Portable studio flash - updated with Safari!

Nick T

Nick T

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Morning all,

I've currently got an Interfit EX150 twin head kit... it's nice and all, but I now want a decent studio flash system which I can use out and about - something which can run off battery power and chuck out enough flash to overpower (or come close to overpowering) the sun.

What I'm currently thinking is this...

- It was my birthday yesterday, which makes me a Gemini... With this in mind I'm looking at the Bowens Gemini 500R head.
- I can then add the TravelPak kit to it for the portability I need
- And then add a second head in the future

I did originally think of buying the Lencarta Safari - the 600w/s output and price are very tempting - but I'm not that grabbed by having the output reduce to 300w/s if I add a second head and not being able to control the power on a per-head basis... :(

So, am I right in thinking the Bowens will be the way to go? Is there another system with a 'standard' fitting that I'm missing out on? Is the 500w/s a good amount of power (bear in mind I've only used an Interfit EX150 before...)?

The 500R head is available at WHE for £399 at the moment - does anyone know of any better deals than that?

Thanks for any help :thumbs:
 
I am still bouncing backwards and forwards between ElitePro heads and Safari heads!

The Safari setup (as opposed to the Bowen's one) is much cheaper to the extent that you could use 2 of the battery packs, effectively having 2 separate setups. This would give you extra flexibility later if you wanted a 3rd light giving you 1 x 600 + 2 x 300
 
2 x Safari 600 Ring Flash Kits - £1500

swap both rings for heads - £102

= £1398

I know they will do that.....

You can then swap the 2nd Peli case for something else in their stock such as a couple of stands or whatever. Having spoken to Garry you can pick a kit and swap a few bits and pieces about as they are quite flexible like that. They do have some limitations though so you might need to speak to them.
 
In fact the actual lights are only £197 so you might even be able to get 3 lights and 2 battery packs for about £1500 depending on what they will allow you for the 2nd Pelicase.
 
The recycling from a Bowens Travelpack will be very slow, and you won't get all that many flashes from a charge. That may or may not be a problem for you.
You can partially overcome the problem of limited charges by buying a bigger/extra battery pack, although of course this will add to the weight and cost.

Not having individual power control on each head with the Lencarta Safari isn't IMO a problem in the real world - it's very unlikely that you will ever use both heads at exactly the same distance, so you won't get exactly the same effective power - for example, at twice the distance you only get about 1/4 of the power.
And anyway, it's unlikely that you'll use the same modifier on each head so again, you'll get different effective power from the 2 heads.

Very few flash generators in fact have truly assymetrical power (individual control of each head) on the grounds of size/weight as well as cost because, effectively, assymetrical power really amounts to almost two separate flash generators in the same case. Some manufacturers have something like 2/3rds and 1/3rd power, which is a compromise but IMO not a very useful one.
You can then swap the 2nd Peli case for something else in their stock such as a couple of stands or whatever. Having spoken to Garry you can pick a kit and swap a few bits and pieces about as they are quite flexible like that. They do have some limitations though so you might need to speak to them.
Click to expand...
Can't take out the Peli case, that's part of the generator kit, but certainly can swop accessories around to suit.
 
Hmm - I need to go back to the thinking board then with this one...

I like the arguments for Lencarta, and I like the pricing - but I don't have the money for the complete kit at the moment, which is one of the reasons I was thinking about the Bowens (I can buy the head now and use it on the mains, then the powerpack in a month, then another head when I need it later).

Damn me and my impulsive, want-it-now nature!

Regarding the 500w/s / 600w/s question though - will this be enough to get some good 'overpowering the sun' type shots? Obviously it depends on how bright the sun is when you're taking the shot, but generally?
 
I don't see that you would have a problem with the split power either, if you are shooting people you can shoot with one head, though you with two the 600Ws would be coming from two different angles onto your subject.

You could also use the ringflash for your subject, while using a second head to put some light on the background.


