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Zeus - Anyone using or planning to buy?

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Onetrack97

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Zeus - Anyone using or planning to buy?

If not, what pack system are you planning to buy?

--
Scott
 
Right, I'm assuming that current Alien Bee or White Lightning users would be the biggest users at first.

If they use the wired remotes, there would be common controls between the monolights and these packs.

--
Scott
 
Now, why would anyone want to settle for anything less than Broncolor Grafit A4 is beyond me. At only $9400 or so it didn't even break the $10000 barrier and it comes with this huge added value: the moment you unpack it and switch it on, every pro photographer in the line of sight instantly dies of envy.

And don't even get me started about the price of their heads, like Ringflash model P: at $2400 they might as well give it away. You can put together a relly nice system and walk away with a change from $20000.

If you ask me, it's Broncolor or bust!
 
Onetrack97 said:
Right, I'm assuming that current Alien Bee or White Lightning users
would be the biggest users at first.

If they use the wired remotes, there would be common controls between
the monolights and these packs.
Click to expand...
I don't like the hinged top. That is a point of ware over time. Some mobile
use requires a second battery and there is no real info on replacing battery
on the job. Otherwise, the unit requires charging. Hensel has a two hour
recharge time so even two batteries can keep you working without delay.
Other small requirements like having to have the doors open do restrict
the way you carry the AB unit. We have our Hensel Porty in a Pelican 1440
case on wheels which can be moved easily with the top open and still carry
the extras. The AB unit requires the doors to be open or you have to pull
the plug just to move it around or pick up from the body? Those small things
can be a frustration when you are on the job.

It all depends on how much convenience you need an how you work. Things like

full day or even a couple days work in the field without recharge. AB pack is at least light in weight.

They have not been widely distributed yet. Another month or so should start
getting into hands of users and surely we will have lots of posts here and the
regular PB forum might be best to get updates.
 
AperturePro said:
I don't like the hinged top. That is a point of ware over time. Some
mobile
use requires a second battery and there is no real info on replacing
battery
on the job. Otherwise, the unit requires charging. Hensel has a two hour
recharge time so even two batteries can keep you working without delay.
Click to expand...
Batteries? AFAIK they are AC packs, not battery units.

--
cheers, Peter

Germany
 
Peter Berressem said:
Batteries? AFAIK they are AC packs, not battery units.
Click to expand...
Gets pretty bulky for mobile use, doesn't it? Extra size, extra weight,
extra cables.

Not really than much diff in cost from a Porty kit and much more
bulk. Is a few hundred extra cost worth all that extra bulk to carry
around since the weight is close if you compare the two systems.
 
PalmsWestPhoto said:
much better than to always have to lug around batteries even if you
dont need them

That overpriced euro stuff really has you going apertureklo hmm ...
Click to expand...
The Hensel Mini 1200 has four plugs and the same weight. No problem
there. Enough to run key, fill and your background light out of one
pack. Not so overpriced when you talk features.

http://www.henselusa.com/pro_mini.html
 
AperturePro said:
Onetrack97 said:
Right, I'm assuming that current Alien Bee or White Lightning users
would be the biggest users at first.

If they use the wired remotes, there would be common controls between
the monolights and these packs.
Click to expand...
I don't like the hinged top. That is a point of ware over time. Some
mobile
use requires a second battery and there is no real info on replacing
battery
on the job. Otherwise, the unit requires charging. Hensel has a two hour
recharge time so even two batteries can keep you working without delay.
Other small requirements like having to have the doors open do restrict
the way you carry the AB unit. We have our Hensel Porty in a Pelican
1440
case on wheels which can be moved easily with the top open and still
carry
the extras. The AB unit requires the doors to be open or you have to
pull
the plug just to move it around or pick up from the body? Those small
things
can be a frustration when you are on the job.

It all depends on how much convenience you need an how you work.
Things like
full day or even a couple days work in the field without recharge. AB
pack is at least light in weight.

They have not been widely distributed yet. Another month or so should
start
getting into hands of users and surely we will have lots of posts
here and the
regular PB forum might be best to get updates.
Click to expand...
Uh, pardon your ignorance - Zeus doesn't have a battery. How do you expect people to take you seriously when you don't even know what the product does.

Here's a Zeus, here's a hole in the ground. Can you tell which is which?

All in jest, of course.

Paul
 
AperturePro said:
AperturePro said:
Batteries? AFAIK they are AC packs, not battery units.
Click to expand...
Gets pretty bulky for mobile use, doesn't it? Extra size, extra weight,
extra cables.

