Well in a strange twist of events, Westcott has decided to go and do something by beating Godox at, well…being Godox. They just announced the launch of their new FJ400 Strobe and the FJ-X2M Universal Trigger, which is quite possibly now the best strobe for the money on the market, (even if it may look just a little bit familiar)!
The new FJ400 is a 400W light that runs by battery OR direct power, has a 9-stop power range, and recycles at full power in under a second! (0.9 to be specific), that is said to last for over 480 full-power flashes per battery. This system is slightly larger than the Godox AD400, but comes at a price significantly lower! Listing at $569 for the light, $99 for the Trigger, and $19.90 for the Sony adapter. Basically providing you with the biggest bang for the lowest buck, suited for studio work as well as on-location.
Within the 9-stops of power, you can adjust in either 0.1 or full stop increments, and the system offers continuous shooting up to 20fps, (at low power). Another cool feature is the inclusion of TTL, HSS (up to 1/8000s), and a “Freeze Sync” up to 1/19000s! All with a bowens S-Type mount, rapid box switch insert, and umbrella receptacle.
Now what comes next is extra special, the FJ-X2M Trigger is said to be a universal trigger that can pair with “virtually” ANY camera brand, with the Sony systems requiring an adapter that runs just $19.90. When most systems have brand specific triggers, this is one of the few systems that offers a truly universal system. Compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Canon RT, Fuji, Panasonic, and Olympus.
Technical Specifications
FJ400 Flash Head
- Maximum Power 400 Ws
- Flash Duration 1/19,000 Sec
- Color Temperature 5500K ± 150K
- Exposure Control TTL (via Additional Equipment)
- Flash Modes Hi-Speed Sync, Second-Curtain Sync, Stroboscopic
- Flash Ready Indicator None
- Reflector 5.5″ / 13.97 cm Changeable
- Accessory Fitting Type Bowens S Type
Modeling Light
- Type LED
- Wattage 20 W
Sync
- Sync Type Button, Cable, Radio
- Wireless Channels 16
- Wireless Groups 6
- Wireless Range 985′ / 300.2 m (Radio)
General
- Mounting 5/8″ Receiver
- Circuit Protection None
FJ-X2M Trigger
Wireless
- Channels 16 (Normal)
- Groups 6
- Wireless Range 985′ / 300.23 m
- Radio Frequency 2.4 GHz
General
- Control Modes Group, Manual, TTL
- Connectivity
- Up to 200,000 flashes per charge cycle
- Ports 1 x USB Type-C (Data)
- Bluetooth compatible with free mobile app
Mounting
- Bottom Mount Hot Foot (Locking)
Physical
- Dimensions 1.1 x 1.65 x 1.25″ / 28 x 42 x 31.7 mm
- Weight 0.8 oz / 22.7 g
Both the Westcott FJ400 Strobe and the FJ-X2M trigger are available for pre-orders starting immediately from all the standard vendors with an expected shipping start of late October 10th, 2019. As we mentioned above, Westcott may have just won the war for the most affordable battery powered strobe on the market, especially when you consider it starts at $100 cheaper than the Godox and the universal nature of the triggers, you’ll only need one!
Check Pricing & Availability of the Westcott FJ400 Here
Check Pricing & Availability of the Westcott FJ-X2 Universal Wireless Trigger Here (Adapter for Sony is $19.90 Extra)
Compare to the Godox AD400Pro Here
3 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
1) Price:
The FJ400 is $570, transmitter $100, Sony Adapter $20. That’s $690. When it isn’t on sale, the Godox AD400 Pro (sold as the XPLOR 400 Pro by Adorama btw) is $650 and you can get a transmitter for it that has TTL & HSS for $46. That’s $696. A whopping $6 in savings.
I can see the benefit of the trigger being universal for someone who uses multiple cameras of different types, but nobody buys one transmitter for two cameras and shoots like that. So for someone using even just two transmitters that’s $200. Again, there are Godox transmitters at $46. You would actually save money buying Godox/Flashpoint immediately after needing two FJ400 transmitters.
2) Size & weight:
There’s a reason why I don’t travel with my Godox AD600 Pro and choose the AD400 Pro instead and it’s the size. It is the difference between fitting in my carry on or not. The FJ400 does have more battery, but that’d be something the photographer needs to decide is worth the extra size.
3) Color Accuracy:
The FJ400 has a color shift of 150k while the AD400 Pro has only a 50k shift when in stable color mode. For professionals this is a significant difference.
4) Light Ecosystem:
This is arguably the number one reason why people invest in Godox. They have a wide variety of products available for different needs. If you buy the Godox AD400 Pro and want a two light setup that doesn’t break the bank you can get their TT600 at just $59. It has HSS and a built in receiver.
If you want something in similar size to a speedlite but with triple the power that’s the AD200 ($299) which is one of the best lights out there. You can combine two of them together with a $59 adapter too to make 400W.
And for someone just wanting to start off camera flash you can build up with Godox/Flashpoint products. Start with the TT600 and then upgrade to bigger strobes and easily use them together.
There’s a whole range of lights Godox/Flashpoint has for practically everyone and that’s something really important to people and why they invest in Godox/Flashpoint. If I wanted to get the FJ400, I wouldn’t have those options.
anyone know what exactly is a freeze sync?
Settle down, Purveyor of Clickbait. It’s a re-branded Orlit/Jinbei 400. Worse, you’re paying an extra $169 just for the Westcott sticker. https://www.adorama.com/orlfrl400rtb.html