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FORUMS General Gear Talk Flash and Studio Lighting 
Thread started 13 Mar 2010 (Saturday) 22:17
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Elinchrom Decisions

 
gambit
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Mar 13, 2010 22:17 |  #1

Can someone help me decide, as i really want to get into basic studio and have access to the Elinchrom range of softboxes/octa box etc. The cheapest way i figure is to get the D-lite 4 IT kit to go and the large deep octa box. that would cost me $1500~ aud, the alternative would be be to get the one light kit Quadra Ranger with 1 s head and the modifier, deep octa box for outdoor type shoots, however that would cost more like $2200~ I guess i need to decide what i want to shoot with it, indoors in a studio environment or outdoors with something light and portable, however with just one light.

I have thought about the BXri 500 kit to go, however that would cost me $2500~ with an octa box, thats an extra $1k just to be able to remotely adjust the power in each head. with an extra 100w per head?




  
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Damian75
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Mar 13, 2010 22:47 |  #2

The new D-Lites have the skyports built in now, there is also if you really are looking to save the Calumet Genesis lights use the Elinchrom mount they just don't have the center umbrella mount so you can't use the deflectors.


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gibsonla
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Mar 14, 2010 00:45 |  #3

Don't bother waiting for calumet to finally stock the genesis kits. I caved earlier today and placed an order for a d-lite 400 IT for only $300. Figured I'll just pick up a genesis 200 whenever they're finally in stock again as my 2nd fill light


Michael L. Solomon
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TMR ­ Design
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Mar 14, 2010 07:25 |  #4

Damian75 wrote in post #9792026 (external link)
The new D-Lites have the skyports built in now, there is also if you really are looking to save the Calumet Genesis lights use the Elinchrom mount they just don't have the center umbrella mount so you can't use the deflectors.

The new D-Lite it does have a built-in Skyport receiver but only for triggering. Remote power adjustment is not possible with D-Lite's.


Robert
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puzzle
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Mar 16, 2010 05:59 as a reply to  @ TMR Design's post |  #5

you say "only" to be able to adjust the power remotely for each head like its not a bog thing ... but in my opinion this is a MASSIVE advantage amd will save you lots of time, worth thinking about at least.


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TMR ­ Design
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Mar 16, 2010 07:13 |  #6

puzzle wrote in post #9806091 (external link)
you say "only" to be able to adjust the power remotely for each head like its not a bog thing ... but in my opinion this is a MASSIVE advantage amd will save you lots of time, worth thinking about at least.

If it's important then that's cool. I'm not trying to qualify the degree of importance of that feature. Just making the differentiation.


Robert
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abdul10000
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Mar 16, 2010 07:40 |  #7

I really do not understand why they did not include remote power adjustment. The FX200RI has that feature and it no more expensive than the D-Lite IT




  
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Conner999
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Mar 16, 2010 07:54 |  #8

Try to give some thought to what size/brand of modifiers you will be using with the lights. the BXRis, while more spendy, MIGHT be a better long-term buy.

The new Dlites, while having the swivel lock of the BXRis and a thicker plastic housing and some other goodies, attach the swivel mount to the body with the same plastic dovetail as the old models (the top of the swivel mount slides and locks into plastic slots on the bottom of the light itself). Images of the rear of the light on Elis web site will make the part clear. Press in the right place and you can unlock and remove the swivel from the body of the light. On the BXRis and higher-end lights the swivel appears attached (never took my BXRis apart to get the gory details) to the metal housing of the light under the plastic shell. Much more robust.

That dovetail design is a weak point IF (note IF) you want to use heavy modifiers. On the old units the swivel was infamous for creep so people, self included, modified them with parts from a Manfrotto mount. Worked great. But having locked the swivel mount solid, the next weak point in the design reared it's head - that dovetail mount. In my case, I had the dovetail on a modified Dlite crack when I mounted a Mola Demi to it. Nothing hit the floor, but only because I felt something give when I started to take my hands away from the Mola.

The Dlites are great lights, but new or old, they are not designed to be used with heavy, front-weight biased modifiers. I've used a 53" eli Octa with no issues, but I'd avoid anything beyond that. The 53" while big is very light. Comparable units from folks like Chimera, etc use much heavier fabrics and are not only heavier but more front heavy as a result - putting more stress on dovetail socket. With a BXRi, RX etc - just mount away.

Again, great lights and feature rich, but before buying, give some thought as to what you see yourself using on them in the intermediate term, how long they may be your only lights, etc.




  
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Bearmann
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Mar 16, 2010 08:11 |  #9

I'm not very knowledgable about lights, but isn't the the low powered 100 watt modeling lamp of the D-lites a concern?


Barry

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Conner999
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Mar 16, 2010 08:18 |  #10

Depends on size of space you're working in, how much light the modifier eats up, etc. I had no issues with the 100W, but that said, I did prefer the higher power option offered by my BXRis. You may not need it, but like the remote power + modeling light control, having the option of a stronger modeling light is nice to have if you can swing/justify the BXRi vs Dlite price difference.




  
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StephenW
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Mar 16, 2010 11:43 |  #11

TMR Design wrote in post #9806332 (external link)
If it's important then that's cool. I'm not trying to qualify the degree of importance of that feature. Just making the differentiation.

Robert - I believe the previous poster was addressing the OP. I had to re-read his comment twice as well.

For the OP - In my situation, I was originally thinking about the dlite 400's as well, but have opted to go with the BXRi's for the remote power adjustment and increased durability. The extra savings in time and not having my models wait around while I "fiddle with stuff" seems well worth it IMO - I'd rather spend those extra seconds/minutes building connections.




  
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TMR ­ Design
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Mar 16, 2010 11:46 |  #12

StephenW wrote in post #9807710 (external link)
Robert - I believe the previous poster was addressing the OP. I had to re-read his comment twice as well.

For the OP - In my situation, I was originally thinking about the dlite 400's as well, but have opted to go with the BXRi's for the remote power adjustment and increased durability. The extra savings in time and not having my models wait around while I "fiddle with stuff" seems well worth it IMO - I'd rather spend those extra seconds/minutes building connections.

Oopsie!


Robert
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gambit
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Mar 17, 2010 00:44 |  #13

Thanks everyone i really appreciate the feedback.




  
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