I'm looking to purchase the Lencarta Safari kit. Are the heads fan cooled ? Does the modelling lamps work with the battery pack ? I know the modelling lamps don't work in the Bowen's battery kit.
No, the heads are not fan cooled, they don't need to be. The modelling lamps work for about 30 seconds after pushing the button, they then go off automatically.
I have a pair of Bowens Gemini 200s too, although I don't yet have a travelpak.
One adavantage of the Bowens is that whilst using two heads on the battery pack their light output can be adjusted individually allowing finer control, but the heads will always have their maximum output capped to their specification.
The advantage of the Safaris is that if only one head is used then you get a 600w/s light, when using two heads this drops to 300w/s each although as the power control is from the pack, this means that both heads are set to the same power (unlike the Bowens), and variation in power between heads would have to be done with either ND gels or altering the distance of the heads. The Safaris are also lighter, but very well made.
As I understand it from the specifications the Safaris battery lasts considerably longer than the Bowens, but as I do not yet have a Travelpak battery I can not confirm this.
The other advantage of the Safari outfit is that you can add a ringflash later if you like and this can be used either on it's own or in conjuction with a Safari head.
The main downside of the Safaris for me is that you are restricted by the length of the cables. This may also be the case with the Bowens, but when using the mains with the Bowens this restriction is removed.
The current price of the Twin Head Lencarta Safari system is £903.65 and when using two heads gives you two 300w/s lights.
The twin head Bowens TravelPak kits are currently priced from
Park Cameras as follows:
TravelPak 200/200 kit @ £859.99
TravelPak 400/400 kit @ £939.99
If they are to be your only studio type lights (i.e you have no mains heads) and have no intention of adding a ringflash in the future, I personally would go for the Bowens TravelPak 400/400 kit for the extra £36 quid as they will be more versatile in the studio when using the mains, allow individual control from each head and they are not restricted by the length of the leads as are the Safaris when used in the studio environment, the Bowens kit also includes a roll along case, a couple of Bowens brollies and a pair of stands (stands and brollies are extra to the Lencarta Safari kit).
I have to say, that I am surprised at the value for money offered by the Bowens 400/400 kit as whilst obviously more expensive than the normal 2 head starter outfit, the versatility it offers and with 'Full' dual use (studio and location) I think it is an excellant offer, this is not to say that the Safari outfit is bad, quite the contrary, but the slight extra power, easier control, added extras (Brollies and Stands) and undeniably better resale value, the Bowens kit is pretty much a no brainer (to me anyway).
Hope this helps.
