Best Photographic Lighting Slaves of 2025

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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Photographic lighting slaves are essential tools for any photographer who wants to achieve professional-grade lighting effects. These devices are designed to synchronize with a camera's flash and activate additional lights at the same time, creating a multi-point lighting setup that enhances the depth and detail of the subject being photographed. With a range of models available, from basic wired slaves to advanced wireless units, photographers can choose the right lighting slave to suit their specific needs and budget. Whether shooting portraits, still life or action shots, lighting slaves are a must-have accessory for any serious photographer looking to take their work to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Godox V860IIS Flash Kit Cover #TOP 1
Godox V860IIS Flash Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Godox V350S Flash Cover #TOP 2
Godox V350S Flash
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Godox X3 Flash Trigger for Canon Cover #TOP 3
Godox X3 Flash Trigger for Canon
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Photographic Lighting Slaves

#TOP 1

Godox V860IIS Flash Kit

V860IIS Kit
Godox V860IIS Flash Kit Cover
Godox VING V860IIS TTL Li-Ion Flash Kit for Sony Cameras

The Godox V860IIS Flash offers an enhanced lighting experience for your photography needs. With its built-in 2.4G wireless system, you can enjoy a powerful guide number of GN60, allowing for impressive lighting even at a distance. The flash supports TTL functions, giving you precise control over your shots, whether in automatic or manual mode. You can also synchronize with a quick 1/8000s flash sync, perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the optical transmission provides even lighting and reliable performance, ensuring your photos come out beautifully lit every time.

What We Like
Powerful GN60 guide number
TTL and manual flash support
1/8000s sync speed
Reliable wireless control
#TOP 2

Godox V350S Flash

V350S
black
Godox V350S Flash Cover
Godox V350S Flash for Select Sony Cameras

The Godox V350S Flash Unit is an excellent choice for select Sony cameras, designed to enhance your photography experience. It comes with a mini stand, allowing you to easily position your flash for optimal lighting. The included protective case ensures that your flash is safe during transport and storage. A diffuser is also provided, which helps soften the light, creating a more flattering effect in your photos. Plus, the Li-Ion battery pack and charger give you the convenience of long-lasting power and quick recharging, so you can focus on capturing the perfect shot without worrying about battery life.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Light diffusion for better photos
Includes protective case
Long-lasting battery
#TOP 3

Godox X3 Flash Trigger for Canon

X3-C
Godox X3 Flash Trigger for Canon Cover
Godox X3 X3C X3-C Flash Trigger for Canon, 2.4G Wireless High-Speed Sync TTL Trigger Equipped,High-Definition OLED Touch Screen, Built-in Rechargeable Lithium Battery

The Godox X3 Trigger offers a user-friendly experience with its vibrant touch screen, allowing you to effortlessly adjust settings with just a swipe. The high-definition OLED display ensures you can see your settings clearly, even in challenging lighting. You can also lock the screen to prevent accidental changes during your shoot. Additionally, the TCM conversion feature lets you seamlessly switch between TTL auto flash and manual flash modes, giving you greater control over your photography. This combination of smart design and functionality makes the Godox X3 Trigger an excellent choice for photographers looking to enhance their lighting setup.

What We Like
High-definition touch screen
Easy TTL and manual switching
Quick-release hotshoe design
Long-lasting rechargeable battery
#TOP 4

Godox AD200PRO II Flash Kit

AD200ProII
daylight
AD200PRO II
Godox AD200PRO II Flash Kit Cover
Godox AD200PRO II Professional Wireless TTL Off-Camera Flash Kit

The Godox AD200PRO II is a powerful and compact off-camera flash kit designed for both hobbyists and professionals. Its enhanced performance allows you to achieve stunning lighting effects without the bulk. The seamless wireless sync feature means you can set up quickly and start shooting efficiently, saving you precious time. Plus, the advanced heat management system ensures that the flash remains reliable during long sessions, preventing overheating issues. With a versatile LED modeling light, you can easily set the mood for your shoots, making it perfect for both photography and video projects.

What We Like
High power in compact design
Quick wireless setup
Reliable heat management
Versatile LED modeling light
#TOP 5

Godox AD300Pro Outdoor Flash Bundle

AD300PROK2
Godox AD300Pro Outdoor Flash Bundle Cover
Godox AD300Pro Witstro All-In-One Outdoor Flash Bundle with Street Camera System Gadget Bag and Godox AD-R14 Standard Reflector Diffuser (3 Items)

The Godox AD300Pro Flash is a versatile outdoor lighting solution perfect for photographers on the go. Weighing just 1.25kg, this lightweight unit is easy to transport, making it ideal for outdoor shoots. The built-in bi-color LED modeling lamp helps you visualize your shots and seamlessly blend with ambient lighting. You can also utilize the 12W continuous light for creating short videos. Plus, with a rechargeable battery that allows for 320 full power flashes, you can focus on capturing stunning images without worrying about running out of power.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable
Bi-color LED modeling lamp
Rechargeable battery
Compatible with multiple camera brands
#TOP 6

QTX DMX Lighting 10.0m Cable

qtx
177.910UK
Black
10.0m
QTX DMX Lighting 10.0m Cable Cover
qtx Professional DMX Lighting Leads XLR Plug to Socket 10.0m

QTX DMX Cable 10.0m is a shielded and accurate cable specifically designed for transmitting data between lighting effects. This cable is not intended for audio use. It allows you to easily communicate changes between different lighting effects, making it ideal for DMX-controlling or master to slave daisy chain connections. With its 3-pin XLR plug to 3-pin XLR socket design, this cable ensures noise-free transmission, providing you with a reliable connection for your lighting setup.

