How are people liking flash and triggers with touchscreen interfaces?

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f/1.2

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Seen these a while back from a few manufacturers and immediately thought, well I don't like that. Have always preferred physical preferred buttons for most things.

However on a bit of a whim I bought a Godox IT30 pro a while back as it fits into a pocket and I thought it would come in handy for some things. Anyway having used it a fair bit now I actually now much prefer the touchscreen system. The menu seems a lot easier to navigate and just makes more sense.

Since then have also bought a couple of triggers a Godox X3 Pro for my self and a Godox X3 for my missus. She much prefers the touchscreen interface now as well for the same reasons that I do. The biggest surprise however was my daughter. I have tried to show her how to use flash before but she just found changing settings way too overly complicated so only ever used her's in TTL. However she immediately gelled with the newer interface and is now very confident using it so much so I had to buy her a new flash and trigger this morning as well.

Having to use most of my other Godox gear is now a bit of a pain though and I am probably going to start changing them over to versions with the touchscreen interface as well.
 
I have the X3 and a Godox V480 and very easy to use. The interface is so straight forward to use even though I am not familiar with the interface as rarely use flash
 
nog said:
I have the X3 and a Godox V480 and very easy to use. The interface is so straight forward to use even though I am not familiar with the interface as rarely use flash
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The V480 is what I have ordered for my daughter. It’s looks to be a good size for a mirrorless set up. Will have a good look at it when it arrives. I was going to get some V100’s to replace my V1’s and V860III’s but they are huge and the V480 might be grand for the times we use flash on camera.
 
X3 here - I just wish the display would properly timeout and essentially go off. Other than that no issue.
 
Not a fan of any touchscreens that need to be quickly and accurately touched - my fingers very often don't work them first time (a REAL PITA with smartphones!!!)
 
Im a fan. I use the X3 Pro, but also have the IT30 Pro and the V480. I used the V480 at a 9 hour event in London on Saturday, and found it faultless. So much nicer to carry around than either one of my V860iiis or TT685ii as well :)
 
I am thinking of either purchasing a Godox X3 or a Godox Xpro II, which one do you think is best. The X3 is currently £79 and the Xpro II is £84. I have a Godox V860 III flash I will be using it with. Which one is easiest to use, I like the interface of the V860 III so I am wondering if the Xpro II is best?
 
lukew said:
I am thinking of either purchasing a Godox X3 or a Godox Xpro II, which one do you think is best. The X3 is currently £79 and the Xpro II is £84. I have a Godox V860 III flash I will be using it with. Which one is easiest to use, I like the interface of the V860 III so I am wondering if the Xpro II is best?
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Either of those would be fine, and if you are considering an X3 then it seems you are ok with touch screens? If yes, then id go for the X3 Pro. Only £4 more expensive than the XPro II.
 
lukew said:
I am thinking of either purchasing a Godox X3 or a Godox Xpro II, which one do you think is best. The X3 is currently £79 and the Xpro II is £84. I have a Godox V860 III flash I will be using it with. Which one is easiest to use, I like the interface of the V860 III so I am wondering if the Xpro II is best?
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X3 is much easier to use imo
 
lukew said:
I am thinking of either purchasing a Godox X3 or a Godox Xpro II, which one do you think is best. The X3 is currently £79 and the Xpro II is £84. I have a Godox V860 III flash I will be using it with. Which one is easiest to use, I like the interface of the V860 III so I am wondering if the Xpro II is best?
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I bought the X3 pro before getting the X3 for my missus. If I was doing it again I would probably just get another X3. Size wise it just fits mirrorless bodies better I don’t need to see the amount of groups theX3 pro allows for nor the other few additional features. I am tempted to swap it with the X3 I bought my daughter. :)

I already had a couple of Xpro triggers and personally much prefer the X3.
 
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Thank you everyone for all of your advice, I think I will probably get the X3, that's the one I thought I would probably get.

What is the difference between the X3 and the X3 Pro?
 
lukew said:
Thank you everyone for all of your advice, I think I will probably get the X3, that's the one I thought I would probably get.

What is the difference between the X3 and the X3 Pro?
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X3 Pro has a bigger screen but its LCD rather than OLED like the X3 , that allows it to show more groups without having to scroll down.

X3 Pro has bluetooth so you can use it with the Godox phone app.

The Pro also has shutter delay, exposure time, and intervals via the touchscreen.

There is probably a couple of other things as well but nothing I personally need. I think i remember seeing that the pro is compatible with a new receiver and the X3 is not but you would probably be best to check the spec of both.

Edit - Just found this, I read through this before buying and it breaks down the differences quite well.

https://www.essentialphoto.co.uk/blogs/news/godox-x3-vs-the-new-x3-pro-trigger-comparing-upgrades
 
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@f/2.8 what are you doing? :oops: :$

I didn’t need a new flash trigger, I was happy with my xpro

But now I’ve seen the videos, and the x3 looks so much easier to use.
 
Phil V said:
@f/2.8 what are you doing? :oops: :$

I didn’t need a new flash trigger, I was happy with my xpro

But now I’ve seen the videos, and the x3 looks so much easier to use.
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Spending other peoples money is a favourite pastime here, hadn't you realised that yet :LOL:
 
Just got the X3Pro, I like the slightly bigger size over the X3 which I have now sold on, moved from the Flashpoint R2 Pro Mk11 which I liked, this new interface speeds things up and being able to adjust in the app is also a win in my book.

Godox products just keep getting better.
 
