How to choose your studio flash? 10 things to consider

Looking to buy a studio flash? How do you know which one will best suit your style of photography and your specific needs? What are the essential criteria to take into account before making this investment to improve your shots?

Discover all our tips and advice to guide you in your choice of studio flash and find the perfect studio flash to transform your photographic projects!

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What is a studio flash?

A studio flash is a powerful light designed for use both in the studio and on location. It can be controlled remotely from your camera using a transmitter, giving you complete control over the lighting for your shots.

This type of flash offers numerous adjustment possibilities: you can adjust the intensity, diffusion and direction of the light to achieve the desired effect. It can also be combined with specific accessories, such as softboxes, reflectors, umbrellas or beauty bowls, to shape the light to your needs and enhance your subjects.

Among the benchmark brands in studio flash equipment are Broncolor, Profoto, Godox and many others, each offering a wide range of products suited to the different levels of expertise and requirements of photographers.

Discover all studio flashes

Of course, budget is an important factor, but the most important thing is to choose a flash that meets your photographic needs and will last you for many years. Here are the main elements to consider when buying a studio flash.

1. Power output

The power of a studio flash is measured in watt-seconds (Ws). For example, a 1000Ws flash is more powerful than a 250Ws model, but in a home studio, a 1000Ws flash may be excessive.

For beginners, 250Ws or 500Ws flashes are an excellent choice: versatile and affordable, they cover a wide range of situations. Two 250Ws flash units are enough to light a portrait or photograph small objects. For example, Godox’s AD300 Pro or Profoto’s B10X .

For full-length portraits, group shots or larger subjects, two 500W flash units are required. Power should be chosen according to your style of photography.

If you often work outdoors, a more powerful flash will be needed to compensate for sunlight.

2. Power adjustment

The maximum power of a studio flash is not always necessary. For situations such as portraits, softer lighting may be sufficient. The “adjustability” of the flash, enabling its power to be adjusted, is therefore crucial.

A good flash offers a wide range of settings (e.g. from 1Ws to 500Ws) and allows adjustments in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 stop.

When choosing a flash, consider not only its maximum power, but also its ability to produce soft light and its range of adjustment, to create a variety of lighting effects.

3. The modeling light

The modeling light is a continuous light integrated into the flash, enabling you to visualize the effect of the lighting before triggering the flash. It helps to adjust the position and intensity of the light.

Intensity varies from model to model, with top-of-the-range flashes offering better visibility. Some allow you to adjust the intensity, while others have a fixed output.

Advanced flash units can automatically adjust modeling light according to flash power, offering a more precise overview.

These features are essential for precise lighting control, especially in varied conditions.

4. Flash recycling time

The flash recycling time corresponds to the time needed between two successive triggers, and varies according to the power used: the higher the power, the longer the recharging time.

Not all models recharge at the same speed; top-of-the-range flashes generally offer shorter recycling times, enabling you to take photos in quick succession.

So it’s essential to consider recycling time when choosing a flash, especially if you plan to photograph moving subjects or take burst shots.

5. Flash speed

Flash duration is an essential factor when photographing fast-moving subjects. Although all flashes are fast, some models deliver light faster than others, even at the same power.

This difference, although often imperceptible to the human eye, is noticed by the camera: a “slow” flash may render a moving object slightly out of focus, while a “fast” flash freezes the subject with exceptional sharpness, allowing precise details to be seen.

For photographers frequently capturing fast-moving action, it is therefore recommended to opt for a flash with a shorter flash duration. What’s more, some models offer “freeze” modes (e.g. the D30 and Pro-D3) specially designed to freeze fast-moving subjects, useful in contexts such as sports or action photography.

6. Flash housing

Studio flash housings vary according to power and level of professionalism.

Low-power flash units generally have plastic housings with no cooling system, making them more fragile and sensitive to heat.

Professional or high-power flash units often have metal housings and an active cooling system, offering better heat dissipation and shock resistance.

7. Power supply

Most studio flash units are mains-powered, requiring an electrical outlet for outdoor use.

If you frequently shoot in locations without access to electricity, portable flash units are preferable. The choice between a mains-powered flash and a portable model depends on the photographer’s working conditions, with portable flashes being ideal for shooting outdoors or in locations where access to electricity is limited.

However, for prolonged studio sessions, particularly in high-production, mains-powered flash offers more stable and consistent performance.

For example, Godox’s AD300 Pro, the Profoto A2 and Broncolor’s Siros L flashes are battery-powered. Profoto’s Pro-D3, Godox’s QTIIIM flashes and Broncolor’s Satos and Scoro powerpacks, on the other hand, are mains-powered, which is logical since these flashes are primarily intended for studio use in larger productions.

8. Compatible accessories

Just as a camera uses a specific mount to attach its lenses, a studio flash also has a dedicated connection for attaching accessories such as reflectors, softboxes or snoots.

Each brand of flash generally uses its own attachment system, which means that accessories are not always compatible from one brand to another.

Before buying a flash, it’s important to check whether the brand offers a sufficient range of accessories to suit your photographic needs, or whether you can use accessories from other brands that are compatible with the same attachment system.

9. TTL support

TTL (Through The Lens) on a studio flash automatically adjusts flash power for correct exposure, in the same way as on a cobra flash.

When shooting, the camera fires a quick pre-flash that the flash measures, then adjusts the power of the main flash before capturing the image. This system facilitates work in the field: you position the flash, take a test shot, adjust the camera settings and repeat if necessary, then adjust the exposure compensation or switch to manual mode to fine-tune the settings.

10. High-Speed Synchronization (HSS) or Hypersync

High-Speed Synchronization (HSS) or Hypersync allows you to exceed the camera’s standard synchronization limit (often 1/200th or 1/250th of a second). It works by emitting a series of rapid flashes throughout the shutter opening, enabling higher shutter speeds to be used, up to 1/8000th of a second.

HSS is particularly useful outdoors or in bright light. It allows you to reduce ambient light, freeze fast movements and use large apertures for a bokeh effect, even in bright sunlight. This offers great flexibility for controlling lighting in difficult conditions.

Choosing the right studio flash

Thanks to our list of 10 things to consider when choosing a studio flash, you now have a better idea of the type of flash that’s right for you.

If you need any further help, or would like personalized guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact the 50.8 team! We’ll help you choose the perfect studio flash.

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