[font=Nunito Sans, Segoe UI, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Fira Sans, Droid Sans, sans-serif]Onthis past Wednesday 2/22/23 I received one of the very first new versions of the
X PRO c Flash Control Transmitter, the X PRO II c , and I have been
playing with it's adjustments and reading it's manual to learn what
is different about it from the earlier version, of which I already
have three X PRO models.
So, what's new about this new versiontransmitter -
The hot shoe attachment to the camera is now thequick 1/4 turn and latch style that was first introduced on the X2T
c, and I like it a lot. No more knob to tighten and loosen. When
locked, it stays "locked". A small button in the edge of
the new knob must be pressed, then the knob rotated 1/4 turn to the
left to release the transmitter from the camera. Replacing on the
camera now only requires insertion into the hot shoe, then 1/4 turn
of this knob to the "click". The transmitter and camera are
now locked together, until the button is again pressed and the knob
rotated 1/4 turn to the left. It's locked in place, or it's not.
There is no more maybe.
This new version of the X PRO alsoincludes the Bluetooth link to use with the "Godox cell phone
App" that also came out with their X2T transmitter several years
ago, and it seems to work well with this Godox App. Although my cell
phone isn't fully compatible with the App. (Getting a new cell phone
soon, so not worried about this), I can adjust the lights of 5 groups
using my cell phone and the Godox App, even at this
level.
Appearance is almost the same -
The upper rightof the case above the display has a Bluetooth symbol in a small round
white field. This should help keep you from attempting to use the
Version one X PRO, if you were planning on using the Bluetooth to
cell phone App communications feature. This feature lets you leave
the X PRO II attached to the hot shoe of the camera while you make
light level adjustments to up to 5 groups of lights from your cell
phone. The cell phone App communicates with the X PRO II via
Bluetooth to change the level settings and turn the lights on and
off, etc. and the X PRO II, while still on the camera, then changes
the light settings. So, you get to carry your cell phone in one hand
and the light meter in the other, instead of needing to remove the X
PRO II from the camera and carry it in one hand while carrying the
light meter in the other hand to make the needed light level
adjustments. Though I have used this, and it does work, I'm not at
all convinced that it was a much needed feature.
They havealso added a light meter control communication feature for the light
meter to send to the X PRO II, but it is only for one model light
meter, a Seconic L-858, so I have no idea yet how this works,
yet.
The case of the X PRO II is the same size as the previousX PRO, although the top left corner of the case has a short 45 deg
dog ear type cut off it's corner. I suppose that this makes it easier
to quickly see a difference between version I and II of this
transmitter. The bottom around the battery cover is different too,
where this lower dropped battery area is a bit narrower. The red lens
for the focus assist laser now sits a bit higher and a channel in the
battery cover now allows clearance for the focus assist light to
project. One thing about the case that I'm not pleased with is that
they used a less bright printing on it (more of a gray) and moved
some of the labels to the button heads, making them smaller in the
process. These old eyes had trouble with the brighter labeling, so
these smaller and darker labels are already giving me trouble, and I
haven't even put this X PRO II on the camera yet. I also fear that
these labels will wear off quickly with use too.
In place ofthe "TCM" button it is now a circled "+" label on
the button. It has become a multi use button for several functions.
"TCM" with a long press, and "single group display"
with a short press "Repeating the press alternates On and
Off".
The "Manual" button remains in the sameplace and is unchanged, although the menu screens are different and
with more easier to understand features displayed in boxes (there are
2 pages). Scrolling with the wheel allows selecting the desired box,
then a press of the "Set" button opens that box. You can
then scroll to make a selection and press "set" to make the
selection. Again, there are two screens of boxes to make selections
from. The screen will switch as you scroll past the one being
displayed. Getting out of the last screen is not obvious, but I have
just turned off the power to the transmitter, then turned it back on
and this worked.
The "Mode" button has also become a"Lock" button, to prevent accidental changes or "surprises"
during use after you finish getting everything set up. A 15 second
press locks the settings, when locked, a 15 second press unlocks the
settings.
You can still only use TTL if the X PRO II is setfor 5 groups maximum. If set for 16 groups, the TTL feature is turned
off for all groups. This is the same as on the X2T transmitter as
well.
In the older X Pro, the modeling lights could onlybe turned On or Off by the button below the lower right of the
screen. The Modeling lights can now be selected for proportional
"prop", 50 %, or 100% and switched on and off one at a time
when that light group has been selected. Setting just one requires
that only that one group be selected, so it's level tends to be part
of the initial lighting setup. At least it's better than "All
On" and All Off" capability that the original X PRO
modeling light transmitter had. "Prop" means whatever the
manual brightness adjustment knob on the light is set for. You can
only adjust a modeling light if you have that light group selected,
but it will remain at whatever setting you have made when you select
another light. With several modeling lights set for different levels,
those that are set can be all turned On and Off with the modeling
light button below and to the right of the screen and they will be
turned "On" at whatever level they had been set for (some
50%, some "prop", and some off).
In the older X Protransmitter, you didn't have control of Zoom, but you do have it in
the X PRO II, When the desired group is selected, and then you press
the "Zoom" button below the screen, you can use the scroll
wheel to select the desired zoom level of that light, if it has that
capability. So far, only speedlites seem to have this. so "zoom"
only works with speedlites with this capability.
High SpeedSync is available in both the X PRO and the X PRO II and seems to
work the same, though I have not used it much.
There is a 2.5mm external sync input or output, selectable by one of the menu
selections. With the App and the right cell phone, you are supposed
to be able to trigger the camera by adding a sync cable between the X
PRO sync output and camera shutter trigger input to use the cell
phone as a remote wireless shutter trigger. I'll know more about this
after I get the new cell phone.
The same power on / off switchand Focus Assistance switches are located on the right side of the
case in the same positions, so these are the same on both the X PRO
and the X PRO II.
I think that , in all, I like this Godox XPRO II Transmitter. I am certainly happy with the Modeling Light
control capability and the easy On-Off Hot Shoe Lock. Maybe if I get
the new light meter it will make adjusting the lights easier yet. I
work mostly in my studio, so have very little use for the speedlite
"Zoom function", but it's nice to know that it is available
when I am using speedlites.
My "biggest wish" isthat these were offered with a tilting screen, since frequently I'm
using my camera and X PRO on a tripod that is too high for me to see
the X PRO screen. If it tilted up so that it could be seen from
behind the camera when the camera is above my head I would be buying
that version quickly. For now, and in years past, I'm using "Apple
Boxes" to raise me up high enough to see what I need.
I hope this helps those that are contemplating buying a Godox X Pro Pro Transmitter. The new X Pro sells for $20 more than the old version, but to me, the features of the new version make it well worth the additional $20, or $89 USA where the older version is selling for $69 USA. Different versions of these are available to work with all popular camera brands. In my case, the small letter "c" denotes "For Canon Cameras". Make certain that you buy the correct one for your camera.
Charley[/font]
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