Flash units with digital readout

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nikonuser

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Dave
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Is it only the expensive flash units that have digital readout or are there some reasonably priced ones as well...if so, which ones please
Thanks
Dave
 
Depends what you mean by "digital read out"?

Plus, what other features you need (TTL or manual)? whether you prefer new or are happy with secondhand? and what counts as expensive..
 
You can get cheap flash heads with digital displays, but digital displays aren't necessarily better than analogue ones - it's just personal preference
 
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CF0515/

or any elinchrom.

Digital readouts are much better than analogue.

- You can see power levels exactly from a far greater distance.
- You can power up or down with more exactitude - e.g. one tenth of a stop, esp at the lower power levels where a tiny movement on an analogue dial can make a big difference (and especially at full stretch on a boom when the head is facing away from you). It feels wonderful when your meter reads f/8 and 3/10ths and you know 3 clicks down gets you to exactly f/8.
- It just looks better.
 
Thanks Kris, couldn't have put it better myself, I was initially looking at the Elinchrom D500XR and noticed the readout which is what made me ask the question, but they are a bit pricey.
Thanks also for the link
Dave
 
decent analogue dials are just as adjustable and as accurate as the digital counterparts.

We have bowens with both systems and the twisty analogue heads are quicker to adjust 1 dial is stops and the other is tenths of a stop.

It's all horses for courses really.

:)
 
My new toaster has a digital readout.

Which makes waiting for toast a lot more fun.

But the toast still tastes the same.
 
Nice one Jonathan, but its the 'fun' side that interests me
Dave
 
User interface is everything. I could make a call with my ten year old motorola, but you wont catch me using it over my iphone.

In my earlier example, I adjusted by 3/10ths of a stop on the Skyport to get me to exactly f/8. I know the elinchrom and its digital power control is so exact that I dont even bother to re-meter it any more. With an analogue dial, I would (with my sausage fingers and thumbs) twiddle it down a bit, re-metre, probably twiddle it up a bit, re-metre and probably be happy with what I get because I cant be arsed to walk back over to it. That's three times longer just to adjust one light, less accurately.

No thanks.

I think the Bowens Gemini R have a nice idea - a digital readout with analogue (and click-stepped) dials.
 
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Kris said:
User interface is everything. I could make a call with my ten year old motorola, but you wont catch me using it over my iphone.

In my earlier example, I adjusted by 3/10ths of a stop on the Skyport to get me to exactly f/8. I know the elinchrom and its digital power control is so exact that I dont even bother to re-meter it any more. With an analogue dial, I would (with my sausage fingers and thumbs) twiddle it down a bit, re-metre, probably twiddle it up a bit, re-metre and probably be happy with what I get because I cant be arsed to walk back over to it. That's three times longer just to adjust one light, less accurately.

No thanks.

I think the Bowens Gemini R have a nice idea - a digital readout with analogue (and click-stepped) dials.
Click to expand...

Again its down to user preference :), I wouldn't touch an iPhone over my HTC Desire,

But then I have best of both worlds :) I own Bowens :)
 
Which bowens have you got Morgan and what do you think of them??
Dave
 
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