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 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:27:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian Farrell http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1379 Brian Farrell Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:12:22 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1379 I have been using this equipment for portraiture and weddings also since 2009 and personally I think they are amazing. My Bowens gear has literally not left it's case since I got the Quadras. I used to cart around the Bowens battery packs with 750 Pros for outdoor work but now with modern cameras and higher ISO's I can do the same work with these much lighter units. For weddings I usually use them for the group shots as fill and for the couple shots where I have my assistant hold one on an extendable 3m boom (this is the boom for the california sun bounce sun swatter). I use the 1m octa for this as the combined head and soft box weight is manageable. The only negative I have is having to use that ridiculous adapter in order to use the soft box. I do recommend getting the 18cm reflector and a grid. The LED modelling lamps are fine for positioning your lights etc but if you plan on using them to light your scene you can't really shoot with them unless you plan on long exposures or bump the ISO. Personally they come into their own for me when clearing up after an outdoor shoot in the evenings. I put the heads on 3m light stands pointing down so I can light the shoot area to assist clearing up. Like other commentators here I recommend getting a peli case or such for transporting them safely as the system case is not strong enough. I haven't found the heads weak but they do look like they will break admittedly. I recommend you get the clip on diffuser covers if you are worried about damaging the tubes. My Skyport has also fallen to bits and has to be re-gaffered for each shoot :) Overall - very lightweight, the quality of light is outstanding. A no brainer purchase. I have been using this equipment for portraiture and weddings also since 2009 and personally I think they are amazing. My Bowens gear has literally not left it’s case since I got the Quadras. I used to cart around the Bowens battery packs with 750 Pros for outdoor work but now with modern cameras and higher ISO’s I can do the same work with these much lighter units. For weddings I usually use them for the group shots as fill and for the couple shots where I have my assistant hold one on an extendable 3m boom (this is the boom for the california sun bounce sun swatter). I use the 1m octa for this as the combined head and soft box weight is manageable. The only negative I have is having to use that ridiculous adapter in order to use the soft box. I do recommend getting the 18cm reflector and a grid. The LED modelling lamps are fine for positioning your lights etc but if you plan on using them to light your scene you can’t really shoot with them unless you plan on long exposures or bump the ISO. Personally they come into their own for me when clearing up after an outdoor shoot in the evenings. I put the heads on 3m light stands pointing down so I can light the shoot area to assist clearing up. Like other commentators here I recommend getting a peli case or such for transporting them safely as the system case is not strong enough. I haven’t found the heads weak but they do look like they will break admittedly. I recommend you get the clip on diffuser covers if you are worried about damaging the tubes. My Skyport has also fallen to bits and has to be re-gaffered for each shoot :) Overall – very lightweight, the quality of light is outstanding. A no brainer purchase.

]]> By: James Cheadle http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1354 James Cheadle Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:32:29 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1354 Hi, I've been using this kit since it's release in 2009. I own three A heads and two packs and when it's all working it really is a great system. However, I do feel that the build quality is poor and if you intend to use them outdoors then I would advise against purchasing this system. In total my kit has been returned to The Flash Centre, in London, five times to be repaired. Both packs have died on me, all three heads have blown, all my cables have arced and the airport transmitter has basically just fallen to pieces over time. It's good to hear some positive stories from over posters but unfortunately my experience has been mostly negative and I seriously regret purchasing them. I'll also add that if you do buy this kit you'll need to buy a strong travel case for them, the Stock Elinchrom case is very flimsy and definitely not tough enough to be put in the hold a plane. Good Luck. Hi, I’ve been using this kit since it’s release in 2009. I own three A heads and two packs and when it’s all working it really is a great system. However, I do feel that the build quality is poor and if you intend to use them outdoors then I would advise against purchasing this system. In total my kit has been returned to The Flash Centre, in London, five times to be repaired. Both packs have died on me, all three heads have blown, all my cables have arced and the airport transmitter has basically just fallen to pieces over time. It’s good to hear some positive stories from over posters but unfortunately my experience has been mostly negative and I seriously regret purchasing them. I’ll also add that if you do buy this kit you’ll need to buy a strong travel case for them, the Stock Elinchrom case is very flimsy and definitely not tough enough to be put in the hold a plane. Good Luck.

]]> By: Joe Plimmer http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1266 Joe Plimmer Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:23:39 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1266 I have owned the a quadra pack with 2 heads for about 6 months, used regularly with my older elinchrom softboxes. It's always been ultra reliable..... The main problem I have is the lack of light modifying tools. I really wish Elinchrom would provide a beauty dish or softbox with grids and eggcrates, so that light doesn't spill everywhere. if I am doing a real serious shoot I will always hire profoto equipment because Elinchrom just doesn't have the right tools for the job. Great Blog by the way I have owned the a quadra pack with 2 heads for about 6 months, used regularly with my older elinchrom softboxes. It’s always been ultra reliable….. The main problem I have is the lack of light modifying tools. I really wish Elinchrom would provide a beauty dish or softbox with grids and eggcrates, so that light doesn’t spill everywhere. if I am doing a real serious shoot I will always hire profoto equipment because Elinchrom just doesn’t have the right tools for the job.

