My startup lighting gear

So, I am ready to hit the buy button on B&H photo for the 600 rx kit http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …al_Style_Combo_​600RX.html and I wanted to find out if I want to use these lights outdoors, which portable power source would be best suited? I came across the Vagabond mini http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/vm120.php but are there other better options for me if I also wanted to use the 600rx outdoors?

Thank you and I can't wait to get my setup going.

http://www.innovatroni​x.com/

For the 600RX the Vagabond Mini is the best choice, far more pops than the innovatronix mini.

I would say the explorer xt. It works well for me.

http://www.innovatroni​x.com/explorerXT.asp

Reading lot of good things about vagabond so now just doing comparison between vagabond and innovatrix.

Also, I am curious as I haven't researched much about this but the quadra series, can they also be used indoors? From what I have read the answer is yes, however modeling lights only last 30 seconds or so??? I want to be able to use my 600rx indoors and outdoors and the decision is killing me now as there are quite a few options. I only have until tmw to decide as my friend will be bringing the lights for me from states in 2 weeks.

I would really try and figure out what your outdoor-location to studio lighting ratio is.
I don't consider the Quadra and 600RX in the same light catogory. A 600RX and Ranger RX Speed AS would be a better comparison.

The Ranger RX Speed AS has has lighter flash heads and 8.5 Stops of power control to the 6 Stops of the 600RX. It's modeling light is marginally useful, but you can't use a modeling light outdoors really anyway.

Have you considered the BXRi500? I just picked up a used one from one of the forum members. It's a great light and it along with a couple of Dlite4s are my studio lights that I can augment with a couple of my Ranger RX Speed ASs if needed.

I really like the Power band on the Rangers, it's nice to be able drop way down.

There are plenty of people that are using Elinchrom monolights with batteries, so you'll get good feed back here.

The Quadra looks really nice for a good portable light that is lighter, by far than the Ranger RX Speed AS, but it's not as robust.

windpig wrote in post #13667091
I would really try and figure out what your outdoor-location to studio lighting ratio is.
I don't consider the Quadra and 600RX in the same light catogory. A 600RX and Ranger RX Speed AS would be a better comparison.

The Ranger RX Speed AS has has lighter flash heads and 8.5 Stops of power control to the 6 Stops of the 600RX. It's modeling light is marginally useful, but you can't use a modeling light outdoors really anyway.

Have you considered the BXRi500? I just picked up a used one from one of the forum members. It's a great light and it along with a couple of Dlite4s are my studio lights that I can augment with a couple of my Ranger RX Speed ASs if needed.

I really like the Power band on the Rangers, it's nice to be able drop way down.

There are plenty of people that are using Elinchrom monolights with batteries, so you'll get good feed back here.

The Quadra looks really nice for a good portable light that is lighter, by far than the Ranger RX Speed AS, but it's not as robust.

I am starting new into this venture but knowing myself, I know I would shoot especially in summer more outdoors and indoors in winter as our winters are horribly cold with temperatures going as low as -40 degree celcius . I want to be able to use my lights in both settings and not be limited in any way.

Regarding BXRi, those were initially what I was going to get but then after doing more reading and research and from few forum threads here, I decided to go with 600rx for more wireless control especially having the capability to connect to pc/mac as well as more power.

Now, I am also comparing some ranger packs as well to see if I should get something with more portability.

Can't believe I am doing this but I am now buying the quadra's. I have until tomorrow afternoon to ponder this decision but I think I am going with the Ranger Quadra Head A Pro Set as they are good for both indoor and outdoors and I can use them at events such as weddings and birthdays etc....as well as, use them for small home studio projects.

Karim1980 wrote in post #13670436
Can't believe I am doing this but I am now buying the quadra's. I have until tomorrow afternoon to ponder this decision but I think I am going with the Ranger Quadra Head A Pro Set as they are good for both indoor and outdoors and I can use them at events such as weddings and birthdays etc....as well as, use them for small home studio projects.

Acquiring equipment is all about compromise.

Karim1980 wrote in post #13670436
Can't believe I am doing this but I am now buying the quadra's. I have until tomorrow afternoon to ponder this decision but I think I am going with the Ranger Quadra Head A Pro Set as they are good for both indoor and outdoors and I can use them at events such as weddings and birthdays etc....as well as, use them for small home studio projects.

They are on sale at Vistek (in ontario). If not, ask about the holiday price and ask if they will still grant you the sale price. Speak with Alex. He's a great guy!

Aressem wrote in post #13670908
They are on sale at Vistek (in ontario). If not, ask about the holiday price and ask if they will still grant you the sale price. Speak with Alex. He's a great guy!

I saw that price of $2299.99 and I am not sure what the holiday price was but with tax included I am looking at $2299.99 X1.13%=$2598.99.

I will call Alex tomorrow to see if better pricing can be done, otherwise my friend will be getting it for me as I will have it shipped to Houston and he will bring it back for me.

Out of curiosity, how much was the holiday pricing?

Karim1980 wrote in post #13670949
I saw that price of $2299.99 and I am not sure what the holiday price was but with tax included I am looking at $2299.99 X1.13%=$2598.99.

I will call Alex tomorrow to see if better pricing can be done, otherwise my friend will be getting it for me as I will have it shipped to Houston and he will bring it back for me.

Out of curiosity, how much was the holiday pricing?

Which kit are you referring to? I paid $2299 for the Ranger RX Speed AS with the "A" head.

I was talking about the Quadra though as I know they were also on sale by a fairly good margin as well. Not sure what the price was though.

Aressem wrote in post #13671145
Which kit are you referring to? I paid $2299 for the Ranger RX Speed AS with the "A" head.

He's talking about the Quadra 2 light kit I believe.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Ranger_Quadra_H​ead_S.html

I have the Quadra 2 head kit and 2 x600RX and if I was buying again from scratch I think I'd look at 2 x 600RX + a VML and a D-Lite IT4 to start with. Gives you a lot more flexibility and I can tell you having little to no modelling light sucks for studio work. THat being said, Scott on these forums producing amazing studio work with 2 x Quadras.