Hi. I'm thinking of trying out studio lighting using my spare room. Saw CP selling above for 1199. Anyone can advise or has experience using these? In terms of ease of use and reliability?
Elinchrom D-lite4 ?
- Thread starter davidsim
- Start date
- Status
Thanks for the info..
Flash duration is not critical to me... dun think i need super fast recharge too.. looking at the specs, it should be ok for me..
As for weak tilt mount, that might be a problem. I might venture into bigger softbox sometimes, and so, any workaround for this??
Flash duration is not critical to me... dun think i need super fast recharge too.. looking at the specs, it should be ok for me..
As for weak tilt mount, that might be a problem. I might venture into bigger softbox sometimes, and so, any workaround for this??
I tried mounting Photoflex 40 by 100cm softbox still ok. Softbox of this size is more than efficient more most shot. Never in my mind the weak mount is a worry to me. In my case, my D-Lites are still working well.
It's the best strobe you can get for that price and yes, I am personally using it. All my strobes are Elinchrom actually. Next would be Bowens Gemini for $1,600 if am not wrong but only two 250w/s monolights.
If you get the D-Lite4, ask if there's a promo for the Elinchrom Skyport - if so, you can prolly get the Universal set for just $99.
If you get the D-Lite4, ask if there's a promo for the Elinchrom Skyport - if so, you can prolly get the Universal set for just $99.
Yes, there is a purchase with purchase for the skyport... 159 though...
another qn, can i use these d-lites outdoors.. I mean there is battery packs to use with these?
sorry but i am totally new with studio lightings..
another qn, can i use these d-lites outdoors.. I mean there is battery packs to use with these?
sorry but i am totally new with studio lightings..
Elinchrom does not have battery pack for the D-Lite series. In fact, they have both A/C and battery pack line of products...but IIRC, Cathay actually sells some China made AC battery pack that you can use with A/C Strobes like D-Lite. You can ask the sales there but if I were you, I won't do that, gawd knows it's reliability. Besides, the thing itself is about $650 IIRC again which I'd rather spend on the Jinbei RD660 battery operated strobe.
Bowens on the other hand allows you to plug a battery pack (TravelPak) into their normal A/C strobes like the Gemini series... not cheap though.
Bowens on the other hand allows you to plug a battery pack (TravelPak) into their normal A/C strobes like the Gemini series... not cheap though.
Used to use these. Awesome, reliable, portable. I wouldn't recommend these for outdoor usage though, even with a 3rd-party battery pack.
Samples:
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Melange/193648
Samples:
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Melange/193648
Even if you don't wanna use Elinchrom's own accessories, there are alot of other third-party softboxes and such out there. Though, umbrella wise it can only accept 7mm shafts and most umbrellas other than Elinchrom's are 8mm.
there is no better or worse. There is always something better out there, including your camera.
Difference of 100Ws
Different flash duration and recycle time
One's skyport built-in while the other isn't.
One allows the use of modelling lamps to indicate that it is charged while the other doesn't.
Is the BXRi better? Definitely. Is it worth the extra cost? That will depend on your needs.
Difference of 100Ws
Different flash duration and recycle time
One's skyport built-in while the other isn't.
One allows the use of modelling lamps to indicate that it is charged while the other doesn't.
Is the BXRi better? Definitely. Is it worth the extra cost? That will depend on your needs.
Thanks, i understand the difference. my question was intended more towards "which kit is better value for the money." Anyway, I was wondering if I could have a better setup with 2 flashguns (580EX II) compared to d-lite4 kit? The cost of these two setups would be nearly the same. Would the 580EX perform poorly compared to d-lites in terms of softness of light? I would be primarily taking portraits, full body if possible, and some product shots. Would also like to do some mid day outdoor shots if it's possible with 580EX IIs. Budget wise would be around $2.5k.
I think for D'lite 4 u cannot use portable battery. Better check it out.
For outdoor shoot, two 580 EXII flash gun will be more practical. See my latest outdoor shoot using 580exii and sb800 on brolly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paiman/4128273922/
the D'Lite 4's AC powered.
You will need a sine wave inverter: http://www.innovatronix.com/explorerXT.asp
Cathay sells it for ~$700 I believe.
Not too sure about the complexity of your shoot. Only problem with the flashguns are that the power is simply too low unless you combine multiple 580s. Either that or you have to way for a much later time.
Another thing will be realiability. They have very slow recycle times (the 580s) and it is alot harder to power up/down. Another thing will be, what you're using to fire them off. If you're using an IR transmitter like the ST-E2 it is going to be difficult under bright conditions.
You will need a sine wave inverter: http://www.innovatronix.com/explorerXT.asp
Cathay sells it for ~$700 I believe.
Not too sure about the complexity of your shoot. Only problem with the flashguns are that the power is simply too low unless you combine multiple 580s. Either that or you have to way for a much later time.
Another thing will be realiability. They have very slow recycle times (the 580s) and it is alot harder to power up/down. Another thing will be, what you're using to fire them off. If you're using an IR transmitter like the ST-E2 it is going to be difficult under bright conditions.
Thanks for the reply. It looks like the battery is quite heavy though, would be really difficult for portability. I guess I'll just have to save up more and get the Ranger Quadra then? It seems a bit on high side in terms of price though, considering i still have to spend on a lot of accessories like light stands, softbox, adapter etc.. Do you have any other alternatives to this?
Nice pics by the way..
nice pics?
I think you need to understand that outdoor location shoots are the hardest of all photoshoots. If you're talking about guerilla style shooting, then the ranger quadra will probably be the best. All you need is an assistant to sling it. Not sure about your lighting experience, but it's not going to be easy at all if this is your first time doing it. Many more things can go wrong as compared to a studio shoot.
I think you need to understand that outdoor location shoots are the hardest of all photoshoots. If you're talking about guerilla style shooting, then the ranger quadra will probably be the best. All you need is an assistant to sling it. Not sure about your lighting experience, but it's not going to be easy at all if this is your first time doing it. Many more things can go wrong as compared to a studio shoot.
- Status
