The Godox AD600 Pro, Broncolor Siros 800 L, and Profoto B1X all fall into the same category: they’re battery powered monolights that pack studio quality and power into a portable package you can take with you on location. So why would you purchase one over the others? In this video, photographer Robert Hall answers just that, breaking down all of these strobes’ pros and cons in glorious detail.
First things first (even though Hall saved this for last), there is a big difference in price here. By Hall’s calculations, the Godox AD600 Pro will run you $ 968 for one light and one trigger, while the Broncolor Siros 800 L and Profoto B1X cost $ 2,349 and $ 2,514, respectively, for the same thing. So right away, you can spot the one question that most viewers want Hall to answer: can the Godox play with the more expensive name-brand lights?
And the answer, gladly, is absolutely it can. But that’s not to say the Godox is the best choice for everyone. Hall tested a ton of categories in impressive detail—everything from color accuracy and consistency, to battery life, to build quality, modeling lamps, trigger design, bust capability, and more—and no one strobe came out on top (or bottom) in every category.
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| In the ‘modifier’ category, the Profoto B1X gets Hall’s vote because of its ability to focus modifiers, and Profoto’s convenient OCF gels and grids. |
When it comes to modifiers, Profoto’s OCF gels and grids get a nod from Hall; when it comes to sheer power output, the Siros L is the clear winner; when it comes to value, it’s impossible to beat the Godox. In the end, each strobe has its pros and cons, and the best way to make this decision is to look at your own use case, and see how each strobe’s strengths and weaknesses (cost included) factor into what you need.
Which is pretty much what Hall says in his “non-Conclusion.” He gives viewers the classic “it depends” answer, because that’s the only answer that makes sense:
I can’t peg any light as the best since they all win different categories that photographers will place emphasis on depending on their needs. If you value output the most the Siros is the best option. The controller experience or modifier control may have you choose the Profoto B1X. If you are trying to get very capable lighting without spending a ton, the Godox AD600 Pro fits the bill.
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| Hall’s test results for each of the three strobes. Click to enlarge. |
Finally, beyond all of this, Hall is wise to point out that you must consider the system you’re buying into if any of these are your first strobe purchase. In other words: the AD600 Pro sits near the top of Godox’s lineup, while the B1X and Siros L sit close to the bottom of Profoto’s and Broncolor’s. They are very different companies that ultimately server a very different subset of photographers.
Keep all of this in mind as you watch the full review, which you should definitely do if you want to dive deep on each of the categories mentioned above and find out why you might want to buy into one system instead of the other two. And if you like Robert’s lighting breakdown, subscribe to his YouTube channel or head over to his website and education blog to see more of his reviews and work
Photos, video, and test results by Robert Hall and used with permission.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
