Lencart or Elemental?

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pixelmad

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Folks,

I am stuck between these two manufactures for a first time lighting setup for a small house/studio, outdoor work & visiting clients houses. The room I plan to use would be around 12'x12' and I would like to do portrait and fashion with full body shots. Both single and couple images.

Elemental's M Series ULTRA Studio 600 £499
http://www.studio-flash.com/professional-lighting-/m-series-ultra-studio-600-p-382.html

Lencarta ElitePro Twin Head Softbox Kit with Background @ £574.95
http://lencarta.com/elitepro-mains-...in-head-softbox-kit-with-background/index.php

The packages are slightly different (that I can see) such as the Lencarta comes with a 90cm Octo Softbox versus Elementals 24" square, and Elemental comes with Air-cushioned stands vs Lencarta's spring. Elemental also comes with a 3xFlash bag and Lencarta doesn't.

I brought each package to parity and the price comes in for Lencarta @ £648.85 vs £540.99 for Elemental.

So from a pure price point of view Elemental seems to be the winner!

My Questions though are;
1. Any reason Lencarta is more expensive, or I should choose them over Elemental?
2. Would either of these setup's meet my needs - full body single/couple shoots in a 12x12 room, outdoors or clients houses?
3. Should I look at getting a backdrop & stand at this early stage?
4. What Softbox size/type? Would I be better investing in 2?
5. Would you recommend anything else?

As always thanks in advance for any guidance offered.

Cheers
John
 
1. Obviously I'm not going to say anything about Elemental or any other supplier, I can only talk about Lencarta.

I'm not sure that Lencarta is in fact any more expensive when you compare like to like, but if there is a real difference then you should compare them on more than just price.
If you look on the Lencarta website you'll see sections on build quality, which explains (and shows) the number of capacitors etc (which determine things like colour temperature consistency and recycling time) and you'll also find real info on technical specs on each product page.
2. Yes, but see 4
3. Only if you really feel that you need one, and that decision depends on the style you want to create. IMO many of the best portraits are those taken in natural surroundings, with no studio backdrop
4. 2 softboxes will give you flat lighting, whether that's a good or a bad thing again depends on your style. Personally I would go for one large one.
5. Yes, a flash meter

Hope this helps
 
I have an elemental kit and it rocks, very well built fan cooled aluminum body and great to work with.

My only issue is that i have an oct box and a square softbox, and if you do close up work you can see the different shapes in the pupils....

Easy to fix but i may try just going with one large octbox next time....
 
crashtestmac said:
My only issue is that i have an oct box and a square softbox, and if you do close up work you can see the different shapes in the pupils....
Click to expand...

You're supposed to see the different shapes - on of the reasons for having different shaped softboxes in the first place is that you can create different shaped catchlights.
For example, some people think that round catchlights look more natural, some people prefer the rectanguar or square shape that emulates a window.
 
crashtestmac said:
I have an elemental kit and it rocks, very well built fan cooled aluminum body and great to work with.

My only issue is that i have an oct box and a square softbox, and if you do close up work you can see the different shapes in the pupils....

Easy to fix but i may try just going with one large octbox next time....
Click to expand...

The material the unit is made of is important, but the answer to what is the best material is not instantly obvious...

Example: Would you like a aluminium bumper on your car or a ABS one?
 
crashtestmac said:
I have an elemental kit and it rocks, very well built fan cooled aluminum body and great to work with.

My only issue is that i have an oct box and a square softbox, and if you do close up work you can see the different shapes in the pupils....

Easy to fix but i may try just going with one large octbox next time....
Click to expand...
Also depends what you shoot. if the object is cylindrical, a rectangle softbox produces a super catch-light.. example - bottle of wine

The other thing worth considering is that if you buy a huge soft box, you can always cover over what you don't want to use
 
Well decision made.

Spoke with Garry today, a very very helpful guy. We talked through my needs and we came up with a suitable Lencarta solution. Just put the order through and can't wait for it to arrive.

Thanks again for all the input.

John
 
Richard King said:
The material the unit is made of is important, but the answer to what is the best material is not instantly obvious...

Example: Would you like a aluminium bumper on your car or a ABS one?
Click to expand...

very much depends, an ali bumper will survive light impacts a lot better, whereas abs will absorb more energy

in flash terms ali is strong, but abs is light. though abs castings can be very very strong and thin ali can be vvvvv bendy

just to screw with your logic :D:D:D
 
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