I have taken some reading from Quadra head at full power attached to the following light shape tool at 3m/10ft.
1) 44cm Square reflector + translucent deflector (f11.9)
2) 53" Octa box + internal diffuser (f16.3)
I am not a fan boy, I don't work for Elinchrom and I use what is available to me.
I hear what people are saying, Quadra is not powerful ....etc.
Speedlight is so amazing so very very very powerful so powerful. Did you compare the spread and the size of light source speedlight vs quadra? (The two light shape tools I used above for the quadra test is amazing, speedlight what do you think??).
tonghc wrote:
Did you compare the spread and the size of light source speedlight vs quadra? (The two light shape tools I used above for the quadra test is amazing
Yes, quality of light is the first question. Otherwise, why bother?
Although there are a few "brute force" jobs out there - lots of pops fast - for straight speedlights.
Mark Astmann wrote:
With Elinchrom's vast assortment of lighting modifiers available for the Quadra I think it's a far better choice then the Profoto AcuteB 600.
They are both great tools and good choices, depending on your situation.
If you have a studio full of Profoto, which is very commonm, the hassle of supporting a second set of modifers is probably not worth any incremental gain from going to the Quadra.
Broncolor, Profoto, and Elinchrom all have an excellent selection of light modifiers, both general use and more specialized.
It is at the user own risk attaching the 53" octa to the adapter ring. (it will holdup in studio environment, not sure how well it works outdoor on location).
tonghc wrote:
I have taken some reading from Quadra head at full power attached to the following light shape tool at 3m/10ft.
1) 44cm Square reflector + translucent deflector (f11.9)
2) 53" Octa box + internal diffuser (f16.3)
I am not a fan boy, I don't work for Elinchrom and I use what is available to me.
I hear what people are saying, Quadra is not powerful ....etc.
Speedlight is so amazing so very very very powerful so powerful. Did you compare the spread and the size of light source speedlight vs quadra? (The two light shape tools I used above for the quadra test is amazing, speedlight what do you think??). ...Show more →
What ISO?
f16 with a large softbox is not bad at 3m. I don't think a speedlight (or 2 for that matter) can do that.
tonghc wrote:
How does it work for ABMax 640? Does it require a DC convert and a SLA battery? or can you plug an SLA battery straight into the unit?
ABMax must use an inverter although you can now use a non pure sinwave inverter (much cheaper). But you need to build a caring case yourself with the battery and the inverter plus they need air to cool down the inverter.
I would say ABMax is a studio light that you can use on location cheaper than before but is not made for that.
The Quadra is a great location light that you can use it in the studio with some limitations (like not so powerful and not tracking modeling light)
One thing I wish the skyport transmitter would have an LCD to show the strobe power. I don't need all the Cyber Commander feature but it would be handy to show the power.
f16 at 3m with a 53'' ocra is quite good. (assuming iso 100)
AB800 with a 32'' softbox at 2m is f22 making it f16 at 3m but the softbox is smaller, proving that the Quadra is a bit more powerful.
Thanks, it is exactly what I wanted to hear.
ronnie
My apology it is ISO 200 setting. Therefore I've just remeasured (from the front edge of the softbox) ISO 100 @ 2m 53" Octa read f16 , one stop less power than the AB800 on AB 32" Octa.
I hate testing equipment but there is so much talk about here, I though I can share some information with you guys since I have purchase the quadra.
According to AB test the Elinchrom D-Lite 2 (200ws) is about the same power as the AB400 (with the same umbrella the D-Lite 2 is 2/10 of a stop more powerful) : http://www.alienbees.com/compare.html
Assuming that the D-Lite 4 is 2/10 of a stop higher than the AB800 it would make the Quadra 4/10 of a stop higher than the AB800.
So the Quadra should be a bit more powerful than the AB800 (320ws), matching more or less the 400ws spec.
It would be cool that somebody could test them with the same umbrella or softbox. As I learn this is the only way to know.
After the announcement that the ABMAX would need a Vagabond type of inverter, I decided to go for the Quadra.
Did a quick test with an AB400 and the standard reflector against a Quadra with the optional 18cm Reflector (looks similar in shape to the standard AB one just a tad shorter). Distance 2m, ISO 100.
AB400: F13
EL Quadra: F20
So the Quadra is 1 & 1/3 stop more powerful than the AB400 (160ws). Matching the 400ws spec.
I tested also both with the same AB 20° grid (works perfectly on the 18cm Quadra reflector) to equalize the beam:
AB400: F11
EL Quadra: F18
Same 1 1/3 stop more for the Quadra.
I even tried the AB reflector on the Quadra (handholding) and I got the same F20.
I would agree with that if the adapter ring would be widely available (has it been seen in stock anywhere yet ?)
Until then, it's a very limited system and I'm quite upset about it. I was an early buyer and I was told the ring would be available 'shortly'. Yeah right ....
f1.2 wrote:
With Elinchrom's vast assortment of lighting modifiers available for the Quadra I think it's a far better choice then the Profoto AcuteB 600.
