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<blockquote data-quote="Wiredin" data-source="post: 427305" data-attributes="member: 14607"><p>I've been running Elinchrom Dlite-4 kit for about 5 years now. I've enjoyed the lights quite a bit, tore my kit's softboxes recently but nothing a little ducttape hasn't fixed (they ripped where the poles fix into the corners). I also have a couple of Rotolux boxes (100cm Deep Octa and a strip box).</p><p></p><p>Recently during a shoot one of my lights got caught in the window and landed control panel down on cement. That light is done, cooked, kaput.</p><p></p><p>I've already had issues with my local dealer, and have no idea why I continued to support them buy purchasing the Rotolux's and extra transmitters (as I've gone through a handful of those over the years). So when I went in to inquire about a replacement head or another kit and was just ignored ("nope, no stock." agent looks over my shoulder at the next person "can I help you sir") I have decided to take my money elsewhere.</p><p></p><p>I deal local only, and do not import. I live in Canada, specifically Alberta. So my mono-light options are very limited once you take "Vistek" out of the equation. This also rules out Paul C Buff lights (Which are not economical with the current exchange rate, shipping, and UPS tax)</p><p></p><p>So my research has lead me to the following, with a $2000 CAD budget. Based on the following criteria:</p><p></p><p>- at least 400w power (so I can compete with the sun shooting wide open)</p><p>- use of HSS upto at least 1/1000"</p><p>- compatible with Elinchrom via adapter</p><p>- integrated battery or powered by my Strobepro battery pack (think Vegabond)</p><p></p><p><strong>Option 1</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.lightrein.ca/content/lightrein/files/LR06BAT.pdf" target="_blank">Lightrein LR6bat</a> - 600w battery powered strobe $990/head</p><p>- integrated battery</p><p>- copy of the Rimelite i6 </p><p>- wireless control includes remote power control of the head + HSS</p><p>- uses Bowens mount</p><p>- 3 year warranty</p><p>- locally serviced (repaired and sold)</p><p>- bad customer service hours (closed by 5pm, not open weekends)</p><p>- really good customer service</p><p>- (Light-tools) softboxes and fabricated in house (and the boxes are of amazing built quality, they almost feel like they are made of kevlar)</p><p>- Nikon transmitter not available until May</p><p>- Local pro who did my wedding and who I've taken lessons from swears by this brand</p><p></p><p>I checked out the LR7 they offer as well, which is the 700w mains powered unit that is the same price. It's big. Really big. Has a 3 year warranty. It runs really hot (35 degrees C at idle at half power about 5 minutes after turning it on without popping the flash) the Body is all metal aside from the end caps. The Softbox/octaboxes are just amazing, especially with the egg crates on them. The fabric is thick and heavy when you touch it, but the boxes are quite light. They actually were sewing new ones on the factory floor when I was there, which I like. They are priced very well too. No matter which light I choose, I will probably be buying these boxes and getting adapters.</p><p></p><p>Only review I have is from the local pro, cannot find anything else online. The store hasn't even seen the battery powered lights yet! I'm testing a full LR12 lighting setup this Monday to see how it all works hands on.</p><p></p><p>My $2000 plan a)</p><p>2 lights and 2 Elinchrom Rotolux adapters (from Elinchrom), Strobepro studio transport bag</p><p></p><p>My $2000 plan b)</p><p>1 light, 2 elinchrom Rotolux adapters, small reflector with a couple of grids, a 36x48 softbox, Strobepro studio transport bag. Buy a second light in a few months.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Option 2:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.strobepro.com/products/strobepro-x600-lithium-strobe-kit" target="_blank">Strobepro X600</a> - 600w battery powered strobe $600</p><p>- Copy of <a href="http://www.adorama.com/FPLFRL600.html" target="_blank">Flashpoint Rovelight</a></p><p>- only available through mail order (service/sales center is 3 hours away)</p><p>- Very good and quick customer service and shipping (I've bought a few accessories from them including pocket wizards and portable battery packs)</p><p>- Spec's seem too good to be true</p><p>- remotes are included, but seem to be unreliable</p><p>- 2 year warranty</p><p></p><p>I've bought a few things from Strobe pro, crappy Yuongo triggers and a pair of Roamer battery packs (which are awesome). The stuff is priced very good and seems like a great value. But I'm worried about long term reliability and durability. I'm not a full time pro, but I do working shoots 2-3 times a week, and got three marathon weekends already booked this summer. So I'm really worried about them holding up long term. </p><p></p><p>Only review I can find are from Adorama on the Rovelight, they seem to love the light, but hate the remote.