I need a powerful portable lighting solution

treeman

treeman

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I'm struggling to get a grip on this topic, which is unusual for me. I can't seem to make a decision, so just in case anyone else has some bright (geddit "bright") ideas, I thought I'd post on here.

I need 2 portable lights that run off a battery, but also deliver some serious power, and are totally independently controllable of each other. So asymmetric or symmetric won't work for me. I currently use Elinchrom Quadra, and could just buy another unit to give me two independently controllable lights. But having only used them during the winter months, I'm not sure, come the summer, whether 400w/s in a 100cm softbox will over power the sun?

Anyway just wondering if anyone has used any of these combinations:

Bowens travelpak with Gemini lights (possibly too big to be lugged around all over the place)

Bowens explorer 1500 Pak with 3k Quad lights

Lencarta Safari

Or if anyone has any other sugestions other than Linhoff or Broncolor, (way too expensive).

Cheers :)
 
I use the Lencarta Safari

Single head is 600w/s running 2 gives you 300w/s

Depends how much you want to overpower it.

This was taken at noon on a clear day last October, Sun is just out of frame to the right.
Standard Reflector used.
4041974567_5ca8167128.jpg




This was shot at 16:00 on New Years Day
Standard Reflector used.
4240689326_f48e43a408_o.jpg



This was around 16:30 a couple of weeks ago (with the 120cm folding Octa)
4337854523_1730fef901.jpg



These are all from a single head though, from memory, I don't believe any of these were at more than 1/2 power on the Safari, if any were, then it's the first one.
 
Jason has made a very good point.
The ISL (and the type of modifier fitted) together with the power of the sun and the degree to which you want to overpower the sun will all affect the amount of raw power you need, but in my experience there are definately times when you will need the full 600 Ws.
 
Do you think even 600w/s will be enough, by the time it's gone in a large soft box with internal diffuser?
It's tempting as even buying two Safari's would be cheaper than the Bowens Explorer and two quad lights.
 
treeman said:
Do you think even 600w/s will be enough, by the time it's gone in a large soft box with internal diffuser?
It's tempting as even buying two Safari's would be cheaper than the Bowens Explorer and two quad lights.
Click to expand...

Well, as I said there can be situations when even 600 isn't enough - but 600 is enough most of the time, whereas 400 is only likely to be enough in fairly dull weather.

To maximise efficiency, you can always connect via a synch lead, which will usually allow a faster shutter speed to be used than when working with a radio trigger.
 
Garry Edwards said:
To maximise efficiency, you can always connect via a synch lead, which will usually allow a faster shutter speed to be used than when working with a radio trigger.
Click to expand...

That's a good point too, all of those shots above were at 1/180 as I can't sync faster on the Pentax, so I couldn't easily pull ambient down any further.

Going to address that by adding a Nikon to the kit soon(ish)
 
It's a fair point but I think my PW's sync at 250th already.

It's a tough call, nothing worse than wanting more power, I'm tempted to get the Bowens Travelpak with a couple of Gemini 750 pro's, and they can work of mains too.

Jason, how do you feel about the build quality of the Safari?
 
Try having a wee look at the youtube.com and serach for 'monapics'...think this is the link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdjqPcr2vkA ...

Its our weekend in Oban from the 'Drumchapel Camera Club'...check out the battery lights...PS...Im the one holdin the coat...

STEVIER
 
I suppose the Ranger system would be the next big power jump up .....
 
treeman said:
That's what I've got now, just not convinced it will be powerful enough come the summer (assuming we get one) :)
Click to expand...

Agreed. You need more than 400Ws with bright sunlight and you need to be able to direct it all to one flash head.
 
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