Elinchrom Quadra or Ranger?

Hello,

so I just brought my Quadra set home today! partially based on lots of great information in this forums, for which i want to very much thanx everyone!

Not only i got info which helped me decide between Ranger and Quadra (was quite hard, but in the end I decided two independent lights that I can carry alone is more benefit for me than one superpowerfull - they'll still make 800Ws when put on same stand, so that's quite good), but also I was prepared for the dammed adaptor issue - I've got two, and neither of them could hold Deep Octa well, until I swapped the washers with "grip" versions as suggested here.

so again, thanx for all the hints and tips in this forum

kokakaste2 wrote in post #8874787
Very nice photo! I want to get either Ranger or Quadra, just dont know which one :s the quadra looks really nice but sometimes looks like it wont be enough, so im thinking of Ranger. Can you share more details about the shoot? Like distance? aperture? etc?

p.s. anyone else who could help me is welcome to help i have been reading a lot lately but cant make up my mind.

I'm on the same boat as you man, let me know what you decide.

walrusgoat wrote in post #8876646
I'm on the same boat as you man, let me know what you decide.

As I just went through this, I think (also as other already posted here) - It depends on what/how you shoot, and how important is the weight/size. As ranger + 2 heads is roughly same price as 2x quadra each with 1 head, it goes down to these +/- points:

Ranger + 2 heads:

+ 1100Ws with 1 head
+ more shots on 1 battery
+ can use any modifier
- heavy (12kg vs 7 for 2 Q's)
- limited versatility due to need of extension cables for heads (also loosing stops by extensions)

2 Quadras:

+ 2 independent lights you can place anywhere
+ weight/size (also head weight/size)
- just 400Ws (but have two of them, so in some cases can get 800Ws light source)
- less shots per battery
- can't use biggest modifiers

of course if you can afford two rangers, and can carry them around, there's no question

The decision is yours to make

Well the Quadra 'A' kit is $2329 from BH

The equivilent in Ranger RX is $3056. (Which is the A kit, plus one more A head).

Personally, if you don't mind the weight and size (Which for my applications i don't), i think the Ranger RX makes sense. But the Quadra is certainly tempting, i'm not going to lie... The size is nice and power is enough for many applications.

So yeah, we have all had to make that tough decision.

Dont underestimate the weight of the ranger. The kit weighs 25lbs. Plus sandbags plus lightstands plus the mods and you are looking at 75 pounds for 1 light. Its worth it

korrektor wrote in post #8879271
Dont underestimate the weight of the ranger. The kit weighs 25lbs. Plus sandbags plus lightstands plus the mods and you are looking at 75 pounds for 1 light. Its worth it

I have the ranger. It's really not that bad. Especially if you throw it in a backpack. Plus if you add all the other stuff, the quadra would come in at around 6X lbs.. not too much difference.

Yeah i have the ranger too and quadras are on their way Pretty soon. I just like location where you can t really drive too si we end up lugging 150 pounds of stuff. A pretty interesting sight

I can assure you there is substantial diffrence for a person carrying the Quadra on a session compared to hauling a Ranger RX Speed.

Thing is most of us dont carry our gear to location since we dont carry a batterypack and head soley.. We have stands,panels, sandbags, softboxes etc. So getting on location with the gear may not be such a big deal.

However using the gear and moving fast during the session often is. (at least for me) Here the Quadra simply is a diffrent animal compared to the Ranger RX Speed.

This due to two reasons:

1.Its smaller size/weight

2.Its weaker output.

So because of the smaller size/weight you can easily have a assisten carrying your setup with a small softbox/california sunbounce/reflector/BD etc.

But this is also something you might be "forced" due to the the weaker output. In bright sunlight you will often have to keep the light just outside the frame to be powerfull enough. This of course depending how you want to balance the ambient and the flash.

I have both system, and i can honestly say i wouldnt want to be without either. I was contemplating wether to get the Ranger Q or a additonal Ranger RX speed AS. (Was just a matter of wich i was gonna get first) I settled for the Ranger Q, and it has proven to be a excellent tool. I will eventually add another Ranger RX speed since im slowling migrating away from compacts, by the time im ready Elinchrom will hopefully have updated with buildt in skyport etc.

Kindest

Yeah i wasn't suggesting that alone they are similar in weight. It is quite clear it isn't even close. However 6x pounds and 7x pounds.... who cares at that point?

well... I d say more like 35 and 70 but that's not really the issue. I love the Ranger (though it is in repair now ) but I am sure once the quadras are here it will be even better

korrektor wrote in post #8881124
I love the Ranger (though it is in repair now )

What happened to it?

oh I posted it a page ago - sync cord busted. The weather cap gripped the ports mount ring and the port unscrewed. I put it back in thinking that it's not a big deal and it stopped working. I think one of the wires came off. I decided not to mess with it and just shiped it to Bogen. Funnt how little things like that can be so annoying. The other port still works but I decidfed not to buy the RX skyports for now even though they are great - i'd rather have my stuff fixed.

Anyone else have pictures using the ERQ to overpower the sun?

just pulled the trigger on the quadra. I will post examples in 7 business days

Hi Walrusgoat
I don't have any shots over powering the sun at midday but I do have this late afternoon sunset shot.

shot at 1/160th sec, F13, ISO 250, Straight bulb (my softbox is waiting for me in Oz).

For me the Quadra is great, it's small, light and as I travel alot it's easy to carry/move around. When I was looking for lights I seen these and just said "yep thats what I need". But it all comes down to personal needs and how they are used.
I had problems with mine too. I had alot of miss fires once at a wedding shoot and it was driving me insane. I took them back to the dealer and after going through a marathon of explaining it mis fires and finding out what the problems are, transmitter or the whole thing
Well in the end Elinchrom asked for it back and it turned out to be the power pack. There was some wire/connection not recieving the transmitter signal properly. All is good now
But for me i love the size and weight

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