Not really than much diff in cost from a Porty kit and much more
bulk. Is a few hundred extra cost worth all that extra bulk to carry
around since the weight is close if you compare the two systems.
Click to expand...
Who said it was designed for mobile use? If you want a Porty and all you do is mobile, fine. But it ain't no studio system.

Paul
 
Onetrack97 said:
Zeus - Anyone using or planning to buy?

If not, what pack system are you planning to buy?

--
Scott
Click to expand...
I don't like Balcar mount. I'd rather go Dynalite or Speedotron (besides, for me they're available for sale and rent locally, and I feel that's important).

Personally, I'll probably keep saving and end up with Profoto, but I wouldn't mind springing for a 3 head/2 pack used Speedotron setup if I needed it.

--
Ramen is how I afford my glass
http://www.blindmike.com
 
Big handle, light weight... Ain't a mobile, but looks like it certainly could be. What's the point of the cover/handle specific design for indoor? is the 2400 prone to fall on it's side? looks tall and slim.
How are sales by the way?
paulbuff said:
AperturePro said:
paulbuff said:
Batteries? AFAIK they are AC packs, not battery units.
Click to expand...
Gets pretty bulky for mobile use, doesn't it? Extra size, extra weight,
extra cables.

Not really than much diff in cost from a Porty kit and much more
bulk. Is a few hundred extra cost worth all that extra bulk to carry
around since the weight is close if you compare the two systems.
Click to expand...
Who said it was designed for mobile use? If you want a Porty and all
you do is mobile, fine. But it ain't no studio system.

Paul
Click to expand...
 
benoit said:
Big handle, light weight... Ain't a mobile, but looks like it
certainly could be. What's the point of the cover/handle specific
design for indoor? is the 2400 prone to fall on it's side? looks tall
and slim.
Click to expand...
I was worried about our Porty falling over and it is pretty stable for
its weight. We put the whole thing in a Pelican 1440 which solved
a few concerns and carries our lights, cords and extras.

The Zeus looks even thiner and has those top covers (doors) which
look like they could be stressed if not damaged in a tip-over.

Do you know anyone that uses a Ranger, Mobil, or Porty etc stand
alone or are they usually put in a container for safety? The lids on Zeus
open and would prevent being used while in most container boxes.
I don't see the point of the cover/handles for studio and wouldn't it
be put in a Pelican for field work anyway?
benoit said:
How are sales by the way?
Click to expand...
 
AperturePro said:
The Zeus looks even thiner and has those top covers (doors) which
look like they could be stressed if not damaged in a tip-over.
Click to expand...
That was one of my first concerned when I saw it the day it was announced. Can't find that thread? must have been deleted? My thinking was to get rid of them and make my own handles.
AperturePro said:
Do you know anyone that uses a Ranger, Mobil, or Porty etc stand
alone or are they usually put in a container for safety? The lids on
Zeus
open and would prevent being used while in most container boxes.
I don't see the point of the cover/handles for studio and wouldn't it
be put in a Pelican for field work anyway?
Click to expand...
Hey, I keept it out last time, but one of my cats actually did spray on my Mobil. I found out way later like 2 days. I dryed it, actually opened it to check. Dry! No problem, that was like 5 years ago.

None of my packs are carried or used in containers. My AC packs definitely need to breath! It's important. I can tell the difference in cooling between the Unilite and Pulso heads. It's close to half the time so I do believe in cooling and quality engineering.

I place my Mobil over one of the containers that I use for my heads if the grass is wet and I have a thick plywood board to put under that I'll take out if I travel light. When outside, I use a bunggie connected from the stand to the Mobil for ballast. The handle is practicle and does not affect the use of the equipment since the connectors are on the side. I don't like covers in general. They are the first things to break. When plugged, a pack with cover is like a pack without. Even the semi open design of the old Pulso packs is annoying yet even all plugged and the cover down I can still move them around in the studio or take one out for (heavy) ballast in the field if needed.
 
Sales are doing fine. This is not like the ABR so we don't expect to sell thousands in the first couple of months. Reports so far have been good. It make lots of light and doesn't cost much - that's what it's designed to do.

The lid and handle are for convenience when you do travel. Some like it, some don't but it has little effect of function.

I suppose they could tip over - hasn't been a problem - the vertical design takes up less space on the floor or in the car.

Paul
 
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