I am not trying to start a war here I just want to know which one would be best for me in the long run. I will be using these for both Studio and Outdoor Portrait sessions. Will the profoto or elinchrom work with the PCB wireless triggers or should I use the skyports or pocket wizards. I haven't heard too many good things on the profotos with the built in pocket wizard receivers, but I was interested in them because they we're fairly inexpensive as kit.
I don't use monoblocks, but I do use Profoto Acute2R, D4 and AcuteB 600R and never had a problem with the built-in Pocket Wizards. Don't know anybody who has. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen, just not to me or anyone I know.
I will attest to the Hensels. Bought a kit setup from a fellow FMer a year or so ago that features the 500's. Works very well and there is a ton of accessories & replacement parts available. It's very much a standard in Europe, but not as well known here in the US. Here's a linky to the kit:
imo, the issue with the profoto mono's is not the pw....it is the fact that they have analogue controls, and competitors like hensel and elinchrom have digital controls and digital remotes which allow you to adjust the monos without having to lower them once they are in position...i shoot with profoto battery packs, but do have a compact 600r to use with them when i shoot indoors, and it performs flawlessly...you really should look at the modifiers each offer and factor that into your decision making....
bka20d wrote:
imo, the issue with the profoto mono's is not the pw....it is the fact that they have analogue controls, and competitors like hensel and elinchrom have digital controls and digital remotes which allow you to adjust the monos without having to lower them once they are in position...i shoot with profoto battery packs, but do have a compact 600r to use with them when i shoot indoors, and it performs flawlessly...you really should look at the modifiers each offer and factor that into your decision making....
People keeps saying that a person should make their decision depending on the modifiers. I guess I am a bit naivete on this. I have only used 580EXs and umbrellas and one cheap softbox. Everyone seems to rave about Elinchrom's deep octa SB, and complain about the AB/WL Soft boxes being cheap. I prefer glamour type lighting so a octa soft box is on the list of must haves along with strip boxes. Other than that I probably couldn't tell the difference between modifiers except build quality. I am in all honesty looking at Photoflex modifiers anyways.
jscoby05 wrote:
People keeps saying that a person should make their decision depending on the modifiers. I guess I am a bit naivete on this. I have only used 580EXs and umbrellas and one cheap softbox. Everyone seems to rave about Elinchrom's deep octa SB, and complain about the AB/WL Soft boxes being cheap. I prefer glamour type lighting so a octa soft box is on the list of must haves along with strip boxes. Other than that I probably couldn't tell the difference between modifiers except build quality. I am in all honesty looking at Photoflex modifiers anyways.
the point of looking at the modifiers is to see if there are any special ones that you may want that a third party does not manufacturer. one of the reasons, for example, that i went with profoto was that i liked their giant umbrella style reflectors, hard box and pro globe...and there were some elinchrom mods including the deep throat octa, that could readily be adapted for use with profoto lights...if you do not have the need for or feel you will have the need for any of the specialty mods that a particular company makes, then there is no need to factor their modifiers into your decision making process...
2ea WL800
2ea WL1600
Paul C. Buff Triggers
Paul Buff 4 piece grid set
Paul Buff Mainframe and 6 piece gel set
Paul Buff 22" Beauty Dish w/ sock
Bogen/Manfrotto Stands
5ft. Photoflex Octidome w/ grid
2ea Photoflex Half Dome Strip Boxes w/ grids
2ea Photoflex White umbrellas
2ea Photoflex Silver umbrellas
Is there anything else that I should need, I will be getting a couple of vagabonds later on. I will also get continuous rolls of white and black paper from my local camera shop.
I know you're leaning toward the WL strobes, but just a note:
If you change your mind and decide to get the Elinchrom RX strobes, then definitely get the Skyport RX triggers! They will enable you to control everything remotely, including flash power, modeling lights, everything! You can also buy a USB dongle that will then enable you to control your entire studio from you computer. You can even save your lighting setups, so you can recreate them in the future. (This comes in handy with complicated lighting setups, or for location shoots).
If you get the PCB CyberSync Plus receivers and then get the Cyber Commander trigger/meter you will be able to control the WLs from the CC. Although the details are not complete it sounds like a very capable system.
