Profoto B10X OCF Flash Head and 3' Octa Softbox Kit
- 250Ws Flash Head
- 3' Octa Softbox with Silver Interior
- Soft, Flattering Light for Portraits
- All-in-One Design, Fast Setup Softbox
Profoto D30 500Ws Monolight
- 500Ws Light, Bi-Color LED Modeling Lamp
- Built-In AirX Connectivity
- 0.01-0.6 sec Recycling
- 1/21,100 sec Freeze Mode Flash Duration
Broncolor Siros 800 L Battery-Powered Monolight
- 800Ws, 220 Full-Power Flashes
- Li-Ion Battery, High-Speed Sync
- 70-Minute Recharge
- 0.03 - 2.7 sec Recycling
Broncolor Siros 800 L Battery-Powered 2-Light Outdoor Kit 2
- 2 x 800Ws Flash Heads
- 220 Full-Power Flashes
- Li-Ion Battery
- 70-Minute Recharge
Profoto B10X Plus Deluxe Location Kit
- Three B10X Plus 500Ws Flash Heads
- Three Li-Ion Batteries, Three Chargers
- Three Stand Adapters
- Deep White 51" Umbrella & Front Diffuser
Godox H200J II Bare Bulb Flash Head for AD200Pro II
- Produces Soft Light
- Improved Heat Dissipation
- Integrated Bi-Color Modeling Lamp
- 5.5 Hours of Continuous Modeling Light
Godox H200J Bare Bulb Flash Head for AD200 (Without Flash Tube)
Godox E250 Flash Head
- 250Ws, 5600K Color Temperature
- 0.3 to 2.0 Sec Recycling
- Flash Duration: 1/800 to 1/2000 Sec
- Optional FT-16 Radio Triggering
Angler Glamour Flash 300Ws Monolight
- Four Stop Power Adjustment
- 100W Proportional Modeling Lamp
- Auto Power Dump
- Rubber Coated Housing
Godox QS600II Flash Head
- 600Ws, 5600K Color Temperature
- 0.3 - 1.5 Sec Recycling
- Flash Duration: 1/800 to 1/2000 Sec
- Optional X1, FT-16, XT16 Transmitters
Godox QS400II Flash Head
- 400Ws, 5600K Color Temperature
- 0.3 - 1.5 Sec Recycling
- Flash Duration: 1/800 to 1/2000 Sec
- Optional X1, FT-16, XT16 Transmitters
Interfit Badger Unleashed Battery-Powered Flash Head
- Li-Ion Battery: 430 Full Power Flashes
- 9-Stop Power Range, HSS and TTL
- Recycling at Full Power: 1.5 Second
- Built-In 15-Channel Wireless Receiver
Neewer Q200 2.4 GHz Outdoor Strobe Flash
- 200Ws Strobe with App Control
- 2.4 GHz Wireless Q System
- TTL/M/Multi 2.4 GHz Wireless Flash Mode
- Up to 750 Full-Power Flashes
Elinchrom D-Lite RX One Flash Head
- 100W/s
- Built-in Skyport Wireless Receiver
- Multi-voltage Monolight: 90-260VAC
- Recycling: 0.5 - 2.1 Sec. (115V)
Godox AD200Pro Pocket Flash with Barndoors Kit
- 1 x Speedlight, 1 x Bare Bulb Flash Head
- 1 x Lithium Battery, 1 x Charger
- 1 x Set 4-Way Barndoors
- Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange Filters
Godox AD100pro Pocket Flash (Pink)
- Power: 100Ws in 9 Steps | 1/1-1/256
- 1 x Lithium-Ion Battery, 1 x Charger
- Recycles: 0.01-1.5 sec, High-Speed Sync
- TTL with Additional Equipment
Photogenic Matrix MCD400R 400Ws Monolight with Transmitter
- Integrated Radio Receiver
- 16-Channel Transmitter
- 6-Stop Power Range
- Fast Recycling: 1.7 Sec @ Full Power
Photogenic AKC160 Studiomax III 160W/s Monolight
- 6 Stop Power Range
- 120V
- Fast Recycling: 1.5 Sec. @ Full Power
- 100W Modeling Light
Photogenic AKC320 StudioMax III 320 Watt/Second Constant Color Monolight (120VAC)
Godox QS1200II Flash Head
- 1200Ws, 5600K Color Temperature
- 0.3 - 1.5 Sec Recycling
- Flash Duration: 1/800 to 1/2000 Sec
- Optional X1, FT-16, XT16 Transmitters
Godox DP400IIIV Professional Studio Flash with LED Modeling Lamp (400Ws, 2-Light Kit)
- For Studio and Film/TV Production
- 2 DP400IIIV Flash Heads with Stands
- 40" Umbrella, 31.5 x 47.2" Softbox
- XT16 Wireless Flash Trigger
Godox QT600IIIM Flash Head
- 600 Ws, 5600K Color Temperature
- 0.01-0.9 sec Recycling
- Flash Duration HSS: 1/26,100 sec
- Built-In Wireless X System
Godox AD400Pro Witstro All-In-One Outdoor Flash with XProS TTL Trigger Kit for Sony
- Built-In 2.4 GHz Wireless X System
- Compatible with Most TTL Systems
- 400Ws, 1/256 to 1/1 Power Output
- Lithium-Ion Battery Powered
Godox AD400Pro Witstro All-In-One Outdoor Flash with XProP TTL Trigger Kit for Pentax
- Built-In 2.4 GHz Wireless X System
