Opinions? Profoto vs. Elinchrom

I only have experience with Broncolor so I'd like some opinions. I'm looking to get a power pack and two heads, NO monolights. I want something that can be used while plugged into standard household power to charge as well as on-location.

For Elinchrom I have my eye on the Ranger RX Speed AS unit with two A heads.

For Profoto I was looking at the Acute2R 1200 Pro Value Pack (pack with two heads and a case).

I like how the Profoto has a handle and a built in PowketWizard but I like how the Elinchrom is meant to handle the outdoors (rubber caps and whatnot). The Elinchrom also has a much faster flash duration, which could come in handy. Profoto has a two-year warranty whereas Elinchrom has only a one-year.

So I'm on the fence. What would you recommend?

If you're looking at the Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS, which runs off a battery, then you should also be looking at the Profoto AcuteB 600 pack which also runs off a battery. Both can be charging while in use. The AcuteB only allows for one head, though.

The Profoto Acute2R 1200 is an AC powered pack. The Elinchrom counter part would probably be the Digital RX 1200.

I think Elinchrom outnumbers Profoto people here. Couple other things to consider is triggering types and consistency of triggering. People regularly complain abut Profoto triggers. I've never used them myself, but i've read it many times.

I have an AS speed. It's a fantastic pack and we take it everywhere. We plan to pickup a Quadra by years end as well.

mumbles wrote in post #10089422
I think Elinchrom outnumbers Profoto people here. Couple other things to consider is triggering types and consistency of triggering. People regularly complain abut Profoto triggers. I've never used them myself, but i've read it many times.

I have an AS speed. It's a fantastic pack and we take it everywhere. We plan to pickup a Quadra by years end as well.

Hmmm, that curious because, as far as I know, the Profotos were using the PW modules for triggers until recently when they switched to the Air system (but the new packs are also available for the PW system).

PacAce wrote in post #10089391
If you're looking at the Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS, which runs off a battery, then you should also be looking at the Profoto AcuteB 600 pack which also runs off a battery. Both can be charging while in use. The AcuteB only allows for one head, though.

The Profoto Acute2R 1200 is an AC powered pack. The Elinchrom counter part would probably be the Digital RX 1200.

Oh I didn't realize that. The Profoto description mentioned "portable" and taking it "on the road" so I assumed that meant battery powered.

Now that I know that, I'm leaning toward the Elinchrom. The comparable Profoto (to the Ranger RX Speed) is more than I wanted to spend right now.

How reliable is Elinchrom? Have you ever had any problems?

Thanks for the help!

edit: Is the "Ranger hard case" that comes with the Elinchrom kit any good? Can it hold the pack and TWO heads or just one?

While most folks here seem to use Eli or AB, as a member of an apparent minority ;>, I thought I'd chip in.

Moved from Elinchrom (DLites, BXRIs, Quadra) to Profoto (AcuteBR, Compacts, and more to follow..) last Fall and just wish I'd made the move sooner. Won't go into a direct comparisons as there are various pack/head options and we all know or can find the specs, but now that I own the brand, I can see what all fuss is about.

If you're looking for battery power in Profoto it would be the one-socket AcuteB 600/Air, a 7B, B2 or the new B3 Air. That or the Acute 1200 you were looking at with say a Vagabond battery pack or similar.

One thing to note with the current Ranger line, the flash tubes are NOT user replaceable -- worth noting if you live a good distance from a service center and/or shoot in the back-end of beyond often. I expect they'll remedy that when the Ranger gets re-vamped.

Like the Ranger, the Acute, 7B, etc can be used when charging. If you use the 2A charger from the 7B with the AcuteB600 it will charge the unit in 1/2 the time - so fast, that baring modeling light use, it acts like a de-facto AC adapter. There is also an 85W modeling light transformer for the AcuteB that allows you to run the modeling light off it's own mains. Have it and the 2A charger (both acquired used from Calumet) and they work like a charm. The existing or new AcuteB and the B2(B3) can also use the normal lead-acid batteries or the new Lithium batteries from Profoto if you want to save some weight.

