Location flash options

[whettam]

Hi I'm getting back into photography again after a break of several years. I'm mainly using natural light, but also interested in revisiting flash photography again, would principally be used for people on location.

I've dug through the cupboards ;-) at weekend and I have several Elinchrom fit modifiers, (e.g. octabox, softbox, beauty dish, umbrella's, etc.) and a couple of Ranger Quadra packs (also have the eco ring flash). Unfortunately the batteries on the quadra (the original lead ones) have gone, so they work when plugged in, but not from the battery. Also have Nikon SB 900 speedlight and Elinchrom trigger system (not tested yet but I will do, once have batteries).

The Ranger Quadra packs according to serial numbers are compatible with the lithium batteries, but I cant find these in stock anywhere, am I missing something not sure why these are not available? So my question is what is the most cost effective way of updating my flash kit. I'm comfortable shooting manual for flash, I probably don’t need 2 x 400W heads like the quadra. Before I mainly used one flash, but I would like the option of the second head, so suppose I would like one more powerful head and I'm keen not to have replace all the modifiers. Unless I can get new batteries, I'll have to use the ring flash (but TBH looking back think this was GAS!)

The easiest way seems to be the Elinchrom Three and One, because I'm assuming will "play nicely" with my existing triggers and compatible with existing modifiers, but power of the Three is less than Quadra's (so much for technology advancement!) and they are not cheap! Also I'm a little put out that Elinchrom seem to have stopped making the Quadra batteries, which just seems designed empty my wallet with them.

Or should I be looking at something like the Godox AD400 + AD200 (guessing I could use the speedlight as second head for a bit) with new triggers and adapters for the modifiers?

Any guidance gratefully received.

 

[tugwilson]

Hi I'm getting back into photography again after a break of several years. I'm mainly using natural light, but also interested in revisiting flash photography again, would principally be used for people on location.

I've dug through the cupboards ;-) at weekend and I have several Elinchrom fit modifiers, (e.g. octabox, softbox, beauty dish, umbrella's, etc.) and a couple of Ranger Quadra packs (also have the eco ring flash). Unfortunately the batteries on the quadra (the original lead ones) have gone, so they work when plugged in, but not from the battery. Also have Nikon SB 900 speedlight and Elinchrom trigger system (not tested yet but I will do, once have batteries).

The Ranger Quadra packs according to serial numbers are compatible with the lithium batteries, but I cant find these in stock anywhere, am I missing something not sure why these are not available? So my question is what is the most cost effective way of updating my flash kit. I'm comfortable shooting manual for flash, I probably don’t need 2 x 400W heads like the quadra. Before I mainly used one flash, but I would like the option of the second head, so suppose I would like one more powerful head and I'm keen not to have replace all the modifiers. Unless I can get new batteries, I'll have to use the ring flash (but TBH looking back think this was GAS!)

The easiest way seems to be the Elinchrom Three and One, because I'm assuming will "play nicely" with my existing triggers and compatible with existing modifiers, but power of the Three is less than Quadra's (so much for technology advancement!) and they are not cheap! Also I'm a little put out that Elinchrom seem to have stopped making the Quadra batteries, which just seems designed empty my wallet with them.

Or should I be looking at something like the Godox AD400 + AD200 (guessing I could use the speedlight as second head for a bit) with new triggers and adapters for the modifiers?

Any guidance gratefully received.

You can replace the lead acid batteries in the Quadra packs and this would seem to be the most cost effective way of getting some working lights. There was a thread on doing this here a month or so ago. If you are in the UK have a word with the guys at The Flash Centre who know everything worth knowing about Elinchrom kit.

Elinchrom discontinued most of its old lights a couple of years ago. It's not completely clear what their long term plans are. The ONE and THREE have the Profoto mount as the native mount and the old Elinchrom mount is supported via an adapter. I think these will work with your old trigger but they are really designed to work with the newer triggers which support TTL and HSS (Elinchrom seems to be dependent on Phottix technology for most of its latest products).