Thank you once again for all your feedback, I think I will probably get the X3 Pro, staringly WEX don't seem to have it.
 
lukew said:
Thank you once again for all your feedback, I think I will probably get the X3 Pro, staringly WEX don't seem to have it.
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You can usually buy Godox kit a lot cheaper on Ali Express. if you choose choice delivery it guarantees 7 day delivery. Essential photo and Amazon etc. should have them. WEX are always slow to get new Godox product in.
 
I got my X3Pro from Ali Express and used some coins, £76.60 delivered.
 
My X3 replaced my X2t - primarily because it's smaller (and iny use case that's a big plus - because I'm using a headtorch for focus purposes).
 
f/2.8 said:
You can usually buy Godox kit a lot cheaper on Ali Express. if you choose choice delivery it guarantees 7 day delivery. Essential photo and Amazon etc. should have them. WEX are always slow to get new Godox product in.
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I appreciate your response, I personally don't like buying technology or anything over £10 off Ali Express, it always feels a little unsafe or like a scam. I have found it on Amazon, so I think I will get it from there.
 
I tested x3 in a show and absolutely couldn't get on with it and the tiny screen size. X3 pro might be better for me, but really can't see a reason to change from xpro until it drops dead
 
lukew said:
I appreciate your response, I personally don't like buying technology or anything over £10 off Ali Express, it always feels a little unsafe or like a scam. I have found it on Amazon, so I think I will get it from there.
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The returns process is actually pretty good especially on higher ticket items. Up to yourself but I personally have no issue buying from there these days.
 
They're not for me. I have big fingers and I can accidentally change the settings on my full size X Pro II transmitters, even when it is buttons and not a touch screen. I've also changed setup menu settings on the touch screens of my cameras. Bigger flash transmitters have been better for me, but I can see these little ones being better if needed to be very portable and light, or used in physically tight camera locations.

I have Off Camera extension cables and sometimes I mount my flash transmitters remotely (well within a few feet) of my camera. I do this mostly when the camera needs to be on a high tripod, since I can position the flash transmitter lower where I can see and adjust it easily, without needing to stand on a ladder, etc. It has usually been clamped to one of the tripod legs using a small clamp and adapter, sometimes using an added cold shoe, with the other end of the extension cable attached to the camera's hot shoe. These cables are available for most camera and transmitters or speedlites. Pretty much, if the transmitter works on the hot shoe of the camera, there is an extension cable for it. They are usually coiled and extend to about 3' without a hard stretch. You can remote your flash or your flash transmitter by using them. They are just wires, so signals can pass in either direction, both to the camera or out to a speedlite, etc.

I won't be buying any of those new small speedlites either, since my experience with lighting for photography has shown that the bigger the light source and in many cases, the soft box or modifier used with it, the better the light is for almost all photography, except micro photography, but I don't shoot bugs. The cameras already have pop-up flashes in them, so why buy another small flash? OK, the latest are brighter than the one in the camera, but it doesn't address the light size problem.

Charley
 
CharleyL said:
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The cameras already have pop-up flashes in them, so why buy another small flash? OK, the latest are brighter than the one in the camera, but it doesn't address the light size problem.

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A lot of FF cameras do not have pop up flashes, but otherwise I agree - I do have a small flash for my camera (Mk-320, same style as a standard flash, but with 2AA batteries rather than 4), but it's for adding supplementary light as fill (or bounced) where size is less important.
 
CharleyL said:
I won't be buying any of those new small speedlites either, since my experience with lighting for photography has shown that the bigger the light source and in many cases, the soft box or modifier used with it, the better the light is for almost all photography, except micro photography, but I don't shoot bugs. The cameras already have pop-up flashes in them, so why buy another small flash? OK, the latest are brighter than the one in the camera, but it doesn't address the light size problem.

Charley
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That is true but the tiny flash have their place. For example the IT30 is the smallest TTL flash you can buy at the moment. It’s not much better than a pop up flash.

However none of my camera bodies have a pop up flash. Its probably been about 14-15 years since I had one that did. At a wedding I carry the IT30 in my pocket. If for example I need a flash for signing, a cake cut or for example at Saturdays wedding for the drinks reception it does the job fine and saves one of us having to run to the car to grab a flash. Which means we don’t have to carry bags etc around all day.

If I want OCF I will grab my AD600 or my AD200, AD100 etc from the car. For the dancing I grab what I need from the car.
 
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it32 looks like a cool idea but I have my doubts. x5 is super basic. the flash only hangs by 4 little magnets. who knows if they are even strong enough. I can easily hold ad200 in a left hand, and have regular trigger on my camera, except now I am holding a real flash. And except I am almost certainly going to get wobbly framing with just a single hand, and most likely tons of shake. No thanks.
 
Double post
 
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LongLensPhotography said:
it32 looks like a cool idea but I have my doubts. x5 is super basic. the flash only hangs by 4 little magnets. who knows if they are even strong enough. I can easily hold ad200 in a left hand, and have regular trigger on my camera, except now I am holding a real flash. And except I am almost certainly going to get wobbly framing with just a single hand, and most likely tons of shake. No thanks.
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I know someone that has been hands on with one for a review. The magnets are very strong and needs a bit of effort to remove.

Off course there is going to better options but not in this small size. Just like the IT30 it gives better than the advantages of a pop up flash in a very small size with the added advantage of the trigger. For someone new to flash seems like a great bit of kit to experiment and learn with. It’s gonna be very cheap as well.

The right tool for the job off course comes to mind. There is a lot this won’t be able to do but there is also stuff it will be good enough for and your not having to lump around a larger flash.

I was gonna buy my missus an IT30 as they are super handy but I will prob just get her one of these instead.
 
Phil V said:
Looks like an amazing idea, but the lack of power makes it a non starter for me too.
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We will have to wait and see but it’s expected that there will also be more releases with same idea but more the size of the V480 as well.
 
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