Monolights vs. Powerpacks

Hi all,

Just a quick question: For your lighting setup do you use monolights or a powerpack system?

I read this post: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=448755 and understand the pro's and con's of each.

I just want to hear your opinions on why you use them.

Thanks.

Wilt says

Cons Monolight
Must climb to each light to adjust power
Must climb to each light to turn on/off modeling lights

Now with my AB's monolights I don't have to climb anywhere. Right now I use AB wired remote. It is basically a phone wire going from a small box to the monolight. I can adjust power as well control on/off from where this box is located.

AB also has a wireless remote thing to do same and soon they are coming with newer wirelss control unit called CyberCommander which will have lot more features.

So don't get hung up on these things. Buy based on what you need and how you going to use it.

I use photoflex mono lights simply because I researched a lot of systems and setups and I determined which brand would be the most beneficial for me including what light modifiers were available and the build quality and then balanced it out with price and photoflex mono lights really appealed to me

bobbyz wrote in post #6988432
So don't get hung up on these things. Buy based on what you need and how you going to use it.

Bobby,

Thanks. I already use a 3-light Alien Bees setup that is perfect for what I shoot.

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #6988366
Hi all,

Just a quick question: For your lighting setup do you use monolights or a powerpack system?

I read this post: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=448755 and understand the pro's and con's of each.

I just want to hear your opinions on why you use them.

Thanks.

The biggest con of the pack and head system is that if your pack goes out of commission and you don't have a back up pack you are pretty much screwed, so you will need at least to packs for the heads you have, Murphy's law is specially evil with electronics and photographers .

The big pro of packs is that if you are using MF or LF you will love to have 2400 or 4800 ws to your disposal

eduardofrances wrote in post #6988725
The biggest con of the pack and head system is that if your pack goes out of commission and you don't have a back up pack you are pretty much screwed, so you will need at least to packs for the heads you have, Murphy's law is specially evil with electronics and photographers .

Ha! I never even thought about that! Glad I use the monolights.

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #6988852
Ha! I never even thought about that! Glad I use the monolights.

hehehe yeap it can be quite expensive to run a pack and head studio :P

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #6988366
Hi all,

Just a quick question: For your lighting setup do you use monolights or a powerpack system?

I use both. For the studio, I use Elinchrom RX monolights. On location it's the Elinchrom Ranger pack and heads...

I use cheap old Novatron pack and head system. I have five packs and a whole bunch of heads. I bought them all used and, well, cheap. Works well for what I need to do.

I run Elinchrom RX monolights. I use the Skyport wireless trigger system that can adjust the ooutput of all or each/group of the light heads. They are independant so if one quits I have others. I usuall drag along 4 lights to location shoots.

One supposed downfall is having the heavier head up in the air. If your using a softbox, I find that it helps balance the box.

The real downfall is limited power. I have 1200w heads. You can buy powerpacks with much higher output. You can run say a ring flash at a setting higher than 1200w. That feature does not limit my shooting style.