The simplest course of action is to sell or junk all the kit (including your speedlight) that you have and start again with Godox. I know that's not easy to do but that's probably where you'll end up. I'd start with an XProII trigger (overkill for one light but you'll grow into it) one of the Li-ion speedlights (V1, V860III, V850III) and an S2 bracket (allows a Bowens mount modifier to be used with the speedligh) you can then use you existing modifiers with an Elinchrom to Bowens adapter.

 

[Nikonparrothead]

Your older triggers would fire the newer Elinchrom lights but you’d miss out on TTL and HSS. As another poster suggested, you could re- cell your lead acid batteries.

I went from Quadras (which I sold) to ELB 400s — which have improved hi sync. But Elinchrom moved on to the ELB 500 (still available for now) and the One, Three and Five.

As the other poster suggested, Godox may be a better option. It’s possible to get an adapter to use any Elinchrom modifiers that you want to keep.

Set a budget and keep to it and you’ll be fine

 

[whettam]

Thank you both for your responses, I'll definitely speak with the Flash Centre to see if they can help with the Quadra batteries.

But sounds as if from what you are both saying Godox is definitely the way to go now. Was the reason for recommending the Godox speedlight approach vs the AD 200 or 400 just based on cost? I suppose I thought would be worth starting again with one more powerful light then working out whether wanted a fill option.

 

[Don89]

I have several Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed battery Packs 1100ws

I replaced the lead acid batteries with Lithium from Dakota Lithium Works great, weighs less to carry and I use the same old charger but unplug and don’t let them trickle charge.

just match the spec with the lithium and you should be good to go

 

[tugwilson]

Thank you both for your responses, I'll definitely speak with the Flash Centre to see if they can help with the Quadra batteries.

But sounds as if from what you are both saying Godox is definitely the way to go now. Was the reason for recommending the Godox speedlight approach vs the AD 200 or 400 just based on cost? I suppose I thought would be worth starting again with one more powerful light then working out whether wanted a fill option.

TFC also sell Godox kit these days (as do WEX). Lovely as they are I'd suggest you look at Pixapro if you intend to go the Godox route. They have been selling and supporting the range for years and do repairs.

I suggested the speedlight because it gives you the option of on and off camera use. Also it avoids the temptation of using an X1R-N with your existing Nikon speedlight (Just don't go there!).

If you are looking at 100Ws-44Ws off camera only, battery strobes then you need to evaluate the AD100Pro, AD200Pro, AD300Pro and AD400Pro.

AD100Pro, a bit more poke that the V1 speedlight, uses the magnetic modifiers from the V1. If you want to use a Bowens mount modifier it needs to be in an S2 bracket, can't use Godox mount modifiers.

AD200/AD200Pro, an astonishingly flexible light It can take 5 different heads (Fresnel, Bare bulb, Round head, Ring flash, Stick flash) If you have two you can put them in an AD-B2 and get a 400Ws strobe. The design is nearly 10 years old and Godox is still announcing addons. If you want to use Bowens mount modifiers you need an S2 bracket (or an AD-B2 which is lots heavier) Can't use Godox mount modifiers. Has a Profoto mount adapter (just to annoy Profoto) In my own use it's transitioned from being the goto small off camera strobe to a specialist light.

AD300Pro. small, light possibly the best power to weight ratio fo any of the lights covered here. Native mount is Godox which lets you use softboxes that pack down very small. Hard modifies are thin on the ground. You fix adapters to the body for Bowens, Elinchrom, Broncolor or Profoto mounts. They are a bit fiddly to fit. Can fit in an S2 bracket for Bowens mount modifiers only.

D400Pro, Largest and most powerful of these 4. Native Godox mount, comes with a Bowens adapter the adapters that fit the AD300Pro fit this. Has a remote head option and an AC adapter option.

 

[whettam]

Thank you both for your responses, I'll definitely speak with the Flash Centre to see if they can help with the Quadra batteries.

But sounds as if from what you are both saying Godox is definitely the way to go now. Was the reason for recommending the Godox speedlight approach vs the AD 200 or 400 just based on cost? I suppose I thought would be worth starting again with one more powerful light then working out whether wanted a fill option.