What We Like
Shielded & accurate
No noise transmission
Designed for data transmission
#TOP 7

Westcott FJ80 II M Speedlight Bundle

AWES4790K2
Westcott FJ80 II M Speedlight Bundle Cover
Westcott FJ80 II M Universal Touchscreen 80Ws Speedlight with Multi-Brand Camera Mount Bundle with Silver Bounce Parabolic Standard Umbrella (7-Feet), and Gadget Bag with Accessory Kit (4 Items)

The Westcott Speedlight Bundle is a versatile lighting kit that includes the FJ80 II M Speedlight with Multi-Brand Camera Mount, a 7-feet Silver Bounce Umbrella, FJ80 Creative Pack, and a Camera System Gadget Bag. Benefit from a long-lasting battery that provides over 500 full-power flashes per charge, a built-in wireless transceiver for easy communication, a large 2.8-inch touchscreen for intuitive flash settings control, and multi-brand compatibility with popular camera models. Experience convenience and flexibility in your photography with this comprehensive lighting solution.

What We Like
Long-lasting battery
Wireless communication
Large touchscreen control
#TOP 8

VILTROX L116T LED Light Panel

L116T
L116T
15W(Bi-Couleur)
VILTROX L116T LED Light Panel Cover
VILTROX L116T CRI95+ Super Slim Dimmable LED Light Panel,Bi-Color 3300K-5600K LED Video Light with LCD Control/Light Mount (NO Battery/No ac Adapter)

The VILTROX LED Light offers versatile temperature adjustments from 3300K to 5600K, allowing you to create the perfect lighting for any scene. You can easily control the brightness from 20% to 100%, giving you the flexibility to set the mood or highlight details in your photography. Its high Color Rendering Index (CRI95) ensures that the light mimics natural sunlight, making it ideal for portraits, weddings, and various photography styles. The soft light produced by its diffuser is gentle on the eyes, reducing harsh contrasts and making it easier for you to capture stunning images.

What We Like
Adjustable color temperature
Bright and dimmable settings
Natural-looking light
Lightweight and portable
#TOP 9

NANLITE FS-300C RGB Spotlight

NANLITE
FS-300C 001
black
NANLITE FS-300C RGB Spotlight Cover
NANLITE FS-300C RGB Studio Spotlight, 2700K-7500K, Remote Control, 2.4G,Portable,for Photography, Videography and Live Streamer

The NANLITE FS-300C Spotlight offers a versatile color temperature range from 2700K to 7500K, allowing you to match various light sources seamlessly. With a ±150 green/magenta adjustment, you can fine-tune your lighting for perfect color accuracy. The remote control feature and NANLITE app access let you easily manage 15 built-in lighting effects, enhancing your creative options. Additionally, the advanced cooling system operates quietly, minimizing noise while ensuring stable light output, making it ideal for video shoots and live streaming.

What We Like
Wide color temperature range
Remote control functionality
Quiet cooling system
Compatible with various accessories
#TOP 10

QTX DMX Lighting Cable 20.0m

qtx
177.913UK
Black
20.0m
QTX DMX Lighting Cable 20.0m Cover
QTX Professional DMX Lighting Leads XLR Plug to Socket 20.0m

QTX DMX Cable is a professional lighting cable designed for transmitting data between lighting effects. It ensures accurate communication without noise, perfect for connecting DMX-controlled lights in a daisy chain setup. The shielded design prevents interference, making it reliable for seamless light control transitions. With a 20.0m length, the cable provides flexibility and convenience in setting up your lighting system.

What We Like
Accurate data transmission
Noise-free communication
20.0m length for flexibility
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is slave lighting?

When talking about photography, specifically lighting, Slave mode is mode that instructs a flash unit to monitor incoming light, and fire when it senses the light produced by another flash unit firing.

2. What is a slave unit in photography?

When talking about photography, specifically lighting, a 'photo slave' is a flash unit set to slave mode which will fire when it detects the output of another flash unit.

3. How do you use slave flash photography?

To get your speedlight into slave mode, all you have to do is toggle the “Mode” button on the back of the flash. Most flashes will function in a similar way. You can use slave mode to work with any brand of speedlight. All the speedlight is doing is detecting a pop of light to trigger itself.

4. What triggers the slave camera?

Optical slave trigger - A light sensitive sensor at each remote flash, which triggers the flash in sync when it sees the flash of another manual flash unit. This light path can be reflected from close walls or the photo background, but light is line of sight, normally blocked by obstacles.

Editor's Notes

During our photographic lighting slave research, we found 16 photographic lighting slave products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,948 customer reviews through our big data system to write the photographic lighting slaves list. We found that most customers choose photographic lighting slaves with an average price of $201.43.

The photographic lighting slaves are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of photographic lighting slaves, including GODOX, qtx, Westcott, VILTROX, NANLITE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 124 consumers with an average rating of 4.5.

Written by
Alan Eaton Avatar

Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.