How do you use your Ranger?

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Archive 2008 · How do you use your Ranger?

el_hoppy
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p.1 #1 · How do you use your Ranger?

I'm fairly new to the Elinchrom Ranger (AS speed) and still finding my feet with it. Besides the obvious one head on location set-up, I am wondering how people use theirs and whether they have the Sync or ASync version and why they choose that version?

I am making the switch from Bowens to Elinchrom and got the Ranger to start with. I decided on the AS version because I figured having a 66/33 split would be more useful than 50/50 for model shooting.

I ended up getting both an A and S head and the ringflash. In the studio I quickly got frustrated with the modelling light turning off, so I now use a Style 600RX as the key light and the Ranger for secondary lighting. Because I still have 3 Bowens heads, I have not really needed to see how to work with the fixed ratios when using two heads on the Ranger. I sort of wonder whether trying to work with 2 heads on the Ranger in the studio (especially as it is small with limited scope to move he 2nd light far enough back if 33% is still too powerful) is more trouble than it is worth.

I have used the ringflash on a couple of shoots but only for fill lighting, so it has been on the B port to keep the power down and with the flash head on A, acting either as the key or as a hair/rim light.

It is cold and snowed a little today, so my Ranger is going to me mostly studio bound for the next 6 months

Nov 19, 2008 at 11:12 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.1 #2 · How do you use your Ranger?

el_hoppy wrote: I am wondering how people use theirs and whether they have the Sync or ASync version and why they choose that version? .....
I figured having a 66/33 split would be more useful than 50/50 for model shooting.

Everybody works differently. Here's my .02.

For the most part I run only 1 head off the pack. The AS just gives me more options and greater flexibility. In order of importance for me 1.) extended 1 stop lower power range 2.) shorter flash duration 3.) ability to use second head either dominant or submissive.

I have not really needed to see how to work with the fixed ratios when using two heads on the Ranger. I sort of wonder whether trying to work with 2 heads on the Ranger in the studio (especially as it is small with limited scope to move he 2nd light far enough back if 33% is still too powerful) is more trouble than it is worth.

It can be. I used studio packs exclusively for years, but the independent asymmetry of monolights became very compelling, especially in light of their quality and accuracy today. Not to mention that many lights today (both monolights and packs) can now be integrated into a single system using one control like Skyport (Buff, Hensel, Bron, probably others have theirs too) offering flexibility and independence we never enjoyed or could afford before. At one time this was a major advantage that packs had over monolights; the ability to control of multiple heads from one pack. Only after attaining this new found RX (RFS, Cyberfash +, etc) independence and versatility do you realize how limited it was.
I still use a pack as the back bone of the studio, but it is pretty much used as single light source anymore. However it is almost always used within a RX system that either includes the Ranger or other monolights as BG or accent lights. My fill light is BX because it is usually within arms reach where I can easily adjust power by hand. But the pack and the Ranger rarely gets two heads unless I just didn't bother to haul other lights with me.

I have used the ringflash on a couple of shoots but only for fill lighting, so it has been on the B port to keep the power down and with the flash head on A, acting either as the key or as a hair/rim light.

With the Ranger you don't have to fill the A port to use the B for lower range or to shorten flash duration.
I'm not a big fan of using the ring light as a fill, mainly because the exposure changes as I move the camera, which is a PITA. Not to mention when using it as a second light off the pack you lose the independent control where you need it most, at the fill.

It is cold and snowed a little today, so my Ranger is going to me mostly studio bound for the next 6 months

I understand the reluctance to shoot in the cold, but the good news is the Ranger loves to get out in the snow. Just ask MtBakerSkier (sp).

Good luck

Nov 19, 2008 at 11:56 PM

el_hoppy
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p.1 #3 · How do you use your Ranger?

Thanks for the comments Carmen.

Carmen Miranda wrote:
1.) extended 1 stop lower power range 2.) shorter flash duration
I do like the ability to go low in the power. I had a play one day and found I could take my 85L into uncharted territory for studio use

3.) ability to use second head either dominant or submissive.
What do you mean by this?

It can be. I used studio packs exclusively for years, but the independent asymmetry of monolights became very compelling, especially in light of their quality and accuracy today. Not to mention that many lights today (both monolights and packs) can now be integrated into a single system using one control like Skyport (Buff, Hensel, Bron, probably others have theirs too) offering flexibility and independence we never enjoyed or could afford before. At one time this was a major advantage that packs had over monolights; the ability to control of multiple heads from one pack. Only after attaining this new found RX (RFS, Cyberfash +, etc) independence and versatility do you realize how limited it was.
I still use a pack as the back bone of the studio, but it is pretty much used as single light source anymore. However it is almost always used within a RX system that either includes the Ranger or other monolights as BG or accent lights. My fill light is BX because it is usually within arms reach where I can easily adjust power by hand. But the pack and the Ranger rarely gets two heads unless I just didn't bother to haul other lights with me.
I had my heart set on a Profoto (Acute2 2400) as my Bowens upgrade but then discovered I would use a lot of flexibility in adjust power between heads. I have quickly discovered the joys of fine tune adjustments of digital and of course full independence. A profoto D4 would have been nice but it is too expensive for a hobby

With the Ranger you don't have to fill the A port to use the B for lower range or to shorten flash duration.
I'm not a big fan of using the ring light as a fill, mainly because the exposure changes as I move the camera, which is a PITA. Not to mention when using it as a second light off the pack you lose the independent control where you need it most, at the fill.

I was aware that the A port did not need to be used. I used it partly as I was experimenting with how well it worked and to give me a feel for how it might go on location if I wanted to use the ring and one strobe and the Ranger was my only power source.

I was originally using an ABR800 and at the time used it as the key. I was never happy with the results (due to the way I was using it) and had to use it on a tripod to stop me changing the range to the model. I have found that when using it as a low powered fill, it is not so sensitive to movement.

I understand the reluctance to shoot in the cold, but the good news is the Ranger loves to get out in the snow. Just ask MtBakerSkier (sp).

I am certainly not worried about the Rangers performance in the cold. It's the guy behind the camera that is the problem

Don't remind me about MtBakerSkier. I saw his site just after I picked up my Ranger and started having very silly thoughts

Nov 20, 2008 at 07:18 AM

rudiphoto
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p.1 #4 · How do you use your Ranger?

I am coming at this from the other direction. I already have four monolights, two RX600's and two D-Lite4's. Tomorrow I am picking up my Ranger RX Speed AS kit, with one A head. I got the AS for much the same reasons as Carmen mentioned, mainly the extended lower power range and the shorter flash duration on port B. I plan to use it mainly with just one head, although I will be buying a second head fairly soon, just in case. Oh - I got the Ranger for outdoor shoots, even though I plan to use it in the studio when appropriate. The monolights will still rule the studio, they are simply awesome (RX strobes and Skyport RX = heaven

), but obviously the Ranger will rule on location. The way I see it, with wedding season starting as we speak and summer just around the corner, my Ranger will be doing the majority of the work for the next few months, studio appointments excepted.

Nov 24, 2008 at 07:53 AM

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