Ringlight test, ABR800

drisley, I am using the first generation mounting kit I believe. Regarding weight, I'd take a heavier light over one that fails in a few months of light use. At least the heavier one would still work as designed, rather than trying to kludge a fix while on a shoot because the lighter one broke. I fear I will be doing the kludge on a shoot sometime in 2007. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think I will be. So yea, I'd take heavy

Steve, which diffuser? Is it the one that covers the blubs as shipped, or is it an add on. Basically, I shoot it just like it came out of the box most of the time, and did so for all these images. For other images, I've used it mounted on a stand like a regular strobe, and used it on camera but with additional strobes as well.

sfaust wrote in post #2775175
drisley, I am using the first generation mounting kit I believe. Regarding weight, I'd take a heavier light over one that fails in a few months of light use. At least the heavier one would still work as designed, rather than trying to kludge a fix while on a shoot because the lighter one broke. I fear I will be doing the kludge on a shoot sometime in 2007. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think I will be. So yea, I'd take heavy

Steve, which diffuser? Is it the one that covers the blubs as shipped, or is it an add on. Basically, I shoot it just like it came out of the box most of the time, and did so for all these images. For other images, I've used it mounted on a stand like a regular strobe, and used it on camera but with additional strobes as well.

Hmmm, you aer one of the first I've heard who would take an extremely heavy mount. Have you not been contacted by AB about the upgrade to the mount? It's free!

I don't really want a heavy mount, nor would I prefer one. But I don't want a mount that will fail in the middle of a job either. So if its between the two, I'll take the heaviest mount that will do the trick over a lighter one with issues.

I will be upgrading the ABR800 to the newer mount. And if most others are upgrading as well, then it seems they also prefer a heavy mount over a lighter one

I've upgraded to the new mount, and it's not noticably heavier than the old one. Very good design though (although I didn't have any problem with the old one either).

I've only had the the knob on the tightening screw for the vertical mounting piece break under normal pressure/use. It might just be fine in the end, but they decided to offer the upgrade at their cost, so they must see it as an issue as well.

I plan to send it in for the fix on the light leak, so I'll have them upgrade the mount at the same time. I'm still waiting to get my hands on a WL version, and possibly upgrade to that.

But all in all, for the money, its a nice little unit.

Do you know that you don't have to send it in? They will send you everything free of charge which includes the new mount, new power cord, and fix for the light leak.

I want the recessed power cord connector, so unfortunately I need to send it in

Oh right. Although, the new power cord is flat, and that really makes a big difference.
That was always my biggest complaint, the power cord. When using the 24-70L with the AB it was very difficult to get the camera in close enough so that there was no vignetting at the wide end.
Post some "after" pictures after you get it back.

I'm using a flat power cord now (picked it up at the local electronics store), and it does make a difference. But with some lenses I want the camera closer to the casing, and even the flat cord gets in the way. So going recessed seems to be the way I'm leaning.

I will post so after shots when I get it back.

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