good as its users. Deciding which strobe is best suited for you depends on your style of photography, experience level, and whether you plan on shooting stills or video.
When comparing lights, it’s important to consider their recycle times and thermal protection. This will determine how quickly they recycle when in use, making a big difference when you require fast flash for moving subjects or volume work that requires consistent light output.
If you’re after better color stability, Westcott may be worth considering. It has a longer recycle time but is less sensitive to heat than the Flashpoint and thus less likely to experience color fading. Likewise, its processing speed is faster as well.
Westcott’s Rapid Box series offers compact octabox, strip light and mega 32” octabox duos that are solidly built and compatible with speedlights. Their 10×24” strip light makes for ideal shooting in small spaces such as restaurants or food venues.
Godox
If you’re in search of a high-quality strobe light, Godox is an excellent brand to consider. They have earned a reputation for producing top notch equipment and their products are popular around the globe.
They offer a diverse selection of lights, from monolights with various power outputs and modeling lamp settings, to accommodate different shooting situations. Furthermore, they are compatible with various accessories and lighting shapers so you can create unique shots no other strobe can produce.
Godox’s most popular model, the SK400II, provides 400 watts of power output and a 150-watt adjustable modeling lamp. Additionally, it includes a 2.4G wireless system and clear LCD panel for fine-tuning settings.
It also has a fast recycle time, making it ideal for shooting in studio settings. Furthermore, its built-in fan helps prevent overheating by keeping the light cool.
Godox offers a range of strobe lights to meet your needs, and you can find one that meets both your budget and shooting style. Whether you need something lightweight and portable for travel, or require more robust professional-quality flashes at an affordable price point, there’s sure to be a model perfect for you.
Another model worth considering is the AD200Pro TTL Pocket Flash Kit, which looks and produces like a speedlight flash but with the added versatility of swapping out bare bulbs to achieve two distinct qualities of light. This versatile tool makes an invaluable addition to any photographer’s studio arsenal, particularly useful when photographing headshots or product photography as it allows organically molding light around facial features, objects, or tight spaces.
Our top pick for studio flash strobe lights and stands is the Godox 3x AD600B Witstro TTL 2.4GHz Studio Flash Strobe Light & Stand Kit With X2 Trigger. This large kit offers plenty of lighting possibilities, but requires some practice to master multi-light triggering and exposures. Plus, a decent studio size is required for this setup to function optimally – so it may not be the ideal option for beginners.
Neewer
Neewer is a brand known for its superior quality and competitive prices. Their products are incredibly versatile and user-friendly, making them an ideal choice for beginners looking to start taking better photos.
When searching for the ideal strobe lighting at an affordable price point, Neewer is one of the top brands to consider. Their lights are powerful and portable – perfect for photographers who work on location!
Strobes are ideal for illuminating dynamic objects, ensuring your photos are clear and sharp. Additionally, they make for excellent portraiture lighting as they provide ample illumination of the subject’s face.
They’re ideal for product photography, helping to achieve vibrant and eye-catching results. These lamps come in various power levels with high-speed first and second curtain sync to guarantee you get all of the exposure needed.
Neewer’s strobes are an ideal choice due to their capability of accepting a wide range of accessories. This makes it simple to customize your shots and add some flair to your images.
It’s essential to remember that strobes will be exposed to considerable heat during their lifespan, so opt for models with an embedded cooling system. This will prevent the strobe from overheating and breaking down prematurely.
There are various accessories you can purchase to enhance the performance of your strobes, such as softboxes and umbrellas. These will give you more freedom in how you set up your lighting and where subjects should be positioned in the shot.
If you’re just starting out as a photographer, a strobe that comes with its own kit may be ideal. This will save both money and hassle by allowing you to take it wherever life takes you.
Selecting the ideal strobe lighting for your needs is key to getting the most out of your photography. Factors such as flash duration, color temperature, accessory compatibility and type of mount all come into play when making this decision; these will all help narrow down your options and help you make an informed decision that meets all of your requirements.
