Upgrading my lighting kit, advice needed.

[HamezUK]

I have been shooting my portrait sessions with 2 interfit ex150 kits for the past few years now and the time has come to upgrade. I am still happy with my kit but it has seen better days. I want to move on to a higher power kit but it still needs to be portable as most of my portrait sessions are in the clients home. Are Bowens/Elinchrom worth the money or are there cheaper alternatives that are just as good? Having only ever shot with my kit I don't know where to go next. Advise me oh almighty studio experts!

 

[simonbarker]

It's easy enough to list alternatives (and everyone has their preferences in brands) but given you've been using that kit for years perhaps you could tell us what you liked or not about them? It may help someone to give you more useful advice.

Fair warning, I'm a beginner but I've gone from Interfit to Bowens and there's an appreciable improvement in quality. I wouldn't have paid 4 times for that improvement but from the second hand gear I've come across the Bowens stuff has been in a lot better shape despite being of a similar age (which admittedly proves nothing).

The only complaint I'd have against the Bowens kit is I don't understand why they haven't produced an integrated wireless control system, you can spend £300 and get a 2 head Lencarta kit that does it out of the box but (to the best of my knowledge) you'd have to spend at least £400 to get a single flash which allows you to do that from Bowens (and even then you'd also need to buy the IR remote control as I don't think you can do it with their kit via radio).

Not a fair comparison but I don't understand the omission from Bowens, Elinchrom seems to have it covered even on their basic models with the Skyport receivers?

 

[Kieron Nevison]

Have a look at the Elincrom D-lights. Great bit of kit built in radio controller, fan, good power ranges.

 

[EOS_JD]

Firstly if you are shooting in people's homes, why do you need more power? A 100w light will easily provide enough power to light subjects in a small room. If you are using them on location (outside) then I can see a need for more power, Lower powered lights have the advantage of allowing you to shoot at larger apertures too which can be useful.

I love my Elinchrom lights though. The skyport system is fantastic and the qualitry of the lights is excellent. Rotalux modifiers can be expensive but there's plenty of cheaper options from places like Bessell who produce some great options.