What brand studio lighting kit? Decision Made!

I normally buy products by brand - so I think a Basic Bowen kit costs around £400.
 
Triggaaar said:
Ah, I see.

It's my experience as a guest at a wedding that puts me off sticking a flash in everyone's face. The idea of lighting the marquee sounds more appealing.
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I wouldn't have even considered lighting the marquee! It makes complete sense (obviously) and offers really great results - might have to be something to work towards for me though!

As to my original post I have nearly made my decision and will let you all know what I have chosen and why soon!
 
Well, I thought I would post my final result and reasons on how I came to this decision.

So first, I have decided to go with the Lencarta ProElite 300 starter kit as it is on the Lencarta website. I will most likely buy at the same time or shortly after the 85cm profold softbox and grid to compliment it.

Why Lencarta? Well to be honest I was really convinced by the D-Lite 4 it Kit. I loved their skyport system thought it was a really good idea and really liked the cases but looking a bit deeper, the 2 softboxes were only single diffusion so not likely to offer me what I wanted from them and more importantly the triggering system wouldn't work with my current lights.

I have spoken with Garry Edwards and he has confirmed that Elinchrom do indeed have a shorter flash duration (and pointed out this can put a greater stress on components: note I dont think this has a great bearing on the quality of the lights I have read about no issues re this affecting them and Garry himself said they make very good flash heads) but for the photography I intend to do which is family portraits, schools and nurseries I don't see it as being a massive issue at this point.

So, common sense looking at value for money the Lencarta ticked all the boxes. Adding in the ability to use the Yongnuo Rf602's (of which I already have the triggers and receivers with the necessary leads) which will trigger the studio flash and also my Yongnuo 460mk II's should I need a 3 or 4 light set up before I buy additional heads, it was a fairly straightforward choice. The cost of additional modifiers etc with Lencarta is just a bonus!

I would at this point like to say thank you to Garry Edwards and Jonathon Ryan. I am aware you are linked with Lencarta and I know this can make your position on the forum complex at times. I myself sometimes questioned some posts wondering if I was being swayed by non impartial advice. I have read and re-read this thread many times along with many other posts and all I can say on the matter is that the advice is sound. You guys must have a wealth of experience and it is amazing that you share it and help people in the way you do.

Quick thanks also to Richard King and Will Cheung from Advanced Photographer magazine should you read this, firstly for a great review but also the advice you offered without hesitation too!

I now feel like I have given an oscar speech - so to anyone else who offered contructive advice and help along the way - thank you to you too!

PS. Now just have to wait till they have some stock in - Doh!!!!
 
Image Warrior said:
PS. Now just have to wait till they have some stock in - Doh!!!!
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Crikey, that didn't take long. I ordered a 300 at the end of October and it wasn't delivered until the first week of November as they were out of stock!

Agree with your reasoning BTW. Particular thanks to Garry on my part as he's helped me through my decision making process and has given excellent support when it was needed. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lencarta.... (you know the address for the £5 Garry ;) :D)
 
It's always difficult to make these choices. Unlike cameras and cars, there are still some bad ones out there but they're pretty easy to spot, leaving people with several good ones to choose from.

My personal view is that nobody will go wrong if they choose Bowens, Elinchrom or Lencarta (in alphabetical order), it's just a combination of personal choice and of choosing based on individual features, choice of system etc. Maybe a bit like the Canon/Nikon thing - people can sometimes get quite passionate about it but there are more important things to get passionate about...

I found the Advanced Photographer review pretty revealing. Lencarta wasn't included but the review showed that most of the heads that were included were pretty OK, even if some were obviously a better choice than others.

Yes, the latest delivery of the ElitePros went pretty quickly, but the next ship is due to dock in about 4 days:) Keeping up with demand can be a bit of a problem sometimes.
 
Have just spent sometime reading through the whole thred and it has been very informative. Being a starter and not having as large a budget I am looking to get the Lencarta SmartFlash 200 Head instead.

My issue is what kit to get, one with two umbrellas or an umbrella and softbox combo (a more trivial decision than that of the OP.

Is the softbox and brolly the more diverse offering?

I have looked into other brands, but as said budget and what you get for your money have been the key factors for me.
 
Yes, you should go for the 1 softbox + 1 umbrella option, it's by far the most versatile.

You can always add other items later if you want to.
 
Sko77y said:
and the kit just comes with a single reflector?

