paul_d5

I have 200W - they work fine shooting portraits at around f5.6 (ISO100). I would have liked 400W however - more versatile. Softbox's and other modifiers reduce the output. I will probably buy one 400W for main use to augment my set. The digital controls on Elinchrom's are excellent you can easily dial down.

Don't buy anything until you have posted in the Strobist forum. Most of the slaves don't work properly with Canon - unlike Nikon - I have both.

 

 

Flash Zebra on the Strobist forum is a flash specialist - he also sells various slaves cables etc. His own site is:

http://www.flashzebra.com/

 

Curtis at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35 is also a flash expert.

Elinchrom specs say they are : Multi voltage, 90-260 V.

There are many here much better qualified to answer you but I have learnt it is not so much the equipment but the know how which makes the picture. Sure you need some basic equipment but the technical know how of lighting is all important. You can learn so much with a bare minimum and take excellent pics.

 

One or two quality lights is a good start and a cheap umbrella or two and some white foam board for reflectors. It is amazing what can be achieved with one light. Your studio does not have to cost a fortune. I am sure others will advise on what you should buy.

Should Jeremy be considering a middle sized Octa for portraits seeing he will be shooting with one box?

Read somewhere that the 580 was equivalent to about 120 watts.

Pocket Wizard is rumoured to soon be launching a budget basic model (competition from the Poppers?). Might be wise to wait. Wizards are not TTL.

 

For more on poppers read this post:

 

http://flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157604870674926/?search=radio+poppers

 

http://flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157603919588026/

Suggest you email Elinchrom. I have these lights but can't quite understand what happened. You do not want to ever over tighten the nut which handles the elevation of the lights - it is easy to strip.

Chimera have been making softboxes for a couple of decades. They are said to retain their whiteness while others yellow.

 

Have you thought about buying an Octa - Elinchrom/Chimera/Photoflex?

Thanks Carter! Good recommendation. I find Chimera excellent. Had not thought of using the smaller boxes - That Elinchrom midiocta is the 53 inch model - apologies for the typo.

 

By the way which Quantum are you using?

Thanks all for the info. Decisions decisions!I use Chimera for the studio but I think the Apollo for quick set-up is appealing.

 

I see Scott Kelby is recommending the 53″ Elinchrom Midiocta softbox which also opens like an umbrella. Any thoughts on this one?

Any recommendations on what softboxes for location shoots?

I am looking for something which is easy to set-up and pack away with the best

light quality. What would you buy?

I have Chimera medium and am very happy with the quality of light, build etc. Their customer support is good too. I have heard that their boxes don't yellow over time. The cheaper Photoflex range is very popular and used by many pro's. Chimera make a range of quick speedrings for easy mounting of most boxes. A nice to have!

Ellis is it worth the $$?

Hi Ellis - I am looking at both the midi Elinchrom 53″ Midi-Octa and the deep throat Elinchrom 74″ Octabank. I shoot mainly portraits.

 

I hear they provide super even wrap around light but are they worth the $$?

If anyone is using the Elinchrom Octa - the midi or the large Octa please post

examples here.

 

Is there a big difference in the light quality compared to say Chimera - is it

worth the $?

 

Is the large Octa too big for location work - is it difficult to set-up?

 

Would one use it mainly in a one light shoot as it is so wide?

 

Could I mix a Chimera 3x4 with an Octa?

 

What other light modifiers in the Elin range would you recommend?

Joe Demb - http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

 

A lot of the pro's use a simple white card as recommended by Jim.

 

Try bouncing off walls - behind/side - too - another trick

 

For flash techniques read http://planetneil.com/tangents/

Neil van Niekerk's site and http://strobist.blogspot.com/ and

Paul - Chimera is not tooo expensive and excellent quality. Take a look too at their "new" quick speedrings. Easy to set up a softbox.

Ellis -- I agree never liked the reflector design and speedring.

Elinchrom light quality and consistency and controls are very good. If you buy D-Lites check out that they are the new model with fans. Also check with your dealer on the largest softbox they will take. I use a medium 3x4 with mine and I would not like to use anything larger. This MAY be a limitation. I don't care for the screw which allows the sbox to be elevated. There have been reports of this being stripped.

 

If I bought again I would go for the BX's which are made in Switzerland and not India. I can't comment on the other brands.

Anesh check out what weight softbox the D-lite will hold without stripping threads. I suggest you email the Flash Centre (UK) who seem to know a lot about Elin's. As I said in a previous post my 3x4 foot medium box is the largest I would personally use. I believe you can buy a device which switches the weight from the light itself onto the stand.

Just seen this post in another forum:

Email from Elinchrom on 7th Feb 08 pasted below:

 

"Fan-cooled D-Lites are actually only shipped or will be shipped into

countries / areas where the units may suffer from high ambient temperatures.

It might be a serial feature in the future, but the decision has not been taken yet.

 

Elinca S.A.

Thomas H.W. Beinke

Deputy Director / Marketing"

Evidently the new models have fans - old stock doesnt! If you are in the UK chat to the Flash Centre. There is talk that the models with fans will only be sold in warm countries.

I have the 2's and not had a problem but I turn off the modeling lights when not in use. I have not heard about fan's being included in the latest models.

 

If budget allows I would rather buy into the more expensive Elin's which are made in Switzerland and also include fans. The screw on the Dlite's which allows for the softbox to be angled is easily stripped. They will not take a large soft box - my medium Chimera 3x4 is the largest and that is pushing it!!.

 

The quality of light, controls etc are excellent but if you intend using for long term rather buy more expensive lights.

See this post by Chuck Gardner:

 

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=22757494

 

Let us know if it works for you.