The safari compared to the interfit system you already have, are very different worlds regarding biuld quality...
The optional Pro softboxes assemble like umbrellas, which to me is an excellent idea, especially on location....
You don't need to swap out the ringsflashes as you could just as easily purchase a two head kit... Cowasaki made it sound more complicated than he needed to.

I used a safari single head kit on a shoot not long ago, and I was very impressed. Gridded beauty dish was what I used..

Photos are in my flickr stream. it was a fashion shoot at Harold Wood Hospital.
 
I'll be watching this thread too, as I'm contemplating the Lencarta Safari/ similar priced alternatives at the moment.
 
LOL.... Those pics are rather special too! I assume you want to shoot people mostly? i will be shooting classic cars...

I had never really thought about lights until this year.. Now it is my priority!
 
Rough Edges said:
LOL.... Those pics are rather special too! I assume you want to shoot people mostly? i will be shooting classic cars...

I had never really thought about lights until this year.. Now it is my priority!
Click to expand...

Yeah - it's people I'll be doing - have a number of weddings this year (amongst other jobs) and I don't want there to be any excuses regarding the kit I have...

I have the 5D Mark II (and a backup Canon), 70-200 f2.8L IS II, 24-70 f2.8L, hotshoe flash etc. etc. but the one piece I'm missing is a proper portable lighting rig for when the going gets creative :)
 
Rough Edges said:
There are pros and cons to almost all of the systems on the market.. most have heavy SLA batteries and I don't like the touch sensitive micro swtches on the Quadra ranger ( like an old ZX spectrum from 1980)

You might find this is the kit for you lencarta wise:

http://www.lencarta.com/safari-portable-flash/fla018-safari-event-kit-with-softbox/index.php

Other options are Profoto, but deep pockets needed for that LOL!
Click to expand...

It's funny - because that Lencarta setup you've linked to is exactly the one I was originally going to get... :thumbs:

I loved the ZX Spectrum though - was my first computer... aah, all 48k of it, and Kempston Joystick interface that rebooted the computer if you knocked it slightly :love:
 
LOL... :D

I had the Commodore C16 a short while after the hype an buzz that was around with the likes of the Spectrum and the Vic20 etc...

bugs like the joystick were always "interesting"...... actually they were bl**dy annoying!

Looks like we want the same lighting rig too LOL.... Seems a good starting point.. Might get some grids too, when I can..
 
Right. Just to draw a line under all of this...

After all the fantastic advice on this thread about the Safari kit, I decided to ignore it all and bought myself the Bowens Gemini 500Pro head for £499.

I used it for the first time really this weekend, after having it the past 2 weeks.

Saturday: Performed lovely, really happy with it.
Sunday: After 4 shots it died. Completely. No error messages, no loud bangs, nothing. It just stopped working. Dead as a doornail. Checked fuse, nothing. Checked power cord, nothing (this was running off the mains)
It's totally dead.

So, it's back to the dealer tomorrow for a refund. I'm not having a replacement as I need to be able to trust the kit I have, and I no longer trust the Bowens.

Fortunately, I'd not invested in the TravelPak yet so I'm not tied into the brand.

Which does mean, if Garry will still take my call, I'll be on the phone to Lencarta once the refund is in my account to buy the Safari ringflash kit. I can then add a Safari head later and I'll still be under the amount it would have cost for the 500Pro and small TravelPak.

So, sorry for ignoring all your advice. It certainly bit me on the arse. I won't make the same mistake again!
 
I am sorry it has not worked out with the Gemini... Not good at all and does not give a good feeling of reliability...

I think you will be very happy with the Safari, I was impressed when I used one... Though make sure you charge the battery for atleast 4 times the standard charge time, this will still trickle a charge into the battery to get maximum power and time at shoots.

This needs to be done for the first 3 charges.. The same can be said for mobile phones, Ipads etc.........
 
Righto - final update.

