Portable rig set ups for portrait/sports portraits

F

fastworldimages

Suspended / Banned
Messages
998
Name
Ryan
Edit My Images
No
Hmm decisions decisions.

basically I am wanting to be taking shots in similar style to these
_MG_92921.jpg


And some shot of me
DSC_0243.jpg

DSC_0375.jpg

DSC_0258.jpg


So obviously powerpack is a must due to the locations which I plan to be shooting in/limited power supply.

However many things are currently going around in my head, obviously Ive done a fair bit of reading into the Lencarta and Bowens set ups, both using the same fitment in terms of accessories etc.

At first I really was very impressed with the Lencarta safari, very well priced, seems popular here and with respectable guide numbers which I obviously am looking at due to the way in which I am wanting to overpower the sun.

However whilst browsing the warehouseexpress site I discovered that some of the Bowens packs are more competitiely priced than I had previously anticipated. Such as http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1029934 Or for pushing the price range slightly more http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1030422

Obviously I realise that the lencarta kit contains the raido triggers (unless ive misread) and so theres additional costs to factor in to the bowens in this case, but I just wanted any general advice as possible, and see if any discussion arises which may help/hinder me etc...

Many thanks

Ryan
 
Unfortunately the Bowens is a mains powered flash that can also run off of what is in effect a car battery, not a portable generator flash, and I doubt whether it can do the job you want it for.
And although (or because) I'm the techie for Lencarta I don't think that's suitable for your needs either because I think the flash duration (1/1200th sec) will be too long to freeze the action for closeup athletics going straight across the frame.

My guess is that a good hotshoe flash, powered by a Quantum, will probably be the best answer for you, even though it will have a lot less power.

But if you're within travelling distance of my studio (Bradford) you're welcome to visit by arrangement and try the Lencarta for yourself.
 
I like hotshoe flashes for location work due to portability, but I see your problem as I tend to find myself working in the evenings or cloudy days as I just don't have enough power available to kill the ambient at my max sync speed, kinda means you have to work with it and keep the ambient in
 
I appreciate the offer but bradford is a bit to far from the South east.

I had looked at flashguns, I have a 580/430 and thought about adding more for a multiple set up but it doesnt have the power I feel I need, and factoring in the current increase in prices due to the weak £ and adding in all of the costs of the stands/softboxes seperately theres not alot of saving for what I feel I gain going over flashguns and using the studio lights, Especially as I work with alot of DJs who also are pestering me about doing some location portfolio shots.

I thought that the Bowens travel pack was a similar type piece of kit to the safari generator going on the readings online but I guess the wording must be a bit sly on that one then.

What do you feel would be wrong with the safari Garry, and indeed using any form of studio lights, as all of the shots taken here were shot using lights. The ones of me being a Softbox located on me and a spotlight on the hurdle behind, and just a softbox for the moving stuff.
 
Well, your profile doesn't say where you are, you might have been in the next road...

As I said, I'm not sure that the 1/1200th sec flash duration on the Safari will be fast enough to freeze the action on your kind of photography. The Profoto flash generators have much shorter flash duration, although at a much higher price, and hotshoe flashes have very short flash durations too. If the amount of blur showing on that pic of you jumping the hurdle is acceptable then the Safari will probably do the job.
 
The ammount of blur such as me in the bottom pic isnt an issue as such, as most of the shots predominantly will be head on, or block work with sprinters, so they will be going from a stationary position, and the shot be firing as they are pushing out, so even though there will be movement there wont be the constant velocity as such with me hurdling. Although as many will say its better to have the kit for all situations/ideas and not be under prepaired for a situation. I guess this is where the Bowens could be the better option having the 1/900 max duration in relation to the Lencarta range, the power pak just being a glorified car battery as you say, what issues would arise there, appart from there being slightly less shots available to me on a single charge?

I appreciate the discussion btw, as this is slightly different questions compaired to alot ive read through here, as not many people are doing the sports based stuff which I tend to shoot my self, and ive put off buying this sort of kit for a while because it is quite a minefield lol
 
It seems to me that the Lencarta has a shorter flash duration than the Bowens so would be more suited to your work.

I don't think that 'slightly less' shots is right, the Lencarta produces over 1100 to a charge, you'd need quite a few of the Travel Packs to match that - good weight training though...
 
it looked as is if the bowens travel pack is around 700-800shots depending on readings. So not a massive issue to me personally, plus there are the added batterys much like which there are available to make the lencarta silly numbers of shots in a day :D

I wish I just wanted to do the normal type of shots where movement isnt included in them, I feel it would eliminate many questions/issues depending on the gear :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top