Calumet Genesis Accessories..

Any recommendations on additional accessories for the Genesis lights. I'm looking at getting the 200s when they come back in stock and I'm wondering what everyone is using with them....such as barn doors, honey combs, soft boxes, etc.

The types of accessories (or modifiers) you'll want will have a lot to do with what types of photos you want to take and what kind of lighting you want to use.

It's generally better to know what you want your lighting to look like and then figure out what modifiers you need to make that happen.

Michael

Curious about this too. Thinking about getting the 200's, maybe the 400's.

There was a very good thread going last week or two about some relatively cheap soft boxes and speed rings you could buy to fit. The kits come with umbrellas, so you're good there.

jeffscra wrote in post #5177074
Any recommendations on additional accessories for the Genesis lights. I'm looking at getting the 200s when they come back in stock and I'm wondering what everyone is using with them....such as barn doors, honey combs, soft boxes, etc.

Ahh, a subject close to my heart! First of all, if you haven't already done so, I'd suggest wading through this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=437877

Lots of information to be found about the Genesis kits. I have posts on pages 9 and 14 (I believe) with photos of the Genesis 200's in action.

A brief digression to demonstrate an "issue" I have with the Genesis kit as currently configured:

The reflector that Calumet supplies with the Genesis kits is the only Genesis-specific modifier/reflector that they intend to produce (at this point). What this means in the reflector arena is that you'll have to shop for high-priced Elinchrom originals. Why would you want to replace the supplied reflector? Simple. It's *very* poorly suited for umbrella use. The beam angle is too narrow to fully illuminate the 45" umbrellas that come with the Genesis kts even when the lights are placed as far back on the umbrella shaft as possible. Observe:

Here's a Genesis 200 with the stock reflector firing into an umbrella:

tetrode wrote in post #5179827
Ahh, a subject close to my heart! First of all, if you haven't already done so, I'd suggest wading through this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=437877

Lots of information to be found about the Genesis kits. I have posts on pages 9 and 14 (I believe) with photos of the Genesis 200's in action.

A brief digression to demonstrate an "issue" I have with the Genesis kit as currently configured:

The reflector that Calumet supplies with the Genesis kits is the only Genesis-specific modifier/reflector that they intend to produce (at this point). What this means in the reflector arena is that you'll have to shop for high-priced Elinchrom originals. Why would you want to replace the supplied reflector? Simple. It's *very* poorly suited for umbrella use. The beam angle is too narrow to fully illuminate the 45" umbrellas that come with the Genesis kts even when the lights are placed as far back on the umbrella shaft as possible. Observe:

Here's a Genesis 200 with the stock reflector firing into an umbrella:

Now with the reflector removed:

I think this clearly demonstrates the fact that Calumet should have supplied wide angle reflectors with the lights if they're going to market this as an umbrella lighting kit. The lovely little Elinchrom wide angle umbrella reflectors, alas, run about $50 each. Making this "upgrade" rather erodes the bargain nature of the Genesis kit. Of course, the supplied reflectors can be used but the results just aren't as good as they might/should be.

Incidentally, according to Calumet, there are no grids or barndoors either available or planned that will work with the supplied reflector. Back to looking for Elinchrom originals.

Things are far less grim in the softbox arena. I believe the SP Studio Systems softboxes/octaboxes are easily the most cost-effective modifier solution for the Genesis lights. As I explain in the thread cited above, the SP softboxes/octaboxes open like an umbrella and this means the required speed ring need only provide a way to mount the box on the light. It does not need to be engineered to provide structural rigidity for the modifier itself. This translates into a *really* inexpensive speed ring. The Elinchrom-compatible SP speed rings are $9.95 at Adorama. The modifiers themselves are also relatively inexpensive. I found a 22" SP softbox on eBay for $25 and subsequently bought a 37" SP Octabox for $62. Both use the same, simple $10 speed ring. Build quality is more than satisfactory and light quality is fine.

Apart from the SP gear, the Photek Softlighter II has quite a following and you might want to investigate those as well.

Grids and Barndoors? Apart from the Elinchrom offerings, I don't know what's available. If anyone can chime in on this subject, I'd certainly be interested.

One final tantalyzing tidbit: I've seen on certain sites references to Chinese-sourced Elinchrom-compatible reflectors and modifiers. However, I have yet to locate a source for these items in the US. Again, if anyone knows of a source, *please* pass it along.

Enough for now.

The Genesis 200's, despite their teething pains, remain a genuine lighting bargain. Unfortunately, Calumet now says they aren't expecting to get any more for possible another six weeks. Aargh! Does that imply engineering changes?

Dave F.

Bless you for posting this. I used the light in the field a couple of weekends ago and had a terrible struggle with the umbrella lighting of my 200. I just figured it was me and my absolute 0 knowledge of working with lights only 2nd time on location, and working with impossible deadline. I know 85% really is my unfamiliarity, but your post lets me salvage at least a little dignity!

Photodawg1 wrote in post #5180419
Bless you for posting this. I used the light in the field a couple of weekends ago and had a terrible struggle with the umbrella lighting of my 200. I just figured it was me and my absolute 0 knowledge of working with lights only 2nd time on location, and working with impossible deadline. I know 85% really is my unfamiliarity, but your post lets me salvage at least a little dignity!

