Godox has quietly announced its new AD21 / AD32 / AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panels. These new products allow you to quickly and easily adjust your diffusion level using motorized control.
The concept behind adjustable diffusion panels is that you only need to carry around one solution, instead of multiple different diffusion fabrics. Rather than changing the diffusion fabric, you can instantly adjust your diffusion level without needing to take something down and then put it back up. In theory, this should offer you more control and save you time, but I will put that to the test later in the review.
The way it works is very similar to how electronic variable ND works.
Diffusion at 0% 
Diffusion at 100%
Essentially, by changing the voltage, you are changing the properties of the diffusion.
The Godox Adjustable Diffusion Panels are available in three different sizes depending on your requirements. The sizes are a little odd, and I would have thought it would make more sense to have an industry standard 4′ x 4′ version.
Hold on, hasn’t this been done before?
Adjustable, electronically controlled diffusion isn’t a new concept, and we first saw Chimera show a solution way back in 2011. At NAB 2017, Zylight and Chimera partnered up to create what they were calling Active Diffusion.
In 2023, LumenArc introduced its Active Diffusion. Lumen Arc Active Diffusion is an electronically adjustable light-modifying system that was designed to simplify grip and lighting inventory. This solution is a mid-sized diffusion frame that allows you to adjust the amount of diffusion electronically.
Rotolight also had the AEOS 2 SmartSoft Box, which allowed users to electronically adjust diffusion, focus, and spread without the need for gels or additional modifiers. It is best to liken it to having a LEE 216 on an adjustable dial. It provided 1.5 stops of electronically variable diffusion by utilizing Rotolight’s patented technology.
According to Godox, their solution features patented frequency adjustment technology, supporting five frequency levels to ensure flicker-free operation tailored to different frame rates. The system is said to be compatible with frame rates up to 300fps.
Not available in the US
The Godox Adjustable Diffusion Panels are only available in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and South America. This is presumably to do with the fact that there is a US patent for electronic diffusion (lighting).
Collapsable Frame
Godox’s solution is quite different when it comes to form factor from other solutions on the market.
The Godox Adjustable Diffusion Panels feature a fully collapsible frame, which makes them much easier to travel with and store. You then attach a removable, Velcro diffusion panel. It is not only user-replaceable, but it also features IP54-rated protection.
Build Quality
The overall build quality of the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel is ok. The frame is solidly constructed and robust.
The Velcro diffusion panel did have some marks and imperfections on it out of the box.
The control box is fairly lightweight, and it is made out of composite materials.
Control
The Adjustable Diffusion Panels feature a Level Mode and Light Reduction Mode. Level Mode enables 0-100% visualized, quick adjustments. Light Reduction Mode displays a -0.1 to -2.0 EV range.
The interface and operating system are very straightforward and intuitive to use.
You can adjust the speed of how quickly the diffusion changes, and you can choose to adjust in either as a % or as EV.
All of the adjustable diffusion panel offers two controller options, letting users choose based on their specific workflow and daily needs.
Both controllers support operation via the controller, Bluetooth APP, and DMX. Additionally, the AD00-01 controller integrates a built-in CRMX transceiver, ensuring stable, low-latency wireless control. Lead/Follow mode lets one controller sync them all for smooth, unified adjustments on set.
Menu
The menu system is very straightforward and easy to navigate. You don’t need an instruction manual to use this product.
You press the MENU button to enter the menu interface, and then rotate, and then press the SET button to enter and adjust the above setting options. You can press the MENU button to return to the menu interface.
Type
You press the MENU button to enter the menu interface, rotate, and press the SET button to enter and adjust the above setting options. You can press the MENU button to return to the menu interface. Press the SET button to enter the type interface, and rotate and press the SET button to choose
between the AD33, AD32 or AD21.
DMX
You press the SET button to enter the DMX settings, rotate, and press the SET button to adjust the parameters.
CRMX
You press the SET button to enter the DMX settings, and then rotate and press the SET button to adjust the parameters. Press the SET button to enter CRMX settings, and rotate and press the SET button to adjust the
parameters.
Bluetooth
You press the SET button to enter the Bluetooth settings, and then rotate and press the SET button to turn on/off, or reset. The MAC code is on the
corner for quick check.
Frequency
You press the SET button to enter the frequency settings, and then rotate and press the SET button to adjust to default or other mode (1st-5th gear).
Follow
You press the SET button to enter the above settings, and then rotate and press the SET button to adjust to lead mode.
Display
You press the SET button to enter the display settings, and then rotate and press the SET button to adjust the display brightness from 10% to
100%.
Power
The system can be powered via USB-C, V-mount batteries, or NPF batteries.
According to Godox, a 100Wh battery can power an Adjustable Diffusion Panel continuously for up to 20 hours. I had it turned on for several hours, and the battery I was using was still showing 96%.
Using a V-mount battery is a little fiddly. You first need to mount a battery on the controller’s wedge plate, and then attach a D-tap to USB-C converter box, and then attach a USB-C to USB-C cable to the controller. This does create a bit of a cable mess. I am not sure why Godox didn’t make a straight V-mount battery plate that integrated directly with the controller.
Set-Up Time
The Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel takes around 5 minutes to set up. While one person can do it, I found it easier if you have someone help you out.
The frame comes in two parts. You can put the bottom of the frame directly onto a junior pin stand.
Firstly, you need to construct the frame.
The first step is to open up the frame and tighten the locking mechanisms.
You then need to open up the diffusion frame and attach it to the main frame. I recommend doing this on the ground as it is easier.
You can then attach the velcro diffusion panel. Again, this is arguably easier to do when the frame is on the ground.
You then attach the control box to the cable and then either run it via mains power or through one of the remote power options.
Does it alter the CCT?
