Ranking the best flash light for photography studio in 2022

Someday, every beginner amateur photographer will face the problem of insufficient light. It does not matter for what purpose - the desire to develop or the need to create quality content for sale, but he will have to get acquainted with artificial lighting.

The most common in 2022 is pulsed light for photo studios. Its main advantage is economy. So, for example, a constant light is always on (and therefore consumes electricity), while a pulsed one works exactly at the moment the camera button is pressed. However, this plus turns into a minus when shooting a video (where light is needed all the time), which must be taken into account when choosing equipment, and the rating of pulsed light for a photo studio will help in this.

Inexpensive but own

Most beginner photographers in 2022 are faced with a lack of funds to purchase professional (and therefore expensive) equipment. At the same time, the constant rental of someone else's property causes a lot of inconvenience and costs, which can be safely called inappropriate. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase ready-made lighting sets that are great for both stationary and mobile studios. The key feature of the sets is the ability to choose only what is really needed, below are the most interesting options for inexpensive light.

Mini Master K-150A Godox

Price: 3800 rubles

The first representative of the budget segment is distinguished by enviable functionality (it is used for shooting portraits, full-length photos, product photography) and is suitable for both a home photo studio and outdoor events. The kit is especially good for shooting in kindergartens and schools, where good lighting is not always available, however, perfect quality is not required.

The kit usually consists of a pair of Mini Master K-150A Godox studio flashes, with the following specifications - a 75 W halogen lamp and a 150 J flash lamp. Mounts for a stand and umbrella are provided for fixation and convenience, as well as adjustable mounts for softboxes (30 - 90 cm ). Umbrellas themselves (white) are used instead of a softbox, since a special translucent fabric is able to distribute lighting well and achieve the effect of soft shadows.Studio stand (three-section) suitable for any lamps and flashes, packed size - 73 cm, in working condition - 2 m.

Of the features, it is worth highlighting the viewing angle of 60 degrees, the reload speed of up to three seconds and the built-in photo synchronizer.

• Price;
• Convenient transportation;
• Easy setup;
• Versatility.

• Power;
• Long recharge.

Conclusion: an excellent, inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality and efficient model. Perfect for beginners, as it has all the characteristics suitable for them.

Arsenal-VT-200

Price: 6755 rubles

Arsenal is well known in the market for a variety of photo studio equipment manufacturers. Moreover, it provides both amateur and very solid models, taking into account the most popular selection criteria for modern studios. Designed specifically for beginners, the VT-200 has an affordable price and features to match. So, this impulse device has digital control, and the flash power of the lamp is 200 J. Like the previous model, it has universal mounts and is great for shooting documents or items for catalogs or online stores. There is also a modeling light, the power of which is 75W (similar to that of a competitor from Godox). But the readiness time here is already better - up to 1.8 seconds.

• Price;
• Convenient transportation;
• Versatility;
• Convenient management;
• The presence of sound alerts (indication of readiness).

• Power.

Conclusion: a good pulsed light that compares favorably in quality and price from competitors. It is indispensable when creating an outdoor studio, as it has small dimensions.

Godox Mini Pioneer-300DI

Price: 6330 rubles.

Power and compactness are the main features of this popular model from the Chinese manufacturer Godox. At a lower price, it has a more powerful flash of 300 joules, but the halogen light has remained unchanged, and its power is still 75W (albeit with the ability to adjust). The mounts for the umbrella and the stand are universal, the controls are simple, which allows us to talk about the ease of mastering this device. The flash readiness speed is up to 2 seconds, which, in general, is not bad for a device at this price.

This model was developed as a flash for mini-studios, with the possibility of easy transportation and quick development, which turned out to be fully justified in reality. Its potential allows you to create high-quality images, but do not forget about caution - the model is prone to mechanical breakdowns during careless transportation.

• Price;
• Power;
• Easy setup;
• Convenient transportation;
• Flash quality.
• Versatility.

• Reliability (requires careful handling).

