Run & Gun Lighting

For those of you with portable (off camera) lighting, do you prefer and use speed lights, strobes, or a combination of the two at the same time? What is your "go to" setup?

What brand of lights And what trigger system did you choose and why (control, power, mobility, quality, modifier compatability).

If you use a combination of speed lights and strobes, what trigger system(s) do you prefer?

"run and gun" is speedlites. I use 600EX-RTs.
Studio strobes are for controlled situations.
Cheetah Light is a hybrid that can live in either world but it is closer to a studio strobe in power.
Not for Real R&G. But faster and easier to use on location than studio strobes.

It seems that browsing the photo sharing section, that strobes are very popular for on location shooting like weddings and senior portraits, which I would consider dynamic shooting situations. I'm actually very interested in the cheetah solution, but it seems quite expensive for a 150ws solution and not accepting traditional speeding modifiers. I also think availability of ac adapter would make the cheetah light more appealing. For a little more than a cheetah light and battery I can get an Einstein and vagabond mini.

AB/Einstein with VML here. Speedlites don't save me much weight for what I shoot and have very low power compared to Einsteins.

R&G x2

1, set up
3 Speedlites on 1 stand w/ or w/o umbrella depending on situation. wireless trigger. light weight set up time 5 minutes.

2, set up
Elinchrom BXri 500 kit (two 500s and wireless remote) two stands 1 sand bag
10x12 background stand w/ 10x12 gray background
3 large clamps, 4 small clamps
2x 15ft power cords, 1 surge protector
gaffers tape, tripod
Two 46" umbrellas, but most of the time I bring two Elinchrom softboxes that are carried separate from the bag.
All tucked into a large nylon golf travel bag with wheels.
(Takes 15-20 minutes for set up and 10-15 minutes tear down ***By myself***)

I bought an Einstein and VML, but it was too heavy and cumbersome for my lighting assistant. I now use the Cheetah CL-180 setup, and it is much more portable and easier to use (but not as powerful...)

I did back to back engagement sessions this weekend with the CL-180 and my lighting assistant was much happier, and so was I.

When the CL-360 gets released at the end of May, I'm going to be selling my Einstein/VML.

I use a elinchrom quarda s head or a the eco ringflash and a guy to hold it or mono pod. The pack store in a backpack and i control the power of the unit using the elinchrom speed trigger.

For the mountain biking event stuff I do, where I will move from spot-to-spot, I use two 600EX-RT in a gang triggered by a ST-E3-RT.

The ability to change the flash power from the camera was worth the cost of upgrading.
The ST-E3-RT beeping to confirm the flashes are ready is useful for knowing if the batteries requires replacement.

I have two elinchom quadra that I use when on-location with models.
Nice, but in no were as portable as the canon system

djlb wrote in post #15889285
I have two elinchom quadra that I use when on-location with models.
Nice, but in no were as portable as the canon system

I guess to each there own, I find the canon system to be underpowered for most of the shoots I do. Sure it works great in shade or having the flash in really close. The cost 1,500.00 for 2 small flashes and a st-3 is way to much for what you get. It would be better to buy younguo system and save your pennies.

abbadon31 wrote in post #15890573
It would be better to buy younguo system and save your pennies.

as you say, each unto their own.

for me, when doing event photography (mountain biking), the ability to change the flash power from the camera is worth every penny.

I have a set of 4 speedlites, and a set of 4 monolights with portable power. I choose which to use based on what sort of light I need. The speedlites work when I need low power or HSS to get shallow DOF. I use the strobes when a large modifier is a better option or when I need to crunch daytime sun. Portability is often my last consideration because once you add stands and modifiers you end up with more gear than you can easily carry in one load anyway.

I'll be glad to rent you a 24ft box truck out of Mesa, AZ with a lift gate. I think Joe McNally has one.

silvrbullet wrote in post #15886806
I bought an Einstein and VML, but it was too heavy and cumbersome for my lighting assistant. I now use the Cheetah CL-180 setup, and it is much more portable and easier to use (but not as powerful...)

I did back to back engagement sessions this weekend with the CL-180 and my lighting assistant was much happier, and so was I.

When the CL-360 gets released at the end of May, I'm going to be selling my Einstein/VML.

You know I may have to head this direction too. When you add the weight of the light stand need to hold the Einstein/The Eisenstein /Vagabond Mini, it is pretty substantial weight.

canon 540ez, 430exII, YN622/RF603
in shade or golden hours, this is plenty.

I prefer this.. I can buy the 540's from 40 - 60 bucks on ebay, when I have a flash crash, it ain't a big deal. just as reliable as a new yongnou flash. 430 is for ettl /HSS situations and works with the yn622 perfectly, 603 sits on top the 622 for the 540s - everybody gets along happy. Not ideal for someone that needs them all to talk from the back of the camera, but I'm ok with that.

40inch brollys or 28 inch apollo or 60 inch impact convertable.. and I can swap everything to the monolight except the apollo. even the triggers can be used on the monolights.

I'm not currently trying to over power the sun.. I'll drag out a monolight for when I want to do that.