I’m trying to finalize my portable light setup. Here’s what I have now, I’m trying to figure out the best option for modifiers… maybe I don’t need anything.
Vagabond (going to order this soon)
Pocket wizards
(2) M500XL Dynalite packs (plan to use one unless needed)
(2) 2040 Dynalite heads (plan to use one unless needed)
Shoot through umbrellas
Large softbox
I wouldn’t take the large softbox to a wedding, it would be a pain. Should I use the umbrellas or look at something else?
I see that a lot of folks using those small parabolic (?) umbrella/boxes… is that something I should look into? I’m sorry for the noob question, I know that I could get by with what I have. I’m open to buying something new that would be more controllable than an umbrella, yet still portable and sturdy enough for continued setup and tear down cycles.
For what it’s worth, I also use an extra small softbox with a 580EX and PW’s for a quick light… the new modifier will be used mainly for formals, e-sessions, etc.
Do you plan on using the Dynalite packs with the vagabond? To me, that seems like a LOT of weight. Also, I don't think people have had a lot of luck using those packs with an inverter like the Vagabond. Dynalite makes their own inverter, but it's specs are much higher (and cost around $1200). You would be better off with monolights for wedding stuff (or battery powered packs).
I don't know what you are trying to light, so can't recommend any modifiers. What are you looking to use them for?
sboerup wrote:
Do you plan on using the Dynalite packs with the vagabond? To me, that seems like a LOT of weight. Also, I don't think people have had a lot of luck using those packs with an inverter like the Vagabond. Dynalite makes their own inverter, but it's specs are much higher (and cost around $1200). You would be better off with monolights for wedding stuff (or battery powered packs).
I don't know what you are trying to light, so can't recommend any modifiers. What are you looking to use them for?
Well... essentially I'm trying to get a decent light setup with which I can travel. I already have the stuff mentioned -- didn't know the vagabond doesn't play nice with the dynalites.
The plan is for formals, e-sessions, etc., when there is time to set up lights.
Leave those packs in your studio and get a couple of Alien Bees with a Vagabond. The ABs will also work just fine with the Dynalites when you need them to.
tomrock wrote:
Leave those packs in your studio and get a couple of Alien Bees with a Vagabond. The ABs will also work just fine with the Dynalites when you need them to.
Yeah, that may be the way I'm heading....
I ordered the Vagabond after talking to Alien Bees and Dynalite. They both very cautiously state that it *should* work. We'll see -- I really don't want to buy more lights right now.
Anything you've heard about Dyna packs not working with the V2 is rubbish. I use my Vagabond with my 1000 W/S dyna packs frequently. I've even hooked up both packs and put all 2000 W/S through the V2, just to see recycle times. Sloooow.
However, 500 W/S through the V2 is fine, doesn't place any undue stress on the inverter, and recycle times are in the 1.5 second range.
I will concede that the setup gets bulky. It would certainly be optimal to have a monolight+battery instead of a pack+head+battery system, but 80% of my work is better for pack/head systems and power is almost always available, so until I decide to drop $2K on an AcuteB or Ranger system, I'm sticking with my Dynas and Vagabond II. I've got assistants to do the carrying
I've only brought the full setup to one wedding, but had the manpower to handle it. Otherwise I just stick with my standard speedlites (two 580EX and two SB-24) when I need portable power. For formals though, I will usually roll out the full Pelican case.
Regarding modifiers, I don't mess with umbrellas anymore. Too much spill and only minimal control over the light. When time allows, I usually use a 3'x4' chimera softbox for group formals, or a 3' octa with a grid for portraits (bridal or otherwise).
Running around with big gear is definitely a hassle. I started with Quantum's but the cost was too high and I couldn't really use them for any commercial work, so i sold them and got the Dynas. Then I didn't like the weight/bulk of the dynas so I tried the "strobist" thing using my small speedlights exclusively, but I wasn't satisfied with the power, recycle times, etc, so now I'm back at full circle with the Dynalite gear and big modifiers.
Additionally, one very important thing I've found about the business end of things is the whole "smoke and mirrors" concept. I go overboard on equipment at almost every shoot now. I bring an extra assistant if budget allows. I'll put up my 5' octabank even if I'm not positive I'm going to use it. For a service sector profession such as ours, perception is EVERYTHING. This is why the most successful photographers are often not the best photographers but the best marketers, networkers, etc. Using big fancy equipment and making my brides/clients feel like they're movie stars on the set of a full Hollywood production is just one of the many ways I try to differentiate myself from my local competition who often shoot available light only, or show up with "dinky" speedlights, even if they can do 90% of the job with 15% of the bulk. Your mileage may vary.
