Comments on: Elinchrom Ranger Quadra First Thoughts http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/ The Blog Of Devon UK Based Editorial Corporate And Commercial Photographer Simon Keitch Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:26:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Timothy Lima http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-595 Timothy Lima Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:09:58 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-595 Hey Simon!Thanks for the reply!!Best wishes for your work! Timothy Hey Simon!Thanks for the reply!!Best wishes for your work!

Timothy

]]> By: skeitch http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-588 skeitch Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:43:54 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-588 Hi Timothy, You'll need a cable that has a 3.5mm jack on both ends; you can buy an audio cable with this configuration from any electronics store but make sure you get a mono cable as a stereo cable will not work. Hi Timothy,
You’ll need a cable that has a 3.5mm jack on both ends; you can buy an audio cable with this configuration from any electronics store but make sure you get a mono cable as a stereo cable will not work.

]]> By: Timothy Lima http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-584 Timothy Lima Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:52:13 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-584 Hello Simon!Great review!Just ordered an Quadra!I am using also PWs which cables should i use to connect them to the quadra and where can i get them? Thanks! Timothy Hello Simon!Great review!Just ordered an Quadra!I am using also PWs which cables should i use to connect them to the quadra and where can i get them?

Thanks!

Timothy

]]> By: Luke http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-322 Luke Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:52:10 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-322 Nice review, Simon, and very interesting. I also use the Ranger Quadra - mainly for <a href="http://www.lumilon.com/blog/?p=2806" rel="nofollow">outdoor sports photography</a> (review on my blog). As you say, nothing's perfect, but the Quadra is a great tool. Cheers, Luke Nice review, Simon, and very interesting. I also use the Ranger Quadra – mainly for outdoor sports photography (review on my blog). As you say, nothing’s perfect, but the Quadra is a great tool. Cheers, Luke

]]> By: Simon Keitch Photography Blog - Tools Of The Trade http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Simon Keitch Photography Blog - Tools Of The Trade Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:42:53 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-75 [...] second bag is a LowePro Magnum AW shoulder bag which holds my Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit: two heads, one pack/control panel and two batteries, plus cables etc. The Quadra kit came in a [...] [...] second bag is a LowePro Magnum AW shoulder bag which holds my Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit: two heads, one pack/control panel and two batteries, plus cables etc. The Quadra kit came in a [...]

]]> By: skeitch http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-35 skeitch Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:08:23 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-35 Hi Andy, I don't use any extension cables; just the standard 2.5m cables; when working outdoors I hang the pack off the light stand which adds a lot of stability and helps to prevent it being blown over in strong winds so even the 2.5m cable is generally longer than I need. You can buy 3.5m cables which don't suck any extra power but if you're plugging in an extension cable there certainly would be some power loss. Hi Andy,
I don’t use any extension cables; just the standard 2.5m cables; when working outdoors I hang the pack off the light stand which adds a lot of stability and helps to prevent it being blown over in strong winds so even the 2.5m cable is generally longer than I need. You can buy 3.5m cables which don’t suck any extra power but if you’re plugging in an extension cable there certainly would be some power loss.

]]> By: Andy Smith http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Andy Smith Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:41:25 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-34 Great review, thank you Simon. I'm currently looking at a similar set up but. Forgive me if I may have skipped over this in your extensive review but I have a question regarding extension cables. You can buy 2.5m length cables to extend the distance between the head and the pack, which I'm thinking about getting but I was told that the output is reduced, or rather the power reaching the head is reduced, because of the extended cable length [presumably, although I'm not sure about that]. I can't see any extension cables in the photographs but wondered wether you had gone for this option or not but if so, what is your experience of using the extension cables with regard to loss of power/output from the heads. Thanks again, Andy Smith. Great review, thank you Simon. I’m currently looking at a similar set up but. Forgive me if I may have skipped over this in your extensive review but I have a question regarding extension cables. You can buy 2.5m length cables to extend the distance between the head and the pack, which I’m thinking about getting but I was told that the output is reduced, or rather the power reaching the head is reduced, because of the extended cable length [presumably, although I'm not sure about that]. I can’t see any extension cables in the photographs but wondered wether you had gone for this option or not but if so, what is your experience of using the extension cables with regard to loss of power/output from the heads.

