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Archive 2009 · AcuteB Questions

Gregg Heckler
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p.2 #1 · AcuteB Questions

"I'm sorry but ANY light you make should securely mount, out of the box, to ANY modifier you make. Position the product with other specs."

That's exactly what they did. Elinchrom built a wireless, 400WS portable studio flash system, that is not a hot shoe mount and more powerful with a modeling light in a specific price range. They also made it for half the price of the older tech Profoto. If you want real heavy duty, the Ranger RX is probably the way to go or use it with smaller reflectors and softboxes.

Edited on Nov 03, 2009 at 11:41 PM · View previous versions

Nov 03, 2009 at 10:39 PM

sboerup
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p.2 #2 · AcuteB Questions

Just to clarify, you can use all of the Eli mods on the Quadra. I even use a Mola Demi on my Quadra as well!

I had 2 AcuteBs before dumping and going to Quadra. Do I regret it? Sometimes, but the Quadra is sure nice. Very light, enough power for most things. Considering adding a Ranger RX, but I wasn't a huge fan of their size previously. I think they are equally balanced in pros/cons, the only question that tips the scale on either end is if size/portability is the highest priority.

Nov 03, 2009 at 11:25 PM

sboerup
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p.2 #3 · AcuteB Questions

Another note while reading the thread:
-Quadra adapter does indeed have a lock in the bayonet mount. Twist, and a rod comes down to also lock, just like other Eli lights.

Nov 03, 2009 at 11:28 PM

bacilonur
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p.2 #4 · AcuteB Questions

Conner999 wrote:
One 'little thing' about Profoto I like are the protective glass domes. One of my "it's great kit, but WTF..?" pet peeves with Eli monos are that the tubes are so exposed when swapping modifiers. Every time I mount/remove my Demi I keep thinking one little slip and that tube is toast. Same when reaching into Eli SB to lock/unlock rotation nut - one slip and I'm wiping my fingerprints off the tube with acetone.

Just wait, you're gonna miss those naked Swiss bulbs the first time you drop a Profoto head and realize you just threw away $600. ($400 for the bulb, $200 for the cover) Elinchrom bulbs are far more reasonable.

Nov 03, 2009 at 11:41 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.2 #5 · AcuteB Questions

bacilonur wrote:
Conner999 wrote:
One 'little thing' about Profoto I like are the protective glass domes. One of my "it's great kit, but WTF..?" pet peeves with Eli monos are that the tubes are so exposed when swapping modifiers. Every time I mount/remove my Demi I keep thinking one little slip and that tube is toast. Same when reaching into Eli SB to lock/unlock rotation nut - one slip and I'm wiping my fingerprints off the tube with acetone.

Just wait, you're gonna miss those naked Swiss bulbs the first time you drop a Profoto head and realize you just threw away $600. ($400 for the bulb, $200 for the cover) Elinchrom bulbs are far more reasonable.

For that much you could buy a brand new head.

Nov 03, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #6 · AcuteB Questions

I think the Quadra and Ranger are nice kit and I use and like Elinchrom, so no dirt flung that way - but I do find some aspects of the system wanting, FOR ME, in some ways. Enough to walk to Profoto? Still undetermined.

Will some folks feel the same way about Profoto, AB, Hensel, etc? Certainly. Might I feel the same way about Profoto in 12 mos time if I go that route? Maybe. But right now I have a tipping point decision to make, so need to look at all the options.

soberup - Very good to know. Looking at images of the system, you can't see any locking mechanics, so asked that question in some other forums to no avail. As you say, need to weigh the pros/cons of all the systems - none will be perfect by any means. EDIT - Just found the 3D tour of the unit on Eli's website and can see the locking tab your talking about. Strike one 'little thing' off the list. Thanks again.

Bacilonur - I'm sure. It's not dropping the light I'm yaking about (that would do-in any unit), it's tapping the exposed tube with the mount when mounting/dismounting a mod like the Demi. One aspect of Profoto that works in Eli's favor, is as you say, the cost of various components.

My original statement re: mounting all modifiers:
---------------------
"I'm sorry but ANY light you make should securely mount, OUT OF THE BOX, to ANY modifier YOU make."