TFC also sell Godox kit these days (as do WEX). Lovely as they are I'd suggest you look at Pixapro if you intend to go the Godox route. They have been selling and supporting the range for years and do repairs.

I suggested the speedlight because it gives you the option of on and off camera use. Also it avoids the temptation of using an X1R-N with your existing Nikon speedlight (Just don't go there!).

If you are looking at 100Ws-44Ws off camera only, battery strobes then you need to evaluate the AD100Pro, AD200Pro, AD300Pro and AD400Pro.

AD100Pro, a bit more poke that the V1 speedlight, uses the magnetic modifiers from the V1. If you want to use a Bowens mount modifier it needs to be in an S2 bracket, can't use Godox mount modifiers.

AD200/AD200Pro, an astonishingly flexible light It can take 5 different heads (Fresnel, Bare bulb, Round head, Ring flash, Stick flash) If you have two you can put them in an AD-B2 and get a 400Ws strobe. The design is nearly 10 years old and Godox is still announcing addons. If you want to use Bowens mount modifiers you need an S2 bracket (or an AD-B2 which is lots heavier) Can't use Godox mount modifiers. Has a Profoto mount adapter (just to annoy Profoto) In my own use it's transitioned from being the goto small off camera strobe to a specialist light.

AD300Pro. small, light possibly the best power to weight ratio fo any of the lights covered here. Native mount is Godox which lets you use softboxes that pack down very small. Hard modifies are thin on the ground. You fix adapters to the body for Bowens, Elinchrom, Broncolor or Profoto mounts. They are a bit fiddly to fit. Can fit in an S2 bracket for Bowens mount modifiers only.

D400Pro, Largest and most powerful of these 4. Native Godox mount, comes with a Bowens adapter the adapters that fit the AD300Pro fit this. Has a remote head option and an AC adapter option.

Thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply, really useful when you are a bit out of date like me. I’m not really that bothered about an on camera flash option, I’ve never really got on with on camera flash. But message understood about mixing with the Nikon speedlight, I’ll probably try and eBay it.

I think I may want a bit more power, but seems like AD200 or Pro, might be a good place to start just need to figure out adapters for my current modifiers, then if I want a second head later I can add to system. Thank you again.

 

[Ellis Vener]

If the Elinchrom Five, Three, and One are not powerful enough for you and you want to try Godox, the good news is that there are multiple inexpensive Bowens-S mount-to-Elinchrom modifier adapters. Just do a web search for "Bowens Speedring to Elinchrom Adapter."

 

[ronscuba]

So many options.

One I like for starting out:

3 Godox Ad200's and 1 AD-B2. Allows three light setups 200ws each or two light setups with one 400ws and one 200ws

Using the AD200's as fill to natural light should be plenty of power. The AD-B2 gives you a 400ws key light. 200ws also works for closer key shots.

The small size of the AD200 is convenient for transporting on location.

 

[Fishman Dan]

Hi I'm getting back into photography again after a break of several years. I'm mainly using natural light, but also interested in revisiting flash photography again, would principally be used for people on location.

I've dug through the cupboards ;-) at weekend and I have several Elinchrom fit modifiers, (e.g. octabox, softbox, beauty dish, umbrella's, etc.) and a couple of Ranger Quadra packs (also have the eco ring flash). Unfortunately the batteries on the quadra (the original lead ones) have gone, so they work when plugged in, but not from the battery. Also have Nikon SB 900 speedlight and Elinchrom trigger system (not tested yet but I will do, once have batteries).

The Ranger Quadra packs according to serial numbers are compatible with the lithium batteries, but I cant find these in stock anywhere, am I missing something not sure why these are not available? So my question is what is the most cost effective way of updating my flash kit. I'm comfortable shooting manual for flash, I probably don’t need 2 x 400W heads like the quadra. Before I mainly used one flash, but I would like the option of the second head, so suppose I would like one more powerful head and I'm keen not to have replace all the modifiers. Unless I can get new batteries, I'll have to use the ring flash (but TBH looking back think this was GAS!)

