cheap set up

[michael kilner]

After looking around for some considerable time, I have spotted a calumet genesis 200 twin light and an elemental genesis 250 twin light kit,both around the £200 mark,I was initially going to invest in some Lencarta kit but thought as these were the right money I would get one of them.My thinking was that if I found them wanting or not to my liking I could sell them on without taking much of a loss,I could then get the Lencarta gear.Any thoughts anybody,anyone used either of these products

 

[paul williams]

After looking around for some considerable time, I have spotted a calumet genesis 200 twin light and an elemental genesis 250 twin light kit,both around the £200 mark,I was initially going to invest in some Lencarta kit but thought as these were the right money I would get one of them.My thinking was that if I found them wanting or not to my liking I could sell them on without taking much of a loss,I could then get the Lencarta gear.Any thoughts anybody,anyone used either of these products

Don't know anything about the Elemental, but have used the Calumet Lights once and they were fine, the only things I found a bit off-putting was the variable output wasn't linear (the numbers didn't seem to relate to the actual output) & the standard reflector casts a horrible quality of light (but how often would you use that on its own? Reflector fitting is Elinchrom, build quality seemed OK but not great and given that they are £175 each, £200 for a two head set seems good value (depending on the usual caveats how well looked after, how much use...). Can't give any indication of reliability as I only had one occasion to use them but as a starting point I'd have no issues using them at all.

All products have pluses and negatives, I understand the modelling light on the Smartflash isn't proportional, but it certainly is on the Calument head, which is important to me, but recycle times seemed slow compared to the light I normally use, the Smartflash state 1 second or less.

Paul

 

[Flashtec]

If you don't plan to use them often, why not rent the various options and see which works best for you ?

Elinchrom have a dinky new unit out which with Skyport, offers certain leatrning lighting and image set-up exchange options between flashers with similar interests --- there is a lot changing at the moment !

I must disclose an interest in the Elinchrom, but I am not saying anything that the press haven't already said.

And I'm sure if one here, they would also suggest trying before you buy ...