Conclusion: when making a rating of high-quality flashes in the budget segment, one cannot help but recall the Godox Mini Pioneer-300DI. With a careful attitude, it will delight amateur photographers for many years, captivating with its simplicity and efficiency.

Falcon SS-250H

Price: 7800 rubles.

Monoblock flash light, which became the pinnacle of the development of the SS-250 series. The older brother received even more compact dimensions and an updated design, and the body is ready for transportation.

The flash power is 250 J, which allows it to be used as a main light for beginners, and as an additional light for professionals.And the main direction of the use of light is shooting objects and portraits.

As mentioned above, the body is made of high-quality plastic, which allows you to use the brainchild of one of the best studio lighting manufacturers on a daily basis. And for ease of carrying there is a special handle, the main controls are located on the back cover.

Also, this unit can be connected to other devices using a sync cable, which makes it not only practical, but also convenient.

The halogen lamp is inferior to competitors from Godox and Arsenal in terms of power (which was 50 W), however, there is a preliminary light evaluation system that will help you understand whether the light is correctly selected or not. And the ability to control the pilot light will never be superfluous and will help you choose the lighting that is really needed at the moment.

Installation is carried out on standard mounts that can be installed without much difficulty. Reload time - up to 2 seconds.

• Reliability;
• Convenience;
• Versatility;
• Convenient transportation;
• Easy setup (with all the necessary functionality).

• Price;
• Power;

Conclusion: a reliable model, with a slightly overpriced price, which in general can be called justified. The build quality and flashes are at their best, and in combination with the functionality provided, the model fully answers the question of which flash is better to buy for a novice fan.

Model	Brief characteristics	average price
MINI MASTER K-150A GODOX	Reload time - up to 3 s. Power - 150 J. Halogen - 75 W. Price.	3800 rubles
ARSENAL VT-200	Reload time - up to 1.8 s. Power - 200 J. Halogen - 75 W. The presence of sound alerts (ready indication).	6755 rubles
GODOX Mini Pioneer-300DI	Reload time - up to 2 s. Power - 300 J. Halogen - 75 W. Flash quality.	6330 rubles
Falcon SS-250H	Reload time - up to 2 s. Power - 250 J. Halogen - 50 W. Reliability.	7800 rubles

Price and quality

Even among budget models there are quite worthy copies for small studios. However, they will not be able to satisfy the needs of a person who has seriously taken up photography (except as spare or additional light sources). Then generator systems or monobloc flashes come to the rescue. They are more efficient, but their price is higher.

Arsenal-VS ARS-500

Price: 24000 rubles

As mentioned above, Arsenal knows how to make good devices (not only flashes, but also components, so you can always replace a broken part), and one of them is this model. Its power is 500 J, and the time spent on recharging rarely crosses the border of 1.5 seconds. High quality components ensure a long service life. The power of the pilot light is 250 W, which is a very good indicator. And from the features we can distinguish the presence of a sync cable and a photo synchronizer (built-in).

The scope of this device is great - from organizing a home photo studio to a professional photo studio for various types of shooting. And compactness and simplicity in installation allow to transport the equipment without special efforts.

In terms of weight, the device is twice as superior to the competitors of the "state employees" (weight - 2.8 kg). However, the class requires a cooling system (here it is a fan) and protection against overheating, which is not provided in inexpensive models. Also VC ARS-500 distinguished by the presence of light and sound indicators of readiness.

• Power;
• Practicality;
• Protection and cooling systems;
• Reliability;
• The presence of sound and light alerts (readiness indication).
• Convenient transportation;

• Weight (despite the ease of transportation, it is difficult to use it as a portable light);

Conclusion: in the mid-price range, Arsenal products look very attractive due to their excellent features and affordable price.

Godox-EX600

Price: 36000 rubles

Generator flashes are designed to work far from the benefits of civilization - picturesque glades, outdoor weddings, fashion shooting in exotic places. And flashes Godox - EX 600 - for professional shooting without problems. They are equipped with powerful flashes of 600 J, high-quality batteries (which make it possible to make about two hundred flashes from a single charge) that can be charged from a car's cigarette lighter. At the same time, they are completely safe and have good stability.

