Portable lighting.

[Tlee05]

I'm really not sure what route to go down at the moment, I need a portable lighting kit as I will be doing urban model shoots, the question is which ones would you recommend, I been thinking about a alien bee set up.. max budget is £1500 but of course if I could get away with spending £700 for now I would. :D

[MR do little]

Why AB when your in the UK (if im not misstaken?)

How many lights and how much power do you want/need ?


How portable do you need it to be ?

[Tlee05]

Why AB when your in the UK (if im not misstaken?)

How many lights and how much power do you want/need ?


How portable do you need it to be ?

Fairly portable, something that can be carried in a bag and fairly easy to set up, its will be mostly for urban shots.

I have never really looked into lighting to be honest its a whole new field!
For some reason I have always liked the company alien bee but to be honest Bowens or Elinchrom would be just as good etc.

Mostly 2 lights for now, 250Ws Heads not sure If I should push it to 500w ones?

[jbrown7815]

I love my AB setup (2 lights and Vagabond + modifiers) FWIW

[Rudi]

While owning AB inside the US makes a lot of sense, it makes little sense when you don't! I don't know what your local pricing is like, but I would look into a Bowens outfit - their Travelpaks are nifty little battery packs that will power their monoblocs. I saw them at PMA Australia, and they looked very nice.

Personally, I use Elinchrom, and the new Ranger Quadra might be just what you need for location shoots - VERY small and light, and powerful enough for most situations.

[MR do little]

As Rudi already pointed out AB isnt that much cheaper then brands like Bowens or Elinchrom when you live outside the states.

Also the Elinchrom Quadra with two heads will fit (S kit) in your budget.

The bowens gemini with travel-pack is also a good compromise, the recycle time is quite long though and the weight of the battery is the double (for the highcapacity) Price of a kit with travel-pak is around the same as the two head quadra kit.

Kindest

[Rudi]

I didn't know about the long recycling times for the Bowens Travelpaks... that could be a deal-breaker right there, depending on what the OP shoots.

[MR do little]

Well long is relative... .-)

Its the double of the Quadra (4 sec) for 400/ws. For 1000/Ws its 10 seconds...

Still a good compromise for people invested in the gemini's already and want to take their monos on location.

[edward.hall]

If you are in UK I suggest you get a bowens (http://www.bowens.co.uk/) or elinchrom (http://www.elinchrom.com/products.php?cat=1) lights and Explorer XT (http://www.innovatronix.com/explorerXT.asp) to power your lights outdoor

[MR do little]

Edward while the Tronix coupled with a pair of mono's is great solution for many, its by no means portable with its 8.2kg and then you need to add the compacts ontop of that.

Then again it of course depends of ones definition of portable. :D

[edward.hall]

Edward while the Tronix coupled with a pair of mono's is great solution for many, its by no means portable with its 8.2kg and then you need to add the compacts ontop of that.

Then again it of course depends of ones definition of portable. :D


Yes, I think it depends on ones definition of portable.
The Explorer XT and Vagabond are almost the same in terms of weight I guess but with the monoflash/portable studio flashes I'm not sure.

There are also battery pack for camera flashes in the market if he wants that can of portability in using artificial lighting.

[MR do little]

Yes the Vagabond weighs about the same, but so do my Ranger RX 1100 Ws and i dont consider it portable in the sense that i can take it on location without any kind of transport.

Speedlights are very portable, they lack power and isnt very versatile when it comes to modifiers though.

Im venturing into more portraits on location(non wedding) at the end of the summer/this fall. For those occasions i really need portability since traveling in a crowded city by car inst very practical.

Here is my to go kit when i want to be portable (meaning i wont travel by car)

Contains a Quadra kit with acessories, speedlights, camera, stands, Micromini sunbounce, etc.
http://www.lindqvist-photography.com/showcase/cart.jpg

[Karl Johnston]

I was in the same boat, i had the same selections too.

I went with AB because I knew the system, already, and I save a bit of cash
I also ordered a ringflash

[Tlee05]

As Rudi already pointed out AB isnt that much cheaper then brands like Bowens or Elinchrom when you live outside the states.

Also the Elinchrom Quadra with two heads will fit (S kit) in your budget.

