Elinchrom Lighting.

Hi

I'm looking into buying some studio lights that I can also use on outdoor Location shoots.
I'm fairly certain that I want to go with Elinchrom as I have used them in the studio before
and i've had nothing but positive experiences. I am unsure whether to go with a power pack
with flash heads or mono lights? What do I need to get either of these to operate outdoors? in terms of inverters or batterypacks..
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I would go with the Quadra or Ranger if you want to use them for "on location" shoots. There really isn't any available inverter/battery pack that will support multiple strobes reliably. Innovatronix is supposed to have a few packs coming out that should support multiple strobes but when or for what price has yet to be stated.

I went with a couple Elinchrom 600RX monolights and a couple AlienBee Vagabond Mini Lithiums. Love it so far.

Thanks heaps!
Are Power packs harder to use? I've only ever used Monolights.
And what type of inverter would support a pack consistently?
Sorry for the additional questions I just want to make sure I get what I need.

make sure you understand the limitations of the Ranger system and it's proportional lighting ratio.

If you go with the RX mono-lights the Innovatronix Explorer or the Vagabond will work fine. The issue with running multiple strobes on one of theses batteries is with the use of multi-voltage strobes like the D-Lite or BXri's. The new Innovatronix batteries are supposed to work fine with them, check out this thread. https://photography-on-the.net …=1001438&highli​ght=tronix

I have elinchrom and use the back up power supply for computers, you have to make sure it is a pure sine wave model.

For outdoor use get a Ranger or Quadra, a monolight with battery pack can't compare to them. However they are quite limited indoors (e.g. where monolight can be powered from wall). Weak modeling light compared to monoblock and Quadra only outputs 400w which can be limiting for some people. Also as a pack and head system the heads have 2:1 fixed asymmetric output, which is actually quite easy to get used to.

I own Quadra purely for its size and weight. I can fit Quadra kit + 30D w/ 24-70 and 85 1.8 in a ThinkTank Streetwalker HD which is smaller than carry on size.

In the end it depends on how much outdoors use you plan to do. If its more than indoors then a Ranger or Quadra will most likely be better for you, if outdoors use is just a side option needed then a Vagabond/Innovatronix battery and monolights will do better.

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12234144
For outdoor use get a Ranger or Quadra, a monolight with battery pack can't compare to them.

There are clear differences but I don't think it's fair to say that a monolight and battery pack can't compare. Sure it can.

True, I might have said it wrong. ^^ They are both different tools for different purposes (e.g. location vs studio). So Ranger/Quadra will be easier to use on location while monoblocks would be better for studio. Results will be the same, just different ways to get the same thing.

Thanks so much! it's definatley giving me something to think about
It gets a bit overwhelming with all the options available.

It all depends on how you want to work, you can either go the compact route with inverters or the dedicated batterypack system.

I personally don't use inverters as i don't find hauling compacts and a inverter as practical as using dedicated batterypacks with heads.

I don't know what your shooting, but since you mention that you will be shooting outdoors on location i assume it's more then on one single occasion. For that i would get a Elinchrom Quadra which can't be beat when it comes to weight/size/power. And if your budget allows it a pair of compacts as well such as the d-lites or higher end models if your wallet can take it.

Best of luck!

sigma pi wrote in post #12233832
I have elinchrom and use the back up power supply for computers, you have to make sure it is a pure sine wave model.

I've thought about doing this. What size?

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12234278
True, I might have said it wrong. ^^ They are both different tools for different purposes (e.g. location vs studio). So Ranger/Quadra will be easier to use on location while monoblocks would be better for studio. Results will be the same, just different ways to get the same thing.

That's still off.

Why would a Ranger or Quadra be easier on location? Just because of the built in battery? Multiple monolights on a battery will allow full independent adjustability and don't share power between them. Three 600w/s mono lights will get you up to 1800w/s between the three. A pack and head system will obviously have to split between each head on the pack or require multiple packs, which is $$$$. Monolights obviosly have self contained power units, which means if you need two lights ran off of one battery and spread out 70' apart, you just the the extension cords to support this.

They operate differently and that's what it boils down to.

Anyways, I use a pack and head system, so I'm not trying to stick up for monolights because I own them. I'm just saying that telling a person that the ranger/quadra is better for on location shooting and monolights are better for studio is a big generalization that probably doesn't apply to most people. In fact, most on location shooters I know that use "studio" lights (that's getting to be a bit blurred, eh?) go with Alien Bees and a Vagabond.

MR do little wrote in post #12243902
For that i would get a Elinchrom Quadra which can't be beat when it comes to weight/size/power. And if your budget allows it a pair of compacts as well such as the d-lites or higher end models if your wallet can take it.

Best of luck!

The only problem I have with the Quadra is lack of power, especially between two heads. 400w/s won't always cut it if you're shooting during the day under a bright sun. I was in a somewhat shady area trying to use a 340w/s bee with a large softbox to light two subjects and it was no were close to cutting it.

I was actually considering the quadra, but I just couldn't justify paying the price for something that wouldn't give me enough power when I needed it, so I went with Speedo packs and heads.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12231790
I went with a couple Elinchrom 600RX monolights and a couple AlienBee Vagabond Mini Lithiums. Love it so far.

How many pops do you get out of the mini lithiums with the 600rx? This seems like a super solution, especially considering you can just clamp the battery to your stand and leave it on there when packing up.... or heck, just velcro it to the flash head.