If I know when its being ordered I'll find out when your on customer service duties
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Yes, the reflector is used either on its own or with the umbrella. The softbox fits to the other head in place of the reflector.

On duty? When am I ever off duty?:)
 
On a less techie point :D

When I shot kids in my wee studio a few years back I used 3 Elinchrom D-Lite 2s (the cheapest you could buy). I ran them for 3 years, mostly at or close to full power and nothing ever failed or overheated (they didn't have fans in them, I just didn't turn the modelling light up much if at all). Now it wasn't that busy a studio - hence why I don't have it now!!! - but they did fire off many tens of thousands of times

In one 3 hour session they all fired like that close to 1,500 times at a toddler group - no failures, overheats, they just worked

Yes modifiers are more expensive with Elinchrom, but other than that I can only say how good they were

If I were buying again, and having used them, I'd probably go Lencarta now as they also do the job well enough, but are cheaper still and easier to fit cheaper modifiers

And no - I'm not paid by Garry, Lencarta, The Flash Centre, etc. :D

DD
 
Garry Edwards said:
people who understand light are far more likely to consider the light shapers to be at least as important as the lights themselves.
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I'm glad you point this out. I think most folks who understand light would go as far as to say that the modifiers are far more important than the light itself.

However, as you note above that shapers are at least as important as the lights themselves, I wonder why you'd even note the below.

Garry Edwards said:
You won't go wrong with either the Elinchrom d-lites or the Lencarta SmartFlash, but you'll spend a lot less on modifiers if you go with the Lencarta.
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Surely, if the shapers/modifiers are important (and you agree that they are in your earlier post), the fact that modifiers/shapers are cheaper for one fitting over another should not be that important a consideration. The only thing important in modifiers/shapers is the effect it gives you. Durability is important too, and you really DO get what you pay for. Cheap stuff with S fitting from ebay can be shockingly badly made and that makes them, no matter how cheap, crap.

Making a buying decision for your lights based on how cheap the modifiers are is not serving yourself well
 
Mattys said:
Making a buying decision for your lights based on how cheap the modifiers are is not serving yourself well
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I know you're new around here, but Garry is tech advisor for Lencarta in case you hadn't figured it out and I read that as buying the Lencarta modifiers, not e-bay.

FWIW, the modifiers on the Lencarta site are relatively cheap not absolutely cheap. They appear well made and have the right bells and whistles as far as I can tell... I'm happy with mine for sure.
 
Mattys said:
I'm glad you point this out. I think most folks who understand light would go as far as to say that the modifiers are far more important than the light itself.

However, as you note above that shapers are at least as important as the lights themselves, I wonder why you'd even note the below.



Surely, if the shapers/modifiers are important (and you agree that they are in your earlier post), the fact that modifiers/shapers are cheaper for one fitting over another should not be that important a consideration. The only thing important in modifiers/shapers is the effect it gives you. Durability is important too, and you really DO get what you pay for. Cheap stuff with S fitting from ebay can be shockingly badly made and that makes them, no matter how cheap, crap.

Making a buying decision for your lights based on how cheap the modifiers are is not serving yourself well
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Yes, light shapers and modifiers are usually the most important part. In round numbers, maybe half the total cost of an outfit should go on modifiers?

Your comment about cheaper modifiers implies that cheap means poor quality. I would put it another way and say some of the more expensive brands are, frankly, a rip off. Or at least, the law of diminishing returns bites pretty hard.

I've been using a wide range of lights and softboxes recently. Bowens, Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, Lencarta, Westcott, Interfit etc. I ended up buying two Lencarta Profold softboxes, most of which are available in a range of brand fittings. Great design (deep, recessed front), good quality, and as fast to put up as an umbrella. I think the 70x100 Profold (£110, plus £20 grid) is going to be my default choice - just so versatile.

Most of these things come out of a few factories in China and India anyway. Lights, modifiers, the lot.
 
I went the other way, and bought into Elinchrom initially mostly down to the genuine Elinchrom modifiers and how brilliant they are.

However, I think it's common sense, that hobbyists in particular, as in probably 99% of this forum, will consider cost an equally prominent factor. S fit modifiers are more freely available, are available cheaper, and fit a wider range of lights from a wider range of manufacturers so changing or upgrading lights in the future won't be an issue if you retain an s fit head.

No need to resort to ebay purchases even, Bessel supply softboxes perfectly adequate for hobbyist and amateur users as an example. Plenty of people on here use them, I've owned one before with an Eli mount, perfectly fine if you don't expect oem quality.