PacAce wrote in post #10089513
Hmmm, that curious because, as far as I know, the Profotos were using the PW modules for triggers until recently when they switched to the Air system (but the new packs are also available for the PW system).

I believe it's the AIR system.

Im considering selling up my ranger RX kit and moving to the new profoto AcuteB2 600 air which should be in stores next month (May)

I also considered the Quadra, but the new acuteB2 is better suited to my needs.

Over on the pocketwizard blog, a user is syncing his 1D3 with the older acuteB600 packs at 1/500 natively, which pretty much makes it a 1200ws pack. He is doing this with the newer TTL pocketwizards (or at least the minitt on camera)

For what I shoot - on-location fashion and weddings, I need something lighter and more portable than the ranger RX.

As mentioned, the acuteB2 can be charging when used, and you can run the modelling light (up to 500w according to local rep) directly off the mains via an additional cable.

The new acuteb2 will give you 2x the pops of the quadra on spec, and is now more competively weighing in against it.

JDubya wrote in post #10089539
edit: Is the "Ranger hard case" that comes with the Elinchrom kit any good? Can it hold the pack and TWO heads or just one?

Short answer: No. Feels pretty flimsy when fully loaded. Do yourself a favor and grab a case that can carry the kit with wheels. The kit is pretty heavy.

jdear wrote in post #10091810
Im considering selling up my ranger RX kit and moving to the new profoto AcuteB2 600 air which should be in stores next month (May)

I also considered the Quadra, but the new acuteB2 is better suited to my needs.

Over on the pocketwizard blog, a user is syncing his 1D3 with the older acuteB600 packs at 1/500 natively, which pretty much makes it a 1200ws pack. He is doing this with the newer TTL pocketwizards (or at least the minitt on camera)

For what I shoot - on-location fashion and weddings, I need something lighter and more portable than the ranger RX.

As mentioned, the acuteB2 can be charging when used, and you can run the modelling light (up to 500w according to local rep) directly off the mains via an additional cable.

The new acuteb2 will give you 2x the pops of the quadra on spec, and is now more competively weighing in against it.

I have a Flex tt5 on the 7D and the hyper sync allows me to shoot at 1/320th sec with a PWII on the profoto 7b, its only 1/70th sec faster than the 1/250th that was the limit of the PWII on camera but is does save some juice! The next faster time setting on the 7D is 1/400th and I get curtain issues. On a 1d series you would have no probs I believe at 1/400th and perhaps 1/500th.

Maybe Santa might get me the Li battery to save a couple of kilos and extend the shots by 25-30%!

JDubya wrote in post #10089539
Oh I didn't realize that. The Profoto description mentioned "portable" and taking it "on the road" so I assumed that meant battery powered.

Now that I know that, I'm leaning toward the Elinchrom. The comparable Profoto (to the Ranger RX Speed) is more than I wanted to spend right now.

How reliable is Elinchrom? Have you ever had any problems?

Thanks for the help!

edit: Is the "Ranger hard case" that comes with the Elinchrom kit any good? Can it hold the pack and TWO heads or just one?

The kit case is OK to use for storage or in the studio but it doesn't look like it'll take a lot of abuse. And, as was pointed out in the previous thread, it can get quite heavy so a wheeled case like a Pelican case would be a better option for lugging around to location sessions.

But, yes, you can keep two heads in the original Elinchrom case along with the battery pack. You won't be able to hold the extra battery, though, with a 2nd head in there.

If you have the money I'd vote for Profoto.
I don't have the big bucks so I use Ranger RX

If I'd had the money I'd have bought Profoto, but the difference between Elinchrom and Profoto down here in Aus. is horrendous.

Having said that, I love my Quadras, and a Ranger is coming before the end of the year.

jdear wrote in post #10091810
Over on the pocketwizard blog, a user is syncing his 1D3 with the older acuteB600 packs at 1/500 natively, which pretty much makes it a 1200ws pack.

Say what ?

Normal sync is 250th sec, so by hyper syncing at double the speed you reduce the amount of ambient coming in by half. Effectively giving you the equivalent of a 1200 watt shot, with a 600 watt pack.

Comprehend?