Bootleg AD400: Repurposed My Old Favorite AD200s W/ Some Very Rough DIY.

Disclaimer:

This is not a post for everyone. But if you find yourself in this very particular position and are not opposed to a somewhat janky solution it might be relevant… Might be. You have been warned.

Two photo sessions on the same day led to an epiphany. I was no longer using my AD200s. It was not always like this. They were my go to lighting when I first purchased them.

Sony A7Rii — Gentlemen of Alamance 2017 event. AD200 on a stand with snap on softbox, camera right, TT350 pointed at the wall behind them.

I eventually picked up another AD200 and then the $59 dual AD200 adapt er. This two light set up was perfect for the ginormous Phottix Raja 59″ softbox. Used it for groups…

Engagement Event Pics — Two AD200s adapted with a Phottix Raja 59″ softbox w/ two V1s on the floor behind them.

…and it was perfect for outside sessions.

Smith - Bain Bridal Portraits — Bridal session. Two AD200s adapted with a Phottix Raja 59″ softbox.

This is good because my original use case, interior off-camera flash, had been displaced by the far better than I had expected Godox V1s. And not only were they great inside,…

Sony A7RV - 50mm f/1.2 G Master — V1 on camera w/ bounce card.

…but they worked great outside on camera as well. At night…

Smith-Bain Wedding — V1 on camera w/ bounce card.

…as well as during the day.

Portraits - Sony A7RV - SIGMA 105mm f/1.4 Art — V1 on camera w/ bounce card.

So that means use the dual AD200 set up outside, right? But then something else happened.

The two AD200 set up takes a bit of time to assemble. This is set up time I did not have during a recent shoot with a little one on the brink of a full on melt-down. Started losing a little one’s calmer self once moving outside. So instead of taking the time to assemble the two AD200 setup I went with the Godox AD300 equivalent Flashpoint model I picked up when it went on sale recently. I popped it into the Phottix Raja 59″ softbox and it did just fine in open shade midday.

Gorham Family Photos — A7RV – FE 50mm f/1.2 GM – AD300 in Phottix Raja 59″ softbox camera right.

This went so well I used the AD300 again, with a snap on softbox this time, instead of the two AD200 set up outside for another photo session.

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AD300 w/ snap on softbox camera left and V1 on included stand camera right.

Marichal Gentry, former Dean of student affairs at Yale University, and in addition to currently serving as Enrollment Outreach Coordinator for Durham Academy, he is also Project Manager for their Diversity, Equity, and Engagement initiatives.

Here is another with the AD300 outside.

Marichal Portraits — A7C – FE 50mm F/1.2 GM – AD300 in snap on softbox camera left and V1 on included stand camera right.

Did just fine inside also.

And the same AD300 set up did just fine later that same day for a bridal shower.

So… V1s replaced my AD200 strobe head use case, and the AD300 replaced my AD200 bare bulb use case. In both cases, the alternatives take less time for me to set up. This sent me down a minor gear acquisition syndrome rabbit hole. Options:

Sell or trade the AD200s.

Since I have only been using the V1s and AD300 recently why not sell the AD200s? I could just keep the money or trade them toward another AD300. But…

One AD300 is enough. If I needed another light I could just use a V1 like I did for the Marichal portraits above.
Sentiment kept me from selling them outright. Would rather just hold on to them.
An AD400 would be nice. I could trade them toward that.

But there was another option.

Bootleg AD400.

Just leave the two AD200s set up together. Advantages:

Takes away the one issue I have. Assembly, disassembly, and keeping track of all the bits.
When assembled it is surprisingly solid.
All put together it is ready to mount to a Bowens mount softbox and light stand.
Versatility. If I ever do need an AD200 disassemble it.
Battery compatibility. While shaped slightly differently AD200 and AD300 batteries are interchangeable.
It could be stored in a bag, rather than many bits across several carrying cases.
Value. AD200s have been on the market for a while so I imagine many may have a couple AD200s on them. Throw in a $59 adapter and it costs far less than an AD400.
I already have it. Why trade for an AD400 when I have an equivalent strength set up.

Not all is rosy. Disadvantages:

Exposed bulbs.

That is it. While the AD200 bodies do attach solidly to the adapter, the bulbs are quite exposed out front. This adapter was meant for assembly on site and as such no means of protecting the bulbs was provided. So I ordered an inexpensive Bowens mount protective cap. It looked like it might fit so I took a $10 chance. Then it arrived. Result?

So close.

It was just a bit too shallow to clear the end of the bulbs. A normal path forward would have been to continue looking or maybe even give up. Me? Dremel tool. Result?

Not pretty…

…but it did the trick.

Would have liked a complete cover, but this took care of my primary concern. Lateral pressure on the push in bulbs.

I used to carry two off camera lighting bags. One bag was dedicated to the two AD200 carrying cases, mainly to hold the bare bulb adapters and bare bulbs. The second bag held the AD300 and Bowens S mount holders and adapters. Even if I could find a smaller carrying bag solution for the necessary bits this would still require assembly on site. Now I can get what I need in one bag and they are ready to go. No more assembly and disassembly and trying to keep track of all the bits and pieces.

That cap looks rough admittedly, but I am good for now.

-ELW