Needing an adapter is not OOB. Using an adapter that folks need to modify to take heavier modifiers (without droop) is a PITA - not an huge PITA, but a PITA. Might I still end up going that route (as I did with an older DLite)? Maybe - the Quadra has a LOT going for it. Now that said, if used treated by photogs as a standalone system - Quadra lights with Quadra modifiers, they made a 'complete' system. However, that's a narrow interpretation. Anyone with any Eli modifiers will want the ability to use a Quadra head with as many of them as they deem useful (hence why they designed the adapter) - and my comment.

Me, I'd have preferred if they made the system to the standard mount at the cost of maybe some size - or included a heavier-duty adapter as part of the kit. Would that have allowed for proper positioning of the Quadra vs. the Ranger by Eli? They didn't think so.

Wish I could get my hands on these various units to test, but nearest vendor is about 14 hrs drive, so.....

Thanks all for the input.

Nov 04, 2009 at 12:08 AM

c.d.embrey
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p.2 #7 · AcuteB Questions

For me, the main selling points for Profoto is the mount, their toughness and the fact that anybody's light modifiers can be fitted with a little work. Like Elinchrom they have a central umbrella mount, but unlike Elinchrom, anyone's umbrella shaft will fit. I use PCB PLMs and Hensel's 1140 Parabolic umbrella http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/585837-REG/Hensel_1140_Parabolic_Umbrella_32_80cm_.html which won't work with Elinchrom, I'm told.

I like crisp light and the unique Profoto Hardbox gives me believable sunlight at 9:00 pm 8-] http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303731-REG/Profoto_100718_Hardbox_Fits_on.html

And did I mention Profoto only has one mount style. Any Profoto modifier will work with the 600B -- no adapters needed.

Nov 04, 2009 at 01:42 AM

Carmen Miranda
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p.2 #8 · AcuteB Questions

Conner999 wrote: Now that said, if used treated by photogs as a standalone system - Quadra lights with Quadra modifiers, they made a 'complete' system. However, that's a narrow interpretation. Anyone with any Eli modifiers will want the ability to use a Quadra head with as many of them as they deem useful (hence why they designed the adapter) - and my comment. .......Me, I'd have preferred if they made the system to the standard mount at the cost of maybe some size - or included a heavier-duty adapter as part of the kit. Would that have allowed for proper positioning of the Quadra vs. the Ranger by Eli? They didn't think so.

I think you are over thinking this or you just missed the point that Peter made, which is that you can use ANY of Elinchrom's standard heads with the Quadra pack, which means they already made the system to the standard mount at the cost of maybe some size. That doesn't make Quadra a "perfect" system, but it definitely makes it a "complete" system.
BTW, if you can afford a AcuteB you can also afford a standard Eli pack head WITH the Quadra.

The Quadra is more of an expansion of the Eli system into the Lumedyne, Quantum and Norman realm, than a direct competitor to the AcuteB. The basic Ranger is the direct competitor with the AcuteB. Sure we all want products to cost like AB and work like Bron, but let's get real and compare apples to apples here. Each has it's place. The AcuteB is a great bit of kit and the ProFoto mount is totally slick. Then again, Elinchrom has something for everybody and some really sweet features and mods to boot. But all this armchair travail is a bit like agonizing over why your wife can't be more like your mistress and why you can't have them both. Such is life.

Ciao

Edited on Nov 04, 2009 at 01:50 AM · View previous versions

Nov 04, 2009 at 01:44 AM

c.d.embrey
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p.2 #9 · AcuteB Questions

Carmen Miranda wrote:

Don't forget the Einstein.

(that ought to get things rolling).

Ciao

Please stop stirring the pot 8-]

Nov 04, 2009 at 01:49 AM

Conner999
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p.2 #10 · AcuteB Questions

Thanks C.D.

Carmen - your point on the Ranger head + Quadra is well taken re: use of all modifiers with a Quadra PACK. If Peter's point was just that, I did miss it.

Nov 04, 2009 at 02:30 AM

Gregg Heckler
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p.2 #11 · AcuteB Questions

"Don't forget the Einstein.
(that ought to get things rolling).

Ciao

Please stop stirring the pot 8-]"

Depending on how soon I need something I prefer to compare products that actually exist. I think Conner is doing very good due diligence with two companies that produce product in the category he needs and have a proven track record.

Nov 04, 2009 at 05:27 AM

Aberdeen Photo
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p.2 #12 · AcuteB Questions

Wish I could get my hands on these various units to test, but nearest vendor is about 14 hrs drive, so.....

that really sucks... I am considering adding an AcuteB to go w/ my 7B. Love the Profoto line. Owned and used many others; but the build quality; quality of light and mods available make it a winner. good luck!