The easiest way seems to be the Elinchrom Three and One, because I'm assuming will "play nicely" with my existing triggers and compatible with existing modifiers, but power of the Three is less than Quadra's (so much for technology advancement!) and they are not cheap! Also I'm a little put out that Elinchrom seem to have stopped making the Quadra batteries, which just seems designed empty my wallet with them.

Or should I be looking at something like the Godox AD400 + AD200 (guessing I could use the speedlight as second head for a bit) with new triggers and adapters for the modifiers?

Any guidance gratefully received.

You can replace the lead acid batteries in the Quadra packs and this would seem to be the most cost effective way of getting some working lights. There was a thread on doing this here a month or so ago. If you are in the UK have a word with the guys at The Flash Centre who know everything worth knowing about Elinchrom kit.

Elinchrom discontinued most of its old lights a couple of years ago. It's not completely clear what their long term plans are. The ONE and THREE have the Profoto mount as the native mount and the old Elinchrom mount is supported via an adapter. I think these will work with your old trigger but they are really designed to work with the newer triggers which support TTL and HSS (Elinchrom seems to be dependent on Phottix technology for most of its latest products).

The simplest course of action is to sell or junk all the kit (including your speedlight) that you have and start again with Godox. I know that's not easy to do but that's probably where you'll end up. I'd start with an XProII trigger (overkill for one light but you'll grow into it) one of the Li-ion speedlights (V1, V860III, V850III) and an S2 bracket (allows a Bowens mount modifier to be used with the speedligh) you can then use you existing modifiers with an Elinchrom to Bowens adapter.

I am in the same boat as the OP ... while I'm new at shooting with 'professional' lights, I've been collecting older Elinchrom monolights - BRX500 and BXRi 500's. They are wonderful, but as noted all Elinchrom mount.

I took am ready to step up to something modern and therefore pick up HSS and TTL, but while Godox is the obvious choice, I am yet to be truly sold on their long term viability. They are heavier than other options, and I'm not super impressed with the buttons and menu system (this matters to me).

That said, I have a choice to change path now or continue with Elinchrom, but I wasn't aware they had switched to the Profoto mount in the One/Three/Five range. I have some decent Elinchrom mount light modifiers that I hope to keep.

The most important thing here (in Australia) is that the vendor purchase options are extremely limited for all brands. A purchase of a FIVE dual head kit is almost literally double the cost of 2 x AD600 Pro's.

My choice is preference vs affordability.

 

[Ellis Vener]

You are in luck, with the Elinchrom 3, at least in the USA, a very good quality Profoto to Elinxhrom modifier adapter is included.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel
Don't be "a photographer.” Be photographing. (Paraphrasing William Faulkner's advice to writers.)

 

[ronscuba]

......, I am yet to be truly sold on their long term viability. ......

What is long term to you ? How often will they be used ? Paid work or not, put a dollar value on the tool doing what you need it to do, for each shoot. In NYC, monolights rent $25-$50 a day depending on brand, model and power.

Do some math to see how many shoots/uses does it take to get the return on what you paid to purchase.

Are you purchasing lights as tools or are their extra factors like pride in ownership, more fun to use, status of owning high brands ?

--
https://www.ronchauphoto.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rchau.photo

 

[tugwilson]

That said, I have a choice to change path now or continue with Elinchrom, but I wasn't aware they had switched to the Profoto mount in the One/Three/Five range. I have some decent Elinchrom mount light modifiers that I hope to keep.

The ONE and THREE have Profoto as their native mount, the FIVE has Elinchrom as the native mount.

 

[Models By Day]

I have the older Ranger Quadra, and I recently Bought a replacement battery

BB BP3-12 12V 3.2Ah Sealed Lead Acid Battery - This is an AJC Brand Replacement

From Amazon

You have to check the dimension of the old battery to make sure it fits in the Battery Box.

See old thread here

Elinchrom Ranger Quadra : battery options

Can anyone who still uses this system - and refuses to bin perfectly good kit (think of the unnecessary cost and waste!) - please help me understand what my options are? You can get replacement SLA cells that you can fit into the old Quadra batteries cases without much trouble, you just have to...

www.dpreview.com