im thinking of buying a couple of profoto compacts
well starting with one 300w compact R with the pocketwizard reciever built in .
anybody use them ? any feedback good or bad ,how noisy is the fan etc
at the moment were using a couple of speedlights 580ex with one on camera and one firing into a brolly but was going to buy a 3rd 580 just so we could use it as master non firing /background/light etc twhen the i realised that would be nearly £900,s worth of speedlights to get a half arsed lighting set up .thats limited with recycling time ,eats batterys like there free ,with a limited range of light modifiers ,nice n mobile though but for indoor use think i would rather have a purpose made studio light
so here i am just having talked my self into a set of studio lamps
like the idea of the profoto zoom head design and the range of modifiers is pretty decent
the local camera shop to me (calumet) is a profoto dealer so no problem getting bits n bobs as n when required .....
I say this as a very happy Profoto owner: I'm not a fan of the Compacts. I feel like Profoto decided that they should sell a monolight, but didn't want to commit to doing it right. They're simply too big, which you'll really notice the first time you pack 'em up and try to take them somewhere, and they're an awkward shape for using on booms or smaller stands. I heard a Profoto exec on a podcast refer to them as being intended for wedding and event shooters, but I just don't see the value.
However, if you're planning on expanding further into the Profoto line and want to be using their modifiers (including the zoom reflectors, which are absolutely amazing if you like to work with hard light), then they're certainly a viable option.
Personally, if I were shopping for monolights and willing to pay Profoto prices but didn't already own Profoto accessories, I'd actually be looking at Elinchrom's units. Alternately, in the UK, Bowens has a solid presence and is also available from Calumet (their house brand strobes in the US are basically rebadged Bowens).
thanks shatterkiss for the quick reply
handled the compacts in the shop today weighty yep there solid
as for the profoto prices ive sourced the 300 compact with out the pocket wizard for £285 GBP thats about the same as a 580ex mk2
i wasnt to keen on the plasticky build quality on the calumet/genessis
spotted some bessel kits that are at ok money but not heard much in the way of reviews
For that wattage and price range you owe it to yourself to look at the Elinchrom RX-300 and EL-Skyport. I think the RX system has far more value than the Compacts. 300 ws with a 6 stop range and digital control. Can't beat that.
The lamp is a fantastic unit, a sturdy aluminium chasis, coated with a non slip rubberised layer to aid handling. The internals are kept cool by an almost silent fan. This lamp is build better than any of the lamps I have previously used and this includes the likes of Elinchrom!.
We stand by all of our equipment and offer the opportunity for you to visit our studio to try the equipment before you buy. We leave it to you to make up your own mind.
Contact me if you feel you would like any more information on any of the products in our range. I'm not touting here, merely trying to offer assistance to a user.
Gregg Heckler wrote:
For that wattage and price range you owe it to yourself to look at the Elinchrom RX-300 and EL-Skyport. I think the RX system has far more value than the Compacts. 300 ws with a 6 stop range and digital control. Can't beat that.
Not to mention the faster flash duration of the RX... One of the downsides of the current Compacts is the very slow flash duration.
Also, take a look at the new Elinchrom BX/Ri monolights. They are cheaper than the RX monolights, come with built in Skyports, but "only" have a 5 stop power range.
As far as monolights go, I think Elinchrom currently makes the most versatile/flexible units out there
I had the Compact 600R kit. They are great light sources, but are heavy and larger than some others if you are going to be schlepping them around to different locations. Therein lies the rub on all monolights, the power supply and its weight, is on top of the light stand. I prefer heads and packs - like the ProFoto Acute 1200R, it keeps the weight on the top of the stand a bit lighter and makes stand height adjustment a lot easier. If some klutz knocks over the light, you are out one flash head, not the whole monolight.
Being a "serious amateur", I love my Profoto monolights. In fact I've always preferred monolights. Having used the old Bowens monolights in the past, I guess I don't find the Profoto monolights to be that big or heavy. But, if I were a working pro, I would look at the Profoto power packs and heads.
The 600 Compacts were my first foray into Profoto gear. I purchased a 7B shortly after the and I felt the Compacts were becoming a little bulky to use and transport. I have since purchased only packs and haven't looked back. As Simon pointed out, they are very long and cumbersome. The positive thing about the tube-like housing is that you can un-clamp the unit from the mounting ring and slide the body to where you want it, giving you the option of better balance with using medium modifiers.
Another thing I liked about them is the modeling light. It's has good power and can be set to proportional.