One frustrating aspect of this problem, Linda, is Calumet's refusal to admit there might be a problem. Here's a snippet of an email I received last week from Calumet in response to my raising the reflector coverage issue. Note that I supplied them with the same photos appearing in my earlier post:

"I spoke with my boss about the umbrella problem you
were having, and he has not experienced that. He uses them in our
lighting seminar and has been getting excellent coverage. He suggested
moving them umbrella farther out from the light head, and that should
cure the problem."

Tech guy's "boss" obviously thinks I'm an idiot if he's suggesting I move the light further from the umbrella. Jeeze, it's already as far down the umbrella shaft as it can go.

I think I'm going to try one of the Elinchrom umbrella reflectors. I'll report back when I do.

Incidentally, your dignity was never in jeopardy.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #5180792
One frustrating aspect of this problem, Linda, is Calumet's refusal to admit there might be a problem. Here's a snippet of an email I received last week from Calumet in response to my raising the reflector coverage issue. Note that I supplied them with the same photos appearing in my earlier post:

"I spoke with my boss about the umbrella problem you
were having, and he has not experienced that. He uses them in our
lighting seminar and has been getting excellent coverage. He suggested
moving them umbrella farther out from the light head, and that should
cure the problem."

Tech guy's "boss" obviously thinks I'm an idiot if he's suggesting I move the light further from the umbrella. Jeeze, it's already as far down the umbrella shaft as it can go.

I think I'm going to try one of the Elinchrom umbrella reflectors. I'll report back when I do.

Incidentally, your dignity was never in jeopardy.

Dave F.

I agree I have had excellent results as well with the suplied reflector and umbrella.

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I've pretty much narrowed my decision to the Genesis 200 kit (once they get in stock). I still think about maybe going the Dlite 2 kit, but besides being a couple hundred bucks more, there seems to be some compatibility issues with the different size threads or something like that (7mm vs. 8mm).

So I appreciate the commentary on the Genesis kit. I'm only planning on playing around with stuff, not trying to make a living from it. Although I wouldn't mind an occasional client. I think for my needs, economy is fine, but not necessarily cheap.

Anyone know if these universal mounts will work with Genesis 200. This seems like a screaming deal. I'm sure the build is less than usual, but for my purposes is probably plenty.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

or even better, although I think diamter is only 4" and the lights are 5.5":

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

This one looks like you'd need to buy the expensive speed ring from Calumet, but not bad considering how cheap the SB is:

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

weegee wrote in post #5181093
I've pretty much narrowed my decision to the Genesis 200 kit (once they get in stock). I still think about maybe going the Dlite 2 kit, but besides being a couple hundred bucks more, there seems to be some compatibility issues with the different size threads or something like that (7mm vs. 8mm).

So I appreciate the commentary on the Genesis kit. I'm only planning on playing around with stuff, not trying to make a living from it. Although I wouldn't mind an occasional client. I think for my needs, economy is fine, but not necessarily cheap.

Anyone know if these universal mounts will work with Genesis 200. This seems like a screaming deal. I'm sure the build is less than usual, but for my purposes is probably plenty.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

or even better, although I think diamter is only 4" and the lights are 5.5":

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

This one looks like you'd need to buy the expensive speed ring from Calumet, but not bad considering how cheap the SB is:

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

I bought the Calumet /elichron speed ring for 75.00 and the Calumet Softbox for about 80 bucks it is the 24X36 and just love it. The speed ring is a bit pricey but the softbox price more than made up for it.

weegee wrote in post #5181093
I've pretty much narrowed my decision to the Genesis 200 kit (once they get in stock). I still think about maybe going the Dlite 2 kit, but besides being a couple hundred bucks more, there seems to be some compatibility issues with the different size threads or something like that (7mm vs. 8mm).

Unless you have a lot of money tied up in umbrellas already, the 7mm vs 8mm will be a non issue. That only pertains to the size of the shaft of the umbrella.

Randy, did you try the umbrellas yet in your DL2s? Did you buy the reflector for the D-lite?

thanks, bsawle.

thanks for that info Randy. Noticed from your sig, you have the Dlite kit. How would you rate the stands and the softboxes that come with it?

If I do decide to get an umbrella or two, then are you stuck buying Elinchrom's model?

There was some stuff I liked about the Dlites over the Genesis. For instance, I think replacement bulbs, etc. were cheaper. Also, there's that issue of the model lamp sticking out. And the Dlites come with a case. And most importantly, they're in stock : )

I'm so confused. Finding these forums has been an information blessing and a financial curse ; )

weegee wrote in post #5181353
And the Dlites come with a case. And most importantly, they're in stock : )

Careful on that case statement. Mine came with the case, but if you "overstuff" the light case, the zipper splits. The first kit I looked at did it right at the store, the second kit (the one I bought) did it once I got home. Pretty cheap zipper if you ask me.

thanks, Hawk. Just when I think I got it all figured out, whammo!

Hey, how you like that 85 f1.8? Thinking about getting one maybe if the next lens rebates give a little discount. Everything I've read seems top notch for a $350 lens. Which do you prefer, your 50 or the 85. Probably going to put it on my 5d, so I think I need the 85.

tell ya the truth, I didn't use it much. I tried it for some HS basketball- I needed a zoom to keep up with the action, and in the house it was too long for keeping up with my daughter (21 months). If I was doing more portrait work, it might be just great. Just not what I was shooting this winter. It's back to the owner now, since he's gearing up for spring soccer.