The bowens gemini with travel-pack is also a good compromise, the recycle time is quite long though and the weight of the battery is the double (for the highcapacity) Price of a kit with travel-pak is around the same as the two head quadra kit.

Kindest

Thanks Paul, I tried looking for a deal on the Elinchrom Quadra but cant really find any?

I was looking at the travel-pack from bowens... like some of your mentioned about, the current ones I'm looking at are these two:
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1030422
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1029934

I'm trying to decide on the recycling time and the features/weight and of course power.

[MR do little]

Hi! Robertwhite & of course the flash center has them. Dont know of any great "deals" though since they are so new still.

[Tlee05]

Hi! Robertwhite & of course the flash center has them. Dont know of any great "deals" though since they are so new still.

Well I found a set up, on the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Complete Set S, but of course there would be more features I would need to add pushing me over the £1500 mark. It basically comes with power pack unit, battery, charger, 2 S heads, 2 connecting cables, hard case.

I looked more into the timing on the travelpak, it can do upto 750 shots on a single charge, which sounds fairly impressive. The timing is fairly slow, can I deal with it?
400w I would be looking at 4 second for 1 head and 8 seconds for 2.
500w pushes it up to 5 seconds 1 head and 10 seconds for 2 heads.

[MR do little]

Yes i assumed you had stands etc, so yes the Quadra kit will set you back even more.

750 shots is @ 200Ws, on 400Ws it gives you 185 shots (370 with the high capacity travel-pak).

The Quadra gives you 150 on max power, and with the kit you get two batteries wich gives you 300 shots.

The highcapacity pack wich gives you 370 on one charge weighs more then a Quadra and two batteries (wich gives you 300 shots) And a much faster recycling time.

Only you know if you can deal with the longer recycle times, i personally often cant, and those times i can i dont want to. :-)

The Bowens is great stuff, im quite impressed by their lineup. If you can live with the weight (exra bulk) and the recycling times im sure you will be more then happy with it.

The Quadra are if you really want something portable and have the money to spend on stands etc.

Also remember that you most likley will buy more stuff, and at this point you are not only shopping for a portable ligtning solution, your also making a choice in wich system you will invest your money in.



Kindest

[MR do little]

In case you havent browsed thru this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=662279), it has alot of info regarding the Quadra.

Kindest

[Tlee05]

In case you havent browsed thru this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=662279), it has alot of info regarding the Quadra.

Kindest

You are really selling this piece of kit to me! I can't believe how small it is! Would the A head not be better than the S head? As it has a better response time?

Lets say the kit cost me roughly £1300, Which light weight stands would you recommend? What would you add to the kit? some proprietary modifiers or softboxes?
I'm reading the thread now! Got a good 23 pages to go :) thanks.

[MR do little]

You are really selling this piece of kit to me! I can't believe how small it is! Would the A head not be better than the S head? As it has a better response time?

Lets say the kit cost me roughly £1300, Which light weight stands would you recommend? What would you add to the kit? some proprietary modifiers or softboxes?
I'm reading the thread now! Got a good 23 pages to go :) thanks.

:D

The A head kit has shorter flash duration and thus can freeze action better, the price diffrence is not that big so i would go with the A head kit if i had the cash to throw.


Im using the Manfrotto Nano stands (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1031134) for times when im just gonna use the 13.5 cm standard reflector and the 18cm+grid. (wich is my intention most of the time for single person portraits in a "urban enviroment")

They will hold the quadra without any problems, for windy conditions a smaller "dead weight" or sandbag at the base will do. For times when i use the adapter to use larger modifiers with it im using Elinchrom (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1004719)/photoflex "full size" stands.

As for proprietary modifier i would definetly get the 18cm reflector, as i already have a small softbox from Chimera i havent ordered the Elinchrom 40x40cm SB, however i might later since it will reduce the need for a adapter wich will reduce weight & bulk. The lastolite Ezybox might be a good alternative as its alot cheaper.



Kindest

[Tlee05]

:D

The A head kit has shorter flash duration and thus can freeze action better, the price diffrence is not that big so i would go with the A head kit if i had the cash to throw.


