Hello Class A and thanks for you comments.
Notice that I'm posting my opinions based on the idea of using the V1 as a replacement of my on camera flash+trigger setup, so my arguments may not be valid in other cases.
Originally posted by Class A Perhaps this will be fixed in a firmware update.
I hope so, I'm not sure if the TCM function doesn't work for the master too. It will be useful for me.
Originally posted by Class A Which demonstration convinced you that it is going to be an even better controller than an XPro-P?
Well, I just argue that the interface seems quicker to operate. Please remember my point: I'm a person with on-camera flash that needs to control 3 slave groups, just 3. The V1 seems to have everything I need for a trigger, and the way it controls the slave groups seems quicker compared to the XProP. Having said that, I will keep my XProP. If I don't need a main flash on camera, it's of course a better option.
I saw a demonstration of the interfaz in the video of Robert Hall; he explains how to change power for groups when V1 is in master mode. Four buttons for four groups, the same button selects a group but also can cycle the group status OFF-M-TTL. Then you have the dial to change power. With my XProP, to change the status of a group I have to: select the group, then push the button mode. It's slower. Also, for me is more logical to use only one button to select and change the group status, similar to other triggers. He comments too that it's faster compared to the V860II series.
Originally posted by Class A Well, normally you don't need a bracket for the trigger.I agree that someone who wants an on-camera flash will prefer a single master flash over a trigger + flash.Having said that, it should work to have an extra controller in your pocket for power level control, etc., as long as the on-camera flash is capable of triggering the off-camera lights.
Yes, normally, you don't need a bracket to hold a trigger. But you need to hold your trigger some way, isn't it ? So why do I use a bracket for a trigger? I need it to control (power, triggering, ON/OFF status) my other (3) flashes so my XproP needs to be accesible and connected to my camera's sync port. My PTTL flash is on camera. The XProP is not a small trigger, I need to hold it some way... maybe rubber bands or velcro straps ? I doesn't like the idea (I tried), and I have yet a spare and ligth bracket (Demb bracket). So this is at present my own way to have everything working. I just can't put my XproP on my pocket, I need it connected and accesible. My Metz can't trigger my off-camera lights, and using optical triggering is not an option for me. I have a second camera with another (Godox) trigger to control the same set of lights, so it's still more complicated. The V1 will solve 'my problem' in a better way, I suppose other options are possible, like optical triggering, but if you are on a a place with docens of people firing small flashes... forget it
Originally posted by Class A Sure, but in that respect the AD200 is even better.
Yes, but it's more complicated to use the AD200 as on-camera flash
. And in my case, I need the AD200 off-camera.
Originally posted by Class A I think for off-camera use, the AD200 with the roundhead option (or just its regular heads, if one doesn't need the roundhead feature) is better value for money.
I agree, for someone that mainly needs a slave flash, the AD200 can be a better option (only 50€ difference or so). But my idea for the V1 is to replace my on-camera flash, so it's mainly a way to have a better on camera flash that also can be a trigger for my other lights. Using it as a slave is only something that adds value to this speedlight, not the main reason to buy it, for me.
About the round head, I can get a decent round pattern with my AD200 and the ad-s6 reflector; but with the ad-s2 + included diffuser I get a pattern even better. This is a setup more powerful than the round head. Maybe not as nice as the round head, but valid for me. I like the round head, but I do not have a specific need that justifies buying it (by the moment). The case can be different for others.
This is part of a series of pics I took some days ago, comparing the pattern (size, power, fall off) projected by my most used diffusers: ad-sX, umbrellas, etc...
Maybe the round head's pattern is better that the ad-s2, but how much?
Originally posted by Class A One has to be careful with such comparisons.
At "50mm" the V1 probably has a much larger spread so when used as a bounced light or in a modifier, I don't expect there to be any power level difference compared to a regular speedlight.
I guess the seemingly low GN number stems from the fact that the round illumination pattern is rather wasteful for on-camera usage when the flash is forward-firing. At a zoom setting that fills the width of the frame, there is a lot of light wasted above the top and below the bottom of the frame.
AFAIC, a roundhead is rarely needed but makes more sense as an off-camera flash.
I didn't see the point of the roundhead feature for an on-camera flash when Profoto did it with the A1 and I still don't see it with all the copycats.
The roundhead makes rotating a flag (-> BFT) easy though, which is nice for event photographers.
I also like the back-tilting option of the V1. Again, rather useful for event photographers who don't have to rotate the head before they can bounce the light from a surface behind them, or above them but avoiding direct illumination of the subject.
In general, I agree. My own opinions about this point in post #14
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Regards.