Any type of lighting modifier, regardless of whether it’s a reflector or diffusion fabric, will alter the CCT of a light. So, do the Godox Adjustable Diffusion Panels alter the CCT substantially? Well, let’s find out.
I used the highly daylight-accurate Maxima 6 GaN as my test light, and I took CCT readings with a Sekonic C-800. As a reference, I took a reading without the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel, and then I took readings with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.
Maxima 6 GaN
The Maxima 6 GaN recorded a CCT reading of 5683K with a CC Index of 0.3G. Above, you can also see the color rendering scores and the spectral distribution.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 0%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 0%, I got a CCT reading of 5328K. Interestingly enough, the CC Index was 0. This shows me that even with the diffusion set at 0%, the CCt changed by around 150K.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 10%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 10%, I got a CCT reading of 5292K. The CC Index was 0. This shows me that with the diffusion set at 10%, the CCT changed by around 390K.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 25%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 25%, I got a CCT reading of 5275K. The CC Index was 0. This shows me that with the diffusion set at 25%, the CCT changed by 408K.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 50%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 50%, I got a CCT reading of 5235K. The CC Index was 0.1M. This shows me that with the diffusion set at 50%, the CCT changed by 448K.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 75%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 75%, I got a CCT reading of 5141K. The CC Index was 0.1M. This shows me that with the diffusion set at 75%, the CCT changed by 542K.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 100%
Above, you can see that with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set at 100%, I got a CCT reading of 4973K. The CC Index was 0.2M. This shows me that with the diffusion set at 100%, the CCT changed by 710K.
SUMMARY
| CCT | CC INDEX | |
| NO DIFFUSION | 5683K | 0.3G |
| 0% | 5328K | 0 |
| 10% | 5292K | 0 |
| 25% | 5275K | 0 |
| 50% | 5235K | 0.1M |
| 75% | 5141K | 0.1M |
| 100% | 4973K | 0.2M |
These tests showed me that when dialling in a lot of diffusion, the CCT of the light does get changed quite dramatically. At 100%, it changed by more than 700K. This is something you need to be aware of, but in saying that, putting any type of lighting modifier in front of a light will alter CCT. The AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel also started to push a tiny bit magenta, especially at 100%, but not by any margin that you need to be concerned about.
You can also see that the color rendering scores also went down slightly when using the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel, but again, this isn’t something that anybody needs to worry about.
Real World Use
I set up a couple of basic tests to see how the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel performed, and I also wanted to compare it to some regular diffusion to see what the differences were.
I decided to use the Maxima 6 GaN, because it is an extremely accurate daylight source as my test light. I then punched that light through the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel.
0% 
25% 
50% 
75% 
100%
Above, you can see shots with the AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel set to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel 100% 
Intellytech HC Fast Frame Scrim Diffuser with Grid (5 x 6.5′)
Above, you can see a comparison between the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel and the Intellytech HC Fast Frame Scrim Diffuser with Grid (5 x 6.5′). The camera settings and light placement are identical for both shots. The Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel, when set at 100%, was a little softer than the 1/2-Stop Diffusion Cloth that comes with the Intellytech HC Fast Frame Scrim Diffuser. From my estimates, the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel probably gives you somewhere around 3/4-1 stop.
Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel 100% 
No diffusion
Above you can see another example where I put the lighting fixture outdoors and then put the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel in front of the window. Where I am sitting is around 3-4m from where the diffusion is.
You can use the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel outdoors, but you need to be careful. Large diffusion screens act as giant sails, so I wouldn’t recommend using them in any type of wind. You should always use sandbags if you do plan on taking them outdoors.
Because of the type of material the diffusion is made out of, it also makes quite a lot of noise in the wind, which can be an issue if you are using it outdoors. The diffusion material also isn’t nearly as robust as regular fabrics, so you need to keep that in mind and treat it with extreme care.
No diffusion 
AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel at 30% 
AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel at 100%
Above, you can see some quick example shots where I used it outdoors in bright sunlight.
You could use the adjustable diffusion to your advantage outdoors if you were in changing lighting conditions. This is something you can’t do with regular diffusion in real time.
The Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel certainly works well, and it is nice that you can just dial in how much you need instead of having to change over fabrics. I would have liked to have seen Godox make a honeycomb grid for the AD33 to prevent light spill.
What kits are available?
Specifications
Price & Availability
The Godox Adjustable Diffusion Panels are available for the following prices.
- Godox AD21 K2- $499 USD
- Godox AD21 K3- $449 USD
- Godox AD32 K2- $629 USD
- Godox AD32 K3- $579 USD
- Godox AD33 K2- $879 USD
- Godox AD33 K3- $829 USD
The K2 versions include CRMX, and the diffusion panel can also be purchased separately.
Conclusion
The Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel is an interesting product, and it works well if you don’t want to carry around multiple different strengths of fabric diffusion.
It isn’t going to be a product for everyone, and if you already own diffusion frames and fabrics, and those are working well for you, then there is certainly no reason to change.
Being able to adjust the amount of diffusion is very handy, but this does come with some caveats. Firstly, you need to construct everything up and also power it. Secondly, it isn’t going to be a robust as fabric diffusion, and you need to handle it with more care. Thirdly, it is just one type of diffusion, and you can’t suddenly just change it over to something else, which does somewhat limit its versatility.
For fixed studio use, it probably makes sense, especially if you have the diffusion out of reach.
The diffusion certainly does alter the CCT, and you need to keep that in mind when using it. With modern-day LED lights, you could simply just make adjustments to counteract this.
The Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel is going to be more expensive than buying a similarly sized frame and several diffusion fabrics.
I like the Godox AD33 Adjustable Diffusion Panel, and it is good to have options on the market that allow you to do things a little differently.
