Bowens or Elinchrom

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nikonuser

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Dave
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Apologies if this question has been asked a thousand times.
I'm interested in buying a new set of lights for home use and am completely undecided between the Bowens Gemini 400/400 studio kit with umbrellas or the Elinchrom D-Lite 400 IT studio kit with softboxes so any help from all you experts would be greatly appreciated....price wise they are about the same.
As said, they would be for home use shooting family, I understand Elinchrom accessories are more expensive but that aside the Bowens have a slower recycling time, faster flash duration, 250w modelling lamp, S fitting rather than bayonet.
I like the digital readout on the Elinchroms.
Anyone used both or like me in a similar position.
Thanks
Dave
 
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nikonuser said:
I understand Elinchrom accessories are more expensive
Click to expand...

Show me.


Elis - built in free skyport receiver (bowens cards expensive), digital readout

Bowens - all AC/DC now (very very useful, do not underestimate this!)

They are the only real differences I can think of. Lets face it, for most things, they are probably equal in performance, output consistency, colour consistency etc. Toss a coin.
 
Generally Elis accessories are more expensive. A built in Skyport is only a big advantage if you already have skyport transmitters.
 
I'd go for Elinchrom, and I did, but have used both. Theres not a lot in it to be totally honest.

If you want cheap modifiers, third party and equally cheap options are available for both, as Kris has linked, bessel supply good cheap 3rd party accessories in eli mount.

When it comes to manufacturer's own modifiers, Elinchrom are up there, their modifiers are the reason I prefer them. Extremely well made
 
boyfalldown said:
100 cm by 100 com Elis soft box £209.99 http://www.warehouseexpress.com/sof...-Soft Boxes / Elinchrom-_-elinchrom softboxes

Lencarta 100 by 100 softbox £121.51 http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-st...olding-softboxes-1/100-x-100cm-square-softbox

- just as an example.

Elis are more expensive then most others on like for like accessories, as said. Show me where they're not?
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A BOWENS softbox is how much sorry?

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-bowens-1680-softbox-100-with-casting-and-s-adaptor/p1005062

Elinchrom and bowens (!) modifiers are pretty equal.

If you want to talk about lower quality and what I would consider third party alternatives, then there ARE plenty of other places that do Eli modifiers that compare/better Lencartas prices....
 
You shouldnt compare Elinchrom genuine modifiers to things like Lencarta made modifiers.

Now like for like genuine accessories are roughly the same

eg

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-bowens-octobox-150/p1522823
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-elinchrom-octa/p1004575

Even though the Eli is a lot bigger.

If you want to compare off brand, then they are often the same.

eg

http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/Soft_Boxes.html

Do not chose a Bowens over an Elinchrom because you think the modifiers are more expensive.
 
Danny - which elinchroms did you get
Dave
 
Though the acdc of the Bowens may genuinely sway me.

Even though I have a mountain of Elinchrom stuff.
 
nikonuser said:
Danny - which elinchroms did you get
Dave
Click to expand...

I currently own 3 x Elinchrom style 300S heads

They're not the latest generation at all, but were top of the range and their build reflects it. Really great lights.

I'm looking to add to these with a Ranger RX set soon for location
 
Kris said:
Though the acdc of the Bowens may genuinely sway me.

Even though I have a mountain of Elinchrom stuff.
Click to expand...

If/when you do, just sell it all to me, job done :)

What's the big appeal to you for DC compatibility? Eli monos can run off an xplorer anyway
 
Its just a work around though. The newer Explorer mini looks promising.

If bowens can pull off acdc, then so should Elincrom.

But it's just like nikon/canon, once you have one you stick with it, for better for worse...

Get the Ranger quadra, you will not regret it. I didn't, even though I'm probably still paying for it. :)
 
Lol I've had this moral debate many times. Ranger RX vs Quadra...I had my mind set on Ranger RX because of the POWAHZ! but in all honesty pretending I've made my mind up just delays the emotional torment that's unavoidable when I have the money, and have to make my mind up for sure lol
 
Go to focus and compare them side by side.

My decision was made when I saw them and thought, is that stop and a bit really worth the difference in size and weight.
 
I chose Quadra mainly because I don't drive and use public transport a lot. Lugging full size ranger would be quite difficult. Otherwise I would have the Ranger as well, the Quadra is nice but its too plastic. However the weight if it is unbelievable, its easy to take it just about anywhere.
 
