Godox iT30 Pro: A Lighthearted Little Flash

Tiny flashes seem to be getting cuter and cuter these days. But what’s refreshing about this is seeing the exceptional build quality trickling down from their more premium models into the smaller ones. The Godox iT30 Pro is one of these flashes designed to provide a fun experience, while offering some professional features that you can rely on when needed.

The Godox iT30 Pro flash on my Nikon D4

When I received the box, I was hoping the finishing quality would match the look of the promo videos and photos on their website. Once I opened the box, I could clearly see that the item in reality looked just as good. This is the …

The Godox iT30 Pro flash on my Nikon D4

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The Godox iT30 Pro isn’t designed for event coverage or large studio setups. It’s intended for quick moments, walk-around photography, or when you want to travel light while maintaining some light control. When mounted on a Nikon Z8 with the Godox TR-N TTL adapter, it changes the feel of your setup. Now you have something that appears casual but functions more efficiently than a regular flash that can only point straight at the subject.

Experience

It’s tiny

Barely larger than some camera batteries, the iT30 is so easy to carry around. It easily fits in a trouser pocket or a side compartment of your camera bag, and you can forget it’s there. There were times when I couldn’t see it tucked away in my roller bag, making me wonder if I had left it at home. Its minimalist design makes it easy to use. I like that this is the third Godox flash I’ve used in recent times that requires me to slide a wheel or dial to turn it on. This two-step mechanism prevents anyone from accidentally turning on the unit and draining its battery.

TTL is great, but I mostly prefer manual power adjustments

Despite its size, you still get full TTL support, a feature that requires careful use, given the small size of the flash head. It’s also wireless capable, which adds a new level of enjoyment. You can control it remotely with other Godox transmitters or use it to trigger other remote units. I did this with some portraits and found it as good as a dedicated radio controller. This feature enables you to experiment with off-camera lighting, making it a suitable partner for street portraits or travel work, where quick adjustments are crucial.

The TR-N Adapter: A Really Cool Idea

Back in my 30s, I used to think of creative ways to make photography easier for beginners. This was mostly due to the fact that I took a lot of time to improve in my early days in the craft. I still have a load of ideas written down, and in the era of Kickstarter now it should be a lot more straightforward to bring them to life. One of those ideas I had was to see a way to get the built-in pop-up flash on DSLRs to rotate upwards. I aced many an event by having my on-camera speedlights bounced off ceilings, and I knew that anyone who’s starting out in photography could tremendously improve their flash pics if they could just point the pop-up flash upwards in some way. The Godox iT30 Pro flash has a lot going for it, except for its relatively small flash output, which is comparable to that of built-in camera flashes. That tiny rectangle out there isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, as any photographer worth his salt would know. Additionally, the flash cannot be tilted upwards to bounce. At least not as-is.

The optional TTL-capable TR adapter helps you tilt your Godox iT30 Pro flash for bounce capabilities

Enter the TR adapter from Godox, a TTL-capable hotshoe mount, which you can mount to your camera and have the Godox iT30 Pro mounted to it. This small gadget, which sometimes makes your camera appear as though it’s growing a horn, is tiltable up to 90 degrees. An ingenious idea, in my opinion. It helps you bounce the flash off a ceiling, giving a much more diffused, soft light to your photos. Indoors, the difference is immediate — what once looked like harsh fill now feels natural and balanced. Of course, if you’re out on the streets, this won’t help too much, but it enables you to tilt your flash at a 45-degree angle and try.

Conclusion

Tiny but fun

The Godox iT30 Pro is a flash for people who enjoy taking pictures, not just setting up equipment. It’s fun, light, and smart enough to make casual shooting feel a bit more professional. Pair it with the optional TR-N adapter and tilt it upward – you’ll be surprised by the charm this small brick of light adds to your photos when shot this way. It’s not serious gear (even if it has the Pro in its name), and that’s part of what makes it so appealing.