What strobe setup?

I'm really torn between getting the Elinchrom Quadra or the AB800's. I have a bunch of speedlites and want to get something more powerful. Should I go all out and splurge on a $1500 setup or a $400 setup.
Portability is a pretty big issue, hence I have speedlites.

your opinions please.

???

Maybe try rental?

what do you shoot? are you in the studio at all or always portable/on location?

the AB800s will not be $400. You need to also factor in power.

If you have the coin, go with the Quadra. Lots of modifiers available, great light and very portable.

ckale1 wrote in post #11703655
If you have the coin, go with the Quadra. Lots of modifiers available, great light and very portable.

That would have been my thought as well

There are no shops that offer the for rent. I shoot mainly portraits, and shoot on location where power is not always available.

If you think 400ws will suffice then the Quadra is a nice set-up. But when you add another head you may find it won't overpower the sun. You can get an AB1600, ab800 and Vagabond for around $1000 and it'll overpower the sun if need be. The Quadra is probably fine but I'd spend a bit more and go with the Ranger RX, or rather I should say that's what I did.

emitecaps wrote in post #11705298
If you think 400ws will suffice then the Quadra is a nice set-up. But when you add another head you may find it won't overpower the sun. You can get an AB1600, ab800 and Vagabond for around $1000 and it'll overpower the sun if need be. The Quadra is probably fine but I'd spend a bit more and go with the Ranger RX, or rather I should say that's what I did.

pssssssssst the ab800 is 320WS


If you are on location go with the ranger or quadra.

sigma pi wrote in post #11705332
pssssssssst the ab800 is 320WS


If you are on location go with the ranger or quadra.

But the ab800 is your fill which is better than the 133ws you'll get from a second head on the quadra.


I like the ranger for on location shoots but it has it's drawbacks too. The cords are a bit short so you have to pony up another $150 for an extension. With a vagabond you can just use a standard extension cord and I've used 50ft ones without any issues except perhaps marginally slower recycle times. The Elinchrom Ranger is a far better unit but when you step down to the Quadra I feel it's power output is too limiting for my shooting and I'd rather go with Vagabond+strobes set-up.

How far from Vancouver? Looks like about 45 minute drive?

http://www.beauphoto.c​om/frames/salefrm.html

http://http://flashpoi​ntrentals.com/#

emitecaps wrote in post #11705483
But the ab800 is your fill which is better than the 133ws you'll get from a second head on the quadra.


I like the ranger for on location shoots but it has it's drawbacks too. The cords are a bit short so you have to pony up another $150 for an extension. With a vagabond you can just use a standard extension cord and I've used 50ft ones without any issues except perhaps marginally slower recycle times. The Elinchrom Ranger is a far better unit but when you step down to the Quadra I feel it's power output is too limiting for my shooting and I'd rather go with Vagabond+strobes set-up.

You are preaching to the choir. I agree. I go on location I run two 500 BXRi off a UPS. I think its great. It is not as portable as the ranger or quadra, but If I lugging sand bags and modifiers batteries, the extra bulk/weight is worth it for me too.

Beau photo is very good.

If you rent on a Friday after 1pm and return before noon on Monday you only get charged for 1 day. That's the way to do it. Plan out your shoot, call them a week or two in advance to book the gear and go for it. They've got all kinds of good kit in there.

emitecaps wrote in post #11705298
If you think 400ws will suffice then the Quadra is a nice set-up. But when you add another head you may find it won't overpower the sun. You can get an AB1600, ab800 and Vagabond for around $1000 and it'll overpower the sun if need be. The Quadra is probably fine but I'd spend a bit more and go with the Ranger RX, or rather I should say that's what I did.

Here is an example of just that. A B1600 as a key (with a BD, and a B800 as a rim light.

So you guys are saying that a b800 alone in a ocatabox won't be strong enough to overpower the sun?