It might be worth keeping in mind, if you're going to be setting up and breaking down lots, an Elli Rotalux is very easy to erect, and very fast. Also don't underestimate the speed of recycle, if it's slow, trust me, one day you'll be cursing it!
 
Dude I drive a smart car,lol.

Camera bag, bag with 2x speedlights and skyports, 3x light stands, 2x light duty lightstands, 120x90cm softbox, 44cm beauty dish, 2x 18cm reflectors, 3x 300S heads, Lastolite hilite 6x7', hilite vinyl train 6', me and my gf.

Voila!!
 
Daryl said:
Oskar, a photographer on a bus?

Have a mate on the Isle of Wight he puts all his kit on a Scooter....

I can only just get all my kit in a van...... How do you guys get anything done? It's amazing.....
Click to expand...

Trains for me :) 2 rucksacks and a lightstand bag :) sorted, need to find a decent strong holdall to replace the 2nd rucksack :).
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Dude I drive a smart car,lol.

Camera bag, bag with 2x speedlights and skyports, 3x light stands, 2x light duty lightstands, 120x90cm softbox, 44cm beauty dish, 2x 18cm reflectors, 3x 300S heads, Lastolite hilite 6x7', hilite vinyl train 6', me and my gf.

Voila!!
Click to expand...

how is that even possible? pics or you're lying ;) I drive a clio and can barely fit everything into it.
 
nickshek said:
how is that even possible? pics or you're lying ;) I drive a clio and can barely fit everything into it.
Click to expand...


You can fold the softboxes and Lastolite away you know...oh and collapse the tripods while you are at it........fold the seats down ....you still have two front seats.......
 
tiler65 said:
You can fold the softboxes and Lastolite away you know...oh and collapse the tripods while you are at it........fold the seats down ....you still have two front seats.......
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Not in a smart car, theres only 2 seats to start with,lol.

Basically everything JUST squeezes into the boot, but the 6ft long tube with the vinyl floor in it gets wedged down into the passenger footwell, and then goes right back against the top opposite corner in the boot against the top drivers side corner of the rear windscreen.

.....I'm currently looking to sell my Mercedes CLK cab to fund an estate.....with summer coming up.....who needs a cabriolet hey :bonk: :'(
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Not in a smart car, theres only 2 seats to start with,lol.

:bonk: :'(
Click to expand...


They guy said he drove a Clio.....

And get a roof rack for your backdrop...it is safer and easier to carry around.

How do you think plumbers carry 3m length pipework around with them....

3m Drainpipe fixed to a roof rack....Screw Ends...backdrop slides easily in and out and is kept dry and will not buckle if you have a minor prang.....
 
tiler65 said:
They guy said he drove a Clio.....

And get a roof rack for your backdrop...it is safer and easier to carry around.

How do you think plumbers carry 3m length pipework around with them....

3m Drainpipe fixed to a roof rack....Screw Ends...backdrop slides easily in and out and is kept dry and will not buckle if you have a minor prang.....
Click to expand...

As a Gas Safe registered gas engineer I do indeed have a good idea of how I "think plumbers carry 3m length pipework around with them".

:wave:

The guy said he COULD fit everything in, I'm sure he knows he can put the seats down....:bang:

I'll consider myself "taught how to suck eggs"
 
Daryl said:
Oskar, a photographer on a bus?

Have a mate on the Isle of Wight he puts all his kit on a Scooter....

I can only just get all my kit in a van...... How do you guys get anything done? It's amazing.....
Click to expand...

Nah, train and walk. Don't like busses. :)

I don't have large kit, just camera +2 lenses and lights. Don't need more, kinda on the minimalist side but it works :)

kiteninja said:
Trains for me :) 2 rucksacks and a lightstand bag :) sorted, need to find a decent strong holdall to replace the 2nd rucksack :).
Click to expand...

Same here, have backpack, shoulder bag and light stands in separate carrying bag. :)
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
As a Gas Safe registered gas engineer I do indeed have a good idea of how I "think plumbers carry 3m length pipework around with them".

:wave:

The guy said he COULD fit everything in, I'm sure he knows he can put the seats down....:bang:

I'll consider myself "taught how to suck eggs"
Click to expand...

I DO put the seats down to fit everything in. My point is that a smart car is much smaller yet it can still fit all that gear. Maybe I don't need a bigger car after all...

Anyway, back on topic. I chose Bowens. Main reason being that I already had a few "S-Type" modifiers. I use a 1000w pro on location with a travelpak, no complaints so far.
 
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