</p><p></p><p>$2000 plan:</p><p>2 heads, 2 elinchrom rotolux adapters, Sekonic L478D light meter, refector, grids, 27" beauty dish, studio transport bag, 60" Octabox, 2 extra batterys</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Option 3:</strong></p><p><strong></strong><a href="http://profoto.com/int/products/monolights-kits-associated-accessories/d1-monolights/item/d1-air-500" target="_blank">Profoto D1 Air 500</a> - $1450</p><p>- Store locked in the price for me before the price increase to $1675</p><p>- It's Profoto... do we need to say anymore</p><p>- light modifiers are stupidly expensive</p><p>- wireless remote is $400! WTF</p><p>- Mains powered, but will work off my battery pack. </p><p></p><p>I've used a B1 before and thats when I fell in love of the light these things provide, even without a modifier. When I got a chance to assist another photographer who was using a 5 light D1 setup I was beyond impressed. These are amazing. </p><p></p><p>$2000 Plan A:</p><p>1 head + zoom reflector, Strobepro 27" beauty dish and Strobepro studio transport bag. 1 Elinchrom Rotolux speedring</p><p></p><p>$2000 Plan B:</p><p>1 head, 2 Elinchrom Rotolux speedrings, 1 Elinchrom to Profoto adapter sleeve, Strobepro Studio bag.</p><p></p><p>Obviously adding heads down the road and other modifiers. I'll probably stick with buying Rotolux boxes and get Profoto speedrings as the profoto boxes are really expensive once you add the proper speedring. I'll be buying the Zoom reflector and Magnum down the road.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I'm shooting portraits. Usually single people, sometimes two. rarely groups (if ever)</p><p></p><p>The Strobe Pro is obviously the best bang for the buck. But the low-low price scares the living crap out of me.</p><p></p><p>The Lightreins have the best customer service I've ever experienced, the modifiers are just incredible for build quality. The heads I'm worried about as I can't find anything about them online. They are also heavier and larger than anything else listed here.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The Profoto is the most expensive, but you got world wide service, world wide rentals, and the consistency of Profoto. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Anyone got any insight into this? </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>(for the curious, a $2000 plan from Paul C Buff would be: 2 Einstein lights, cyber commander and receivers, and a huge PLM. I've used them, I don't like mount AT ALL)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Wiredin, post: 427305, member: 14607"] I've been running Elinchrom Dlite-4 kit for about 5 years now. I've enjoyed the lights quite a bit, tore my kit's softboxes recently but nothing a little ducttape hasn't fixed (they ripped where the poles fix into the corners). I also have a couple of Rotolux boxes (100cm Deep Octa and a strip box). Recently during a shoot one of my lights got caught in the window and landed control panel down on cement. That light is done, cooked, kaput. I've already had issues with my local dealer, and have no idea why I continued to support them buy purchasing the Rotolux's and extra transmitters (as I've gone through a handful of those over the years). So when I went in to inquire about a replacement head or another kit and was just ignored ("nope, no stock." agent looks over my shoulder at the next person "can I help you sir") I have decided to take my money elsewhere. I deal local only, and do not import. I live in Canada, specifically Alberta. So my mono-light options are very limited once you take "Vistek" out of the equation. This also rules out Paul C Buff lights (Which are not economical with the current exchange rate, shipping, and UPS tax) So my research has lead me to the following, with a $2000 CAD budget. Based on the following criteria: - at least 400w power (so I can compete with the sun shooting wide open) - use of HSS upto at least 1/1000" - compatible with Elinchrom via adapter - integrated battery or powered by my Strobepro battery pack (think Vegabond) [B]Option 1[/B] [URL="http://www.lightrein.ca/content/lightrein/files/LR06BAT.pdf"]Lightrein LR6bat[/URL] - 600w battery powered strobe $990/head - integrated battery - copy of the Rimelite i6 - wireless control includes remote power control of the head + HSS - uses Bowens mount - 3 year warranty - locally serviced (repaired and sold) - bad customer service