Safari Classic vs Safari li-on

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LowSociety

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Apologies for being dumb, but what's the difference between these two models. I'm interested in getting a ringlash and extra head primarily for outdoor use (e.g. overpowering the sun if possible).

I currently use - dare I say it here - Elemental studio heads and wondered whether their godox portable power inverter would be a better or worse option and if so, what are the advantages or disadvantages (disregarding the ringflash).

Thanks for any help or advice offered.
 
All of the differences between the Safari Classic and the Safari Li-on are set out on the website. The main ones are:

1. Size and weight - The L-ion is smaller and lighter
2. Power distribution - the Li-on has a ratio of 2:1, the Classic has a ratio of 1:1
3. Modelling lamp (standard flash head) the Li-on one is much brighter and can be pre-set to be on for a precise length of time
4. Availability - the Classic is in stock, there's a waiting list for the Li-on
5. Battery - the Li-on has a Lithium battery, it requires less maintenance but produces less flashes (360) than the Classic NIMH (1150)
6. Recycling - the Li-on is quicker
7. Cost - the Classic is cheaper

There's the ones that spring to mind, there will be other differences too of course.

Battery pack with mains powered flash? Yes, that will work, although you may be disappointed by the recycling time and/or the number of flashes.

I don't comment on other manufacturers, or Elemental.
 
Thanks Garry for replying so promptly. If I may ask one more question, do any of the heads work with the safari classic, as it seems only the ringflash is now listed on the site? It appears that to use the other heads, I would have to wait and get the Safari Li-on - is that right?

I'm leaning towards purchasing a Safari classic ringflash, extra battery, case, extended cable and additional head if its available. Ideally, I would require this to be delivered by mid August if they are all in stock.

Thanks again for your help.
 
Am watching this with interest, as I want to get an extra head plus bits and pieces for my Safari Classic :thumbs:
 
My apologies, the Safari head is in fact in stock and available - the website had thrown a wobbly and was showing it to be out of stock and therefore it wasn't visible.

Now sorted.
 
Items are available individually, but I can't add accessories from the Safari 600 ring flash kit. The whole ordering system is less than ideal, and I;ve tried it in several browsers (IE8, Chrome and Firefox) on my Vista computer.

Sorry if this is sounding like I'm whinging, but most other sites with a shopping cart work much better and are clearer to understand and compare options.
 
LowSociety said:
Items are available individually, but I can't add accessories from the Safari 600 ring flash kit. The whole ordering system is less than ideal, and I;ve tried it in several browsers (IE8, Chrome and Firefox) on my Vista computer.

Sorry if this is sounding like I'm whinging, but most other sites with a shopping cart work much better and are clearer to understand and compare options.
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I know the website is far less than perfect, and believe me it would be very different if it was within my power - but it isn't:'(

Our previous webmaster is no longer with us, the site broke and we had to get someone else to carry out temporary repairs so that we have SOMETHING while a brand new website is being built. I think that the new website is now about a month away from completion.

Meanwhile, we have to live with the present website, which is more or less working for most of the time.

And, during normal working hours, I can take phone orders
 
Thanks again Garry. I realise it's no fun when a (prospective) customer is whinging and it's not your fault, so apologies if it seemed like a rant at you.

I was just frustrated at not being able to work out the best prices and options for the items I'm considering. I'll probably give you a call on Monday.

Thanks for the quick replies, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
 
I took the plunge and placed an order last night. Looking forward to receiving my new toys!
 
I'm pretty sure there is a jolly fat joke in there somewhere :).

I would like to share in your excitement as I like receiving parcels too :), I was pleasantly suprised by the safari flash head :) its saved me alot of weight :).
 
How do the Safari Classic and li-on heads cope with larger modifiers Garry? i.e 70cm BD w/grid or 150cm-180cm octa
 
Classic - absolutely no problem. It's a steel head and designed to cope.
Li-on - not recommended for the really heavy light shapers such as the 70cm beauty dish and the largest octa softboxes.
Having said that, I've literally just got back from a shoot with the Li-on and we used a 150cm folding octa softbox outdoors, with enough wind for it to fall over.
 
There you go
150octa.jpg

Shot earlier today, shows the 150cm folding octa softbox fitted to the Safari Li-on flash head
 
Better composition required, Garry! ;)

Seriously, it's good to know they can handle it! Will be buying an extra Classic head or two soon - just had a rather large unexpected bill to pay, so I hope you're gonna have stocks for the foreseeable future...
 
mininut said:
Garry, would you be able to boom that 150 octa with the li-on head without worrying?

M.
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If I put on my official Lencarta hat then I think the answer has to be no.

But if you're asking Garry the bodger then I think I would be perfectly happy to do it provided that the boom was positioned so that the softbox was pointing more or less straight down, with very little strain on the head.

If putting a lot of strain on the head is going to happen often, I would go for the Safari Classic - it's bombproof and far stronger than anything else I've used.
 
mininut said:
Are both the heads interchangeable?

M.
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No. Different heads, and different connectors to make sure that people don't try to plug a Classic head into a Li-on pack or vice versa

The Safari Li-on has more wires in the cable because more functions are controlled from the pack
 
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