- Compatible with Most TTL Systems
- 400Ws, 1/256 to 1/1 Power Output
- Lithium-Ion Battery Powered
Photogenic PL1250 500W/s PowerLight Monolight (UV)
- 6 Stop Power Range
- 120V
- Fast Recycling: 1.5 Sec. @ Full Power
- Proportional Modeling Light
Elinchrom THREE Off Camera Flash Kit
- Single Light with Diffusion Dome
- 261Ws, Recycling: 0.08 to 1.2 Seconds
- Internal Battery: 525 Full-Power Flashes
- Manual, TTL, & HSS Modes
Elinchrom ONE Off Camera Flash Kit
- 1 x ONE Head, 1 x Diffusion Dome
- 1 x Wall Charger and Cable, 1 x Case
- 131Ws, Recycling: 0.06 to 0.9 sec
- Internal Battery: 725 Full-Power Flashes
Westcott FJ400 Strobe 1-Light Backpack Kit with FJ-X3s Wireless Trigger for Sony Cameras
- 1 x FJ400 Strobe and Battery
- 1 x Diffusion Dome
- 1 x AC Power Adapter and Cord
- 1 x Magnetic Reflector
Making the Most of Monolights
Also known as studio strobes or monoblocks, monolights are self-contained flashes that house the lamp, fan, and power supply in one unit. They deliver powerful illumination with minimal recycle time, and are extremely versatile. Most are battery-powered monolights that draw power from AC sources such as standard wall sockets. You also find battery-powered strobes that connect to DC power sources such as portable battery packs.
Using a Monolight
Setting up your monolight involves fitting it on a stand, connecting the power and camera, and tweaking the settings. Connection to the camera is usually via cords, such as 3.5mm jacks, x-sync, Prontor-Compur (PC) cables, or IR or other wireless systems. Most models feature adjustable outputs, usually comprising of full, half, and quarter power, with some models allowing outputs of as low as 1/32. Unlike regular strobes, which you can control from a central console, each studio strobe needs individual adjustment. However, remote controls are available for certain models.
Differences Between Monolights and Speedlights
Both monolights and speedlights provide flash lighting. Monolight strobes run on AC power, which means powerful illumination and fast recycling times. In addition, as you position them individually, they don't need long, cumbersome, power-sapping extension cables. However, they can be bulky, which makes them more suitable for indoor studio use. They can also be expensive, especially when factoring in the cost of accessories such as softboxes, battery packs, and umbrellas.
Also known as flash guns, speedlights are devices that you mount either on hot shoes or off camera on light stands. Compared to monolights, they're reasonably priced and compact. In addition, as they usually run on AA batteries, they're very convenient. On the other hand, they deliver slower recycling times and far less illuminating power than monolight strobes.
How to Choose a Monolight
As with investing in any photographic equipment, your choice of monolight depends on your resources and intended use. The more spacious your studio, the more power you need from your flash, and the more units you'll need.
Weight is another matter. Monolights can be bulky, so you need to be sure your stands can handle the weight and size. With power packs and strobe lighting, you get flexible options that feature flash heads, power packs, and kits.
You'll also have to consider the matter of consistency. This refers to the variance in power output from flash to flash. As a guide, units that vary over 1/5 of an F-stop are often inconsistent. Obviously, this makes it difficult for photographers to calculate aperture settings with any accuracy.
Another factor to consider when investing in a monolight is the availability of accessories and spare parts. The more solid the brand, the more likely it is to be available. Leading makers such as Profoto and Godox, for example, come with a full range of accessories.
Discover all your studio illumination needs including brand-name and premium monolights lighting products at B&H Photo and Video.