hours (closed by 5pm, not open weekends) - really good customer service - (Light-tools) softboxes and fabricated in house (and the boxes are of amazing built quality, they almost feel like they are made of kevlar) - Nikon transmitter not available until May - Local pro who did my wedding and who I've taken lessons from swears by this brand I checked out the LR7 they offer as well, which is the 700w mains powered unit that is the same price. It's big. Really big. Has a 3 year warranty. It runs really hot (35 degrees C at idle at half power about 5 minutes after turning it on without popping the flash) the Body is all metal aside from the end caps. The Softbox/octaboxes are just amazing, especially with the egg crates on them. The fabric is thick and heavy when you touch it, but the boxes are quite light. They actually were sewing new ones on the factory floor when I was there, which I like. They are priced very well too. No matter which light I choose, I will probably be buying these boxes and getting adapters. Only review I have is from the local pro, cannot find anything else online. The store hasn't even seen the battery powered lights yet! I'm testing a full LR12 lighting setup this Monday to see how it all works hands on. My $2000 plan a) 2 lights and 2 Elinchrom Rotolux adapters (from Elinchrom), Strobepro studio transport bag My $2000 plan b) 1 light, 2 elinchrom Rotolux adapters, small reflector with a couple of grids, a 36x48 softbox, Strobepro studio transport bag. Buy a second light in a few months. [B]Option 2:[/B] [URL="http://www.strobepro.com/products/strobepro-x600-lithium-strobe-kit"]Strobepro X600[/URL] - 600w battery powered strobe $600 - Copy of [URL="http://www.adorama.com/FPLFRL600.html"]Flashpoint Rovelight[/URL] - only available through mail order (service/sales center is 3 hours away) - Very good and quick customer service and shipping (I've bought a few accessories from them including pocket wizards and portable battery packs) - Spec's seem too good to be true - remotes are included, but seem to be unreliable - 2 year warranty I've bought a few things from Strobe pro, crappy Yuongo triggers and a pair of Roamer battery packs (which are awesome). The stuff is priced very good and seems like a great value. But I'm worried about long term reliability and durability. I'm not a full time pro, but I do working shoots 2-3 times a week, and got three marathon weekends already booked this summer. So I'm really worried about them holding up long term. Only review I can find are from Adorama on the Rovelight, they seem to love the light, but hate the remote. $2000 plan: 2 heads, 2 elinchrom rotolux adapters, Sekonic L478D light meter, refector, grids, 27" beauty dish, studio transport bag, 60" Octabox, 2 extra batterys [B]Option 3: [/B][URL="http://profoto.com/int/products/monolights-kits-associated-accessories/d1-monolights/item/d1-air-500"]Profoto D1 Air 500[/URL] - $1450 - Store locked in the price for me before the price increase to $1675 - It's Profoto... do we need to say anymore - light modifiers are stupidly expensive - wireless remote is $400! WTF - Mains powered, but will work off my battery pack. I've used a B1 before and thats when I fell in love of the light these things provide, even without a modifier. When I got a chance to assist another photographer who was using a 5 light D1 setup I was beyond impressed. These are amazing. $2000 Plan A: 1 head + zoom reflector, Strobepro 27" beauty dish and Strobepro studio transport bag. 1 Elinchrom Rotolux speedring $2000 Plan B: 1 head, 2 Elinchrom Rotolux speedrings, 1 Elinchrom to Profoto adapter sleeve, Strobepro Studio bag. Obviously adding heads down the road and other modifiers. I'll probably stick with buying Rotolux boxes and get Profoto speedrings as the profoto boxes are really expensive once you add the proper speedring. I'll be buying the Zoom reflector and Magnum down the road. I'm shooting portraits. Usually single people, sometimes two. rarely groups (if ever) The Strobe Pro is obviously the best bang for the buck. But the low-low price scares the living crap out of me. The Lightreins have the best customer service I've ever experienced, the modifiers are just incredible for build quality. The heads I'm worried about as I can't find anything about them online. They are also heavier and larger than anything else listed here. The Profoto is the most expensive, but you got world wide service, world wide rentals, and the consistency of Profoto. Anyone got any insight into this? (for the curious, a $2000 plan from Paul C Buff would be: 2 Einstein lights, cyber commander and receivers, and a huge PLM. I've used them, I don't like mount AT ALL) [/QUOTE]
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