After finally getting my refund from WEX I exchanged a couple of PM's with Garry Edwards, spoke to him yesterday and ordered a Lencarta Safari Ringflash kit.

This morning it arrived :D

Build quality is very nice - especially of the generator. The ring flash head is extremely light and adds no real weight to a gripped 5D Mark II. You barely notice the weight of the generator when you're using the carry strap and have it over your shoulder.
Love the fitted case, keeps everything conveniently together :D

The first shot with it (a real grab effort - no planning gone into it!)

4734928679_a875949afa.jpg


Look forward to using it properly!
Thanks to those in the thread for the advice, and thanks to Garry for the help and getting me the kit so quickly!
 
Ooo, my double safari kit should be with me for next weekend. I am buying the ring flash too. Looking forward to having a play :thumbs:
 
Finally settled on the Safari then?
I'm really pleased with it myself - the only thing I can gripe about (if you can even call it a gripe) is that a close distances, even on low power it's bloody bright. The shot above was around f14 at lowest power from about a metre away! :lol:

And if Garry's reading this - a nice moon unit like the Alienbees one would be a nice addition to the range :D

Tomorrow is my proper play day :D
 
Nick T said:
Finally settled on the Safari then?
Click to expand...

Oh yes, got a dual light setup for £750 off here in the classifieds. Paid a £200 deposit and paying the rest tomorrow/monday. BUT I am going to get a single Elitepro to give me a 3 light setup using Lencarta stuff and will keep 2 of my 180w lights for the Hilite selling the last one to CGeezer :)

Nick T said:
the only thing I can gripe about (if you can even call it a gripe) is that a close distances, even on low power it's bloody bright. The shot above was around f14 at lowest power from about a metre away! :lol:
Click to expand...

Have you got the diffuser?

Can you not cut the power more?

Nick T said:
a nice moon unit like the Alienbees one would be a nice addition to the range :D
Click to expand...

What's one of them then?

Nick T said:
Tomorrow is my proper play day :D
Click to expand...

Don't forget the pics and if you start a new thread post a link on this one because I'm watching it :)
 
Nick T said:
Finally settled on the Safari then?
I'm really pleased with it myself - the only thing I can gripe about (if you can even call it a gripe) is that a close distances, even on low power it's bloody bright. The shot above was around f14 at lowest power from about a metre away! :lol:

And if Garry's reading this - a nice moon unit like the Alienbees one would be a nice addition to the range :D

Tomorrow is my proper play day :D
Click to expand...
You need a low tech solution - a ND gel:)
 
Yep, the diffuser came with the package - I have no idea if it was supposed to :lol:, but it did :D
No - there was no way of turning the power down any more...

And I'd thought about buying a screw in ND filter, but a gel hadn't occurred to me - I too would be interested in any recommended locations for purchase :D
 
Great to hear you have yours and enjoying it Nick.. And that Cowasaki has one too..


Nice pic you have there Nick, looks like the ringflash worked well here..
Any over powering the sun type shots yet guys?
 
Nick T said:
:thumbs: for the link - but what is an 'arri HMI'? That's one bit of terminology I've not come across :lol:
Click to expand...
Arri is a manufacturer (the manufacturer) of continuous photographic lighting and HMI is short for Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide, which is a mercury discharge light.
And Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide is long for very expensive continuous lighting:)

As for neutral density, gels are generally better than lens filters, partly because there's no loss of image quality and partly because ND gels don't affect autofocus.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Arri is a manufacturer (the manufacturer) of continuous photographic lighting and HMI is short for Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide, which is a mercury discharge light.
And Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide is long for very expensive continuous lighting:)

As for neutral density, gels are generally better than lens filters, partly because there's no loss of image quality and partly because ND gels don't affect autofocus.
Click to expand...

It's handy having our own lighting expert on here :thumbs:

Looking forward to doing another studio session with fashion model
 
hmmm car.... ring flash.... car.... ring flash...

GOD DAM IT - I want one soooooo bad.
 
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