Also, unless there is something special about the Photoflex octis the PCB foldable octis and strip boxes are very convenient and they also have grids.
dmward wrote:
If you get the PCB CyberSync Plus receivers and then get the Cyber Commander trigger/meter you will be able to control the WLs from the CC. Although the details are not complete it sounds like a very capable system.
Also, unless there is something special about the Photoflex octis the PCB foldable octis and strip boxes are very convenient and they also have grids.
I have heard several people complain about the PCB softboxes. I'd like to get the foldable PCB Softboxes for cost and ease of use if they work well though.
Most people love their Photofles softboxes. If you were going down that route, I'd stick with it. If several people complain about something, there's usually a reason.
jscoby05 wrote:
Well I think this is what I will be getting
2ea WL800
2ea WL1600
Paul C. Buff Triggers
Paul Buff 4 piece grid set
Paul Buff Mainframe and 6 piece gel set
Paul Buff 22" Beauty Dish w/ sock
Bogen/Manfrotto Stands
5ft. Photoflex Octidome w/ grid
2ea Photoflex Half Dome Strip Boxes w/ grids
2ea Photoflex White umbrellas
2ea Photoflex Silver umbrellas
I have the WL1600's and Alien Bees 800's - both are made by the same company. The 1/4 power switch on the WL1600 is the only reason I didn't get AB1600's. The AB's are every bit as good IMO. You can even combine WL & AB on an order to increase your discount if you call.
I wouldn't bother with the Mainframe and gel set unless you plan to do a whole lot of gels. The lights come with gel clips or you can gaffer them to the 7" reflectors.
The Photoflex softboxes are pretty rugged and the material is really heavy-duty. However, the PCB foldable softboxes haven't given me any issues and I do all my shooting on the road (no home studio). If you think the softboxes will take a lot of abuse then go with the Photoflex, otherwise the PCB foldables are cheaper and more convenient.
sleibrand wrote:
I have the WL1600's and Alien Bees 800's - both are made by the same company. The 1/4 power switch on the WL1600 is the only reason I didn't get AB1600's. The AB's are every bit as good IMO. You can even combine WL & AB on an order to increase your discount if you call.
I wouldn't bother with the Mainframe and gel set unless you plan to do a whole lot of gels. The lights come with gel clips or you can gaffer them to the 7" reflectors.
The Photoflex softboxes are pretty rugged and the material is really heavy-duty. However, the PCB foldable softboxes haven't given me any issues and I do all my shooting on the road (no home studio). If you think the softboxes will take a lot of abuse then go with the Photoflex, otherwise the PCB foldables are cheaper and more convenient. ...Show more →
I really appreciate the advice, really was looking for first hand experience.
I don't understand why Einsteins aren't on this list?
The Einstein series will replace WL, is due for release shortly (ie Dec/Jan), and PCB claims it will be better than Profoto in almost every way (other than ruggedness, design of mount- though this has been improved, and rental availability). 1/10th stop digital power, not digital controls of analoge power, like current Elinchrom, Profoto, etc. Plus many other features incl: built-in rechargable batteries (at least for the 512w/s version- which is expected to retail around US$500).
Have a look at the threads in the PCB forum for more details.
PS do a seach on the Photoflex 5' octa. I've read of owners hating how difficult they apparently are to setup (ie on location).
shoebox9 wrote:
I don't understand why Einsteins aren't on this list?
The Einstein series will replace WL, is due for release shortly (ie Dec/Jan), and PCB claims it will be better than Profoto in almost every way (other than ruggedness, design of mount- though this has been improved, and rental availability). 1/10th stop digital power, not digital controls of analoge power, like current Elinchrom, Profoto, etc. Plus many other features incl: built-in rechargable batteries (at least for the 512w/s version- which is expected to retail around US$500).
Have a look at the threads in the PCB forum for more details.
PS do a seach on the Photoflex 5' octa. I've read of owners hating how difficult they apparently are to setup (ie on location)....Show more →
You can't believe everything you read. I've got the 7' and it literally takes me 2 minutes to mount it to a standard speedring. Taking it apart is just as easy, thanks to its velcro ends.
And Einsteins, while wonderful in theory, are still vaporware. Until they come out, you really shouldn't count on them for any real work. While I have no doubt that they really will be as revolutionary as Paul has described them, you're better off buying WLs until they're a done deal.
I use 'em with PWizards.
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