Hensels arrived today

[Az2Africa]

I got the Hensel set today from B&H. It included 3 Integra Pro 500ws lights and a few accessories. The mono lights appear to be good quality. I'll probably use the light weight stands for holding reflectors and pick up some heavier air cushioned stands this weekend. I could have bought the lights individually, but it would have been about the same as the kit and not included the wheeled case. Anyway, it looks like a good starter set up. I'll post my thoughts on it after I use it a bit.

[Kostyanych]

Nice!
I am going to get some Hensels as well. At least 2 of them.

[Kostyanych]

By the way, how many pocket wizard receivers do you have?

[incendy]

I have two of the 500w hensel's and I like them very much, however I have gone through about 4 of them in exchanges cause they keep on breaking. They will all the sudden just stop firing and you know it is a problem with the units cause the minute you explain what it is doing they just have you exchange it for a new one

[Az2Africa]

By the way, how many pocket wizard receivers do you have?

I have 2 of the Plus II's and the one in my Sekonic L558r light meter. I just set it all up this evening and the PW's worked like a charm on the 1st click from the 5D.And the 2 others fired as slaves. A real no-brainer. (which is good for me):lol:

[Kostyanych]

I will get my first Hensel tomorrow.
Todays delivery was unsuccessful. :(

[Az2Africa]

I will get my first Hensel tomorrow.
Todays delivery was unsuccessful. :(

Congrats. Ihope you like it. I started to get the Profoto Compact kit, but liked the 300 watt modeling light better on the Hensels. BTW, if you are using the PW's you will need an adapter cord from th PW to the Integra. I got one from RadioShack part# 42-2433 for about $4.00. It's a bit long at 6 feet, but all I could find in a hurry.
Edit: Just noticed you are in Australia. I've been there a lot of times, but don't remember if you have RadioShack. Any way the cord is just a 1/4inch phone to mini-phone adapter. Mono not stereo.

[Kostyanych]

Thanks for the input. We don't have RadioShack here. But there is another shop http://www.jaycar.com.au/ which (I suspect) does the same. :)
I don't have Pocket Wizards right now. But I am going to get them later. So I will try to find this cord before I order PWs (just in case to be able to order it from BH).

[MDJAK]

I've owned my Hensel's for about a year or two now and they're great, high quality lights.

One of mine did stop working, though, and I sent it in for service and had it back in under a week good as new. In fact, they told me to send them both in and they would upgrade both which they did, along with the newer mounting points on the bottom.
me

[Az2Africa]

Hi MDJAK
I started to buy your set, but decided to go with new and wanted the 3 light kit. I hope it was a good choice.

[Kostyanych]

Ta-daa.... I got first my Hensel Integra Pro 500 today. :)
Looks nice. :)
The only question for now is setting up Dim Mode for modeling light.
The manual says "Press button twice..." But I can see these settings when I press the button (that w=one which is knob) just once.
Then the manual says the delay can be adjusted between 5 and 95 minutes. But I can change the value between 0 and 90. :) Don't know what 0 means in this case.
But all the rest is clear. :)

[Az2Africa]

Congratulations !! I still haven't had time to do more than test them. I plan to spend Sunday checking all the functions. Let me know what you learn as well.

[Kostyanych]

I will do. :)
I hope you will do the same. :)
I usually can't wait so I try new stuff straight away. :)

[Adam B.]

I got the Hensel set today from B&H. It included 3 Integra Pro 500ws lights and a few accessories. The mono lights appear to be good quality. I'll probably use the light weight stands for holding reflectors and pick up some heavier air cushioned stands this weekend. I could have bought the lights individually, but it would have been about the same as the kit and not included the wheeled case. Anyway, it looks like a good starter set up. I'll post my thoughts on it after I use it a bit.

Congrats on the lights! One day you'll have to invite me over to check them out.

[Az2Africa]

Will do Adam. As soon as I don't look like a bugling moron with them.:oops: ;)

[Adam B.]

No worst than me. If it's not a shop light, I don't have a clue on how to operate it!

[Az2Africa]

I know the feeling. I did get it all set up today and experimented a bit. The Pocket Widards work great and my Sekonic L558r with the built-in PW fires the lights like a charm. The 300 watt modeling lights are very proportional and good at "what you see, is what you get" viewing.
Tonight I also ordered a backdrop setup, light boom and a back light stand. We'll have to get together soon for a shoot!

[LBaldwin]

Heads up guys, if you can afford it look for and get the Mathews style of stand for your more perm set up. They are great and I had a kid try an use or for a chin up bar...

They are pricey but you can find them used from time to time, cosmetics aside they will work for years and years.

Good luck with the new strobes

Les

[Adam B.]

Something new and different! I'll look foward to hearing from you.

[Kostyanych]

2 Az2Africa:
By the way, have you got a Hensel bag as well? Is it good for the price?
I am looking for a bag or box to store and carry Hensel monolights.
Today I was checking aluminium cases but didn't find proper size. But they look strong and they are much cheaper than Pelican cases.

[Az2Africa]

It's a decent bag for the money. It is fairly well padded and has wheels on one end and a slide out handle on the other. It zips at the top and has good padded deviders inside. There is a small zipper at the bottom for the compartment that holds the stands.There is also a large zippered compartment on one side that will hold reflectors and such.A pretty good case for the money.It looks professional and you wouldn't be embarrassed to show up around Pros with it.

[Kostyanych]

Thanks for the input.
I just checked the specs for the bag. I see that I will not be able to fit stands or umbrellas there. My stands are about 1 m long when collapsed. And umbrellas are about 0.9 m. So I will be able to fit only heads there.