New D-lites?

Note that the kits now include a reflector and transmitter. I like these new lights but I feel really miffed after buying a D-Lite 4 kit and having the terrible mounts fail on me and nearly crash to the ground. (Operator error by an assistant)

eduardofrances wrote in post #9556763

x2
Also is it me or there´s a 8mm umbrella holder ala RX in the swivel?

that would be perfect in conjunction with paul c buff's plm version 2's.

one thing i hope that elinchrom has addressed is the so-called intelligent fan cooling (hopefully it means that the fans kick in when they are needed rather than being on the whole time.)

i hope that elinchrom finally includes standard reflectors in their d-lite strobes. it annoys the heck out of me when they half-arse the final product. the built in skyports are a good selling point to move people away from the cheap ebay triggers, but then again they perform the SAME task of cheap ebay triggers, so cheap ebay triggers will still have some use with this.

i think what is most important (other than addressing the mount improvements) include
- but now includes the intelligent slave cell enabling it to synchronize with “strobist” speedlite systems
-[SIZE=3] Sync speeds of up to 1/250s
-built in spare fuse. (i'm sure it would be a headache to locate a spare fuse before a shoot, but at least a spare would ease the mind)

not too shabby.

internal skyport is one big fat plus over old version i have
otherwise, the same little good strobe

c2thew wrote in post #9564418
that would be perfect in conjunction with paul c buff's plm version 2's.

one thing i hope that elinchrom has addressed is the so-called intelligent fan cooling (hopefully it means that the fans kick in when they are needed rather than being on the whole time.)

i hope that elinchrom finally includes standard reflectors in their d-lite strobes. it annoys the heck out of me when they half-arse the final product. the built in skyports are a good selling point to move people away from the cheap ebay triggers, but then again they perform the SAME task of cheap ebay triggers, so cheap ebay triggers will still have some use with this.

i think what is most important (other than addressing the mount improvements) include
- but now includes the intelligent slave cell enabling it to synchronize with “strobist” speedlite systems
-[SIZE=3] Sync speeds of up to 1/250s
-built in spare fuse. (i'm sure it would be a headache to locate a spare fuse before a shoot, but at least a spare would ease the mind)

not too shabby.

roman_t wrote in post #9564565
internal skyport is one big fat plus over old version i have
otherwise, the same little good strobe

Don't forget intelligent fan cooling. I have the regular fan-cooled D-Lites and the fan is always on. They're not silent either.

I'm too busy shooting to hear the fans

the flashcentre link shows the refector is optional(extra cost)

The intelligent fan cooling is 100% useless in my experience. Hearing the fan constantly switching off is worrying. Hearing it constantly whirring back to life is distracting.

With normal fan cooled lights you get used to the noise on the set, turn the music up a bit louder and it's not a problem. Noise that starts/stops all the time just draws attention to itself.

For table top shooting I've been wanting one more light and getting one of these newer D lights would be perfect, also I might be even more interested if they make something in the 200W range, it's more often that I have too much power at the bottom end than not enough at the top end.
For both Portrait and Table Top, not having the built in Skyports really isn't an issue as I only have to put a receiver on one head and the rest on Optical (they work exceptionally well).

Vascilli wrote in post #9564668
Don't forget intelligent fan cooling. I have the regular fan-cooled D-Lites and the fan is always on. They're not silent either.

i have one fanless d-lite2 and its fine and silent one. usb controlled skyports would be great to have

Intelligent cooling makes sense, in theory, but I completely agree with Hermes about the distraction of having the fans going on and off. I've never had anyone complain or bring it to my attention and have always had strobes that had a cooling fan when powered on. I think people will get used to the low noise floor produced by the fans constant activity and be distracted or given reason to think about it if the fans go on and off.

Optical triggers are nice and in most cases won't present a problem but I have been in situations where there was a lot of tight and controlled lighting with the optical trigger being blocked from seeing a flash because of a flag or gobo. The new D-Lite's will also appeal to anyone that already has a Skyport RX or Universal kit and wants to add a D-Lite without also having the added cost of a Skyport receiver.

Id should be noted that I've owned D-Lite 4's and 2's and did quite a bit of testing with them. Other than the highly discussed swivel mount and slightly lesser build quality of the actual accessory mount and housing, the D-Lite's are every bit an Elinchrom as the RX series. They perform really well.

If all Elinchrom did was add the stronger swivel without beefing up the housing of the strobe then they wasted their time. If you attach a modifier that is heavy enough to make the swivel sag you run the real risk of snapping the horrible crappy plastic housing/casing of the D-Lite. The swivel slides into the housing and attaches by way of 2 extremely thin and flimsy plastic ears that is integral to the housing. The housing can and will crack if you attach a heavy enough modifier, such as a 5ft octobox. Adding just the stronger swivel is pointless if the plastic housing didn't get updated. From the above pic I'd have to say the housing didn't get updated. Do I really need to post the pic of my broken D-Lite for the 100,000th time, LOL?

shooterman wrote in post #9568018
If all Elinchrom did was add the stronger swivel without beefing up the housing of the strobe then they wasted their time. If you attach a modifier that is heavy enough to make the swivel sag you run the real risk of snapping the horrible crappy plastic housing/casing of the D-Lite. The swivel slides into the housing and attaches by way of 2 extremely thin and flimsy plastic ears that is integral to the housing. The housing can and will crack if you attach a heavy enough modifier, such as a 5ft octobox. Adding just the stronger swivel is pointless if the plastic housing didn't get updated. From the above pic I'd have to say the housing didn't get updated. Do I really need to post the pic of my broken D-Lite for the 100,000th time, LOL?

No, of course you don't Randy

But in the many years I've followed Elinchrom products and forums yours is the only case I've seen like what you've described and shown. I'm sure there are others out there but it doesn't seem as popular as those that just have a weak, flimsy or broken ratchet handle or component of the mount that reveals itself from overtightening due to a larger or heavy modifier pulling down on the front.

TMR Design wrote in post #9568053
No, of course you don't Randy

But in the many years I've followed Elinchrom products and forums yours is the only case I've seen like what you've described and shown. I'm sure there are others out there but it doesn't seem as popular as those that just have a weak, flimsy or broken ratchet handle or component of the mount that reveals itself from overtightening due to a larger or heavy modifier pulling down on the front.

Maybe so Robert, but whenever I can get the chance to **** about the flimsy quality of the D-Lite, I'm in like Flynn. Seriously, I'm pretty damn easy on my stuff so there's no way anyone will ever convince me it's something I did to make it break. It's just the crappy build quality of the D-Lites.

shooterman wrote in post #9568228
Maybe so Robert, but whenever I can get the chance to **** about the flimsy quality of the D-Lite, I'm in like Flynn. Seriously, I'm pretty damn easy on my stuff so there's no way anyone will ever convince me it's something I did to make it break. It's just the crappy build quality of the D-Lites.

i have thought they are built weak too but one of my d-lite2 smashed on concrete floor with 2 meters stand (power cable pulled by walking) i said its dead. no way! no crack of housing or mount, works fine just modeling bulb went to bin and grid reflector was deformed well. i checked it inside - all safe. i'm lucky sob

roman_t wrote in post #9568375
i have thought they are built weak too but one of my d-lite2 smashed on concrete floor with 2 meters stand (power cable pulled by walking) i said its dead. no way! no crack of housing or mount, works fine just modeling bulb went to bin and grid reflector was deformed well. i checked it inside - all safe. i'm lucky sob

If I could only be so lucky, LOL!