Im using the Manfrotto Nano stands (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1031134) for times when im just gonna use the 13.5 cm standard reflector and the 18cm+grid. (wich is my intention most of the time for single person portraits in a "urban enviroment")

They will hold the quadra without any problems, for windy conditions a smaller "dead weight" or sandbag at the base will do. For times when i use the adapter to use larger modifiers with it im using Elinchrom (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1004719)/photoflex "full size" stands.

As for proprietary modifier i would definetly get the 18cm reflector, as i already have a small softbox from Chimera i havent ordered the Elinchrom 40x40cm SB, however i might later since it will reduce the need for a adapter wich will reduce weight & bulk. The lastolite Ezybox might be a good alternative as its alot cheaper.



Kindest

Thanks, how did you find it without the 13.5 reflector? Do you have any pictures of your current set up?

You will be pleased to know I have just put down a order for..
Manfrotto 5001B Nano Stand x2
Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1028348&Type=1)
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Complete Set A with Case (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1031610&Type=1)

[roanjohn]

Thanks, how did you find it without the 13.5 reflector? Do you have any pictures of your current set up?

You will be pleased to know I have just put down a order for..
Manfrotto 5001B Nano Stand x2
Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1028348&Type=1)
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Complete Set A with Case (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1031610&Type=1)

The set comes with a transmitter. Unless you want an extra while metering.

[MR do little]

Thanks, how did you find it without the 13.5 reflector? Do you have any pictures of your current set up?

You will be pleased to know I have just put down a order for..
Manfrotto 5001B Nano Stand x2
Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1028348&Type=1)
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Complete Set A with Case (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/../product/default.aspx?sku=1031610&Type=1)


Hi!

Well to be honest i havent used it with bare head. Do you mean a piture of the Quadra ?


Congrats!

As already been mentioned a skyport transmitter is included in the kit, but you maybe want it for a second body, or backup ?

Kindest

[Tlee05]

The set comes with a transmitter. Unless you want an extra while metering.

My mistake so I got two coming, looks like one will be going back. :rolleyes:

Hi!

Well to be honest i havent used it with bare head. Do you mean a piture of the Quadra ?


Congrats!

As already been mentioned a skyport transmitter is included in the kit, but you maybe want it for a second body, or backup ?

Kindest

so you would recommend me Grid Reflector 60° 18 cm on top? Softer lighting on the shadows compared to the 13.5 I take it?

I'm currently looking at the RQ Softbox 40 x 40 But I'm not sure If I really want to carry a softbox around another option would be to go for a umbrella but how many would I end up breaking.

Have you tried out the compact refl 21cm. :D

[MR do little]

There is only 3 grids availabe for the 18cm reflector, 12°,20°,30°.

The 13,5cm standard reflector is 70° and the 18cm reflector is 55°.

18cm reflector with a 30° grid will give you a more focused beam of light.

I have the standard 21cm reflector and grids, havent tested it on the Ranger Q though.

Kindest

[jbrown7815]

Hope you don't plan to use those lights outside with any modifiers on them, nano stands are nice, but they are very lightweigh, not too sturdy considering.

[MR do little]

Yes the nanostands arent that heavy so in windy conditions a dead weight or sandbag will suffice for small softboxes or the Ranger Q reflectors. For bigger stuff use normal sized stands and secure them properly.

I use These (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5194-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_172_172_Counter_Balance _Weight.html) on my Nano stands

Kindest

[MR do little]

As a side note, what i really like with the Ranger Q and nano stand is that i can carry them so easily. Unless i use the Ranger Q on the Sunbounce Micro mini, it stays in my bag (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=8121563&postcount=132) so when i want to move from one spot to another i just pick up the bag and grab the nano with the head attached, its way so little so its effortless.

[Underscore]

I'm really not sure what route to go down at the moment, I need a portable lighting kit as I will be doing urban model shoots, the question is which ones would you recommend, I been thinking about a alien bee set up.. max budget is £1500 but of course if I could get away with spending £700 for now I would. :D

Check out the new Elinchrom Quadra two light setup. See if you can find one used.

[Rudi]

Check out the new Elinchrom Quadra two light setup. See if you can find one used.

You're a tad late, Underscore. :lol:

[MR do little]

What Elinchrom Quadra ?!? Where !?! ;)