Bowens and Elinchrom Hands On

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I had the chance to look at both makes yesterday at Focus and I must say I'm well impressed with Bowens, in my opinion better build quality.
I was going to go for the 400/400 studio kit but I like the Gemini 500R so I'm wondering whetger to just go for 1 x Gemini 500R for the main light get a decent lighting stand and pulsar flash triggers and use my existing 2 x proline 180w as fill or for partially lighting the background.......then buy another Gemini 500R later in the year......by which time I would hope to have a fairly decent kit.
Am I thinking straight or have I been overcome by greed for the 500R's.
Mainly shoot family and studio workshop sessions with friends.
Appreciate any help
Dave
 
Realistically it's total overkill but I know what you mean- I am actually thinking about the 500R Pro as I'm a bit hacked off with all the lighting bickering and there's no dispute that these lights aren't well made, have fast flash duration etc etc.
I think the softboxes in the kits (400/400 etc) are a bit small so I'm not sure there is that much value in the kits anyway so buying a head and maybe a larger 3rd party softbox (as the Bowens one is a bit pricey- don't mind paying for their lights but...) could be a better option. You already have some lights so only having one 500R initially is not that much of a drawback. Maybe colour consistency?:shrug:

However I am far from an expert on lighting so others views needed. I do like being sucked in by quality gear too- I do prefer the Bowens quality compared to the Elinchrom though maybe I'm not comparing like with like as all the Eli fans descend:lol:
 
I've used Bowens lights for years - mostly the same ones.
Quite bombproof and the only things I've replaced have been bulbs. My first ones were a three-head kit bought in 1995 that came with umbrellas and a 1m softbox, which is still in use and not yellowed or cracked the way cheaper ones have a tendancy of going after a while.
I recently bought some new Gemini 500s to take advantage of the Pulsar wireless triggers that can be built-in to the units. These work seamlessly with my older Esprit 500 units, which accept the newer bulbs so I'm quite pleased all in all.
Since they work out at about the same price as a decent speedlight I think it's a no-brainer if you're going to be using them indoors.
Don't forget sandbags though - even with heavy stands, I like the security of some decent weight holding it all down - you can buy some nice ones from Manfrotto or Calumet, or simply use old socks filled with lead-shot, tied together and wrapped round the legs...
 
Thanks Dr O and Cobra - there was certainly a difference in quality between the Bowens and Elinchrom and I'm really glad I left it until Focus to see them at first hand as I was going to spill out on the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 kit a few week ago.
The Bowens Gemini 500 looks quality gear and I think more professional than the 400's.
This is the way I think I am going to go by building my studio lighting set up a bit at a time over the next 12 months as there is only a slight difference in total price by doing it this way as opposed to buying the kit version.
Thanks for your help
Dave
 
Dave.

The other plus point about the Gemini 250r & 500r is that they can be remotely controlled independently or together, The remote is about £55 & controls most of the functions of the heads. I don't think that you will regret buying Bowens :thumbs:

Toonie
 
Thanks for that info. Toonie
 
Well I have both now but mine are the 750pro, I will say that the build of the bowens is one of the best. As for spec well they are very good compaired to others at that level. Would say mine are very overkill and 90% on min setting. If you go for the 500 make sure you have enough room for that power. Elinchrom are very nice too, maybe the bottom end lights don't have the same build feel as the bowens 400. But very few ever people ever complain.
 
Thanks Ram for the 500 power info.
Dave
 
Your welcome us boys with toys like many things, always want to say we got a big one. Light that is LOL
 
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