Thinking of starting an Elinchrom system.

So, I'm thinking of starting an Elinchrom system, and looking for some advice from experienced users.

I'm thinking of starting with the 500/500 BXRI kit, with the intention of adding a 250 BXRI, boom stand and Octa at some point. My other alternative would be to try to find a used 600RX kit. Thoughts?

Also, I'd like to leverage the skyport system for speedlites, 580 EXII, 540 EZ, Lumo Pro 160. Other than the Speed transmitter, and universal speed receivers, what else would I need? Some sort of hotshoe adapter for the 540 EZ, and special sync cables for the others?

Thanks.

My main thought is that the 500BXRI lights are multivoltage, which makes it much more difficult to find a portable power source that will work on location. The vagabond mini lithum might work (I haven't done a lot of research into power packs recently), but in general...multivoltage and portable power aren't friends.

Can't say regarding the Vagabond Minis but the full-size Vagabond II is NFG with BX lights...

I'd go RX...

What sort of price difference do you see between the 500BXRI and the Style 600 RX ?

About $450 US between these two kits, and the 600RX kit has no modifiers, light stands, etc... so add significantly more to that....

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …BXRi_500_500_To​_Go_2.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …al_Style_Combo_​600RX.html

BluewookieJim wrote in post #13460223
So, I'm thinking of starting an Elinchrom system, and looking for some advice from experienced users.

I'm thinking of starting with the 500/500 BXRI kit, with the intention of adding a 250 BXRI, boom stand and Octa at some point. My other alternative would be to try to find a used 600RX kit. Thoughts?

Also, I'd like to leverage the skyport system for speedlites, 580 EXII, 540 EZ, Lumo Pro 160. Other than the Speed transmitter, and universal speed receivers, what else would I need? Some sort of hotshoe adapter for the 540 EZ, and special sync cables for the others?

Thanks.

BXRi's are nice, they have the built in skyport too which saves you some money over the higher end RX strobes.

I find the 250/500 combo more useful than the 500/500, because of the lower minimum power that the 250BXRi gives you. Both are more than adequate for indoor use with a DSLR, and I'm rarely using full power. The RX strobes do have a wider adjustment range, so they go lower in power - another advantage of them if you can find a good deal.

I'd probably skip the "kit" package. Eventually you will want better stands (look into Avenger) and you'll want Rotalux softboxes instead of the cheaper Portalite softboxes, so that money "saved" on the kit will end up being lost. A little hunting, buying good condition used gear, etc, will give you better bang for the buck. If you need to save money while building the kit, a modifier like the Photek Softliter will be inexpensive and makes great light.

Check out Flashzebra.com for sync cables and hotshoe mounts to go with the Skyport Universal receivers. They have everything you'd need. I use a hotshoe sync cable mount with my 550EX and a sync cable with screwlock for my 580EX II.

I ran out of battery on my Explorer XT and the guy helping me out had a Vag mini Lithium, so we used that. I was shooting at minimum power on the 500BxRi, and no problems. Fired about 50-60 shots to end the shoot and no glitches. I did NOT power the light to full power and shoot with it. Should have, but didn't.

I would agree on skipping the kit. But the lights you need, and some robust stands. Buy the modifiers you want long term, not the small 25x25 softbox you get with the kit.

I do realize that the light stands and softboxes in the BXRI kit are not all that great. That being said, if I buy the 2 BXRI 500s and the tube bag, it's only $50 less than the full kit. I have a solid Manfrotto 004B stand at the moment, and I'm waiting for a LumoPro 694 boom kit.

BluewookieJim wrote in post #13463003
I do realize that the light stands and softboxes in the BXRI kit are not all that great. That being said, if I buy the 2 BXRI 500s and the tube bag, it's only $50 less than the full kit. I have a solid Manfrotto 004B stand at the moment, and I'm waiting for a LumoPro 694 boom kit.

I went through the same cycle regarding studio lights a few months ago. I ended up picking up the RX 600 kit. As one of the previous posters noted, there can be issues when powering multiple BXRI lights from a portable power source. That was a big enough concern for me to select RX 600 lights. If you happen to live near an area where there are regular photography shows or events, it might be worth while to time your purchase with a show. It won't be earth shattering, but it might save you $50.

Hope this helps,

110yd

I bought the BXRi 500/500 kit from B&H early last year and they came with really nice Manfrotto stands. I'm not sure if that is different now.

The Portalite softboxes have been fine for my small product work, but I just last week ordered the 53" Octa for a portrait project I have coming up next month. I have been very happy with the BXRi lights but I never use them outdoors. Just on location where I have access to consistent power sources. For outdoor stuff I just use my speedlights usually.

I switched to Elinchrom from a fairly extensive White Lightning kit and I am 10x happier with these lights.

The reason I bought the BXRis over the Style RX lights was simply because they were the best I could afford in the Elinchrom lineup. If / when I add more lights I will probably look into the RX 600s. In all honesty though, the BXRis have more than met my needs and I have no complaints.

agphotography wrote in post #13463812
I bought the BXRi 500/500 kit from B&H early last year and they came with really nice Manfrotto stands. I'm not sure if that is different now.

The Portalite softboxes have been fine for my small product work, but I just last week ordered the 53" Octa for a portrait project I have coming up next month. I have been very happy with the BXRi lights but I never use them outdoors. Just on location where I have access to consistent power sources. For outdoor stuff I just use my speedlights usually.

I switched to Elinchrom from a fairly extensive White Lightning kit and I am 10x happier with these lights.

The reason I bought the BXRis over the Style RX lights was simply because they were the best I could afford in the Elinchrom lineup. If / when I add more lights I will probably look into the RX 600s. In all honesty though, the BXRis have more than met my needs and I have no complaints.

I was looking for the "like" button agree 1000%

agphotography wrote in post #13463812
I bought the BXRi 500/500 kit from B&H early last year and they came with really nice Manfrotto stands. I'm not sure if that is different now.

The Portalite softboxes have been fine for my small product work, but I just last week ordered the 53" Octa for a portrait project I have coming up next month. I have been very happy with the BXRi lights but I never use them outdoors. Just on location where I have access to consistent power sources. For outdoor stuff I just use my speedlights usually.

I switched to Elinchrom from a fairly extensive White Lightning kit and I am 10x happier with these lights.

The reason I bought the BXRis over the Style RX lights was simply because they were the best I could afford in the Elinchrom lineup. If / when I add more lights I will probably look into the RX 600s. In all honesty though, the BXRis have more than met my needs and I have no complaints.

WOW pretty darn close to my story!

sigma pi wrote in post #13464223
WOW pretty darn close to my story!

Be careful or you might get labeled "Elinchrom Fan Boy"...if there is such a thing.

110yd

110yd wrote in post #13464431
Be careful or you might get labeled "Elinchrom Fan Boy"...if there is such a thing.

110yd

Too late. Pi is certified. Or is that certifiable? I always get them confused.

I started by buying a single bx500ri and a cheap 40" octa. I already had some cheap stands that I was using with speedlites so I made do with those for a while. Over time I added 3 more lights, several modifiers, better stands, etc.

110yd wrote in post #13464431
Be careful or you might get labeled "Elinchrom Fan Boy"...if there is such a thing.

110yd

Meh probably already labeled


Nevermind all the bad stuff I have said about them.