Bowens 750+ travel pack. any good?

Lowrell

Lowrell

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I have the oppurtunity to purchase the Bowens 750 travel kit that includes:

  • 2 x Bowens Esprit Gemini 750W Heads.
  • Bowens Travel-Pak with Bag and Charger.
  • Bowens Softbox 100.
  • Bowens 115cm Silver/White Umbrella.
  • 2 x Bowens Compact Lighting Support Stands.
  • Bowens Wide Angle Reflector.
  • Bowens Deluxe Kit Bag.
  • Power Cords, Sync Leads, Travel-Pak cable and Modelling Lamps.

I have searched the web for info/reweviews but havn't found that much. One review thats very helpful is here but is dated 2006:

http://www.gguida.com/GGUIDA/Reviews/Entries/2006/3/9_Bowens_Gemini_750+_Travel_Pak.html

The kit will cost me £1000.

Does anyone have any experience with the kit?

Does anyone have any reccomendations for any other studio kits t around £1000 (new or used)?

Are there any common problems i should look out for when vieweing?
 
At that price, for studio use, it's a fair deal, assuming it's not been hammered. If you intend to use it as an outdoor studio frequently, it's not so good. They're heavy to lug around and the recycle time is very slow.
 
do you need something for location mainly or studio? can pickup second hand broncolor mobils for under 1K when they come up..- not very often tho

Also lencarta stuff seems to get good reviews on here, some maybe worth looking at that also.
 
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If you want it primarily for studio use then it's a good kit - as long as it doesn't have too much power for your needs - 750 Ws x 2 is A LOT of power unless you have a large studio and/or shoot on medium format or bigger, you may not be able to reduce the power enough. And you may be able to haggle the price down my maybe a couple of hundred, I don't think it's a bargain at £1000.

For primarily location use then the Lencarta Safari Li-on twin head kit should be considered, at the same price. The Bowens kit has severe limitations re weight, recycling speed and number of flashes per charge. If you do decide to go for it, check that the batteries deliver the goods - lead acid batteries do have a limited life.
 
I have access to a very large space that I'm thinking to turn into a studio. Whilst most of the work will initially be mains powered I also want a system either is portable or can be expanded to be portable.

Can anyone tell me the difference between Bowens 750+ and Bowens 750pro. Pro appears to me to be the newer, more advanced model. Is that the case?

I'm now thinking to purchase the following brand new:

Bowens Gemini 750Pro/750Pro Kit - http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/bowens_gemini_750pro_750pro_kit/bw4880uk

I like the fact that I can expand with the travel pack later on.

What do you guys think?
 
The pro models recycle faster and have a shorter flash duration using a 3 pronged flash tube rather then a 2 there are other little features I think but those are the 2 main ones.

I use 2 500Pros & a travel pak for some location shoots its heavy yes but they are built like brick **** houses and work everytime, they have a huge range of power so your 750s should be fine if you have a big space.

With the travel pak you can get either a small or large battery so you can get more flashes per pak and have a spare if you don't mind lugging it around (I use a pelican case with fat wheels on) & if you can drive its the best option really.

One thing to remember when looking at the Lencarta if you have even conisdered it is that the little heads can't hold big modifiers so I've heard.
 
The pro models recycle faster and have a shorter flash duration using a 3 pronged flash tube rather then a 2 there are other little features I think but those are the 2 main ones.
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That's right, basically the third terminal means that in effect there are 2 small flash tubes (in one) meaning that the flash duration is divided into two.

One thing to remember when looking at the Lencarta if you have even conisdered it is that the little heads can't hold big modifiers so I've heard.
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It's prudent to use an extra stand to support the weight of large modifiers, that isn't hard to do.
 
OK. Here's another option I've been considering...

Elinchrom 600/600RX Kit - http://www.theflashcentre.com/elinchrom-600600rx-full-kit-copy-i6498.html

I have read in this forum that Elinchrom have 2 distinct advantages over Bowens:

- consitency of light
- faster recycle times

I'm gonna head down to some stores over the next few days and check each kit out.

If anyone has any experience with either Bowens 750pro or Elinchrom 600RX light please let me know your thoughts.

Thx in advance.
 
I've used that kit and it's very nice, I found the remote control feature very useful. I wouldn't have thought there's a lot in it between Bowens and Elinchrom, but I've not checked the specs. Be warned though the soft box that comes with that kit is next to useless, it'll be the first thing you replace.
 
I have the 750 pro kit and recently bought a travel pak. The 750's are really good but they are quite large to lug around in numbers. The power can be wound down to under 20ws, each stop on the dial halves the power. A separate dial takes the power down in 1/10's.
I have only tried the travelpak once and only with one head on an outdoor shoot. generally on lowish power but I got around 300 shots. Recycling was not too bad but noticably slower at high power.
Personally love em and the short flash duration will be useful at some point!
 
Lowrell said:
OK. Here's another option I've been considering...

Elinchrom 600/600RX Kit - http://www.theflashcentre.com/elinchrom-600600rx-full-kit-copy-i6498.html

I have read in this forum that Elinchrom have 2 distinct advantages over Bowens:

- consitency of light
- faster recycle times

I'm gonna head down to some stores over the next few days and check each kit out.

If anyone has any experience with either Bowens 750pro or Elinchrom 600RX light please let me know your thoughts.

Thx in advance.
Click to expand...

There is no battery pack option for thos that I know of please some one correct me if I'm wrong.

Just to throw a spanner in the works seeing as though you've picked a solution with no battery pack.

2xElitePro 600s
1xSmartflash 200
3xAir stands
1x120Profold octa
1x 140x30 Pro stripbox
1x Snoot
1x large bag

3light set up with bag £1042.82 :) I'm sure you could nock a few £s of that if you phone up and are nice lol.
 
I ended up getting the Elinchrom RX 600 kit from The Flash Center today. Went down with the intention of getting the 500/500 bxri kit but in the end splashed out for the RX kit.

Had a minor issue with one of the moddeling lamps dying on me after 5 mins of use. However The Flash Center replaced it and also threw in a extra modelling lamp (Leuci 100w) and some spare fuses.

Have had a very quick play with the kit and so far all is well.

Thx guys for all advice and feedback. Next up.... backgrounds. Any reccomendations?
 
Good buy, the RX heads are awesome.

Now buy the 39" deep octa and be amazed :)
 
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