
Godox has published images on Facebook showing off its latest upcoming product, the Witstro AD200. Seen as a hybrid between a studio flash and a speedlight, the Godox Witstro AD200 is essentially a beefed-up hotshoe flash—but without the hotshoe foot. The AD200 might be described as a “studio speedlite” and appears to be the first flash with such a design to go on sale.
It is not only the form factor that is appealing; the manufacturer’s specifications are also impressive. With 200 Ws it fills the gap between the bare-bulb Witstro AD360-series (300 Ws) and the Ving V860II (~80 Ws). The lithium-ion battery is built into the speedlight, meaning that the flash can be operated completely wirelessly. It has double the battery capacity of the V860II, meaning that the AD200 can fired 520 times at full power before running out of juice.
Also rather interesting: the AD200 has interchangeable flash heads. You can mount a speedlight-style head (a bit like the V860II) or a bare-bulb head in the style of the AD360. This also opens the possibility for Godox to release additional accessories in the future to work with the AD200, as was the case with the remote heads made for the AD600 flash.
Besides these unique features, the AD200 has all the good things that we normally see in Godox equipment. For instance, there is a built-in 2.4GHz receiver compatible with the Godox X1 trigger, granting TTL control and high-speed sync support.
GODOX WITSTRO AD200 Specifictions
- Power – 200Ws
- Bare Bulb – GN60m, ISO 100 (AD360 reflector)
- Flash Modes – TTL / M / Multi
- HSS to 1/8000th
- FEC / FEB – 1/3rd Increments (±3 Stops)
- FEL (Flash Exposure Lock)
- Manual Flash – 1/128 – 1/1 Output (1/3rd Increments)
- Godox 2.4GHz X Radio System
- Canon, Nikon, Sony, Radio Slave Modes (Auto Switching)
- Range – 100m + with X1 as Transmitter
- Groups – A / B / C / D / E
- 32 Channels
- Canon, Nikon, Sony, Optic Wireless Slave Modes
- S1/S2 Optic Slave Modes
- Flash Duration –
- Color Temperature – 5600 +/- 200k
- 14.4V 2900mAh Lithium-ion Battery
- 520 Full Power Flashes
- 0.01 – 2.1 Second Recycle Time
- Custom Functions
- Auto Memory Function
- USB Port for Firmware Upgrades
- 3.5mm Sync Port
Long-time LightingRumours readers might recognize in the new AD200 some design elements of the failed RadioStrobe project of 2015. Although the main concept of a speedlite without hotshoe is similar, it is the execution that differs. The Godox AD200 adds the option of a bare-bulb head and a lithium-ion battery, which makes it much more appealing.
We have contacted Godox for further information, such as a price and a release date, and will update this post when we hear back.
Update: Adorama’s version of the AD200, called the Flashpoint R2 eVOLV 200, can be pre-ordered now for $349.95.
Here at LightingRumours we are quite excited about this new item of gear; what do you think? Are you considering adding one to your photography bag?