Setting up a Broncolor system

[merlock]

Hey everyone

Forgive the basic questions, but so far I've only used constant light plugged directly into power points, and I'm still a little confused about pack and head system setup. I'm hiring a studio and they use Broncolor systems. From reading as much as I can on these forums, and using the hire companies equipment list, would I be correct in hiring:

1 x Powerpack (afaik primo and topaz both have 2 lamphead outlets... this means if I wanted to connect a 3rd light, an additional powerpack would be required? If so, how do they setup together? Is there any difference between primo and topaz?).

1 x Sync cord (for my canon 40d to the powerpack? If an additional powerpack (see above) is required, do I need additional sync cords?)

Pulso 4 head and stand (light head and stand - I'm assuming cable for the head to the powerpack is included, and this is all that is required per light for the powerpack?)

Are there any connections or boxes or anthing else that I might be missing in order to make this setup work? I don't want to be left looking (more than I do already!) like an idiot come shoot day?! Any and all help / advice appreciated!

Thanks!

Mark

[NZDoug]

Broncolor make packs where you can plug in 4 heads.
The packs have slaves built in so you only need one cord.
Set it up where you rent and have the guy at the shop tune you in.
Learn all you can when he shows you, turn up, turn down, fuse blow, fuse fix, on off, 1/10 step flash , horn on, horn off etc.
With my own gear, I set up the shot, make sure everything works, charged , batteries , cords, stands, whatever, the dismantle then go do the job.
That includes cameras, everything.
Otherwise you can screw it up, then your history.:rolleyes:

[sboerup]

I think you might be in over your head if you aren't familiar with these kind of lights and or pack/head systems. They should be generally straight forward to use, but the way you ask makes it sound like you've never used these kind of lights ever.

What is the shoot for? What are you renting the studio for? Sorry to be naive, but based on the shots on your website, it seems that you are familiar with on-camera hot-shoe flashes, and not studio gear??

Fredmiranda.com, go to the Lighting section. There are plenty of people that shoot with Broncolor. BTW, those are the very elite of lighting gears.

[merlock]

Hey :) Thanks for the reply!

TBH I do feel in over my head :P I've come from a film background and although I have had some lighting experience (just basic constant lighting, but I understand key lighting, fill etc) I've never used strobe lighting before. The studio that's been booked only has these kinds of Broncolor lights available.

The shoot is for a new local fashion label who have been given a grant to help them get along (so the costs are all covered). My girlfriend is the stylist, and she has roped me into doing the photography for it. They are after a fairly flat, bright high-key style (I've included an example photo below).

http://www.thevine.com.au/resources/GALLIMAGE/010808104633_14_PhotographersGallery.jpg


Everything you've said is pretty true tho, and you're not being naive :) Trust me I have yelled and screamed that I don't have any experience with strobe but it's falling on deaf ears. Thanks for the link I'll check it out, and anything else you have for me I'll be very appreciative for :)

[NZDoug]

Hire an assistant who knows the gear and rehearse your good jokes and shoot it so its fun and you dont have to worry about techy stuff.
Call him a lighting tech assistant.
The rental guy can fix you up.
Id shoot tethered.

[Freff]

Give Jason Cole in the Glamour forum a shout, he uses the Broncolor system exclusively and is from your part of the world. He is very amicable and I'm sure would only be to happy assist in some way.

[René Damkot]

Hire an assistant who knows the gear

Good point.
Flash tends to be a bit different then continuous lighting...
Metering for one, not always WYSIWYG for another.

That being said: Broncolor has operating instructions (http://www.broncolor.com/bc_do_oi_en/index.php) on their website...

[sparkey.4]

Hey everyone

Forgive the basic questions, but so far I've only used constant light plugged directly into power points, and I'm still a little confused about pack and head system setup. I'm hiring a studio and they use Broncolor systems. From reading as much as I can on these forums, and using the hire companies equipment list, would I be correct in hiring:

1 x Powerpack (afaik primo and topaz both have 2 lamphead outlets... this means if I wanted to connect a 3rd light, an additional powerpack would be required? If so, how do they setup together? Is there any difference between primo and topaz?).

1 x Sync cord (for my canon 40d to the powerpack? If an additional powerpack (see above) is required, do I need additional sync cords?)

Pulso 4 head and stand (light head and stand - I'm assuming cable for the head to the powerpack is included, and this is all that is required per light for the powerpack?)

Are there any connections or boxes or anthing else that I might be missing in order to make this setup work? I don't want to be left looking (more than I do already!) like an idiot come shoot day?! Any and all help / advice appreciated!

Thanks!

Mark



To start: the wire comming from the flash heads will be pluged into the power pac. I think all Broncolor light heads come with their own built in cords You repeat this step for as many lights as the power pac will allow. You then keep adding power packs for as many lights as you want to use. Most of the last 10 years or so Broncolor power packs have built in sensor so the packs do not have to be connected to each other.

I think some of the old Blue line power packs of the 70's had to be interconnected.

The lighting is super to use and once you get buy the early hook ups an become familar with the system the most outstand feature is with the modeling lights on---What you see is what you get. I hope this helps