If you started over

I agree with Wilt, Dynalites are actually quite compact, and put out some serious power. If I could set something up (I already have several good strobes for location portraiture, but if I could do it again...), I'd seriously look into the Dynalites.

A good mentor and friend of mine has them, and he uses them for EVERYTHING. If I remember correctly, he has this setup:

Two Pack / Three Head setup - check that one out here: http://www.dynalite.co​m/pkgs.shtml

He added another two lights to the setup, for 5 total, and has a number of modifiers. It's VERY nice.

Personally, right now, I'm using a Vagabond II and Innovatronix to power my studio strobes, but it gets cumbersome. I'd get the setup above, but in a 2 head 1 pack configuration, probably.

Interesting premise.

Two Acute 600B R's - or own one and rent 2nd when needed. 2A charger (to use as AC adapter) and 85W modeling light bypass adapter for when access to AC. Easy RoW rental access mean more packs/larger modifiers when you need them.

Modifiers would be kept simple: A couple Softlighter IIs (compact, multi purposes, great light), a 2x3 softbox and maybe/or a 3' octa (could also use with Eli deflector sans diffusers in pseudo-BD mode), 1-2 collapsible deflectors/diffusers. Simple, high quality grip kit. Triggers would be RP's JRX's so could control power of speedlight remotely or if traveling, basic PWII's would make much more sense as easier to get anywhere and packs have PWs built-in --also two less receivers and batteries to lug.

Zansho wrote in post #10522049
I agree with Wilt, Dynalites are actually quite compact, and put out some serious power. If I could set something up (I already have several good strobes for location portraiture, but if I could do it again...), I'd seriously look into the Dynalites.

A good mentor and friend of mine has them, and he uses them for EVERYTHING. If I remember correctly, he has this setup:

Two Pack / Three Head setup - check that one out here: http://www.dynalite.co​m/pkgs.shtml

He added another two lights to the setup, for 5 total, and has a number of modifiers. It's VERY nice.

Personally, right now, I'm using a Vagabond II and Innovatronix to power my studio strobes, but it gets cumbersome. I'd get the setup above, but in a 2 head 1 pack configuration, probably.

Dynalite is a great system, it's what I use the majority of the time. One set I have is the 1 pack 2 head kit I bought from e-bay, it's compact and light weight. The only drawback is the battery for it is heavy and IMO unreliable, I may just have a lemon so I'm basing that on the one I have. A Vagabond II might be a better option but it's not light either.

Jannie wrote in post #10518585
If you were starting over with your location lighting kit, just for portrait/head to no longer than waist length shots and you could get absolutely anything to light with, knowing there was just going to be you, never an assistant what would you get.

I've got it already .. three 580's with small modifiers.

You can yak about this until the cows come home but if you can't get what you need with that kit it's your fault. View the work of Ed Pingol, Joe McNally, etc. for location lighting brilliance using small flashes. These guys are short on lighting theory and big on results.

Visit Strobist for a few thousand other flash ideas, or the Flickr Strobist group.

TMR Design wrote in post #10521964
The Quadra will give you about one stop over the output of a Speedlite, I believe.

2 stops.....
I've already tested it with a Canon 580EX II

breal101 wrote in post #10521277
.....The downside to the Norman heads is that they're a little flimsy to use with a large softbox.

How is this?
I use my Normans with softboxes from 2'X3' up to 4'X6' and sometimes including a 7' Octa.....
The speedring holds the weight of the softbox, the flash head simply slides in and locks into place (basically just like the Elinchrom Quadra Heads).

The Loft Studios wrote in post #10523313
2 stops.....
I've already tested it with a Canon 580EX II

Excellent!. Thanks.

Thanks, that's good to know.

Will the Quadra hold a 60" SoftlighterII ?

mmahoney wrote in post #10522493
I've got it already .. three 580's with small modifiers.

You can yak about this until the cows come home but if you can't get what you need with that kit it's your fault. View the work of Ed Pingol, Joe McNally, etc. for location lighting brilliance using small flashes. These guys are short on lighting theory and big on results.

Visit Strobist for a few thousand other flash ideas, or the Flickr Strobist group.

Nothing wrong with the 580s, but everything is situational. There are a lot of good things to be had with powerful strobes, and also good things with speedlites, but to say that all we need is three 580s is short sighted, imo.

I've asked this before but didn't get a real answer, would one of my BX400's work with the Vagabond II power pack if I put a low wattage modeling light in the Elinchrom? The Vagabond II is pretty heavy, almost 20 pounds, I don't know how that compares with other power pack units.

Jannie wrote in post #10523992
I've asked this before but didn't get a real answer, would one of my BX400's work with the Vagabond II power pack if I put a low wattage modeling light in the Elinchrom? The Vagabond II is pretty heavy, almost 9 pounds, I don't know how that sits beside other power pack units.

Hi Jannie.

The answer to your question is that you can power ONE 400BX with a Vagabond or Innovatronix Explorer XT SE.

You really should not be using your modeling lights with battery packs. It depletes the power much more quickly and will contribute to the battery and inverter running hot. Not advisable but can be done in an emergency. I have used the modeling light on full power with my 600RX and the Innovatronix XT SE for about 45 minutes as the Sun was going down and light was slipping away. Your best bet is to not plan on using the modeling lights and work with them based on your experience with Speedlight's and flash with no modeling lights.

Regarding the weight of the Vagabond II.. not sure where you got your numbers but the Vagabond II comes in at just under 20 pounds. I think it's actually closer to 18 pounds. The Innovatronix in its bag comes in at about 20 pounds as well.

Thanks Robert, yeah I'd only ask it to run one light and the only time I'd use the modeling light is when it's generally too dark like at night inside so I could get focus.

Anymore even with table top shooting, I only have the modeling light at about 1/3rd power on in the key for general setup to light the area and to get focus but leave the others all off.

Typo Robert, I meant 19 pounds taken from the Alien Bees website but I'll go with what you say it weighs in real life, my bad!

Jannie wrote in post #10524114
Thanks Robert, yeah I'd only ask it to run one light and the only time I'd use the modeling light is when it's generally too dark like at night inside so I could get focus.

Anymore even with table top shooting, I only have the modeling light at about 1/3rd power on in the key for general setup to light the area and to get focus but leave the others all off.

Typo Robert, I meant 19 pounds taken from the Alien Bees website but I'll go with what you say it weighs in real life, my bad!

I just didn't remember exactly but knew it was just under 20 pounds. You really won't find a battery that weighs less than either the Vagabond II or the XT SE.

Some of the DIY's out there might weigh less but I can guarantee that they also don't have the power or battery life.

Best thing about quadra's are the LED modelling lamps.

The Loft Studios wrote in post #10523352
How is this?
I use my Normans with softboxes from 2'X3' up to 4'X6' and sometimes including a 7' Octa.....
The speedring holds the weight of the softbox, the flash head simply slides in and locks into place (basically just like the Elinchrom Quadra Heads).

The adaptor I have can't be mounted to a stand on it's own, it friction fits over the reflector. I should have known that it would be improved upon after 20 years.

Jannie, have you looked at the Lumedyne system, it's a lot like the Norman but more versatile and more expensive. It has power boosters, AC power module and TTL capability with some heads. The advantage of Norman and Lumedyne is light weight small powerful lighting that can be carried easily by one person.

http://www.lumedyne.co​m/default.asp