Features: recharge lasts up to 2.5 seconds, and the display shows nine power levels. Thanks to the Ace/Bowens mount, support for a variety of accessories is available. The radio synchronizer is usually included in the basic package, but if necessary, it can be purchased separately. Illumination angle - 65 degrees.

• Power;
• Practicality and autonomy;
• Convenient transportation;
• Versatility;

• Price (having similar characteristics with the previous model, it is much more expensive due to the presence of a battery);
• Reliability (if the battery fails, its replacement will cost a decent amount).

Conclusion: ideal for outdoor shooting in nature - excellent autonomy and light quality.In terms of its characteristics, it is in no way inferior to competitors from generator systems.

Arsenal ARS-1000

Price: 31000 rubles.

This flash has an amazing power of 1000J and can be used on its own without any add-ons. Thanks to the ability to work with large softboxes, the ARS-1000 allows you to perform the most complex creative tasks, both in portrait and product photography. A flexible system of power settings will allow you to choose the tone of illumination as accurately as possible. A 250 W modeling lamp with three operating modes also contributes to this.

The recharge lasts up to 3 seconds, which is very good for a device of this power, and the automatic reset allows you to configure it without pressing the "test" button. A radio synchronizer is also supported, which is purchased separately. Cooling system - active (fan), contributes to protection against overheating. It also has surge protection.

The body of the flash is metal with rubber (high-quality and durable), all fasteners are convenient and accurately fix the equipment. Bowens style mounts provide a wide range of compatible accessories.

• Price;
• Quality;
• Power;
• Versatility;
• Protection and cooling systems;
• Fine tuning.

• Weight (3.3 kg).

Conclusion: Affordable, powerful, highly customizable – with the ARS-1000, everyone now knows how to choose the perfect flash light for the professional studio.

Menik GM-1200

Price: 35,000 rubles.

One of the best middle peasants is distinguished by simply amazing characteristics. So the representative of the updated GM series (after a number of improvements to the case and remote control systems) boasts a power of 1200 J and an unrealistically fast recharge of up to 1 second.In addition, it has modern protection systems against overheating, power surges and work with digital cameras. And all control is carried out thanks to the remote control and the built-in 3G module (which also acts as a synchronizer and supports simultaneous operation of 8 flashes).

And the updated design affected not only the appearance, but also the heat-resistant cap that appeared. And the quality of the case is able to withstand active daily use.

• Power;
• Reload speed;
• Reliability;
• Protection and cooling systems;
• Price;
• Remote control.
• Versatility (Bowens mount).

• Remote control (strange as it may seem, a plus can also be a minus - remote control devices tend to break down or work incorrectly with frequent transportation or careless handling).

Conclusion: practically no alternative in its price category, not only for small studios, but also for serious projects - the ideal price / quality ratio.

Model	Brief characteristics	average price
ARSENAL-VC ARS-500	Reload time - up to 1.5 s. Power - 500 J Protection and cooling systems. Sound and light alerts.	24000 rubles
GODOX-EX600	Reload time - up to 2.5 s. Power - 600 J. Practicality and autonomy; Generator system.	36000 rubles
Arsenal ARS-1000	Reload time - up to 3 s. Power - 1000 J. Price. Protection and cooling systems.	31000 rubles
MENIK GM-1200	Reload time - up to 1 s. Power - 1200 J. Price. Remote control. Protection and cooling systems.	35000 rubles

Expensive and even more expensive

Looking through the ratings and analyzing which company's products are better, it is sometimes quite difficult to make a choice.But not in the top segment - here the leadership has been held by the German company Hensel for many years (more than 30). Yes, they have competitors, and they also provide high-quality and sought-after goods, but experience and long-term leadership in the market do their job - German studio equipment is one of the best. It remains only to figure out which models deserve more attention.

Hensel Integra Mini 300

Price: 42000 rubles.

