Why Visatec is less popular here?

[danielyamseng]

I was wondering why Visatec is not a popular studio light over here. Not much info I could gather thru a search.

Is there anything wrong with the strobes? What's make you not choosing it?
Any drawback or weakness?

[Wilt]

Define where 'here' happens to be! POTN is global

[danielyamseng]

Here as of in POTN :-)

[Wilt]

Price...the Bron stuff is considerably pricier and few hobbyists have the budget for them! Even Dynalite is only fractionally more expensive than the budget lines and does not have as strong a following, so imagine what happens with products at the premium end of the product pricing!

[abdul10000]

Did you check the basic specs on those lights (4 stop range, slow duration, etc)? I was personally turned away when I first checked them. Never looked back at them after that.
They offer no advantage that I can see for the price. Mind you they don't even share the same modifier mount with Broncolor, making them a dead end choice when you plan to upgrade.

[danielyamseng]

I saw them doing promotion and the price is cheaper than bowen 500ws and Elinchrom BX 500Ri.

I saw the unit label as Switzerland and not made in Switzerland. Is it another fishy thing?

[Hermes]

Nothing fishy, they're decent quality lights that are low on features with an uncommon mount. I'd take the Bowens or the Elinchrom any day.

[danielyamseng]

Elinchrom also has non standard mounting.Their umbrella mount is smaller than others. Why it didn't share the same fate as Visatec?

[Wilt]

Keep in mind that popularity has NOTHING to do with the given suitability or quality of a product. And something might not be popular 'simply because'. Why is Pocket Wizard so popular now, and you seldom hear of Quantum Radio Slave now? Ten years ago, you would hear of Quantum Radio Slave all the time, and seldom hear of Pocket Wizard. Same products essentially as 10 years ago!

Same can be said of Sekonic and Minolta meters...Minolta dominant 10 years ago, Sekonic dominant today, even for used stuff.

AB strong today, WL seldom mentioned even though the products are essentially newer versions of what existed 10 years ago, and both made by the same company!

Fad recommendations, and buying to what the fad suggests to buy.

[Hermes]

Elinchrom also has non standard mounting.Their umbrella mount is smaller than others. Why it didn't share the same fate as Visatec?

Elinchrom mount is used by Genesis & Interfit strobes. Third party manufacturers are also more likely to make their accessories in Elinchrom mount than Visatecs. More importantly, Elinchrom themselves make a comprehensive range of modifiers, including many that are unique enough to make photographers want to switch brands.

[abdul10000]

Elinchrom also has non standard mounting.Their umbrella mount is smaller than others. Why it didn't share the same fate as Visatec?


got to keep in mind also that elinchrom offers top performance features like 6 stop power range fast recycling, excellent wireless control, etc. More importantly their prices are competitive. If I am not mistaken they are the most afforadable among European brands.

[danielyamseng]

Now I knew the strength of Elinchrom. Maybe I was blinded by those Visatec sales associates. I was almost buyed their idea that Elinchrom are more expensive to maintain given that it has more complicated Electronic circuit.

[abdul10000]

I was almost buyed their idea that Elinchrom are more expensive to maintain given that it has more complicated Electronic circuit.

Sounds like a cheap sales pitch to justify offering only 3 stops on the lowest models when elinchrom starts at 5 stops.

I am glad that you asked, that will save you money in the long run.

[danielyamseng]

Oh yeah, that's true :-). Initially I thought with their offer which give almost 50% discount from the retail price is a good buy. In addition to that a 500Ws is the cheapest amongst Profoto and Bowens 500W.

I thought since its from Bron, the quality should be more or less like a Bron despite it's manufactured under a different name.

But after listening from you all, I knew why indeed less ppl choose Visatec.

They offer some flexibility that I could change their bundled modifiers. But as you all said, it's expensive!

And the softbox quality is not that great eventhough it's original. It's looks flimsy. Even a korean Aurora softbox is a lot better build than them.

[tjongkristian]

I've gone through many strobes and settled with broncolor. Before settling with bron, I'd used their Visatec line. It is a very good strobe with the same light quality with bron. I mix visatec and bron line all the time. The softbox quality is very good actually. Light, good construction, can withstand abuse and simple to put together. The limited stop range did not bother me at all. Please bear in your mind that the greater the f stop range, the greater color temperature variation. With Broncolor power pack they have a feature which make sure that the color temp is the same throughout the f-stop range. IMHO, being their value line, Visatec did not have this feature. With a smaller f-stop range, the color temp variation problem can be eliminated. However, I acknowledge that Visatec and Bron are very expensive compared to others. Hope it helps.

[danielyamseng]

tjongkristian, that mean a lesser stops is not really a weakness but a strength :-)

And the thin layer of the softbox is that though? Great to hear from you at least it's really tough.

So am I right to say if for those craft of the Bron quality but can't afford it, Visatec is the best choice?

Wait, then a 5 stop Elinchrom would be the consistency is inferior to Visatec?

[abdul10000]

Wait, then a 5 stop Elinchrom would be the consistency is inferior to Visatec?

no, elinchroms are very constant across the range. tjon is probably thinking about alien bees or other lesser quality brands.

[danielyamseng]

abdul10000, I was relieved to hear from that Elinchrom is still consistency depsite having 5 stops

[tjongkristian]

I should clarify my statement. I believe Visatec has fewer range because they want to avoid the color temp variation (IMHO). The softbox is really that good. The first time I bought their softbox was second hand. It's been used by the previous owner extensively for 2 years (inhouse magazine photographer). I used them quite extensive as well for almost 2 years now, yet it does not show any sign of breaking.

[tjongkristian]

Would I recommend Visatec to anyone? Yes, I would without any hesitation. I've no experience with elinchrome but have been hearing good thing about it. Unfortunately, there is no easy way for me to access elinchrome products in my country. The distributor is actually located so far away from the capital city (go figure).