Great Blog by the way

]]> By: Brian Heiland http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1254 Brian Heiland Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:22:13 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1254 I have had the Quadra for about 6 months. At about 5 months one of my A-Heads started to intermittantly fail. When triggered the unit attempt to fire but would not fire. (Audible click can be heard in the head) Sometimes the head would fire properly though. I just sent the problem head head back for evaluation and service. I expect that it should be covered under warranty, but will have to wait to see what tech support has to say. Here is a link to a video demonstrating how the intermittent operation appears during use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvy3HaT9hhE&feature=youtube_gdata_player I have had the Quadra for about 6 months. At about 5 months one of my A-Heads started to intermittantly fail. When triggered the unit attempt to fire but would not fire. (Audible click can be heard in the head) Sometimes the head would fire properly though. I just sent the problem head head back for evaluation and service. I expect that it should be covered under warranty, but will have to wait to see what tech support has to say.
Here is a link to a video demonstrating how the intermittent operation appears during use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvy3HaT9hhE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

]]> By: Pedro Moreno http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1230 Pedro Moreno Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:34:45 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1230 I have been going back and forth to Venezuela, Spain and USA... not a problem at all... the only thing I do is that I do take off the fuse and I do separate the battery from the head... I usually used Stretchtite to cover the pieces and I put them into a bag. Just to make sure no liquid will accidentally be spilled on my ranger. And that's it... Also I forgot to mention that I used with my speedlite 580 II all together and it works great... there is little setup you will have to do first but is worth it. I have been going back and forth to Venezuela, Spain and USA… not a problem at all… the only thing I do is that I do take off the fuse and I do separate the battery from the head… I usually used Stretchtite to cover the pieces and I put them into a bag. Just to make sure no liquid will accidentally be spilled on my ranger. And that’s it… Also I forgot to mention that I used with my speedlite 580 II all together and it works great… there is little setup you will have to do first but is worth it.

]]> By: skeitch http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 skeitch Tue, 10 May 2011 11:04:01 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1121 Hi Nick, I sold all of my Bowens equipment shortly after getting the Ranger Quadras but I can tell you that you'll have no problem syncing the two either with Pocket Wizards or by optical slave depending on position etc. There is a shift in colour between the two though so I would avoid mixing them in scenarios where this would cause a problem; if I remember correctly the Bowens heads had a strong magenta shift which can lead to a green cast in the shadows if (for example) using a Quadra for fill. Hi Nick,
I sold all of my Bowens equipment shortly after getting the Ranger Quadras but I can tell you that you’ll have no problem syncing the two either with Pocket Wizards or by optical slave depending on position etc. There is a shift in colour between the two though so I would avoid mixing them in scenarios where this would cause a problem; if I remember correctly the Bowens heads had a strong magenta shift which can lead to a green cast in the shadows if (for example) using a Quadra for fill.

]]> By: Nick Kilford http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Nick Kilford Mon, 09 May 2011 21:54:36 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1120 Hey Simon, Great post on the Quadras. I, like yourself bought Bowens 500 pro monolights (3) with travelpaks but after a few location shoots I have found them to be a pain to carry and for this reason I'm eyeballing the Quadras. In the event I don´t sell my Bowens kit and switch to Elinchrom, and since you have both brands, I was wondering if it would be OK to mix the Quadras with the Gemini monolights? Have you tried this? Would flash duration, syncing and temperature be a problem? Cheers Hey Simon,
Great post on the Quadras. I, like yourself bought Bowens 500 pro monolights (3) with travelpaks but after a few location shoots I have found them to be a pain to carry and for this reason I’m eyeballing the Quadras. In the event I don´t sell my Bowens kit and switch to Elinchrom, and since you have both brands, I was wondering if it would be OK to mix the Quadras with the Gemini monolights? Have you tried this? Would flash duration, syncing and temperature be a problem?
Cheers

]]> By: skeitch http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 skeitch Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:26:26 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1039 I fly with these all the time; there's no problem other than the usual baggage restrictions/allowances, and depending on the airline and how many cases you're traveling with you may have to pay excess baggage fees. I generally fly with three cases, and the Ranger Quadras get checked in; I always have to pay for the excess although the amount varies greatly, but the smaller size and weight of the Quadras means they're cheaper to fly with than larger heads and packs. I fly with these all the time; there’s no problem other than the usual baggage restrictions/allowances, and depending on the airline and how many cases you’re traveling with you may have to pay excess baggage fees. I generally fly with three cases, and the Ranger Quadras get checked in; I always have to pay for the excess although the amount varies greatly, but the smaller size and weight of the Quadras means they’re cheaper to fly with than larger heads and packs.

]]> By: Jan Malmstrom http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 Jan Malmstrom Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:22:39 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1038 A question to Pedro (and the rest of you guys)... what does the airlines have to say about carrying or checking in big battery things like this? Has anyone had any problem with this? A question to Pedro (and the rest of you guys)… what does the airlines have to say about carrying or checking in big battery things like this? Has anyone had any problem with this?

]]> By: Pedro Moreno http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/2010/01/08/elinchrom-ranger-quadra-first-thoughts/comment-page-1/#comment-1027 Pedro Moreno Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:54:34 +0000 http://www.simonkeitch.com/blog/?p=369#comment-1027 I have the quadra system and I love it... is great, portable and reliable... I shoot between Spain, Venezuela and USA... this is a great tool to have. I have the quadra system and I love it… is great, portable and reliable… I shoot between Spain, Venezuela and USA… this is a great tool to have.

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