Mono 2K kits Profoto vs Elinchrom

I have been looking at the D-lite4 package then on the the 400BX kit. Next thing I know I am looking at the Eli 300/600RX, 600/600RX kits and now looking at buying the Profoto ComPact 600 special kit. I know the profoto kit doesn't come with stands and modifiers but I am willing to buy that stuff seperate. I want to start out spending up to 2000.00 right now but I can spend more in the next few weeks, which I was planning on using for extras to complete the package. I would like to have a good product up front and not have to upgrade in the near future. I really like the Skyport setup. Is it universal? If I bought the Profoto setup could I use the skysports with them?
I have pretty much decided on Monos for now.

SkyPorts come in two flavors, the Rx version is specifically for the Elinchrom RX series lights and the Universal version that can be used to trigger any kind of light through a standard synch port.

When choosing lights there is nothing wrong with choosing a good quality product but remember you will want more lights. Two lights is a good start but you will want 4 or more eventually. One person told me he never goes to do a shoot without bringing less 8 lights. Then there's the modifiers, reflectors, stands etc. ...seems like an endless expense sometimes

Good luck with whatever you choose.

I've used both monobloc systems but the the Elinchrom RXs are the ones I bought and the ones I use for most of my work. Range of available modifiers, triggering options, output range, level of control, e.t.c. are all better with the Elinchroms - perhaps the only real advantage the profotos have are the more versatile mount for modifiers but that was a very small factor for me.

I also agree with the previous poster that anyone working at the level that requires such expensive lights should be looking at purchasing more than two. I'd take four D-Lites over two RXs anyday.

why not check out alienbees as well. yes, they aren't RX quality, but fairly affordable (4 AB1600 in kits would be about 1600, and with softboxes and other things you you'll end up closer to 2k), and of course, you can get ab800s for less (about 240 less)(in studio setup with two ab 800 stobes, i had to set up one at 1/4 and one at 1/32 in order to be able to use less than f11 at iso 100) worth a look at unless you know you need the better build and features of an rx

I like to grow into equipment instead of out of it. I know I will be buying softboxes, modifiers of all kinds and would like it all to fit my future equipment. I plan to start with a two light kits and then build up modifiers etc.. so when I do add more lights I will have a full range of acc for them.

sevans16 wrote in post #5684535
I like to grow into equipment instead of out of it. I know I will be buying softboxes, modifiers of all kinds and would like it all to fit my future equipment. I plan to start with a two light kits and then build up modifiers etc.. so when I do add more lights I will have a full range of acc for them.

Nice - you're doing the smart thing.

The 300rx is really powerful so if you're shooting in small to average sized spaces then it should probably be enough...It might be possible to get away with 2x300s...just depends on the size of the spaces you'll mostly be shooting in. Just a thought, good luck with whatever you purchase

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5684698
Nice - you're doing the smart thing.

The 300rx is really powerful so if you're shooting in small to average sized spaces then it should probably be enough...It might be possible to get away with 2x300s...just depends on the size of the spaces you'll mostly be shooting in. Just a thought, good luck with whatever you purchase

Should just echo that 300RXs would definitely be ideal for most studio work with a DSLR. 99.9% of the time they have more than enough power for me and the other 0.1% is usually when I'm using a Fresnel spot where I have to bring out a 1500ws strobe to get any decent reading at all

At that sort of power range, the profoto monoblocs only have a three-stop range in light output whereas the 300RXs have a six-stop range.

I think I am going to go with the Eli promo with 2-600RX and Skyport setup for 1650.00 then buy modifiers,stand etc...
They offer a full kit with 2-600RX, stands, umbrellas, case for about 550.00 more and no Skyports. Hard to beat the Skyport promo going right now. In the kit form the 600's are less than 200.00 more than 2-300's.

But for roughly half that I could do the 400BX setup. argh!! Lucky B&H and Adorama are on Holiday the next couple of days.

Hermes wrote in post #5684322
I've used both monobloc systems but the the Elinchrom RXs are the ones I bought and the ones I use for most of my work. Range of available modifiers, triggering options, output range, level of control, e.t.c. are all better with the Elinchroms - perhaps the only real advantage the profotos have are the more versatile mount for modifiers but that was a very small factor for me.

I also agree with the previous poster that anyone working at the level that requires such expensive lights should be looking at purchasing more than two. I'd take four D-Lites over two RXs anyday.

I'm going to be adding to my kit soon and I am just curious if you are using the 300RX's or the 600RX's. How many lights in your kit?

DavidPhoto wrote in post #5686429
I'm going to be adding to my kit soon and I am just curious if you are using the 300RX's or the 600RX's. How many lights in your kit?

I have 4 300RXs in my main studio kit but I also have quite a collection of other Elinchrom strobes that I use for outdoor work and location shoots. - I've used the 600 and 1200 RXs before but I find that the 300RXs have by far the most useful output range for my work. They can get me to f/11 through softboxes with two layers of diffusion and a deflector with power to spare, but I can also reduce their output enough to get very wide apertures for shallow depth of field.

Go with the Elinchrom RX strobes! You won't regret that purchase - and Elinchrom have probably the best range of light modifiers available. And what they don't have can be bought with an Elinchrom-compatible speedring anyway.

Hermes wrote in post #5686785
I have 4 300RXs in my main studio kit but I also have quite a collection of other Elinchrom strobes that I use for outdoor work and location shoots. - I've used the 600 and 1200 RXs before but I find that the 300RXs have by far the most useful output range for my work. They can get me to f/11 through softboxes with two layers of diffusion and a deflector with power to spare, but I can also reduce their output enough to get very wide apertures for shallow depth of field.

Interesting. I have 600's and so far have not found them to have too much power. I have never used the 300's but thought it might be useful to end up with a mix (of RX's).

Well after more research I am back to square one.
The Elinchrom 600/1200RX setup or
The Profoto 600R setup(has 2 heads).

I found out the Profoto's have a promo going with stands. umbrellas and case. Plus you can get built in pocket wizards.
So now the field is about level. The sets are about the same price. well they would be if I did the Eli 600/600 set.

What a great dilemma to have! Personally, I would lean toward the Elinchrom RX strobes, but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

How good are the profoto monos? I've used the packs and they are very nice but I am not sure of the monos.