Just to add, nothing I own is S fit. I shoot with Elinchrom and Broncolor, I'm unbiased, common sense prevails
 
arad85 said:
I know you're new around here, but Garry is tech advisor for Lencarta in case you hadn't figured it out and I read that as buying the Lencarta modifiers, not e-bay.

FWIW, the modifiers on the Lencarta site are relatively cheap not absolutely cheap. They appear well made and have the right bells and whistles as far as I can tell... I'm happy with mine for sure.
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I'm very sure that the modifiers on the lencarta site are very good for the price they cost.

The post was not about lencarta modifiers. It was about advocating cheap.

Apologies if this wasn't clear.
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes, light shapers and modifiers are usually the most important part. In round numbers, maybe half the total cost of an outfit should go on modifiers?

Your comment about cheaper modifiers implies that cheap means poor quality. I would put it another way and say some of the more expensive brands are, frankly, a rip off. Or at least, the law of diminishing returns bites pretty hard.

I've been using a wide range of lights and softboxes recently. Bowens, Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, Lencarta, Westcott, Interfit etc. I ended up buying two Lencarta Profold softboxes, most of which are available in a range of brand fittings. Great design (deep, recessed front), good quality, and as fast to put up as an umbrella. I think the 70x100 Profold (£110, plus £20 grid) is going to be my default choice - just so versatile.

Most of these things come out of a few factories in China and India anyway. Lights, modifiers, the lot.
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Thanks for sharing that experience and giving me something to look at for future modifier purchases.

Please note that whichever factory a product comes out of does not guarantee a particular level of quality. The thing which does that is the specification laid down by the designer to the factory for when said factory produces that particular line.

Diminishing returns bites very hard, but that shouldn't say to anyone whether amateur or professional that they shouldn't go for the best/most-relevant stuff they can afford (within reason (dependant on the individuals concerned), of course) for the purpose it is intended for. I don't think that telling anyone that they shouldn't bother with better modifiers just because they're an amateur is serving them well. However, I'm also not someone to advocate buying the most expensive if something cheaper will do the job required (durability is always required as part of that).

I agree that some of the more expensive brands are a ripoff IF the cheaper modifiers in that fitting will do the job as effectively (and durably) as the expensive brand-name.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
I went the other way, and bought into Elinchrom initially mostly down to the genuine Elinchrom modifiers and how brilliant they are.

However, I think it's common sense, that hobbyists in particular, as in probably 99% of this forum, will consider cost an equally prominent factor. S fit modifiers are more freely available, are available cheaper, and fit a wider range of lights from a wider range of manufacturers so changing or upgrading lights in the future won't be an issue if you retain an s fit head.

No need to resort to ebay purchases even, Bessel supply softboxes perfectly adequate for hobbyist and amateur users as an example. Plenty of people on here use them, I've owned one before with an Eli mount, perfectly fine if you don't expect oem quality.

Just to add, nothing I own is S fit. I shoot with Elinchrom and Broncolor, I'm unbiased, common sense prevails
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If I've given the impression that I'm brand partisan, I have totally mistyped somewhere.

I couldn't give a toss what brandname is on kit. Only that it works effectively and does what I need it to do (including being durable). Yes, durability is important. I can't be the only one to have broken a modifier when a gust of wind took the stand down; yes it does teach to weigh down your stands properly and to buy something tougher for stronger gusts.

As you state, quite rightly, common-sense prevails
 
Mattys said:
If I've given the impression that I'm brand partisan, I have totally mistyped somewhere.

I couldn't give a toss what brandname is on kit. Only that it works effectively and does what I need it to do (including being durable). Yes, durability is important. I can't be the only one to have broken a modifier when a gust of wind took the stand down; yes it does teach to weigh down your stands properly and to buy something tougher for stronger gusts.

As you state, quite rightly, common-sense prevails
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I'm confused about what this post achieves, you addressed nothing I said at all. I never said durability doesnt matter, though there will always be a trade off when as always, you get what you pay for.

Are you trying to "call" Garry out by double quoting him or something? Really have no idea what you're trying to add to the thread? You've not really provided any useful information at all, just questioning others and their opinions, again.
 
Mattys said:
Please note that whichever factory a product comes out of does not guarantee a particular level of quality. The thing which does that is the specification laid down by the designer to the factory for when said factory produces that particular line.


