Adorama Rovelight RL 600, thoughts?

Today 8-4-15 I had the chance to take the Priolite out into the real world
http://www.markkitaoka​.com …00-hotsync-initial-tests/

pursang wrote in post #17657025
Today 8-4-15 I had the chance to take the Priolite out into the real world
http://www.markkitaoka​.com …00-hotsync-initial-tests/

Nice review Mark. Great BTS video of the Dallas shoot as well. You're making me want to get out of the studio more and out into the world!

Thanks for sharing.

Did you also do a test to see how much exposure gradation from top to bottom at various shutter speed? Such as in a white wall.
Just curious to know

But maybe you can post it in a new topic.

LOL Thanks! My clients all know that "Mark hates working in studio" simply because the world is so much more interesting! It's tougher for sure, but so much more fun!

There is a slight gradient as you move to higher shutter speeds. But in the 'real world' be it in studio or on location that slight gradient is not a factor. If I was going to shoot white walls only then it may be an issue.

pursang wrote in post #17657566
There is a slight gradient as you move to higher shutter speeds. But in the 'real world' be it in studio or on location that slight gradient is not a factor. If I was going to shoot white walls only then it may be an issue.

How about model with white dress and almost fully filling the frame? Just kidding

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

So I just received my RL600 and can't wait to test it out. I'm wondering about the battery care/maintenance. What's the best way to maintain these batteries? Always best to remove the battery from unit when not in use right? Anything else to consider to ensure proper care?

Heya,

So I've been putting my Rovelight through the paces the past few days. It's a great light. Not perfect. But there's always compromise in some way on all things.

PROs:

Weight is not too bad. My boom can hold it with a big modifier (48" octa) with a minor counter weight (some water bottles!)
HSS works flawless and is powerful. I can finally over power the sun reliably even at decent distances with a modifier that soaks up some of the light.
Easy to control. Turn it on, set it for what I want, then I can adjust power remotely with the transmitter*.
Price is affordable for what it is (a portable internal battery powered 600Ws strobe that barely loses much power when entering HSS for $480!).
Mount slot is pretty solid. I don't fear putting anything heavy in there. There's metal all in there. Locks in. Unlocks out.
Built in umbrella mount. Nice! But doesn't seem to be universal! Boo!*~
Withstands Florida heat & humidity for hours and keeps on popping without over-heating and had good consistent output/temps.
Synch port is a god send. Third party controllers command this thing and it does as it's told with gusto.

CONs:

*Transmitter is a joke. This is a well known and documented fact. Jenbei has put out a new transmitter. I bet Flashpoint will. If not, we can probably just buy the Jenbei transmitter.
The transmitter doesn't do much. It triggers (but not HSS on it's own*). At least remote power control happens with it (that's all I'm using it for).
Doesn't do TTL. This may not be a true con, but to me, it's weird that it's HSS capable, but not TTL capable.
The locking mechanism that controls tilt holds fast and is sturdy, very strong, nicely made.
The locking mechanism at the base of the light (where it would fit to your stand/boom) locks, but it's a knob and not a big one, hard to tighten down in setup that strain that joint (see my image of my setup). It can slip a little under load. This really should have been a bigger knob to turn or a handle, so it could really be tightened down. This is my biggest complaint so far. I might have to try vise grips to ensure a tight hold.
*~The umbrella mount hole under the light isn't universal, it's pretty small, my Westscott umbrellas didn't fit. I had to order a new one that is reported to fit.

But despite all that, I'm still enjoying using the light. I got mine for $480, in Bowens mount. I'm using a 48" octa, and I have a 60" umbrella on the way (will see what bounce & shoot through is like, and whether the weight difference matters to me or not).

I consider myself a novice of light, and I'm able to make this thing work so far, so it must be pretty easy to use.

