Just like your light bulbs have screw-in and bayonet mounts, the same applies to light modifiers. You need to buy the right one for the light that you are using.
The mount is the fitting on the front of a light that a softbox, beauty dish, or reflector locks onto, and if the two do not match, they will not fit together. Two mounts come up more than any others in the Godox world: the industry-standard Bowens mount, and Godox's own smaller native mount, found on compact lights like the ML series LEDs and the AD300Pro and AD400Pro flashes.
This guide explains what each mount is, why Godox uses two different ones, how they compare, and how adapters let you mix and match, so you can buy modifiers with confidence.
Important: Godox and "Godox Mount" are not the same thing
Most Godox lights and modifiers use the standard Bowens mount. That includes the majority of Godox COB LEDs, studio flashes, softboxes, and beauty dishes.
"Godox Mount" is the name of a smaller, separate fitting that Godox uses only on a handful of compact lights, such as the ML series LEDs and the AD300Pro flash. The AD400Pro II has one too, but ships with a Bowens adapter in the box, so it takes both. So a "Godox softbox" is usually Bowens mount, while a product labelled "Godox Mount" fits only those compact lights. Always check the mount named in the product title, not just the brand.
TL;DR
The Bowens mount is a three-tab bayonet fitting that has become the de facto standard for studio lights and modifiers, so a huge range of softboxes, dishes, and reflectors from many brands fit it. The Godox native mount is a smaller, Godox-only fitting used on compact lights like the ML60II Bi, ML100Bi, and AD300Pro, which keeps those lights and their dedicated modifiers smaller and lighter. You can bridge the two with adapters: the Godox ML-GB turns a native mount into a Bowens mount, and the AD400Pro II ships with a Bowens adapter in the box. Choose Bowens for the widest modifier choice, and native for the most compact kit.
What Is a Bowens Mount?
The Bowens mount, often called the Bowens S-type mount, is a bayonet fitting with three metal tabs: you line up the slots on the modifier's speed ring with the tabs on the light, push it in, and twist to lock it in place. It is quick, secure, and simple.
The Bowens speedring
Bowens speed ring on a softbox
Its real strength is how widely it has been adopted. So many lighting brands have built the same fitting into their lights that the Bowens mount has become the de facto industry standard. That means a Bowens softbox will fit a huge range of lights, and a Bowens light can take modifiers from a huge range of brands. In the Godox range, you will find it on COB LEDs like the SL60W and the LITEMONS LA and LE series, studio flashes like the SK III-V, and modifiers like the UL-Box softboxes, EazyFlow series, and QR parabolic softboxes.
The Godox LA300R, a Bowens-mount COB LED
Advantages
- The widest choice of modifiers from many brands
- Easy to share, borrow, or rent modifiers
- Sturdy fit for large, heavy modifiers
Disadvantages
- Larger, so it adds size to compact lights
- Modifiers tend to be bigger and heavier
How a bayonet fitting locks with a push and twist, per Bayonet mount, Wikipedia.
What Is the Godox Native Mount?
The Godox native mount, often just called the Godox mount, is a smaller fitting that Godox designed for its compact lights. You will find it on portable LEDs in the ML series, like the ML60II Bi and ML100Bi, and on compact battery flashes like the AD300Pro. The AD400Pro II also has one, but includes a Bowens adapter, so it covers both systems. It is a proprietary Godox mount, so it is not interchangeable with Bowens without an adapter.
A Godox Mount speed ring
The reason for a second mount is size. A full Bowens fitting is relatively large, and building one into a small light would make the whole fixture bigger and heavier. A smaller native mount lets Godox keep these lights compact and travel-friendly, and it pairs with a range of dedicated, lightweight modifiers, like the AD-S65S and AD-S85S folding softbox beauty dishes, that fit directly with no adapter.
Advantages
- Keeps lights small and light
- Compact, travel-friendly modifiers
- Direct fit with no adapter needed
Disadvantages
- Godox-only, so a smaller modifier range
- Needs an adapter for Bowens modifiers
- Less suited to very large, heavy modifiers
Bowens vs Godox Native Mount at a Glance
| Feature | Bowens Mount | Godox Native Mount |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Three-tab bayonet, industry standard | Smaller, Godox-only fitting |
| Size | Larger | Smaller and lighter |
| Modifier choice | Very wide, many brands | Godox native modifiers |
| Typical lights | SL, LA, and LE series LEDs, SK studio flashes, AD400Pro II with its included adapter | ML series LEDs, AD300Pro |
| Best for | Studios, large modifiers, mixed brands | Travel, location, compact kits |
| Cross-compatibility | Native modifiers do not fit directly | Bowens modifiers fit with an adapter |
Bridging the Gap: Adapters and Brackets
The good news is that owning a native-mount light does not lock you out of Bowens modifiers. A few simple accessories bridge the two systems:
- Godox ML-GB adapter: converts the Godox native mount on lights like the ML60II Bi and ML100Bi into a Bowens S-type mount, opening up the full range of Bowens softboxes, dishes, and reflectors.