I agree that some of the more expensive brands are a ripoff IF the cheaper modifiers in that fitting will do the job as effectively (and durably) as the expensive brand-name.
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You've got that bit right, which is why quality can be so variable. Most of the imports are 'as supplied' under a variety of names and are made down to a price. Lencarta products are designed to Lencarta specs and assembled by the largest manufacturer
 
Do you really think that a "call" of Garry is the purpose of my posts? I neither know him or you, so that would be silly to assume.

I questioned why he would say one thing and then apparently contradict the statement just a little while later.

He says shapers are as important as the lights in one post and then recommends a brand of lights because the modifiers are cheaper for that brand in another.

I see that as a contradiction. Cheaper modifiers doesn't fit with the shapers being as important as the lights.

I didn't question your opinion. I actually agreed with it. That would be the bit where I typed:
As you state, quite rightly, common-sense prevails
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Garry Edwards said:
You've got that bit right, which is why quality can be so variable. Most of the imports are 'as supplied' under a variety of names and are made down to a price. Lencarta products are designed to Lencarta specs and assembled by the largest manufacturer
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I'm very glad to read that Garry. Thankyou for posting the link.

I did note already in here that someone has recommended something Lencarta and I'll be going for a look at it.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
I went the other way, and bought into Elinchrom initially mostly down to the genuine Elinchrom modifiers and how brilliant they are.

However, I think it's common sense, that hobbyists in particular, as in probably 99% of this forum, will consider cost an equally prominent factor. S fit modifiers are more freely available, are available cheaper, and fit a wider range of lights from a wider range of manufacturers so changing or upgrading lights in the future won't be an issue if you retain an s fit head.

No need to resort to ebay purchases even, Bessel supply softboxes perfectly adequate for hobbyist and amateur users as an example. Plenty of people on here use them, I've owned one before with an Eli mount, perfectly fine if you don't expect oem quality.

Just to add, nothing I own is S fit. I shoot with Elinchrom and Broncolor, I'm unbiased, common sense prevails
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Very good post, and light is improved, and your life made easier and less sweary, with the more expensive softboxes.

I have a bessel octobox (modified myself to profoto fit) and also an 3x2' chimera softbox. The chimera is FANTASTIC and I love it to bits. The bessel is fine too, and was £70. Bargain.


If the elinchrom -> profoto adapter wasn't £150(!), I'd buy an elinchrom rotalux softbox, they are absolutely incredible.
 
Mattys said:
If I've given the impression that I'm brand partisan, I have totally mistyped somewhere.

I couldn't give a toss what brandname is on kit. Only that it works effectively and does what I need it to do (including being durable). Yes, durability is important. I can't be the only one to have broken a modifier when a gust of wind took the stand down; yes it does teach to weigh down your stands properly and to buy something tougher for stronger gusts.

As you state, quite rightly, common-sense prevails
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Oh dear.

"If you meet a sectary, or a hostile partisan, never recognize the dividing lines; but meet on what common ground remains,—if only that the sun shines, and the rain rains for both; the area will widen very fast, and ere you know it the boundary mountains, on which the eye had fastened, have melted into air."

Emerson.

Mind you:thinking:................
 
A bit late I know, but ive been using Lastolite Lumen8's for 2 1/2 years now in a pro studio environment.

They have overheated twice in the 2 1/2 years, first time I was shooting Volcom's Spring Range (500 garments/5000 images over x2 12 hour days) so they were nearly constantly firing for 9 hours before overheating and then they took around 20 mins to cool down but will overheat again in around 30 mins if not kept cool. They are totally inoperable as flashes when overheated, the indicators turn off and do light green again until cool!

The second was shooting DC Shoes Fall range and it was basically the same situation as Volcom in a cooler room. So they are real workhorses and have to be constantly fired to overheat.

They are awesome lights and apart from the 2 times they've failed they have never let me down. I have x2 sets of 400w and x2 sets of 200w and it was the 200w that overheated on both occasions so id prob go for the 400w they are a touch more durable and have a bit more guts. I will also add that these lights are in a consistently working studio 5 days a week so they really are pushed to the limits! For average use id say they will never overheat.

Also please bear in mind that these lights are useless outside or in a very daylit room, the slave will not pick up the other flashes and they fail to fire, I always just tape a bit of cardboard over the slave as a type of parasol to capture the light and then they work, just a warning as it can be a bit of a mare!
 
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