Elinchrom Ranger Quadra - Using on Location (notes and images) -- Flash and Studio Lighting in photography-on-the.net forums

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Jul 20, 2009 09:20 | #1

Finally got a chance to use the Quadra this weekend and gave it a good workout. I ordered the kit with 2x A heads and a spare battery.

IMAGE: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3738945060_2b7ea4eaaa_o.jpg

The location of the shoot was in a barn full of animals and ballerinas. I used the Quadra with 1x A head attached the entire day. I had no assistants except for the occasional help from the dancers of carrying my sandbag when moving from one scene to the next. The Quadra itself is so light that I could've done the moving without any help :cool:

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3738945202_5153baeddd_o.jpg

The first BIG complain I have with the Quadra is the digital readings on the top panel - "YOU CAN'T SEE IT OUTDOORS!!" I almost had a heart attach when I turned it on and did not see the green lights!! You literally have to cup the top panel with your palm to discern what settings you are under. I wish there is a way to make the lights brighter.

IMAGE: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/3738150587_7364f56456_o.jpg

I shot with my 5D and the 24/105 attached the whole day. I brought the 50D as back-up but ended up not using them. I also brought with me a Canon 580 ex (just in case the Quadra breaks down). The Skyport triggered my Quadra no problem - I love these things!! They are small and works as advertised. I also love the fact that you can change your settings remotely without having to go next to the pack (GENIUS!!). I was able to sync at 1/200 with my 5D no problem.

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3738151207_464eb3fe21_o.jpg

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roanjohn
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Jul 20, 2009 09:21 | #2

CONT:

POWER: You can never have enough!! There are certainly times when I wished I have more juice to overpower daylight - I was shooting on a very sunny day!! However, 400 w is pretty strong (depending on the reflector) and distance to the subject. Recycle time at full power is also very good with the Quadra (2.2 sec). My first battery slowed a bit towards the end when shooting full power but not to point where it slowed me down. I was able to shoot the whole day with 2x fully charged battery without running out of power on both batteries. I switched my first battery a few hours after it went down to half power.

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3738150727_8d89ce4bb1_o.jpg

I wasn't brave enough to bring my Deep Octa because of the creep when attached to the adapter, also because I did not have an assistant with me to help out. My modifier of choice the whole day was the square softbox that came with the BxRI kit. It was small and portable enough that it stayed put the whole time no problem. I also removed the outer diffuser and used a silver deflector to improve my efficiency. This set-up worked great (almost like a beauty dish) and I will surely use it again when I'm shooting outdoors.

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3738151459_7a126ca413_o.jpg

The modeling light for the Quadra was great!! I used it a few times as fill to take ambient shots on wide apertures (not posted here). It was also bright enough (on moderate shade) to give me an idea of how the light will hit my subjects.

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3738945876_5c1b86aeab_o.jpg

The Quadra itself was quite rugged (rubber sides) and did not feel delicate. It suffered a few bruises (mostly from animals thinking it was food). It especially got a few lickings from the pig pen!! I pretty much grabbed that thing and ran out of there!! The pigs were also eating the tutus thinking it was food!! The battery itself survived the whole day no problem aside from a few dusts on the sides.

IMAGE: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3738946536_d598c2c8a9_o.jpg

My whole kit traveled in a LowePro roller 2. I was able to fit all my lights/2 cameras/lenses and some light stands in that bag. The mobility alone that the Quadra affords you will open up multiple area of possibilities you can shoot in - nothing is off limits anymore. It definitely keeps my creative juice flowing!!

IMAGE: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3738150835_2bee0eb61a_o.jpg

In conclusion: The Quadra is a great piece of kit. RUN!! Don't walk, and get some!!

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MR do little

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Jul 20, 2009 09:32 | #3

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Excellent stuff Roan, some really cool shots!

Yes i agree the read out on the pack is impossible to see in bright sunlight, the Range RX (wich is red) is alot easier to see.

Thanx for sharing.

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Paul L.

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Cathpah

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Jul 20, 2009 09:43 | #4

some truly awesome images here. really, really well done.

quick question though....how long did it take to grow the ballerina's on the ballerina-farm?

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MR do little

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Jul 20, 2009 09:45 | #5

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LOL

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Paul L.

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roanjohn
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Jul 20, 2009 10:10 | #6

MR do little wrote in post #8311330

Thanks Paul........ and yet one more reason to upgrade to the Ranger RX!! :lol: ........ I'm seriously thinking about it.

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roanjohn
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Jul 20, 2009 10:11 | #7

Cathpah wrote in post #8311379

some truly awesome images here. really, really well done.

quick question though....how long did it take to grow the ballerina's on the ballerina-farm?

:lol: :lol:

With a good amount of hay - 7 years!!

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Balliolman

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Jul 20, 2009 10:14 | #8

Lovely work!

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MR do little

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Jul 20, 2009 10:23 | #9

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roanjohn wrote in post #8311487

Thanks Paul........ and yet one more reason to upgrade to the Ranger RX!! :lol:

........ I'm seriously thinking about it.

Hehe yea that is a good reason as any. :lol: Still i rarely check the display, and the half stop adjusment on the Q is really convinient, the Ranger RX i get a sore thumb by all the pressing !

Any luck with the adapter ?

Id be happy to send you the two washers needed (i bought bigpacks lol) if it helps.

Kindest

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Paul L.

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roanjohn
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Jul 20, 2009 10:26 | #10

MR do little wrote in post #8311539

Hehe yea that is a good reason as any. :lol:

Still i rarely check the display, and the half stop adjusment on the Q is really convinient, the Ranger RX i get a sore thumb by all the pressing !

Any luck with the adapter ?

Id be happy to send you the two washers needed (i bougt bigpacks lol) if it helps.

Kindest

Paul - OH WOW!! Sure!! I'll pay shipping/cost etc!! Haven't even attempted anything on my adapter yet. I was set on doing the Manfrotto mount you mentioned but I'll try your washers first!!

I should actually switch the settings to 1/2 stop....... 1/10 stop is nice, but it's a bit of an overkill - you're right.

Balliolman - Thanks!!

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Rudi

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Jul 20, 2009 10:26 | #11

Great work!

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MR do little

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Jul 20, 2009 10:28 | #12

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PM me your adress and ill make sure to post them during this week.

Kindest

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Paul L.

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conserv

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Jul 21, 2009 03:35 as a reply to @ MR do little's post | #13

Roan, great!
Very good to read and even better to see the great pictures!

I agree the quadra's display is almost not to see outdoor. I was also trying to read it, while shading it with my hand. Then i tried to remember the setting and switch it from camera in half stops.

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fivegallon

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Jul 21, 2009 04:42 | #14

Nice work Roan, particularly the lighting on the last pic outside the barn.

Obviously the downside to most portable lighting systems is the need for sandbags/weights.
Maybe an option is waterbags if there is a water supply handy...

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roanjohn
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Jul 21, 2009 07:12 | #15

RUDI - Thanks!!! :-)

conserv - Yeah, I already changed the setting so it moves at 1/2 stop for each button press. I know that at 1/10th, it is hard to remember how many button press you did and so forth - so I kept looking at my readings to make sure I wasn't shooting at full power the whole day.

fivegallon - I actually got the impact empty weights from B&H (they were like $18 each) Double zipper on each sides and quite easy to pack. When I got there, just filled them with medium/flat rocks...... it worked great the whole day!! Had two of them to anchor a stand and portalux softbox.

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