Comparing One Brand with another

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nikonuser

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Dave
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When choosing a set of flash lights what are the main areas to look for when comparing one brand with another.....is it just flash speed and recycling times or are there more.
Thanks
Dave
 
Go to the shop and try them out, otherwise you can't really compare them. Comparing numbers on paper is quite silly, real life can be very different from the paper. Just see what feels right for you, size, shape, weight, speed etc. :)
 
Back up, reputation, warranty, service, build quality, multi-voltage, modifiers, accessories, remote control, spares, etc etc

Oh, and cost.
 
Whatever happens to matter to you personally...
Not everyone cares about fast flash duration or fast recycling, for example these things don't matter at all to still life photographers.

The cost and availability of light modifiers is a big one to most people, it's no good buying a flash kit that doesn't have interchangeable modifiers, or if it's impossible to get a good range of them, or if they have silly prices. Fortunately, for the amateur market there are plenty of lights with Bowens S fit or Elinchrom fit - IMO Bowens is a lot better than Elinchrom but both are OK. If buying Bowens fit though, make sure that they really are Bowens fit, there are plenty of lights that claim to be Bowens fit that aren't.

Modelling lamps - very important to some people, not to others. Personally I don't see the point in any flash heads that have dim modelling lamps, because if they aren't bright enough to do the job then they aren't worth having at all. Bright modelling lamps usually mean efficient fan cooling too, although there's one make that doesn't have fans on all of its models, relying on heatsink instead.

Then there's colour consistency and flash energy consistency, unfortunately unless you can believe the seller this is a difficult one, because some people tell lies about their products - and anyway, unless you can test these things with both a colour temperature meter and a flash meter before buying you won't know whether the figures, if published at all, are true. Which makes Kris's comments relevant, some firms can be trusted, some can't. As a sweeping generalisation, the Ebay sellers can't.

Go to the shop and try them out, otherwise you can't really compare them.
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Fine in theory but not in practice. Most shops don't sell any flash lighting at all, and the ones that do usually only sell the brands that give them the highest profit. Shows like Focus on Imaging are a real opportunity for buyers, but of course the exhibitors are only selling their own products so you won't be able to make side x side comparisons.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Fine in theory but not in practice. Most shops don't sell any flash lighting at all, and the ones that do usually only sell the brands that give them the highest profit. Shows like Focus on Imaging are a real opportunity for buyers, but of course the exhibitors are only selling their own products so you won't be able to make side x side comparisons.
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Guess I should have mentioned by shop I mean something like Calumet or TheFlashCentre. They both have showroom or rental capability so you can try out brands like Bowens, Profoto or Elinchrom. But you do have a good point, its not the easiest thing to do. :)
 
kokakaste2 said:
Guess I should have mentioned by shop I mean something like Calumet or TheFlashCentre. They both have showroom or rental capability so you can try out brands like Bowens, Profoto or Elinchrom. But you do have a good point, its not the easiest thing to do. :)
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Yeah but aren't Calumet in bed with Bowens and Flash Centre best buddies with Elinchrom? Pretty rare to see both brands in the same room in the UK.

Not a bad idea to rent some lights or a studio full of lights to try before you buy.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Yeah but aren't Calumet in bed with Bowens and Flash Centre best buddies with Elinchrom? Pretty rare to see both brands in the same room in the UK.
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Looks like :P but Calumet also has Profoto (if thats still within the budget lol)

edit: Calumet also do their own brand lights, which are Eli mount :)
 
Some great information there Guys, really appreciate your help.
I'm going to FOI in a few weeks so wil be browsing the stands...will you be there Garry??
Thanks again
Dave
 
JonathanRyan said:
Yeah but aren't Calumet in bed with Bowens and Flash Centre best buddies with Elinchrom? Pretty rare to see both brands in the same room in the UK.

Not a bad idea to rent some lights or a studio full of lights to try before you buy.
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Yes, Calumet and Bowens are owned by the same Company and The MD of TFL is the son of Elinca's Chairman and is also a director of Elinca.

Some great information there Guys, really appreciate your help.
I'm going to FOI in a few weeks so wil be browsing the stands...will you be there Garry??
Thanks again
Dave
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Yes, I've been volunteered:)
 
JonathanRyan said:
I think technically you've volunteered and I've been volunteered.....
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No, I think I've got it right:)
You were asked whether you wanted to be there, I wasn't, it was just assumed that I wanted to give up my Saturday & Sunday of shooting to drive there, help set up the stand in a freezing aircraft hanger with all the doors open and the heating off, deal with customer emails at the end of each day, fight for a loading space and break it all down at the end and drive back - but at least I'll be able to tell people "No, we're not next to Elinchrom and Profoto, they're next to us:lol:

How are you getting on with your posh new softbox?
 
Oh yeah I kind of forgot you were doing an extra couple of days. Have fun....

Srsly, we're next to Pro? Might see what I can slip under my coat while they aren't looking.

>> How are you getting on with your posh new softbox?

Sp far so good. Though TBH I've only assembled it, looked at it (VERY well made) and then disassembled it.

Got a shoot on Saturday that I bet I will try to use it for. Even though it's for some pictures of skips so it possibly isn't the best use....
 
JonathanRyan said:
Oh yeah I kind of forgot you were doing an extra couple of days. Have fun....

Srsly, we're next to Pro? Might see what I can slip under my coat while they aren't looking.

>> How are you getting on with your posh new softbox?

Sp far so good. Though TBH I've only assembled it, looked at it (VERY well made) and then disassembled it.

Got a shoot on Saturday that I bet I will try to use it for. Even though it's for some pictures of skips so it possibly isn't the best use....
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I don't know how you get all these glam jobs, I'm shooting rubbish bins today:)
 
Brings tears to my eyes to hear about all the hardships you two have to put up with!
 
alexam said:
Brings tears to my eyes to hear about all the hardships you two have to put up with!
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Yes, it's a tough life:)
But maybe tougher than you think...

It's easy to get good shots of a good subject (beautiful woman, captivating child, beautiful product) but nowhere as easy to make mediocre subjects look outstanding, but that's what has to happen. Someone whose business is selling waste bins to local authorities etc has just as much need for superb photos as everyone else, and getting good shots, when the products sometimes aren't pristine, when it's difficult to control the light and even dull weather isn't dull enough, involves a lot of care, a lot of time and a lot of PP.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Someone whose business is selling waste bins to local authorities etc has just as much need for superb photos as everyone else, and getting good shots, when the products sometimes aren't pristine, when it's difficult to control the light and even dull weather isn't dull enough, involves a lot of care, a lot of time and a lot of PP.
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Ain't that the truth. The skip guys sent me the brief, complete with links to their main competitor's site.

Lovely clean skips with nicely 'shopped logos under a marvellous comped in sky. It actually looked pretty nice.

I'm going to try to persuade them to let me shoot the team and skips a bit like the Twilight poster ;)
 
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