Elinchrom rotalux 69" vs lightbank 74" octa

I'm still fantasizing about a large octa and love the fact that, despite their size, the large Elinchrom octas deliver excellent light and are relatively easy to setup and tear down. I've read reviews of both of these large octas. I've seen sample shots taken with both. I've even watched videos of the setup and teardown of both. What I'm wondering is if anyone has compared the two side by side and can explain the significant cost difference (and whether it's worth it). The 74" lightbank is roughly 3 times the cost of the 69" rotalux, and I'm wondering if the "look" is all that different in the end to justify that cost difference. I have not used either of them and am looking to people who have used them. Thanks.

Not answering your question I know, but I'd take a 7' Photoflex over either.

Havent used the new rotalux but used to own the 2m Octa. Definitely not easy to set up or position. The weight is all one-sided and the grip could be better.

With one being under $400 and the other being just over $1100, Id say the only thing to really consider is whether or not the extra $700+ is worth it for POSSIBLY better light control and 5 inches...

Personally, I would never consider the 74" as 69" is plenty big for 99% of what most would ever need.

ben_r_ wrote in post #10167163
...Personally, I would never consider the 74" as 69" is plenty big for 99% of what most would ever need.

The 69" Rotalux is, indeed, pretty big:

Monstrosity!

ben_r_ wrote in post #10167328
Monstrosity!

The Rotalux or my living room?

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #10167508
The Rotalux or my living room?

Dave F.

Ha ha! The Rotalux of course. Its so big it makes your living room look small!

The 69" is very easy to set up and it's a wonderful modifier, my favorite and I also take it with me on location for some portrait shoots, it travels in a tube not much bigger than the 53" octa. I use it a lot for table top photography as well. I have played around with the softness using single or both white diffusers and added a center refector that came with my beauty dish which makes it indirect light but it already diffuses the light so well with both of the white diffusers installed that the reflector really doens't appear to do anything.

Hermes wrote in post #10166329
Havent used the new rotalux but used to own the 2m Octa. Definitely not easy to set up or position. The weight is all one-sided and the grip could be better.

How hard could it be lol, you just push it in and it locks. Positioning is just as easy use the handle and losen the grip. Grip is easily replaced by a D200 if one think the stock is to weak.

The rotalux certainy wont be any easier to mount on location nor will it be as sturdy and durable.

I guess I'd like to hear from folks who bought and still have the 74" lightbank and what they like about it above and beyond what they could get with the 69" rotalux...or, if they had to do it over again, would they get the rotalux instead. I think it's a more recent addition to the lineup. That rotalux does look pretty huge. I have the 60" Photoflex octa that I like, but the setup and teardown is a huge pain in the arse. So I just leave it assembled, and it stays in my studio. I also have the 39" deep octa. I'm looking for something larger to complement that and with the setup ease of the rotalux. I started considering the 53" octa, but then the large octa fantasies started again...

By the way, what stand do you have the 69" rotalux mounted on in that picture?

sdipirro wrote in post #10168163
By the way, what stand do you have the 69" rotalux mounted on in that picture?

Unfortunately, it's one you can't get anymore. It's an Avenger A005MT Ranker stand (http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …T_Ranker_Zinc_S​tand_.html). I had ordered two of them just as they were discontinued. I managed to get one but haven't been able to find a second one. The casters are a set from Photoflex for 22mm diameter legs. Fantastic stand.

Of course, the A420 works very well with these big modifiers as well but costs twice as much as the A005MT did.

Dave F.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it comes down to weight on the flash head. I'm sure the 69" is on the high end (weight wise) of what you would like to subject the head to support. Add a grid that will soon be available or wind in a location shoot and you may have issues....

The Bank takes all the weight off the head.... Of course this adds to the price because there is a more robust design with added tooling and hardware to produce it.

Bottom line is.... Paying for a higher functionality and better design is often the smarter way to go.... The extra 5" in size will never hurt either. Want soft light? Bigger is always better!

tetrode wrote in post #10168271
Unfortunately, it's one you can't get anymore. It's an Avenger A005MT Ranker stand (http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …T_Ranker_Zinc_S​tand_.html). I had ordered two of them just as they were discontinued. I managed to get one but haven't been able to find a second one. The casters are a set from Photoflex for 22mm diameter legs. Fantastic stand.

Of course, the A420 works very well with these big modifiers as well but costs twice as much as the A005MT did.

Dave F.

Off topic but I love these Avenger A005MT stands. It's too bad they're discontinued. They were only $99, too.

The larger indirect bank will produce softer and more even light. Of course it does come with a significant price tag and that's not something that everyone can justify.

For most people(don't hate me, I did say most, not all) the size of the modifier is going to have more impact on their shots than the direct vs. indirect design.

Without taking anything away from the 74" indirect octa bank, I can't imagine anyone that likes Elinchrom modifiers not loving the 69" octa and quality of light it produces.