Nov 04, 2009 at 03:53 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #13 · AcuteB Questions

Thanks Aberdeen. Keeping my options open, but am developing a Profoto leaning. The AcuteB could be a my 'gateway drug' into Profoto ;>

Nov 04, 2009 at 05:25 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #14 · AcuteB Questions

For those that helped out, I went with Quadra. Really WANTED to go with AcuteB but what I wanted vs. what I needed & made sense (within the context of my budget) were two different matters. What swung it to Quadra (at this point in time):

- A nice clean used A head kit (2A heads, 2 batteries, Skyport trx, Reflectors, etc) for good $$. Don't envision using both heads often, but ability to do so IF needed would be nice - even having the spare head and battery is a plus. The difference between this kit and the current deal on a AcuteB600R one light, two battery kit was about $900+ plus taxes (13%).

- Already use Skyport and ability to control the power and modeling lights for both my 500BXRi and Quadra heads from the hotshoe vs simply triggering the pack is worth a lot. Gives me a nice integrated system - albeit with a mount I could do without, but integrated none the less. AcuteB would have been remote trigger only.

- Recharge in 90 min vs 5 hrs (barring optional $250+ 2.5hr 2A charger)

- Flash duration

- 400 vs 600Ws was not a deciding factor.

- Found a used copy of the illusive Quadra-EL adapter for a steal, so that made the unit usable from day 1 (adapter will get the Manfrotto mod). Now just could use a second.

- No need, right away to purchase new reflectors, speed rings,etc. When you look beyond the packs/lights (regardless of whose), the 'extra's you 'need' to use same add up fast.

- I also wouldn't be surprised if Profoto updated the AcuteB R with some of their newer tech such as Air, duration, fast charging, two sockets?.

So, while I still WANT to move to Profoto over time, the ease of immediate use, the ability to have an integrated system with Skyport, etc., made Quadra the 'head' vs 'heart' choice. Had I been able to try both, things might be different. That said, if the Quadra disappoints vs what I want/expected, I know where I'll head and having bought used my re-sale exposure is lower. Also, if Profoto updates the AcuteB R at a reasonable (in Profoto terms) price or IF at that juncture used Acute B Rs become just too tantalizing to pass up....

Thanks again all for the assists.

Edited on Nov 17, 2009 at 05:02 PM · View previous versions

Nov 17, 2009 at 02:01 PM

shatterkiss
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p.2 #15 · AcuteB Questions

I'm sure you'll be very happy with the purchase - by all reports the Quadra is a great unit and you can't beat getting a really good price on used gear.

One note, though:

Conner999 wrote:
- Recharge in 90 min vs 5 hrs (barring optional $250+ 2.5hr 2A charger)

I don't think my AcuteB has ever taken 5 hrs to go from drained to charged, unless it's one of those things where it's 2hrs to go from empty to 90%, 3 hrs to go the last 10%...some of my Sony camcorder batteries seem to work that way. I've actually been pleasantly surprised at how quickly it charges, especially compared to the larger batteries in packs like the 7B or the little 12v battery packs I use for my Speedlights.

Nov 17, 2009 at 02:34 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #16 · AcuteB Questions

Interesting - thanks. I suspect your 2hrs to 90% is probably right.

Nov 17, 2009 at 02:38 PM

jdear
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p.2 #17 · AcuteB Questions

Couple the Quadra with the High speed sync of the new PW ttl units, and you have the ability to reach around 2 1/3 stops above the ambient. (normally around 1 stop)

thats sun beating power in a compact unit! Perfect for my weddings... hmmm should I sell the Ranger Speed...

Dec 08, 2009 at 01:33 AM

Conner999
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p.2 #18 · AcuteB Questions

Having since sold the Quadra (less than impressed) and moved to AcuteB (love it), I'd STRONGLY suggest you handle a Quadra, specifically the heads, before buying.

Edited on Dec 10, 2009 at 09:54 PM · View previous versions

Dec 09, 2009 at 11:50 AM

jdear
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p.2 #19 · AcuteB Questions

now go take beautiful photos ok??

Dec 10, 2009 at 09:02 PM

Conner999
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p.2 #20 · AcuteB Questions

So that's what all this bright flashy stuff is for.. ..who'd have known?

Dec 10, 2009 at 09:25 PM

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