I am looking for for a portable strobe setup for location work. I have 4 sb-25's, but when i have to shoot in the sun, they just don't cut it. I was almost about to buy a dyna-lite uni400jr, but then i got looking around at other options. The biggest thing is i want it to run off either a quantum turbo or jackrabbit pack, of which i have one of each (long story).

So these are my current options:


Norman Allure AC/DC 320 Watt/Second Monolight $299

Photogenic StudioMax III AC/DC $299

Dyna-Lite uni400jr : $ 600


Basically i am looking for someone to tell me that the Dyna-Lite is that much better than the other options. Other wise i am mostly leaning towards the Photogenic. But maybe there is a reason i should consider the Norman?

So many stobes, so little cash.......

I LOVE my DynaLite strobes. I use the 2040 and 4040 heads with 500 and 1000 packs. For remote shooting I power them with a DC-AC inverter connected to my car and a ~100' extension cord...

I have not used their monolights (i.e., the Uni series). I've seriously considered getting one for when I shoot weddings (carrying a head, pack, and cable is a bit cumbersome).

DynaLites are built very well and are extremely lightweight compared to other similar (i.e., metal, not plastic) systems I've used.

That said, I'm sorry I don't have the exact answer you're looking for - only related experience. I picked up my lights on ebay and saved quite a bit of money.

Thanks for the thoughts. I have kind of decided that the dyna-lite's are what i am going with. Now just need to watch ebay for a while, or wait for them to come back instock at B&H.

Thanks

They will "love you long time!" Seriously though, they're tough and can really take a beating.

Also, before you commit, you might also want to look at the light modifiers you will be using (grids, speed rings, barn doors, etc) and see what the price difference is there (if that matters to you)

The photogenic is a nice light. I just bought one and it's been working hard for me. And you can't beat the price... I have heard that if you overwork it, it can do some strange things, like the light will glow for a while when it gets hot.

I have not had any problems yet.

add me to the "LOVE MY DYNALITES!" group.

I have M1000WI packs in my studio with 4040 and 4080 heads, and two uni400JR monolights for location shooting. If there's no power near by, I use an Innovatronix Explorer 1200 location pack, which is JUST AWESOME for the $250 it cost, as opposed to about $1200 for the equivalent from Dyna-Lite.

I often uses a Quantum Qflash T2 with my Quantum Turbo Battery. If this is not enough to fight against the sun, I would recommend Lumedyne (up to 2400 Ws!!!) wich is a great and modular built system, but also lightweight for use on location.

When I need more light, I use two Elinchrom D-Lites with a Tronix Explorer (but it's heavy, man).

Dyna-Light, Norman and Photogenic, I don't know (usually not well-known in the european market).

But what do you think about AlienBees? I heard nothing but good things about. AlineBees 800Ws and a Vagabond mobile power source would meet your needs too, I think.

Mario

Hey,
I actually just got a steal on a Lumedyne system. Pack, head, batteries, charger, and AC power adapter. So i am a happy photographer right now. Now i just need to setup a shoot to test it. I hadn't thought about Lumedyne much before because the stuff is seriously pricey new, but there is good supply used. And the parts are built like a tank.


Thanks for all the help.

Nice to hear. Have fun with it. I love mine. It is so lightweight but powerful in the same time.

Mario

You mistaked two letters in the link to your homepage so it doesn't work with this adress:

http://www.wakefieldiamges.com/

Try your link and you will see.

[this is for people who come across this thread later. ]

The Uni400Jr takes like 5 or 6 seconds to recycle off a Jackrabbit or something like that. You can't turn off the ready beep.

I have the Dynalite 1000wi pack - love it. I also have the inverter/battery pack for it. I use it for when I need lots of power and fast recycle on location, but it's cumbersome to deal with.

One of the requirements for me was that I wanted to be able to set the power at the pack, not run a stand up and down all day.

So I got this Lumedyne kit for the light location stuff where I need more power than camera strobes. Mine is up to 400WS. You can boost them much higher, but 400 is enough for me:







Marc

Mario-
Thanks for the heads up about the link, just fixed it.


Marc-
Yea not having to run the light stand up and down is a real winner for me. Plus i mostly want to use this with my soft box, and that gets to be a pain to run up and down and open it up. Love the idea to use rope to hold the main pack, i am going to borrow that idea .

Thanks,

Costs all of about 80 cents, which is good considering what this stuff costs.

I made the loop *just* big enough to go over the knuckle, so when it's on, we can run and gun without it falling off.

Marc

I fix my Quantum Turbo Battery and Lumedyne pack on my lightstand with a bungee cord. See pictures on bottom of my posting.

It's called bungee snake and available at

http://www.sunbounce-usa.com/bungee_snakes.html

But for much less money, you get it at music stores (Stairville Spannflex or Stairville Spannfix with a hook from www.thomann.de, a german music store):

http://www.thomann.de/de/stairville_spannf..._cm_schwarz.htm

http://www.thomann.de/de/stairvillespannfi...z_12_stueck.htm

Also good tip for fixing fabrics and backgrounds with or without Spannflex:

http://www.thomann.de/de/stairville_holdon...rz_f_molton.htm

Back to my bungee cords:

I have some in my camera bag all the time. They are great to fix everything at various places and positions, also a off camera flash, like strobist shows:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/light...ll-bungees.html

OK, they use ball bungees, but for me, bungee cords are better.

Have a nice day.

Mario



Question about the holder clip for the Pocket Wizard? It is a Bowens Pulsar/Calumet Litelink clip on platform:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CE1565/

http://www.bowens.co.uk/catalog/product_in...products_id=257

which is for 16 bucks.