Down to 3 lighting kit options

[chainz]

I'm pretty sold on the alienbees.
I would be paying around the same price for each package after adding in the shipping, international fees, etc etc. What to pick?

My choices are:

AlienBees Digital Bee Package
http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

Calumet Genesis 400 2 light kit
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0514K1/

Elinchrom D-Lite 2 Twin Kit
http://www.camerastore.com.au/ProShop/Elinchrom+D+Lite+2+Twin+Kit_3997_details.htm

[tim]

Elinchrom seems to be most powerful and best brand name in general. AB is almost as powerful and is a good brand, but I don't like the way the metal bits on the lights shred the carry bags. Calumet Genesis i've read good things about but don't see any reason to get them.

Of these i'd probably get the Elinchrom, but i'd do more reading first, find reviews etc. I'd also probably go for more powerful lights, which might change things a bit, with ABs the 800s aren't much more expensive.

[Rudi]

If you're going to end up paying about the same? Absolutely no contest, get the Elinchroms! In Oz you will get the version with the fans, so there are no negatives (in my eyes). You can never go wrong buying Elinchrom! (You can spend a lot of money, but you can never go wrong! :D).

[chainz]

Be alright if the Elinchroms came with umbrella's instead of softboxes haha

[Rudi]

You kidding? You can get a couple of cheap umbrellas if you want, I'd take softboxes any day!

[chainz]

I've never used either..But I'm just guessing.

[paiintballa182]

You kidding? You can get a couple of cheap umbrellas if you want, I'd take softboxes any day!


Agreed, softboxes are much nicer IMO

[Rudi]

They both have their place, but I would rather have softboxes thrown into my kit, if only for the fact that softboxes are much more expensive to buy than umbrellas. That said, I too prefer softboxes for most situations.

[tim]

Softboxes are nicer, umbrellas are easier to set up and work well. Umbrellas are cheap, $25 each or something.

[Rudi]

Softboxes are nicer, umbrellas are easier to set up and work well. Umbrellas are cheap, $25 each or something.

The Elinchrom Rotalux softboxes are as easy to set up as umbrellas, Tim. Of course, you PAY for that (and the nice light they provide)... :)

[chainz]

Okay..
I have a cactus V2's. Do they work with any of the lights?
Cybersync's would be good, But I'm not made of money. The lights should be able to trigger my 430ex aswell?

[tim]

Some would say Cactus V2's barely work at all. Some people have good luck, some people bad luck. After adding aerials to mine they worked fine at home but failed on location. So my opinion is they suck, fine for hobbyists maybe, but not for pros. I just got Skyports.

The cactus triggers should trigger any flash, assuming you have the right cables and connections, and the right version of the cactus receiver.

[ed.]

I think the AB's are only 110v so you'd need to factor in a step down transformer as well.

[chainz]

They make 220v versions of the bee's for a extra 10 bucks each one.

[ed.]

That's pretty good then. Wouldn't be CE certified like the Elinchom's would they?