Thanks again,
Andy Smith.

]]> By: Deno http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Deno Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:05:17 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-33 Was thinking along the same lines regarding the control panel part Simon, unfortunately the price is a bit too steep for my wallet at the moment to consider a second pack. Since I'm just getting started I have a lot of experience to gain with just a single light anyway. The Quadra with a second head seems teh way to go so I can use the 2nd head indoors as a background light, and just use the single head for outdoor purposes. Thanks for your insights! Was thinking along the same lines regarding the control panel part Simon, unfortunately the price is a bit too steep for my wallet at the moment to consider a second pack.
Since I’m just getting started I have a lot of experience to gain with just a single light anyway.
The Quadra with a second head seems teh way to go so I can use the 2nd head indoors as a background light, and just use the single head for outdoor purposes.
Thanks for your insights!

]]> By: skeitch http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-32 skeitch Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:25:39 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-32 That's good to know that the deep octa will work with an easy modification. I referred to the asymmetrical power output in my original post and it is limiting if using both heads although the RX Digital pack that you mentioned has a symmetrical dual output only which I would personally find to be far more limiting for various reasons. Running two heads from one pack isn't ideal anyway as it splits the power and prevents moving the second head too far due to the fact that it's anchored to the same point (and the cables aren't that long, plus I don't like having cables trailing around for obvious reasons). Most of the time I use a combination of one ranger pack/head, Nikon speedlights and occasionally a fill card but I'll probably pick up a second Quadra pack at some point (the kit comes with two batteries so it's just the upper control panel part that needs to be added for a dual pack and head system). That’s good to know that the deep octa will work with an easy modification. I referred to the asymmetrical power output in my original post and it is limiting if using both heads although the RX Digital pack that you mentioned has a symmetrical dual output only which I would personally find to be far more limiting for various reasons. Running two heads from one pack isn’t ideal anyway as it splits the power and prevents moving the second head too far due to the fact that it’s anchored to the same point (and the cables aren’t that long, plus I don’t like having cables trailing around for obvious reasons). Most of the time I use a combination of one ranger pack/head, Nikon speedlights and occasionally a fill card but I’ll probably pick up a second Quadra pack at some point (the kit comes with two batteries so it’s just the upper control panel part that needs to be added for a dual pack and head system).

]]> By: Deno http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Deno Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:19:30 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-31 Simon, thanks for your detailed reply. The Dutch importer assures me the Deep Octa is compatible. Also Ron Scheffler did a review using the Deep Octa, but remarked that the locking system needs adjusted washers to prevent creeping due to the weight. Easy fix luckily. I was mainly concerned that the fixed ratio of the A en B head of the Quadras (as opposed to the relative freedom of the RX Digital series) would be really limiting the setups, as using distance to vary ratios would influence the quality of light (harsh vs soft). Have you had any issues with this or is it trivial? I'd much prefer the lighter Quadra set in order to be able to take it out whenever I want (without breaking my back on the weight), but since it will be my first lighting setup and I am on a budget (either Quadra set or 2x600RX Digital is the limit for now) I'm trying to get the most versatile option. Simon, thanks for your detailed reply.
The Dutch importer assures me the Deep Octa is compatible.
Also Ron Scheffler did a review using the Deep Octa, but remarked that the locking system needs adjusted washers to prevent creeping due to the weight. Easy fix luckily.

I was mainly concerned that the fixed ratio of the A en B head of the Quadras (as opposed to the relative freedom of the RX Digital series) would be really limiting the setups, as using distance to vary ratios would influence the quality of light (harsh vs soft). Have you had any issues with this or is it trivial?

I’d much prefer the lighter Quadra set in order to be able to take it out whenever I want (without breaking my back on the weight), but since it will be my first lighting setup and I am on a budget (either Quadra set or 2x600RX Digital is the limit for now) I’m trying to get the most versatile option.

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