Strobes for reproduction photography

[BobDavid]

I am looking to upgrade from AlienBees to something else. I do a lot of fine art reproduction using cross polarization. I've been looking at Broncolor, but am wondering if there is something else out there that isn't as costly. Any thoughts and/or ideas will be appreciated.

[DarkPenguin]

Almost certainly not what you're looking for but www.strobist.com might have some information.  It is an off camera small strobe site.  Probably not what you want but it would certainly fill the less costly requirement.

[Chris_Brown]

Bob,

You didn't say what format you're working in, and that defines the power needs. For example, last week I copied a dozen large paintings at a museum on 4x5 chrome and had 9600 watt-seconds of power (Speedotron, everything was polarized) and still didn't have as much light as I wanted.

No matter what brand you buy, you will pay more for european gear (Broncolor, Profoto, Elinchrome) than U.S. gear (Speedotron, Norman). In my experience, the biggest difference is the pricey stuff has a tighter output tolerance and faster refresh rates. Broncolor and Profoto claim less than a 1/10th stop tolerance. Speedotron gives me less than 1/4 stop variance between flashes.

Another factor to consider is all the light modifiers you'll end up buying if you begin to light subjects other than flat art. A reflector usually comes with a light head so the cost is included in that purchase. Things like Chimera speed rings, grid spots and "beauty dishes" vary greatly in price and quality between brands. Just check out the difference in price for a Chimera speed ring for Speedotron and Broncolor.

Another factor to consider is repairs. Twenty five years ago, before I bought anything, I went to a rental house and rented all the different brands they had (Norman, Speedo, Broncolor) and then upon return, asked them about repairs. I ended up with Speedotron and haven't regretted it at all. Here in Illinois, a Speedo repair is about a week, shipping included.

Good luck with your decision.

[Nill Toulme]

What about color consistency?  I've noticed my WLs' color temp seems to vary somewhat depending on how high I have them cranked up.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

[jmboss]

For example, last week I copied a dozen large paintings at a museum on 4x5 chrome and had 9600 watt-seconds of power (Speedotron, everything was polarized) and still didn't have as much light as I wanted.

Chris, sounds like you use a polarizing filter in front of your Speedotron strobes when photographing large paintings.

If this is the case, where do you find/buy your polarizing filter material to do this?

Thank you for any help.

Joe Bossuyt

[BobDavid]

I am using an Imacon 384C multi-shot back. I am leaning towards the Elinchrom Style 1200 RX mono heads. Anybody have any experience with them?

[Chris_Brown]

Chris, sounds like you use a polarizing filter in front of your Speedotron strobes when photographing large paintings.

If this is the case, where do you find/buy your polarizing filter material to do this?
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Joe,

I use the polarizers made by [a href=\"http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=visual+pursuits&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t]Visual Pursuits[/url]. They are available at B&H and many other retailers.

[David Blankenship]

I am using an Imacon 384C multi-shot back. I am leaning towards the Elinchrom Style 1200 RX mono heads. Anybody have any experience with them?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129509\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The Elinchrom Style 1200 has superb color, I have owned and rented most brands of lights and  I also own a Gossen 3F color meter for testing purposes when I use to shoot film.  Here is my  A list of strobes for color consistancey and repeatability.
(A+)  Broncolor Grafit Power pack and heads
       Photogenic Solarie monolight                  
       Balcar F-series power packs and heads

(A) Godard Power packs and heads "you can find these on the used market at a reasonable price"
       Elinchrome Power packs and most of there monolights " except the low end stuff"
       Bowens Power packs and monlights  
       Profoto Mono light and power packs
       Hensel power packs and mono lights
       Comet Pack packs and mono lights
       Photogenic powerlite DR monolights

(A-) White lightning Ultra line, X-series and Zeus power pack and heads
        Speedotron Black line  "avoid the brown line stuff"
        Norman new power packs and monolites
        Novatron VR power packs and monlites

hope this helps you search,

db

[David Blankenship]

What about color consistency?  I've noticed my WLs' color temp seems to vary somewhat depending on how high I have them cranked up.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=129428\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Nill,

All WL's product rise 400 k  from there lowest setting to their highest setting.  400 K is noticeable but most people will not see it unless you compare both images side by side.  For the money spent,  it's hard to beat the color and consistency of the Buff's WL strobes.  

db

[Hank]

Another vote for Speedatron black line.  Consistency, color, and especially repair services are terrific.  We have AB, White Lightning, Norman, and Broncolor in our studio as well, but Speedatron has the most dents from constant use.  Broncolor is fine stuff, but in our experience can't justify the extra expense.

Biggest issues occur with "neo" colors on products, especially in the blues and reds.  Using any brand of strobe, start with a very careful custom white balance, and any CC processing is lots easier.  With "standard" colors, results with a good custom white balance on the camera and suitable printer profiling that prints rival the original paintings.