01.04.09
Location Lighting Review
When it comes to lighting, your equipment needs to meet not only the creative demands of the job, but the practical requirements as well.
It goes without saying that lights, cables and batteries should be lightweight and portable, ideally folding up into a small package for easy transportation. Lighting should be powerful yet flexible enough to allow a photographer to work in all types of scenarios, and moreover be reliable and able to withstand the odd knock and scrape, as they’re (hopefully) going to get a lot of use.
With the above in mind, we’ve found a selection of lighting kit that deserves some serious consideration
Bowens
For a portable yet effective set-up check out Bowens’ two-head Gemini 500 kit, which Bowens claims is its most compact all-in-one kit. It’s also recommended by event specialist Keith Trainor, who utilises up to six heads.
At the time of writing Calumet was offering the Gemini 500 Travel-Pak kit for £1089 including VAT. The kit includes a pair of Esprit Gemini 500 watt moonlights, a Travel-Pak battery, two Travel-Pak/Gemini cables, two lighting support stands, one 90cm silver/white umbrella, a 120° wide-angle umbrella reflector, 60x80cm softbox, two mains leads, two modelling bulbs and, finally, a deluxe carry case with wheels for transporting all your new gear.
www.bowens.co.uk
Broncolor
Everybody hates feeling powerless. Fortunately Broncolor updated its portable Mobil system at the start of the year with the new mains independent Mobil A2R power pack, as recommended by UK importer Johnsons Photopia. Delivering up to 130 flashes per charge at full output and smaller than a camera case with a weight of 9.2kg, kit prices start at £1359 plus VAT.
With the A2R providing a control range of four f-stops in 1/10 f-stop intervals, distributed to one or two lamps, it’s possible to adapt the light to difficult situations. With two lamps and in asymmetrical mode, a control range of up to six f-stops is available.
Broncolor also recommends its Verso A2 or A4 studio pack. It comes with its own battery unit that can be used in conjunction with standard studio heads. Prices start upwards of £2500.
www.bron.ch
www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk
Elinchrom
The Flash Centre’s FX or BX 400 Elinchrom kits are eminently suitable for location work.
The BX400 is bi-voltage with user replaceable flash tube, while the FX400 kit is single voltage and comes with a fixed tube. Described as a very good performer with built-in fan, quick recycling time and flash duration, it features a 250-watt modelling lamp and is very portable.
A current deal on the FX and BX400 two-head kits throws in a free IR trigger worth £49. Kit prices start at around £660 including VAT for two stands and kit bags, silver and translucent umbrellas, 66x66cm softbox, 16cm reflector, translucent deflector and lighting DVD – plus, of course, the two heads and IR trigger.
For £400 more, a Style RX kit boasts one additional stop of power, Skyport remote, faster recycling and flash duration, and is claimed to be ‘a top pro unit’.
www.theflashcentre.co.uk
www.elinchrom.com
Interfit Photographic
For those looking for a complete solution, Interfit’s brand new ‘go anywhere’ Stellar Xtreme kit will tick most boxes for the budget conscious event photographer. Prices start at just £250 including VAT for the 150 watt single-head kit and £300 for the 300 watt kit.
Each kit comes with a head, an air-damped light stand, a battery pack plus a sync and power cables, giving the user the choice of adding umbrellas or softboxes as required. Additional features include fan cooling during periods of prolonged use to ensure the flash capacitors and circuitry are kept to their optimum working temperature, plus user-changeable flash tubes that promise both long life and colour consistency.
For easy portability, the battery weighs less than a kilo with carry case. However, the head is not waterproofed.
www.interfitphotographic.com
Lastolite
Lastolite has recently added an 8x7ft HiLite background to its range, while the Lumen8 lighting kits still hold appeal for professional photographers.
The HiLite background allows high-key photography on location or in restrictive spaces. As there is no need to use a background light – it is illuminated – working depth is reduced, allowing subjects to stand close to the background.
At £420 including VAT, the 8x7ft version provides extra height or width to shoot larger groups.
An optional vinyl train attaches to either edge. It can also be used as a softbox, and the set-up conveniently collapses.
The Lumen8 flash claims to offer reliability for location work. Heads are available either individually or in complete kits in a choice of 200W or 400W versions. The two-head kit comes with a hardwearing wheel case, and features a black/white PVC umbrella, Ezybox 60, plus two air dampened light stands.
www.lastolite.com
www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk
Profoto
Profoto’s battery kits are undeniably among those first considered by the pro. The ProB2 R pack – claimed to be the most widely rented generator in the UK – retails at £3050, while the ProB head costs £490. Specification includes a full-size Pro head chassis compatible with all Profoto’s light shapers and softboxes without an adaptor, plus 200 full power 1200J flashes per battery charge.
Alternatively, the lightweight AcuteB 600R complete with Pocket Wizard retails for a more affordable £1350, with the separate Acute head costing £400. Offering the equivalent of 160 full power 600J flashes per battery charge plus a compact build claimed to resemble a stack of VHS tapes, it weighs 4.8kg and can be transported in a backpack.
All Profoto prices are exclusive of VAT. The products are covered by a two-year parts and labour warranty.
www.profoto.com
Gavin Stoker
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