Help! Tight budget! Portable outdoor lighting! Which would you choose?

Hello there....

I have a shoot with one model for the most part with an additional 3 to 4 models in the shots for a few 'looks' in a fashion editorial test. I have a very tight budget and I don't know what portable lighting I should select as a bare minimum...

(I already have access to a Speelite 580 EX II, apparently I could sync it up with something else?)...

portable lighting equipment
ELINCHROM Battery Kits
(power pack, flash head, sync cable, stand, umbrella)
Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed 1100w ............... 85,00€
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Action 400w ............... 75,00€

Flash Heads
Elinchrom Ranger RX 1200W ............... 15,00€
Elinchrom Ranger RX Ring Flash 1500w ............... 85,00€
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra 400W ............... 15,00€
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Ring Flash 400w ............... 85,00€

portable lighting accessories
Elinchrom Ranger RX Battery ............... 15,00€
Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Battery ............... 15,00€
Battery charger ............... 5,00€

Any suggestions would be appreciated..

Thanks in advance.

TN

Those look like rental rates. The ranger is more than twice the power of a quadra. Given the close pricing, I'd go with more power just in case. I'd also go with two heads.

What time of day? What look are you trying to achieve? More power is usually preferred, but not always necessary.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16027606
More power is usually preferred, but not always necessary.

Ranger dials down from 1100 Ws, Quadra doesn't dial up from 400.

Hi dmward & gonzogolf.. Thanks so much for your kind replies...

@dmward ..Hehe yes, rental rates indeed.. Do you think I could go with a lower power one and sync it with my Speedlite 580EX II if that's possible / advisable?

@gonzogolf it's going to be from morning to before the sun goes down.. I usually use natural light so I have a bunch of reflectors, but since the weather isn't always stable I thought I should have some portable flash gear at the ready in case it's cloudy all day...?

Do you think I need a softbox or is the umbrella it comes with good enough do you think?

Thank you both so much!!!! Really appreciate your time on this!!

I'd love to put as much power into it as possible but I'm just hoping at the same time I can get away with the bare minimum without losing too much on the wallet... Bit risky perhaps =)

If you dont know what modifiers you need, renting lights might not be such a great idea.

@gonzogolf ...Modifiers... ? =)

totalnovice wrote in post #16027650
@gonzogolf ...Modifiers... ? =)

Yes, softboxes, umbrellas, beauty dishes, reflectors. The things that make light do what you want.

@gonzogolf Ah yep.. I understand now, cheers.. =) I've used softboxes, gels with barn doors as well as 'naked' (nothing on them) strobes before in the studio... Used softboxes indoors on location once which was pretty good.... Never before used the umbrellas or beauty dishes before..

Once used Pro Acute B 600J Kit with my Speelite 580EX II which worked ok...

Wish I was more technically minded, honestly.. Thanks again.. =)

Not sure how or why you would want to try to mix a speedlite into the stew.
Two heads, with umbrellas or soft boxes, or a beauty dish would offer more options.
Shoot through umbrella is a useful fill modifier outside since it kind of blasts the light everywhere.
Standard reflector is fall back if power becomes an issue.