As for the cons, they are there. But after going over the alternatives, most of them cost $1k+ after getting the light, battery pack and transmitter system together. And that's before modifiers and the stand. That's too much for my overall needs and uses, so the $500 range was more suitable to me for now at least. So far this thing is delivering and I don't regret the purchase at all at this point. It now lives on my Cheetah Boom ready to go at all times.

The transmitter is the real poopoo of the overall package. I'm curious if the new Jenbei II transmitter will make a difference, or if Adorma will release a new one as well (they said they are?). I probably won't get another transmitter, because frankly, I don't need it. I use Yongnuo 622's and it's working flawless and allows me to use other lights too. My 622 is velcro'd to the unit with a pc sync cord in the back (see image). Still basically wireless which I really like.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wcvp​wQ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wRUH​xS

MalVeauX wrote in post #17662830
it's weird that it's HSS capable, but not TTL capable.

Well it doesn't actually do HSS. Yes it will work with fast shutter speeds with the proper triggers but that is because of its long flash duration.

Basically the flash is acting like a constant light source while the shutter is open. It's not pulsing light like a true hss flash will.

It's true Gremlin....word hss confused me. After purchase and using it understand it little bit....it doesn't pulse and it just throw the light for an amount of time

gremlin75 wrote in post #17662998
Well it doesn't actually do HSS. Yes it will work with fast shutter speeds with the proper triggers but that is because of its long flash duration.

Basically the flash is acting like a constant light source while the shutter is open. It's not pulsing light like a true hss flash will.

Good point. That's true.

This is also why it has such good output and less gradient during it's "HSS" compared to some others.

Very best,

Tested the Rovie for self portrait with YN-E3-RT transmitter , YN-E3-RX receivers on Rovie and Back fill canon 600EX-RT....

As a first time Strobe light user, i am so much surprised to see the light they can put out - i wasted so much money on junk Flashes all along....I will never look back...

Sigma 85mm / Mark III

Heya,

I tried the Rovelight today as a HSS bounce off a big 60" silver lined umbrella.

This was in the evening in the warmer light.

Shooting 1/1000s, F2.8, ISO 100 for most of these.

Rovelight was at about 1/4th & 1/8th power for most of these, in HSS, slow recycle (I keep it on snail when using HSS to keep the battery longer).

Really was able to muscle through even as a HSS bounce. I was pretty impressed with it's spread and output as a bounce in HSS at less than full power. Pretty cool!

Setup:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/weYK​Js

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xcye​7p

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wf8z​9k

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wUog​oY

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wUvo​Cp

If you are looking for a set of grids for your Rovelight 5" reflector, Norman makes a really nice 3 pc set of 5" grids (15, 30 and 40 degree) for $130. Only Caveat is that they are not 5" but rather 6 1/8". They require a Norman grid holder at an additional cost of $55. This may seem a bit high priced but the quality of the grids and holder are exceptional with a very ingenious mounting system. The holder snaps perfectly onto the Rovelight reflector and the grids snap inside the holder where they are held firmly but are removed easily. No Velcro, friction or cheesy clips to deal with. You can buy cheap 7" reflectors and grids off Ebay and elsewhere but if you are looking for something a little nicer to use with your 5" reflector I doubt you'd be disappointed in the Normans. I have several Bowens grid reflectors and multiple sets of Bowens grids which cost more than the Normans but the mounting system of the Normans is much better IMO.

Edit:
The grid holder has two sets of spring clips, one set per side with each spaced 180 degrees apart from each other. One set attaches the holder to the reflector, the other set holds the grid in place. The grid has a groove around the entire perimeter that snaps firmly into the grid holder and is held in place by one set of spring clips. The grid can only be inserted in one direction with the grid tab facing out. The grid is easily removed by pulling on the tab. The holder snaps firmly onto the reflector and the fit is perfect, like it was made for it.

Grid holder: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …695_GH_5_5_Grid​_78500.jpg

Grid: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …neycomb_Grid_5_​131970.jpg