European alternative to Paul C Buff (cheap+portable)

dmward wrote in post #15202856
That's at full power. As you reduce power the times get longer.
Also, you'd be surprised about those durations being fast enough. That's good, better than others for the most part.

Here is a link to an ad Buff put out that shows the relative difference in t.1 speeds at max and min power. http://www.paulcbuff.c​om …ads/e640_specsm​anship.jpg

I know that strobes that don't use an IGBT transistor the speed increases with lower powers but still.
I'll go check out the link, thanks!

Trailboy wrote in post #15202794
n buy whatever you want, but in your circumstances I would opt for an einstein and pay the extra. Multi voltage, you said "I would like something fast so I can also use it for action sports", and the ABs are notoriously slow in flash duration, while the einstein is notoriously fast.

Thanks! I thought the AB's were slow too until I looked up their times. An AB400 with t.1 1/2000 is pretty darn fast. More than fast enough for anything I'd need (mountainbiking/skiing​/skateboarding)

EDIT:

Came across these times:
http://www.gock.net …-durations-small-strobes/

Not quite the times Paul C Buff released in the link from the post above mine, but not bad either. Might have to look into Einsteins, but I already have a hard time justifying spending 500$ on AB+VML, let alone an Einstein...

If you are serious about wanting to stop action then its really down to speedlites, Einsteins, or the really expensive Scoro packs from Broncolor.

As noted with the ABs if you use lower Ws units with well sized capacitors some reasonable times are available. But they get longer as the power is dialed back. I didn't do the math, but the relationship between t.5 and t.1 is reasonably consistent from light to light. That will help you evaluate other units that only list t.5 times.

I have 2 Yn-560's now as my strobist setup and am quite happy about them.

An Ab400 which has a 1/1200 flash duration (which I think will be fast enough) has an approximate GN of 77 at full power. My YN-560's have a GN of 38, so about half of the AB400. But then I have to use it at 1/2 to make the flash duration 1/1200, so I end up with about a quarter of the power of the AB and a 1/1200 flash duration.

I might just go the route of buying another two Yn-560's. That's a ton of power, cheap, versatile, portable and should (I think) be enough power for almost anything I'm going to shoot.

That's really the most important question.
What are you shooting? What do you want to shoot? What kind of lighting do you need to accomplish your objectives?

I have three light kits; A) 4 Einsteins for commercial jobs, including portraits, larger products and studio sessions. B) 4 600EX-RTs for faster moving events, weddings, and other situations where things are constantly in flux. C) 6 speedlites with manual triggers. Mostly for small table top product photography, and when I want to set something up without taking the time to get out big lights and modifiers. I also use the manual speedlites for special projects like shooting smoke, dropping things into water etc. where stop action is important. The Einsteins, along with VMLs are used for larger environments when stopping action is key. i.e. waves crashing on ice, sports etc.

TijmenDal wrote in post #15202464
I figured I could get a VML+AB for around 500$/400€ and that's about as much as I want to spend

Also, I couldn't find the t.1 for the Genesis lights. I would like something fast so I can also use it for action sports. 1/1000 minimum.

The Tronix Explorer Mini is ok, but quite heavy (11.2 lbs) compared to the VML (3.5lbs) as well as 200€ more expensive.

Are there any disadvantages of using a 110V Alienbees kit with adapters in 220V/240V countries?

I'm away from my bookmarks or I would give you a link, but the Genesis are are the slow side for most of the regular strobes that you'll see recommended. The thread was over in the sports forum.

Just found this out:

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/faq.php#internation​al
Look under the LAST Q+A under the International haeding. Apparently you can use the 110V ones on a 220v net, the only downside is 15% longer recycle times because of 50 vs 60hz, which is no big deal because 98% of the time I will be firing them outside with a VML and then that wouldn't apply.

There is also an answer that indicates that for a small fee they will build the AB400, 800 with a 220V power capability. That sounds like the best solution.
Then get a 220V VML and your good to go.

dmward wrote in post #15206696
There is also an answer that indicates that for a small fee they will build the AB400, 800 with a 220V power capability. That sounds like the best solution.
Then get a 220V VML and your good to go.

Yeah, I figured that out myself too. It should cost 10$ extra for both AB and VML. 20$ is a very reasonable price for that 'upgrade'.

Have you thought about Hensel? Although it's German product it's much cheaper in USA. It works on all voltages too. And I also have to say that their support in Germany is extremely good

Bowens have deep penetration in Europe and many models have automatic voltage switching to suit wherever you want to use them and whatever their voltage is. Work off battery too.

ile wrote in post #15206786
Have you thought about Hensel? Although it's German product it's much cheaper in USA. It works on all voltages too. And I also have to say that their support in Germany is extremely good

But it's also really expensive. Thanks for post nonetheless.