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Author Topic: Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights  (Read 9376 times)

uaiomex

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« on: March 25, 2008, 09:03:35 pm »

Planning on buying a whole studio setup  exclusively of Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights.
Does anyone here care to post critics or experiences using this unit or brand?
I will be really thankfull of any input
Thanks in advance

Eduardo
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Ronny Nilsen

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2008, 11:20:29 am »

Quote
Planning on buying a whole studio setup  exclusively of Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights.
Does anyone here care to post critics or experiences using this unit or brand?
I will be really thankfull of any input
Thanks in advance

Eduardo
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=184303\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have two of those and are very happy with them. But I'm not really
a professional user. A local store had a clearance sale on Bowens accessories
so I got a lot of additional stuff at 1/10 of the price.   Had to pay full price
for the flashes tho.

But I often wish I had a third flash for better control of background light etc.
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Ronny A. Nilsen
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Rainer

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2008, 12:42:31 pm »

Dear Eduardo,

I own two of them (Gemini 500) and love them.
Simple, well built, affordable. Best bang for the buck it think.
And if you want to use them on location get a Innovatronix Explorer battery.
Don´t get the Digital DX version, but the rocksolid Gemini 500.

My personal favourite would be the Gemini with the simple Profoto connection for light shaping tools.
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uaiomex

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2008, 01:57:02 am »

Thanks Ronny and Rainer.

Rainer:

It is the Gemini with real knobs I'm looking to.

Could you xplain the thing about Profoto you're saying?

Eduardo


Quote
Dear Eduardo,

I own two of them (Gemini 500) and love them.
Simple, well built, affordable. Best bang for the buck it think.
And if you want to use them on location get a Innovatronix Explorer battery.
Don´t get the Digital DX version, but the rocksolid Gemini 500.

My personal favourite would be the Gemini with the simple Profoto connection for light shaping tools.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=184456\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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Morgan_Moore

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2008, 06:17:10 am »

Quote
Thanks Ronny and Rainer.

Rainer:

It is the Gemini with real knobs I'm looking to.

Could you xplain the thing about Profoto you're saying?

Eduardo
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=184623\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I use Elly not bowen s so check my information

Innovotronix Exploreres only work with flash that have analogue control (not didital switching) bdue to the low stability of thier AC current

Analogue control is typically knobs or sliders not LED and an up down button

Bowens have some of thier own battery solutions though (for which flashes I cant work out)

SMM
« Last Edit: March 30, 2008, 06:17:56 am by Morgan_Moore »
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Sam Morgan Moore Bristol UK

uaiomex

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2008, 02:23:41 am »

Thanks Morgan.
I almost made my mind. I think I'm going AB's.
I know, but budget rules as usual.
I was thinking about Elin D-Lite 4, but I've read a few reports of having problems with fried circuits and ocassional overheating.
Besides AB's are made in USA. I'm in Mexico, therefore I can take advantage of Nafta for import.

Take care
Eduardo




Quote
I use Elly not bowen s so check my information

Innovotronix Exploreres only work with flash that have analogue control (not didital switching) bdue to the low stability of thier AC current

Analogue control is typically knobs or sliders not LED and an up down button

Bowens have some of thier own battery solutions though (for which flashes I cant work out)

SMM
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=185358\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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mcfoto

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2008, 09:25:21 pm »

Quote
Thanks Morgan.
I almost made my mind. I think I'm going AB's.
I know, but budget rules as usual.
I was thinking about Elin D-Lite 4, but I've read a few reports of having problems with fried circuits and ocassional overheating.
Besides AB's are made in USA. I'm in Mexico, therefore I can take advantage of Nafta for import.

Take care
Eduardo
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=186655\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Hi
I use mainly Profoto & I have 2 Alien Bee 800 ( 320 ws ). I compared them tp my Compact 600 Prototo & this AB 800 was one third less power so I would say the Alien Bee 800 is about 500 ws. I like the light quality better from the Profoto but for the money the Alien Bee is hard to beat. They are always used in my set up because of there size & performance. Flash tubes are cheap $30.00 each. The big bonus is that you can use Balcar reflectors on them like the Opal light ect. Sometimes on ebay you can pick up used Balcar reflectors.
Denis
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Denis Montalbetti
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ynp

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Bowens Esprit Gemini AC/DC 500 Watt monolights
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2008, 07:17:22 am »

Quote
Dear Eduardo,

My personal favourite would be the Gemini with the simple Profoto connection for light shaping tools.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=184456\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have used my Bowens Esprit Gemini  500  for more than 2 years (3 units and a Trave-Pak). I use them to shoot artwork on locations.  Very solid and simple to use (just do not forget to press TEST every time you change the output rate). They have a Bowens mount and  I was unable to find an adapter to use the Bowens lights with my Broncolor or my friend's Profoto  light  modifiers.
Yevgeny
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