Pros & Cons
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- TTL support for multiple systems
- Round flash head
- Articulating head for indirect illumination
- Rechargeable battery
- Works on camera and off (with transmitter)
- 1/8000-second High Speed Sync
- Upgradeable firmware
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- Charger doesn't work with all USB-C cables
- Wireless transmitter sold separately
- Less than pro-grade fit and finish
The Godox V1 ($259) is an add-on flash, available for all mainstream camera systems, that goes beyond what first-party manufacturers offer. Its round head delivers light that's a bit more like a studio strobe, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery means you won't have to fumble around with AAs. It's a solid performer, and can be used off-camera with with the addition of an optional wireless remote. Value, features, and performance come together to make it our Editors' Choice.
Round Head and TTL
The V1 is an on-camera flash with a built-in wireless radio to work remotely, though the wireless transmitter is sold separately. You'll want to make sure you buy the right version for your camera system—Godox sells different units for Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Micro Four Thirds, Pentax, and Sony systems. I reviewed the version for Sony cameras, primarily with the a7R IV.
All versions look the same, the difference is in the foot—the connectors for each specific version match contacts on your camera's hot shoe to support automatic TTL metering. Manual power control is also available if you prefer, and High Speed Sync (HSS) is supported, at 1/8,000-second if your camera's shutter can fire that quickly.
It measures 7.8 by 3.0 by 3.7 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.2 pounds. The flash head tilts and rotates, so you can position it for direct or indirect illumination.
Build quality is okay, but not overwhelmingly tough. The black plastic is medium quality—it's not as sturdy as you get from a Canon or Profoto flash, but it certainly doesn't feel like it's in danger of falling apart. I've had one bouncing around in my camera bag for months and it's holding up just fine.
The head itself is round, setting the V1 apart from most competitors, almost all of which use rectangular heads. The Profoto A1 ($595) is the obvious competitor, with a similar design, but more premium components, and pricier accessories to go with it—the Profoto wireless remote is $429, versus $69 for a similar product from Godox. We've not had a chance to test the Profoto flash, but the V1's value proposition is clear.
The V1 spreads out light with fresnel grooves, the same type used by lighthouses, to cast illumination in a pleasing, circular pattern—the same shape of light you get from larger monolights, like the Godox AD300Pro (also sold as the Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2).
It's not as powerful as a 300Ws light like the AD300, though. Its 76Ws output won't overpower the sun, and projecting the light circularly does cut down its reach versus strobes with rectangular output. The V1 has a 92' Guide Number, versus 154' for the similarly priced Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI.
The rear houses a big monochrome LCD with four soft key buttons directly below it. Other buttons are there to lock controls, test fire the strobe, and toggle HSS. There's also a flat command dial with an OK button at its center for menu navigation. Its directional presses are used to set the zoom, adjust power in manual mode, and switch between manual, strobe, or automatic TTL operation.
The V1 also has a modeling lamp. It's a small LED, but one that's softened by the fresnel diffuser, and a warm 3,330K color temperature. Its power is adjustable, and it casts an even light on your subject, but I wouldn't want to use it with a human model—the LED is a bright point of light that can definitely induce squinting, even with the diffuser dome attached.
Accessory Kit
For an extra $60, you can add an accessory kit to the flash, which I think is worth the extra cost. The kit includes a diffuser dome, barn doors, a grid, reflector card, collapsible snoot, and gels, all of which attach directly to the flash head, either via magnets or easy push-on-pull-off method. They give you some flexibility to shape the light, and are sized well for travel.
I found the dome diffuser to come in handy for on-camera use, especially to illuminate backlit subjects—the softer light is great for portraits. The barn doors and snoot are there when you want tighter, direct light on a subject.
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The magnetic attachment is very handy and encourages you to experiment with different lighting effects. It's a big step beyond modifiers that rely on Velcro or elastic bands to attach to the flash head.
Wireless Control
The V1 mounts directly onto a camera, but also includes a radio for off-camera use. If you have more than one V1, you can use one on-camera to control other flashes and compatible lights.
You'll need to buy an on-camera radio transmitter if you just want to use a single V1 unit wirelessly. There's a 2.5mm port on the flash too, and it can be triggered optically, but neither of those provides TTL metering.
For off-camera use with TTL and HSS, you'll need to buy a transmitter, the $69 XPro TTL. I actually used one from another brand, the Flashpoint R2 Pro Mark II. Aside from branding, they're the same—the V1 is also sold as the Flashpoint Zoom Li-On X R2 by retailer Adorama.
The remote works quite well. It controls flash settings, so you don't have to move away from your camera to switch to HSS or manual power control, and can control up to five groups of lights independently. The XPro TTL is one link in the chain where you'll need to keep AA batteries handy—it's powered by a pair.
You will need to make sure the XPro TTL you get matches the TTLS system of your flash. The XProS is for Sony, the XProN for Nikon, and so on. If you're only interested in manual control, or want to use the V1 with an old film camera, you can also get the Flashpoint R2 Single Pin Transceiver for $25—it limits you to manual power control.
You can mix and match select Godox and Flashpoint gear, but you do need to make sure they use the same communication system. Godox calls it XPro TTL and Flashpoint refers to it as R2 Pro.
Rechargeable Convenience
Typical first-party flashes in this price range—think Canon Speedlites and Nikon Speedlights—rely on AA batteries for power. The V1 has a removable lithium-ion cell, rated for 480 full-power flashes per charge.
I've employed the flash regularly for product photography and other sundries in the seven months I've been using it, and have only had to dig around to find the small charging cradle three or four times.
I do have a quibble about its design—the USB-C plug is recessed a bit, so it works fine with cables with slimmer connections, including the one that's included in the box. But it takes away some convenience, as neither an Apple MacBook Pro charging cable nor an AmazonBasics USB-C cable will fit into the port. The cradle has a light that glows when receiving power, so you do get a visual indication as to whether it's working.
Room to Grow
The Godox V1 is not just a strong performer, it's a strong value proposition for photographers. It's priced a bit lower than many first-party options, and I absolutely love the idea of a rechargeable battery in a flash, even if the charger is finicky about cables. Dealing with AAs is a pain, and they can leak if stored in a device.
It adds innovative accessories, including magnetic modifiers, and a wireless system that works with multiple lights—not just V1 flashes, but more powerful monolights too. And it does it all with automatic TTL metering and a single remote control system. Godox may not be the most recognized brand, but that doesn't change anything about the V1. It's a quality flash, and our Editors' Choice.