Let this “baby” not confuse beginners with its dimensions and power of 300 J (halogen lamp is also 300 J). Hensel has long understood that it is not worth chasing power, it is worth improving quality. This is how the Integra Mini 300 appeared - a device that costs much more than its more “fancy” competitors, but at the same time allows its user not to worry about the type of shooting. No limits - the flash (with a recycle time of up to 1.2 seconds worth noting) will allow you to shoot absolutely everything: from promotional items to wedding or industrial themes. A fine adjustment of power will allow you to adapt to any conditions and please the most demanding masters of photography.

The body is made of aluminum, which makes it durable and gives an attractive design. Mounts - removable with the possibility of adjustment. There is an energy-saving mode and a cooling system (the fan runs silently). And travel lovers will definitely appreciate two of its advantages: small size and the ability to work on voltage in the range from 110 to 230 V.

• Reliability;
• Unpretentiousness in power supply;
• Cooling system (silent);
• Versatility and practicality;
• Dimensions;
• Strong body;

• Price.

Conclusion: If you forget about prices and features and be guided only by indicators of quality and reliability, then the Integra Mini 300 is an excellent option for constant and trouble-free operation. But, unfortunately, the price covers many of its advantages, but you always have to pay dearly for quality (especially German).

Menik FN-1000

Price: 48000 rubles

A vivid example of Hensel's competitors, however, Menik still pays more attention to entry-level devices (and the popularity of the Germans is higher).

The first thing to highlight is the innovative power supply (the flash works both from the mains, and from batteries, and even from the car's cigarette lighter). The battery capacity allows the photographer to continuously make 500 pulses, and the depth of power adjustment is amazing - you can "catch" even the fastest moments. You can control the FN-1000 (flash power - 1000 J, and a halogen lamp 5 W) using the remote control. There are also no problems with setting up - everything is clear and clear on the display. And the Bowens mount allows you to install a variety of accessories.

Fasteners are made of metal, which will ensure their reliability. The FN-1000 also has a cooling system and intelligent overheating protection. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for home and away studios.

• autonomy;
• Versatility and practicality;
• Unpretentiousness in power supply;
• Power;
• Price;
• Cooling system and overheating protection.

• Quality (good, but inferior to German).

Conclusion: a device with a considerable price and excellent characteristics, according to which it overtakes its closest competitors, but it is still far from leadership in quality.

Hensel Integra 500 Plus

Price: 65,000 rubles.

One of the most expensive professional flashes.Excellent quality and easy to learn (many don't even need instructions). It has the following characteristics and capabilities: power - 500 J (halogen lamp - 300 W), smooth power control, active cooling (fan), built-in radio and freemask system (cut-out masks are available directly at the time of shooting). Mains operated (100 - 200 V), recharge time - up to 2.2 seconds, automatic energy reset and Hensel mounts.

• Reliability;
• Versatility and practicality;
• Cooling system;
• Unpretentiousness in power supply;

• Price.

Conclusion: a professional device for those who care about every little thing and the quality of the pictures is more important than the high price.

Models	Brief characteristics	average price
Hensel Integra Mini 300	Reload time - up to 1.2 s. Power - 300 J. Reliability; Unpretentiousness in power supply; Cooling system.	42000 rubles
MENIK FN-1000	Reload time - up to 3.5 s. Power - 1000 J. Autonomy; Unpretentiousness in power supply; Cooling system and overheating protection.	48000 rubles
Hensel Integra 500 Plus	Reload time - up to 2.2 s. Power - 500 J. Reliability; Unpretentiousness in power supply; Cooling system.	65000 rubles

To each his own

As can be seen from the 2022 flash rating, there are many interesting models on the market, each of which will perform its functions and delight its owner. You should not chase the price and power (with rare exceptions), because often many do not need such advanced devices. However, it does not hurt to know the leaders of the industry, and their closest competitors, and, based on this, make a choice.Not the last role is played by the knowledge of where it is profitable to buy equipment, that the number of monoblocks is growing every year and that having studied all these factors, you can not make a mistake in buying.