Elinchrom 600/1200RX kit for fashion photography?

Chris&jess wrote in post #6865551
I guess what I'm getting here is that the flash duration of the 1200RX is a bit on the long side, and if used at less full power, it is even longer.
So, fine, I'll go for the 600/600RX kit for now since it seems to have a really brief flash duration and someday when my ship comes in , go for the Ranger A head.
But, I will need to go with a couple of the cheap power packs like the VB II or the Explorer XT. I hope it will get me by...
Thank you all, this was indeed helpful!
Chris

In that case, go with the Explorer XT packs. And don't forget that the RX600, too, provides shortest flash duration at full power!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6864814
Uh, well, like I said, when I have my two 600s backed all the way into the corners, I'm still at like f/4, f/4.5.

Ah! Two RX600's! With white or light-coloured walls, that sounds in the ballpark. There would be a lot of light bouncing around that room!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6864814
And bear in mind as well (and I should have said this above) that I'm a lighting rookie and still learning. Sounds like the OP is light-years (bad pun) ahead of me and I probably should have laid out, sorry, sorry, sorry...

No need to apologize at all, FP! The OP asked for opinions, and we all have one.

If I may humbly ask, why is flash duration of any consequence to fashion photography?

On most EOS cameras the camera itself is usually the limiting factor in balancing ambient with strobes. Just curious that's all.

TeeTee wrote in post #6867575
If I may humbly ask, why is flash duration of any consequence to fashion photography?

On most EOS cameras the camera itself is usually the limiting factor in balancing ambient with strobes. Just curious that's all.

I was curious about this too - the sort of durations we're talking about (even for the 1200RX) would be fast enough to freeze action for most sports, let alone fashion models who are being paid to pose exactly as the photographer instructs them to.

I've been in nightmare lighting situations on fashion shoots where I've had to drag the shutter as low as 1/10 or 1/5 to get enough ambient light in the shot to offset the flash, and the models all managed to pose still enough for me to get 90% sharp images.

Posing models are not the problem - it's when you start shooting catwalk! They do a twirl and all you have is blur... plus, a lot of the new labels like the edgy look these days, so the models tend to do a lot of jumping and martial arts moves. At least from what I've seen locally. But... there is fashion and there is fashion - there will be times when the short flash duration will not be needed at all.

So Rudi, the Explorer XT are worth the extra $50 over the VB II
Chris

From everything I've heard, yes. But I'm not the one you should be asking this.

Rudi wrote in post #6867886
Posing models are not the problem - it's when you start shooting catwalk! They do a twirl and all you have is blur... plus, a lot of the new labels like the edgy look these days, so the models tend to do a lot of jumping and martial arts moves. At least from what I've seen locally. But... there is fashion and there is fashion - there will be times when the short flash duration will not be needed at all.

Never had a problem shooting catwalk (and there have been a couple of times when I've had to do it without any flash at all) - the models are taught to strike a pose at the end of the runway and hold it for a certain amount of time. Since that's also the one spot on the runway that you light perfectly and the only shot most editors want, everything else is pretty much incidental.

Suppose it could help for shoots with a jumping/fast-moving theme but in that instance I'd just hire a proper stop-motion strobe and make sure I got everything as sharp as possible. I still honestly can't understand why an ultra-short duration seems to be so important to people shooting fashion and portraits - especially when they're not even using leaf-shutters .

Hermes wrote in post #6869597
I still honestly can't understand why an ultra-short duration seems to be so important to people shooting fashion and portraits - especially when they're not even using leaf-shutters .

I guess sharpness has been taken to a new level with digital - everyone is looking at files at 100% and expecting perfection.

Chris,

Are you looking at the kit that includes (2) 600RX monolights, reflectors, umbrellas and case for a little over $2500? If so, you may want to consider the package that includes the (2) 600RX monolights and the Skyport RX system for $1650. You could then add the Elinchrom Pro Basic Location Kit for an additional $300 (it includes reflectors, umbrellas, case, etc.).

Let me know if you need the links.

I am indeed looking at the 600/600 kit for $2512 which is now $2009 from B&H! And, I think shipping is free right now.
I really like the idea of getting the skyport system, but the two light/Skyport set you're referring to doesn't include the reflectors which are $55 each and doesn't appear to include a case which I REALLY want. I don't even see where the case can be purchased separately. If I could only find the case available somewhere, I would then put my own package together since I plan to purchase the Avenger A420 light stands anyway and not much use the middle of the road ones that come with the set. I think I'll need the A420's to roll around the 18# portable power pack.
Does anyone know where I can purchase the hard case for the lights?

Geez, I 'm really embarrassed now. I just found the hard case at B&H for $234...

2-600RX with Skyport system $1649
case $234
2 reflectors $110
2 A420 stands $360
total $2353
I'll use my old umbrellas until I get the Octa
I'M REALLY STARTING TO GET EXCITED HERE!
Chris

Chris,

This is the case with accessories (reflectors,etc.) at B&H: $327http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …cessory_Kit.htm​l#includes

and at Amazon: $306
http://www.amazon.com …BT7ZW&colid=1CY​7A1IT7BBFV

What a great deal! The set you've found gets me two umbrellas, a sync chord, and an umbrella/stand bag for no added cost.
Thank you very much for this information. I really appreciate all the assistance I've received.
Chris

Chris&jess wrote in post #6865551
I guess what I'm getting here is that the flash duration of the 1200RX is a bit on the long side, and if used at less full power, it is even longer.
So, fine, I'll go for the 600/600RX kit for now since it seems to have a really brief flash duration and someday when my ship comes in , go for the Ranger A head.
But, I will need to go with a couple of the cheap power packs like the VB II or the Explorer XT. I hope it will get me by...
Thank you all, this was indeed helpful!
Chris

Unless you're shooting high action sport (think race cars etc)the 1/1450 is gonna be more then sufficient. And this will go up when you lower the power not down.

Rudi wrote in post #6867886
Posing models are not the problem - it's when you start shooting catwalk! They do a twirl and all you have is blur... plus, a lot of the new labels like the edgy look these days, so the models tend to do a lot of jumping and martial arts moves. At least from what I've seen locally. But... there is fashion and there is fashion - there will be times when the short flash duration will not be needed at all.

Shooting catwalks should not be a problem with 1/1450, the problem afaik is that in most, if not all cases, you not even gonna set up lighting like that. Your shooting PJ style which means on camera flash, high iso, high speed sync. Can you imaging a catwalk, 100 photographers, each with at least 2 monoblocks???