Hensel - And the STROBE FOOD CHAIN

[StealthLude]

Well,

I started to get really intrested in other studio stuff besides for AB.

I really wanted a NICE ringflash and battery operated pack combo. My local store has a Hensel kit for rent.

Beside for Alien Bees I know of Elinchrom, Profoto which are pretty much top of the food chain when it comes to strobe lighting.

Where does Hensel fit in?

Other brands ive looked at are Broncolor, and Speedotron. They all look like they are in the same league, but where do they really fit into the lighting food chain?

What othre brands would be worth looking at? I dont think I can afford profoto or elinchrom, but the Broncolor and Hensel stuff I really like.

Worth taking a look at stuff like photogenic?

These are the items I am currently drooling over.

Pack
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1243&A=details&Q=&sku=242239&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Ring Flash
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=386267&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I am going to rent it next weekend to check it out, but just wanted to see how they are. And where they fit into the "lighting food chain"

I also took a look at the Quantum flash systems. Impressive, but expencive for the ammount of power you get.

Hope you guys/gals can help... shine some light on the subject... lol :lol:

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Far as I can see, it goes something like this:

Broncolor
hensel
elinchrom
profoto
speedotron
AB

That's what I hear, anyway, in terms of consistency and quality of light/gear.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

btw, that's one hell of an expensive ringlight. Do you have something against the very much talked about AB version?

[StealthLude]

Far as I can see, it goes something like this:

Broncolor
hensel
elinchrom
profoto
speedotron
AB

That's what I hear, anyway, in terms of consistency and quality of light/gear.


Im VERY suprised you rate Hensel higher than elinchrom and profoto. If it just me or why are they so expencive? Is it because the flash durations are a lot shorter with profoto and elinchrom or becuase the packs are Asymmetrical?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I have zero experience with pack lights...I'm crazy about my bees. Never seen so much bang for a buck. However, people with Hensel gear seem to absolutely rave about it. I know the elis and profotos are great, but hear little about them. Maybe because they're so pricey.

[StealthLude]

btw, that's one hell of an expensive ringlight. Do you have something against the very much talked about AB version?


I have nothing against Alien Bees at all. I own 3 of their lights but just wanted to try and explore other brands.

Reasons I am looking at Hensel or other brands, is main thing power, i really like the 1/10th stop adjustments and digital controls. The links I posted are battery operated pack.

Im sure I will end up with the Alien Bees, but im also looking long and hard at other systems as well. I want to get more into sports and action photography including snowboarding, and thought it might be worth my while looking at other brands.

[StealthLude]

is the flash durrations of AB lights posted anywhere?

also, here is another thread I posted in regards to stuff I have no idea about really.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=297561

Im just trying to understand what makes these pack and head kits and brands like profoto and elinchrom so expencive and robust. What are they doing so right?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Sure...somewhere. :lol:

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Found it. All sources point to 1/1600 sec.

[StealthLude]

I found them too, thanks.
Humm, thats pretty short when compared to the expencive guys.

I guess more power you put out, the harder it is to maintain the short flash durration...?

I guess it had to do with capacitiy sizing?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Sorry you didn't like it. :lol:

[StealthLude]

Sorry you didn't like it. :lol:


I thought shorter the flash durration the better. I was actually impressed. Thats why I made the comment about the capacitors since the expencive packs I assume need more and bigger to keep the durations short.

[StealthLude]

Next Question is:

When Hensel talks about a 1200 watt second pack and head combo... Is the the "true" or "effective" power.

AB1600 is 1600 w/s, but the TRUE POWER is really 640 watt seconds.

When these big boys like elinchrom, profoto, and Hensel say 1200 w/s or 2400 w/s, do they really mean 1200 or 2400 TRUE w/s?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

How much more power over a B1600 or even a B800 do you need? At full power and normal distances in the studio, I get like f/22 at 1/250 on a B800. I mean dang.

Are you forseeing some difficult shooting situation that you need more than 1600 effective w/s?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

AB1600 is 1600 w/s, but the TRUE POWER is really 640 watt seconds.

When these big boys like elinchrom, profoto, and Hensel say 1200 w/s or 2400 w/s, do they really mean 1200 or 2400 TRUE w/s?


Think so.

question again is, though, do you need more power than the amazing amount a B1600 puts out? Even the b800's are impressively powerful. A 1600 is twice that. I can't imagine ever needing a B1600 anywhere over half power in any situation. I'm sure there's times, though.

[mbellot]

Next Question is:

When Hensel talks about a 1200 watt second pack and head combo... Is the the "true" or "effective" power.

AB1600 is 1600 w/s, but the TRUE POWER is really 640 watt seconds.

When these big boys like elinchrom, profoto, and Hensel say 1200 w/s or 2400 w/s, do they really mean 1200 or 2400 TRUE w/s?

AFAIK Alien Bees is the only company that quotes "effective w/s" (which is the 1600 number in an AB1600). Everyone else uses "true" w/s, which is directly derived from the size (uF) of the capacitor(s) and the voltage stored.

[Titus213]

I believe AB posts both numbers - http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html

They have a full spec page but I can't get it to open right now...

Here it is - all three units - http://www.alienbees.com/specs.html

[Titus213]

Think so.

question again is, though, do you need more power than the amazing amount a B1600 puts out? Even the b800's are impressively powerful. A 1600 is twice that. I can't imagine ever needing a B1600 anywhere over half power in any situation. I'm sure there's times, though.

Funny, I use a B400 and just ordered a B800. I'm wondering if I'll have too much power. I would not like to have to buy ND filters now.

[René Damkot]

Far as I can see, it goes something like this:

Broncolor
hensel
elinchrom
profoto
speedotron
AB

That's what I hear, anyway, in terms of consistency and quality of light/gear.

I'd rate ProPhoto higher then either Bron or Hensel.
My list would be something like this:

ProPhoto
Broncolor
Hensel

Others I didn't use, so won't comment about them.

On the 'effective' Ws. Who cares?
I care what f/ stop I get using a standard reflector at 2 meteres and ISO 100. That's about the only meaningfull way to compare flah output IMHO.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Funny, I use a B400 and just ordered a B800. I'm wondering if I'll have too much power. I would not like to have to buy ND filters now.


Turn a B400 down all the way, and you'll be at a wide aperture, and might even have to raise the ISO to 200.