Ok, i know that i have asked something similar, but now i am at the point where i have to bite the bullet. I have done some more reaserch. but i am in an area where no rents studio strobs.. so i cannot try them out.
I want some thing that i can use outside and over power the sun, something portable and battery operated, and fast of flash duration that i can get.
so far my options due to budget, ( cannot go over $3000.00)
Profoto Acute b600r
Elinchrom Ranger rx asymetrical
Bowens explorer 1500
Any feedback would be great, if you have tried any of them, your insights and comments would be apprecaited. I would like to know build quality, experinces with them etc..
thanks
craig
If you are looking for power AND short flash duration, the Ranger is probably your best bet since it's shortest flash duration is at it's highest power level. The Acute and I believe the Speedo are both traditional capacitor switching packs with shorter durations at the lower levels. (At least all my old Speedos were.)
To comfortably overpower the sun, you will most likely want, if not need, the extra stop of power the Ranger or Explorer have to offer. Even at the AcuteB's max power, both Speedo and Eli will recycle faster, run more efficiently and have greater capacity. And again, if your not using the power all the time you can always drop down to the B channel on the Ranger and cut your flash duration in half again. With my "Action" head on the B channel I get around 1/5000th (t.5) at @ 400ws as I recall. This and weatherproofing make snapping snow shredders a breeze with the Ranger. Digital RX and Skyport is a total dream, especially if you want to control your pack from a distance.
The big trade off of course is size and weight. The Explorer and Ranger are significantly bigger and heavier than the AcuteB, which is not surprising since they both are really more in the 7B power class.
All of these packs have great pedigrees, but if you opt for Ranger I'd heartily recommend the To Go Kit with A head which comes with an extra battery, a quick charger and some other stuff. At $3K you should have plenty left for some nice mods.
Good luck.
Edit: Sorry, I missed that you were asking about Bowens Explorer, not Speedotron Explorer. I have no experience with Bowens Explorer. Apologizes for any confusion.
Carmen,
Thanks for the info, it is greatly apprecaited. I think that the profoto is out just due to the fact that it is not "weather" sealed.
I took a look at the portys by Hensel as well but found that they did not have a great flash duration. ( 1/1750 for a max).
So that seriously leaves me with the two options that i can see. the elinchrom ranger, ( as i am not sure that the 400/ws is enough with the quadra) and the bowens.
again if anyone can chime in, i am all ears.
thanks
c
I can only agree with Carmen's reply.
I own quite a few Elinchrom flash units, battery and mains powered. It is a very well designed system, it will allow you to
expand, bases on your future needs. As a system all components are easily mixed & matched.
OTOH i find the 400ws. of the Quadra very adequate for most shots. This group picture was taken with the Quadra
at about 300W. with a Maxi Lite Reflector 43° 40 cm. There was some pretty harsh sunlight coming from camera right.
I had no problem balancing it with the Quadra. 1/[email protected].
Carmen Miranda wrote:
The Acute and I believe the Speedo are both traditional capacitor switching packs with shorter durations at the lower levels. (At least all my old Speedos were.)
Carmen: did you ever have problems freezing model motion (hair from swinging/turning head) w/ speedo gear? I seem to have problems w/ this even at the lower power levels on a speedo 805 pack w/ a 102 head...