- AD400Pro II, Bowens-ready: The AD400Pro II ships with a Bowens adapter in the box. The native Godox mount remains usable after installation: no compromise, more options.
- Speedlight brackets: brackets like the Godox S3 add a Bowens mount to a speedlight or round-head flash such as the V1, so even an on-camera flash can use Bowens modifiers.
The ML-GB adapter fitted, turning a Godox Mount light into Bowens
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Watch: The AD400Pro II Bowens Adapter
Good to know: adapters work in one direction. A native-mount light can take Bowens modifiers with an adapter, but native-mount modifiers will not fit a Bowens light. For very large, heavy modifiers, a light with a built-in Bowens mount is usually the sturdier choice than an adapter.
Godox S3 Bracket: Bowens Modifiers for Your Speedlight
One of our most popular accessories, the Godox S3 Speedlite Bracket is the simplest way to put a Bowens softbox on a small flash. It holds a speedlight or compact outdoor flash in a padded clamp and gives it a full Bowens mount on the front, so the same softboxes, reflectors, and beauty dishes you would use on a studio light fit your on-camera flash too.
It is built to fit almost anything. The adjustable clamp opens from 3.6 to 6.4cm, so it takes both square-head speedlights and round-head flashes like the Godox V1 family, as well as compact outdoor flashes, and a textured silicone grip holds the flash firmly without scratching it. The bracket tilts through plus or minus 90 degrees to aim the light, has an integrated umbrella mount, and fits any standard light stand.
Because it is a single, solid piece with nothing to assemble, it packs easily and sets up in seconds, which is why it is such a favourite for location portraits, events, and photographers building their first off-camera flash kit. Pair it with a Godox X trigger and a Bowens softbox, and a small speedlight starts behaving like a portable studio light.
View the Godox S3 BracketWhich Mount Should You Choose?
Usually you do not choose a mount on its own; it comes with the light you buy. But it is worth factoring in:
- Choose Bowens if you work mainly in a studio, want the widest modifier choice, plan to use large softboxes or octaboxes, or already own Bowens modifiers.
- Choose native mount if portability matters most, you shoot on location or travel, and you like compact, lightweight modifiers.
- Want both? Pick a native-mount light and add the ML-GB adapter, or choose the AD400Pro II with its included Bowens adapter, and you get compact size with full Bowens compatibility when you need it.
When buying a modifier, always check the mount in the product name. Our listings say "Bowens Mount" or "Godox Mount" so you can match it to your light at a glance.
Featured Gear
Adapters, native-mount gear, and Bowens brackets, all available from CameraStuff.
Bowens: Adapters, Brackets, and Bowens-Ready Flash
Godox AD400Pro II
The AD400Pro II ships with a Bowens adapter in the box. The native Godox mount remains usable after installation: no compromise, more options.
ViewGodox Mount Gear
About Godox
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Godox is an integrated company combining R&D, manufacturing, and sales. It provides one-stop imaging lighting solutions with a comprehensive product ecosystem for photography, videography, cinematic production, broadcasting, and other sectors within the imaging industry.
Its portfolio covers professional flashes, studio and portable lighting, LED lighting, audio equipment, cameras, photo printers, wireless control systems, and lighting accessories, supporting a wide range of creative and production needs worldwide.
Guided by its core values of innovation, integrity, rigor, pragmatism, and inclusiveness, Godox is committed to providing outstanding imaging, cinematic lighting, and audio solutions. The company continuously pursues technological breakthroughs with the goal of becoming a leading force in the industry.
CameraStuff has been an authorised Godox distributor in South Africa since 2018, backed by an official Letter of Authorization from Godox Global.
See All GodoxMount FAQs
What is a Bowens mount?
A Bowens mount is a three-tab bayonet fitting on the front of a studio light. You align a modifier's speed ring, push, and twist to lock it. So many brands use it that it has become the de facto industry standard for softboxes and modifiers.
What is the Godox native mount?
It is a smaller, Godox-only fitting used on compact lights such as the ML60II Bi, ML100Bi, and AD300Pro. It keeps those lights small and light, and works with dedicated Godox-mount modifiers like the AD-S65S and AD-S85S.
Can I use Bowens modifiers on a Godox native mount light?
Yes, with an adapter. The Godox ML-GB converts the native mount on the ML60II Bi and ML100Bi to Bowens, and the AD400Pro II includes a Bowens adapter in the box. Check compatibility for other models before buying.
Can I use Godox native mount modifiers on a Bowens light?
No. Adapters convert a native-mount light to Bowens, not the other way around, so Godox-mount modifiers are designed for native-mount lights only.
How do I know which mount a modifier uses?
Check the product name. Our listings state "Bowens Mount" or "Godox Mount", so you can match the modifier to your light. If you are unsure, our team is happy to help.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad has personally handled hundreds of lights and modifiers. He is an authorised Godox specialist and works directly with South African photographers to match the right tools to their work.
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