Flashman 2 is a decent pack. It is 1900 ws. The regular Flashman is about 900 ws.
The limitation on the Flashman packs is that there is only a 3 stop adjustment range. The heads are also synchronous only - same amount of power to each head.
Price on the regular Flashman is usually around $250 on Ebay. The Flashman 2 comes up less often, no really good price history. Maybe $325+?
The Pulso 2 heads are good - great really - almost current heads that function quite well. Get pictures of the flash tubes to guage usage. Make sure you get them with the protective glass cover, that is a big differential in price (they cost about $200 new.)
The Pulso 2 means 1600ws (the "2" is 1600, "4" is 3200 ws) The Pulso 2 tubes should be color corrected on the tube - yellowish - with a clear protector.
The more powerful 3200 ws Pulso 4 tubes should be **clear** - no UV coating - with a yellow/UV coated protective glass. That is because of the extra heat of the 3200 ws tube.
Price for a decent Pulso 2 seems to be about $550 to $750 or more, depending on condition and demand on Ebay. A Pulso 4 usually sells for a bit more.
I just can't get over how ugly light blue plastic is. Was their designer color blind? I've been tempted by their Mobil but the Pico's built-in reflector is a dealbreaker for me. It'd be such a nice little head if the bulb just poked out a little.
bacilonur wrote:
I just can't get over how ugly light blue plastic is. Was their designer color blind?
The Flashman packs don't look too bad, a mix of blue and black. Some of the old 404 era packs and especially the reflectors are **really** ugly though! The Pulso A4 look pretty decent.
I've been tempted by their Mobil but the Pico's built-in reflector is a dealbreaker for me. It'd be such a nice little head if the bulb just poked out a little.
It has a 130 degree spread, which is not too bad! I think that is wider than the widest reflector that Bron makes, the P120 reflector.
You could crop the aluminum to get the tube to stick out. But you would lose the color correcting glass - maybe -500 degrees?
I thought about doing that to one head for my Para, but never bothered.
The Mobil can also take any other Bron head, without using the modelling light. Folks rarely use modelling lights on those packs anyway (like the Profoto Acute 600b.) The Unilite is an intermediate-size head that I use for location that can go "bare bulb" without a reflector.
If you want modelling lights to **really** use, you have to go to a bigger/heavier battery system like the Bron Verso (or Profoto B2.)
spxxxx wrote:
the price is too much for it I think - $1300 approx
For the pack alone, or with some heads?
I do have a Flashman and a Flashman 2 that I should sell. But I am afraid shipping would be too much to the UK?
At the $1,300 price point you would be better off with more flexible equipment. Digital readout, 5 to 7 stop range, .1 stop adjustments, etc.
A Pulso 2 or Pulso 4 pack should run around $700 to $800. Very similar to the newer Grafit in function, with adjustable flash duration to very short durations, multiple pops, counters, etc.
The Pulso A4 - the "A" being asynchronous, over 4 heads - usually sell for much more, about $1,750 last year on Ebay. Have not seen any of the "A"'s there in a while.
The Primo heads are a decent deal now at around $350. Again, make sure you get protecting glass - and good tubes. Cheaper to buy a good, used Bron head than a new tube and glass for one.
mmurph wrote:
For the pack alone, or with some heads?
I do have a Flashman and a Flashman 2 that I should sell. But I am afraid shipping would be too much to the UK?
At the $1,300 price point you would be better off with more flexible equipment. Digital readout, 5 to 7 stop range, .1 stop adjustments, etc.
A Pulso 2 or Pulso 4 pack should run around $700 to $800. Very similar to the newer Grafit in function, with adjustable flash duration to very short durations, multiple pops, counters, etc.
The Pulso A4 - the "A" being asynchronous, over 4 heads - usually sell for much more, about $1,750 last year on Ebay. Have not seen any of the "A"'s there in a while.
The Primo heads are a decent deal now at around $350. Again, make sure you get protecting glass - and good tubes. Cheaper to buy a good, used Bron head than a new tube and glass for one....Show more →
Unfortunately in the UK we pay over the top for all photographic stuff..... even paying £1 for what you would pay $1. Rip off Britain.
Again thanks for the info - one last point - would USA sourced heads work ok with a UK pack ? without changing the tubes?
spxxxx wrote:
would USA sourced heads work ok with a UK pack ? without changing the tubes?
Yes. You will need to change the modelling lights to 220v, but not the flash tubes themselves.
I have gone the other way, and imported from Germany and the UK. It can be odd, because a UK head might use a screw base modelling light, where the US version uses a 2-pin base, etc.
But the modelling lights themselves are easily sourced using the base type and wattage. No reason to buy from Bron - you will pay $35 or £35 for a $4 bulb.
Many Bron packs are bi-voltage. They can switch from 110v to 220v. But not all.
The one good thing with 220v is that you can use up to a 650 watt modelling light, versus about 350 watt with 110v.
Good luck! Probably good to post so that others have access to this info, but feel free to e-mail if you have other questions.
mmurph wrote:
The Flashman packs don't look too bad, a mix of blue and black. Some of the old 404 era packs and especially the reflectors are **really** ugly though! The Pulso A4 look pretty decent.
.....
Best,
Michael
Hey, my 304 and 404 packs stand out in the studio, and they just keep right on working and working. I only wish that camera companies would take a cue from them.
