Setting Up Godox X3 Transmitter
You saw the unboxing! Now, let’s setup a Godox X3 transmitter!
At the time of this writing the X3 is the latest addition in the Godox line of flash transmitters. Its main features are the small size and low weight. However, I think you’ll be interested in reviewing how to set it up.
In this Godox X3 setup I’ll cover some of its most common functions. However, it’s not an extensive review of every single feature in the Godox X3.
Let’s get to the setup/walkthrough!
Physical Inspection
I think the most distinguishing feature of the Godox X3 transmitter is its size. However, the physical design has its own characteristics.
Something that caught my attention right away is its lack of buttons. You only get a power button that also works as a Menu button. Then there is the Tester button and the rotating dial, that you can also press to select options on the interface. It reminds me a lot of the Apple Watch, with its rotating crown and button.
Another interesting feature is its locking mechanism. Other transmitters lock themselves in place, on the camera’s hotshoe, using a screw-like mechanism. However, the X2 uses a button to retract the locking pin on the transmitter’s foot. You need to press this button to insert the X3 on a camera’s hotshoe, or to remove it.
Next to the locking button is a USB-C port. This port is used to charge the internal battery and for firmware updates, in the future.
The final, defining feature in the Godox X3 is the touch screen. This is the main interface to make selections and adjustments.
Power and Batteries
The Godox X3 does not use any AA or AAA batteries. Instead, it has an integrated, rechargeable lithium battery with a capacity of 850mAh. The X3 transmitter includes a USB-A to USB-C cable, so you can charge it using any phone charger or powerbank that you may already have.
One important note is that the charging circuit is rated at 5 volts x 2 amperes (10 Watts). If you use a 5 Watt charger, like the ones for iPhone, the charging will be slower.
Powering the Godox X3 transmitter on or off is really simple. You just need to press and hold the power button until the screen turns on, or off. The main screen that you’ll see shows a list of selected groups, their modes and power settings.
Let’s start setting up the Godox X3 transmitter!
Channel and ID
Usually, the first step while using off-camera flash is to set the channel to communicate with the flashes and, probably, the ID to avoid interference.
Selecting the channel on the Godox X3 setup is pretty simple. Start by swiping the screen downwards or pressing the M/Power button once. This will get you to the Home screen.
Then, touch on the Gear/Setting button on the screen. You’ll see the Custom Functions screen.
You can now tap on the Wireless section, and you will see a screen with the current channel and ID selected.
You only need to swipe up or down on the channel and ID to select their values.
As you can see, I usually select channel 9. I just chose it to avoid using channel 1, which is the default. You can avoid some interference by avoiding channel 1.
If I decide to use ID, my usual value for it is 81. Again, I don’t have any particular reason for it, I just don’t want to use the default values.
Swiping twice to the right should get you to the main screen again.
Group Selection
The next step when shooting off-camera flash is to select groups and make them active or not.
Selecting a group on the X3 is straightforward. The main screen should display the groups that are currently active.
If you want to add or remove groups, just tap on the button with the three bars and a ± symbol. It should take you to a list of groups.
Tap on the groups you want to activate or deactivate. Active groups are bright with a white marker, inactive groups are grayed out.
Swipe once to the right and you should be back on the main screen. The main screen should now have a list of your groups.
Group Mode
Groups can be in TTL, Manual or Paused mode. What? What is this Pause thing? You’ll see in a minute.
Let’s change the group mode. Start by tapping on the group you want to change. You should now see a screen that displays the group letter on the left margin. There’s a button right next to it, on the center of the screen, that you can tap.
Tapping on the mode button will switch between TTL and Manual modes. Right next to the mode button there is a Pause button. If you tap on the Pause button the transmitter will stop sending signals to that group, but it will retain the latest settings.
What’s the difference between Deactivating a group and Pausing it? Deactivating a group means you won’t use it at all. Pausing it means you are going to use it, but you’re probably setting things up and you are testing the effect of each group separately.
Let’s talk about mode and power settings.
TTL and Flash Exposure Compensation
If you set a group to TTL mode, the camera and flash work together to create a neutral exposure. If you want to adjust the exposure you’re getting from the flash, you can turn it brighter or darker. That is called Flash Exposure Compensation or FEC.
Adjusting FEC is super simple during the Godox X3 setup. Whether you are on the main screen or you selected a group, just slide your finger on the green number next to the group indicator. If you slide to the left, you reduce the FEC, making the flash less powerful. If you slide to the right, you increase the FEC, making the flash more powerful.
You can adjust between -3 and +3 stops of flash brightness.
Manual and Power Settings
If you set a group to Manual mode, you’ll need to set the power setting of that group. The power setting can go from Full power, written as 1/1; to a minimum power of, usually, 1/128. Every time you divide by 2 you’re reducing the power by one stop.
Adjusting the power is similar to adjusting FEC: you only need to slide your finger on the number indicating the power of a group set to manual.
It’s very easy to identify if a group is in Manual or TTL mode. Groups set to Manual mode display their power setting as a fraction (1/1, ½, ¼, etc) with white characters. Groups set to TTL mode display their FEC as a decimal number (-1.7, for example) with green characters.
Testing
Testing your setup is very easy. Just press the Tester button on the side of the X3. It’s the one with a lightning icon. When you press it you should see your flashes firing.
I think the Godox X3 setup is fairly simple if you already understand the concepts of Channels, ID, Groups and Modes. If not, you may need a primer to Off-Camera Flash with the Godox system
The X3 has many more features, I only covered the most common ones in this setup/walkthrough regardless of your camera system. It also has its strengths and weaknesses, but I’ll cover those in a separate post.
I really hope you found this post interesting, informative but also entertaining. If that is the case, please leave a comment below and share this post with your friends! But most of all, please remember to Stay Safe, Keep Learning and Keep Creating.
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