BOWENS QUADX PACKS or PROFOTO ACUTE 2

[stephengalea]

Currently, I am on my way building a studio and I would like to buy

3 heads + pack or 2....DECIDING between the BOWENS QUADX AND THE

PROFOTO ACUTE 2 Packs, as basically they are about the same price

more or less..

 

My questions is first... DO any of you have experience with such

packs and if yes, how did you find them?

 

Other then this, I need to fire all heads with a wireless setup -

wht do you recomend between Pocketwizard and Pulsur?

 

Will I have to connect heads to there packs ONLY and Flash will fire

by using 2 of the pulsur..one attached to camera and other to head

or pack?

 

IS THE ABOVE CORRECT?

 

 

In addition, i am opting more for the bowens QUADX PACK, however i

need to buy 3 durable and heavy duty stands , moreover 2 arms/booms

which could hold the FLASHhead + a coupled large soft box...

 

(http://www.bowens.co.uk/quadx.php)

 

 

 

Wht would you recommend as stands arms etc for a studio space of

20 by 13.5 and 8 Feet Ceiling...( I know 8Foot ceiling is a minimum)

Wht other accesories do you suggest and think i could find useful in

such a studio?

 

WHT ARE YOUR RECOMENDATIONS AS LOCALLY I CANNOT VIEW SUCH EQUIPMENT..

THX in ADVANCE...

[streetlevel]

Both will be excellent... primary consideration would be how easy

it is to find modifiers for them, and service. Getting bowens

packs serviced in the US can be tricky... but no problem in the

UK...

 

So - I'd dig around the support structures to see what makes

more sense for your location.

 

Mathews C++ stands rock. about as solid as you get. Tho they

do take up space.

[sonia_barrett]

We use Bowens and Calumet gear in my studio. The Calumet lights are actually made by Bowens, and Calumet does service for both here in the states. If Calumet is in your hometown, you'll get great service on the Bowens.

[stephengalea]

Thx for your responses...

I will check out on the mattews stands..

 

Thx once again

[steve_gardner2]

I use the QuaDX packs in my studio. When they work... they work well. The light modifiers

are cheaply built for what you pay and I don't recommend the softboxes or stands

(Calumet) nor do I recommend the Pulsur setup. Pocket Wizards are far superior and well

worth the investment.

 

As for the QuaDX packs... they are having a problem with capacitors and Bowens/Calumet

are in the process of replacing the old with the new on my packs. If you are unfortunate

enough to get a bad cap... you'll hear a gunshot sounds from your pack until you have it

fixed. Overall, for the money, the Bowens packs are more bang for your buck than the

Acute 2's. The flash duration is short and sweet and the color temp / light is consistent

from shoot to shoot.

 

If you go with the QuaDX and PocketWizards... you will need to buy some ferite magnets

(Radio Shack) to clamp onto the cable between your pack and the receiver... The packs

electro-magnetic field interferes with the signal to the Pocket Wizards. The inexpensive

magnet takes care of all that. (This problem baffled the engineers at Bowens... the smart

folks that make Pocket Wizards figured it all out).

 

If you go with the Acute 2R... you'll get the built in Pocket Wizard receiver (that works

without magnets)Ñ something I wish Calumet/Bowens would have done.

 

All that said. I've invested enough money into the Bowens line to turn back now... Had I

had a bit more money and sense at the start, I might have purchsed the higher end

ProFotos... 7bs or the like. But, I am making a very good living using the Bowens gear

despite some of their Kmart like accessories.

 

The other issues I have with the Bowens line is a very inconsistent fit between their

accessories. Some of my reflectors/speed rings, etc., fit some of my heads well... and

some not so well. It's as if each accessory and head was made in a different country by

men with failing eyesite. Who knows. I hope this helps you in your decision.