Strobe & Flash Comparison Testing: Part I (Output)

magicmikey wrote in post #5133091
I certainly think the performance of the Alienbees you tested at 1/32 is unacceptable. I even said that I didn't recommend using the 1/32nd power in the post you were responding to. I probably wasn't clear enough that I don't recommend using that setting at all.

That's my point. If you have a strobe that performs badly at 1/32nd power. Don't use that setting. ... people have to really examine whether they will need to use the strobes at that low a power if they want to use Alienbees.

Something that I posted earlier in this thread, which bears repeating, in agreement with the point that Michael makes above...

(this) does also point out the fallacy that some buyers of AB lights have, "Buy plenty of power, because I can always crank it down...", yes down to where its consistency is very questionable! If anything, you should buy LESS power with AB, so that you are using at the upper half of its range, and not down at its minimum setting.

Agreed.

Michael

magicmikey wrote in post #5133091
I certainly think the performance of the Alienbees you tested at 1/32 is unacceptable. I even said that I didn't recommend using the 1/32nd power in the post you were responding to. I probably wasn't clear enough that I don't recommend using that setting at all.

Don't forget that 1/16 also falls in the same category- it's not just 1/32.

RichNY wrote in post #5136865
Don't forget that 1/16 also falls in the same category- it's not just 1/32.

Sorry, I don't agree with that. It's only a problem if you shoot at almost a continuous pace. The recycle time at 1/16 power is going to be really short so shooting immediately upon recycling isn't necessary most of the time. If you have a need to shoot it that way, then it's a problem. I can honestly say I've never shot that fast with studio strobes.

Anyone who needs to shoot rapid-fire regularly probably should be looking at higher end strobes and not economy strobes.

Michael

An 8th Table has been added to compare full power output with and without the manufacturer's standard reflector. All testing parameters have been kept the same, with the only exception being the addition of the reflector for real world comparison.

The testing conditions are ISO 200, 1/125s, measured at 6 feet.

Also, the Elinchrom Style 400BX has been added. Additional strobes are being tested and results will be posted as they are available.

posts like this make this forum priceless. Great post Robert!

TMR Design wrote in post #5167078
An 8th Table has been added to compare full power output using the manufacturer's standard reflector. All testing parameters have been kept the same, with the only exception being the addition of the reflector for real world comparison.

The testing conditions are ISO 200, 1/125s, measured at 6 feet.

Also, the Elinchrom Style 400BX has been added. Additional strobes are being tested and results will be posted as they are available.

Since the type and efficiency of the reflectors have a big impact on the results you get, it might also be useful to know what power output results you get without the reflectors on. This way, you'll have more of an apple-to-apples comparison of the strobe heads.

PacAce wrote in post #5168633
Since the type and efficiency of the reflectors have a big impact on the results you get, it might also be useful to know what power output results you get without the reflectors on. This way, you'll have more of an apple-to-apples comparison of the strobe heads.

For the Elinchrom 400BX

f22 + .2 Bare tube
f32 + .6 with Standard 21cm (50º) reflector on

Both @ 6ft @ iso 200

PacAce wrote in post #5168633
Since the type and efficiency of the reflectors have a big impact on the results you get, it might also be useful to know what power output results you get without the reflectors on. This way, you'll have more of an apple-to-apples comparison of the strobe heads.

Hi Leo,

OK I can see that but the idea was really to give people an idea of what kind of levels they can expect in the real world with a reflector mounted. I can certainly include the other value so readers can compare with and without although I personally think the number with reflector mounted means more in practical application.

TMR Design wrote in post #5169280
Hi Leo,

OK I can see that but the idea was really to give people an idea of what kind of levels they can expect in the real world with a reflector mounted. I can certainly include the other value so readers can compare with and without although I personally think the number with reflector mounted means more in practical application.

I'm thinking the exact opposite, Robert. If I want to use the strobe with a softbox, brolly box, Softlighter II or even an umbrella, I remove the reflector first. The only time I would leave the reflector on is if I'm shooting into a shoot-through umbrella. And hardly do I ever use the strobe with just the reflector and no modifier unless I was using it for auxiliary lighting.

Fair enough Leo. I'll update that table.

I suppose my way of thinking comes from the fact that I spent nearly a year learning and working with reflectors and it wasn't until I decided to get my first softbox that the reflectors came off. I did all my work with a strobe (with reflector) behind a diffusion panel, strobe (with reflector) in an umbrella, strobe (with reflector) as background light, strobe (with reflector and barn doors) as hair light.

More updates and test results to come.

TMR Design wrote in post #5170233
Fair enough Leo. I'll update that table.

I suppose my way of thinking comes from the fact that I spent nearly a year learning and working with reflectors and it wasn't until I decided to get my first softbox that the reflectors came off. I did all my work with a strobe (with reflector) behind a diffusion panel, strobe (with reflector) in an umbrella, strobe (with reflector) as background light, strobe (with reflector and barn doors) as hair light.

More updates and test results to come.

Thanks, Robert. If there were a medal to be handed for stuff like this, I'd pin one on you right now.

Thanks Leo

Table 8 has been updated.

Hi Robert - Many thanks for the work you put into this table. It is most useful.
I can imagine the hours this took! I do look forward to further tests.

Incidentally - I own the D-Lite 2's and am very happy with them.

Hey Robert, were you ever intending on publishing results of Color Balance analyses for the tests run on these units, to look at the degree of color balance shift as power is reduced?