tony_black1 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 i just rent a profoto 7b and a head with a beauty dish to try it out. in a dark room with no existing light but just with the modeling light i cannot focus. do i have to have an ambient light all the time? then i cannot exactly see what i will get with my modeling light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_walton2 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 That's one of the differences with strobe manufacturers... My modeling lights are 250 watts and are plenty bright. See if you can get a brighter bulb from the manufacturer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick s Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Profoto has decent modeling lights (can't remember the wattage offhand). The brightness can be adjusted... are the modeling lights dialed up all the way or are they turned down. I've used Profoto's in a dark studio with just the modeling lights and focus was no problem.<p>Also, what is the max aperture on the lens you're using? If it's like f/4 or f/5.6 then you'll have a dimmer view than if you used a lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick s Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 ... I suppose distance will also make a difference. If you're positioning the lights very far from the subject, obviously you'll be dealing with falloff so the modeling lights will be dimmer on the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot_n Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Profoto 7B is the battery powered Profoto, right? 100W modelling lights? Don't they cut off after 20 seconds to conserve battery power? It's been a while since I rented the 7B, and that was only for exterior location shoots where I didn't need a modelling light. I guess you're running it off mains power? If you've got the electricity, then other packs/heads (with 250W modelling lights) would be more suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_black1 Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 they only have 100w modeling light. i just wanted to try it at home but no luck for focusing if i close the curtains and make the room dark. and the modeling light goes off after several seconds. everybody says profoto 7b is the best product in the market but nobody talks about the downsides. if i cant focus in a dark place so whats good about this 7b? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_black1 Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 thank god i rent it today. i was going to pull the triger and get them. and i tried beauty dish and the standard zoom reflector. nothing amazing. i think you can get pretty much the same results with any flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot_n Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 The next step up from a 7B, if you need brighter modelling lights, is to use a generator, but then that's REALLY heavy. The whole point of the 7B is that it is a location light for use in places where there is no mains electricity. Sounds like you were trying to use it as a regular studio light - in which case it's the wrong light for the job. But if you're shooting a model halfway up a mountain it's the right light - providing you have a donkey to carry the pack. As battery powered flashes go, the 7B is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 <I>verybody says profoto 7b is the best product in the market but nobody talks about the downsides. if i cant focus in a dark place so whats good about this 7b? ...</I><P>It isn't intended for studio shooting. try a profoto Acute 1200R instead pack and head system instead.<P><I> thank god i rent it today.... i tried beauty dish and the standard zoom reflector. nothing amazing. i think you can get pretty much the same results with any flash.<P></I>Practice makes perfect. Not knowing what you doing in a kitchen makes hash of even the best beef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewstiles Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 Its been said already, but the 7b is a battery pack best suited to location work. The modeling light isnt bright (saves battery) and you need to turn it on after every shot. I have seen assistants hold flashlights for focusing. Thats not the worst solution... The best thing is to use studio equipment like Pro 7's in the studio and keep the 7b's for location. The 7b is a wonderful light source but its not exactly the best tool for all situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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