I just got into studio lighting in the past few months. I'm enjoying it a lot. I will soon have 4 AB800's. I also have 2 580EX's (one I and one II) that I can use in the field, but I'm wondering if I get a client on-site shoot, what the best power options are to be able to use all of the lighting on site.
sskoutas wrote:
I just got into studio lighting in the past few months. I'm enjoying it a lot. I will soon have 4 AB800's. I also have 2 580EX's (one I and one II) that I can use in the field, but I'm wondering if I get a client on-site shoot, what the best power options are to be able to use all of the lighting on site.
Kindly consider and comment. Thank you.
If you have power at the client's, bring extention cords and power strips. I've had problems with improperly wired outlets in some cases. I have 4 Interfit Stellar monolights. I think the ground was bad where I plugged one in. The light would cycle through flash/recharge. Plugging into another outlet solved the issue. Take extra cords/power strips in case you have bad plug.
You may want radio triggers of some type. The new Einstein and Cyber Commander look good. If I was buying more or replacing the Interfits I would be looking at this system. The Cyber Commander has gotten good reviews. The specs look good on the Einsteins. I'm the type to wait for user reviews/comments.before ordering.
I use the AC version of the ebay radio triggers. No issues other than replacing the battery on the transmitter. The Cyber Commander uses AAA batteries while the EBay triggers use a button cell. That's a plus from my perspective. I went with the AC receiver to avoid batteries. The less points of failure the better
Honda EU2000 generator. You'll be able to shoot all day with it unlike the limited number of shots from the Vagabond. It's really quiet, small, light, and you'll use it for countless other things. It's on my list of "10 best things I've ever bought".
The Vagabond is handy, but the batteries only last about a year and cost around $60 to replace. Mine has a knack for dying without warning when on location.
hondageek, can you think of an item that the EU2000 is comparable to in terms of noise? I like the idea, but if the generator is distracting (even if it is quiet for a generator), that could be problematic.
I had the generator..was a real bitch to carry around...even though it was light for its size. The Vagabond has never failed me. I have a couple and I have never run out of juice ever! They are light...quiet...and perfect.
While the Vagabond or Explorer solution may best for most people I wanted to comment on the Honda. I recently borrowed my father-in-law's eu2000 and couldn't have been happier. I powered two Elinchrom RX-600's in a Park and it never missed a beat. Yes it does produce some noise but nothing that bothered anyone and I didn't have to worry about running out of gas.
