Lighting for the rest of my life

[denoise]

Hi,

I'm planning to visit the US in a couple of months specially for acquiring photo gear (a new camera and a portable lighting kit). I've saved for a long time and my concern is primary about a brand that suits my needs for many years.

I will shoot primary fashion and advertisement, on location and on studio. So I have read reviews, specs and opinions and I'm leaning towards Hensel or Profoto. I know Profoto is the standard rental gear in the US but I don't live there, so this is not important for me.

I need your recommendations for a long term brand marriage.

Thanks!

[wesley]

Hi,

I'm planning to visit the US in a couple of months specially for acquiring photo gear (a new camera and a portable lighting kit). I've saved for a long time and my concern is primary about a brand that suits my needs for many years.

I will shoot primary fashion and advertisement, on location and on studio. So I have read reviews, specs and opinions and I'm leaning towards Hensel or Profoto. I know Profoto is the standard rental gear in the US but I don't live there, so this is not important for me.

I need your recommendations for a long term brand marriage.

Thanks!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=188769\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi

I would strongly advice you to go for Profoto. I had to get a Pro7b (it was the only mainstream portable lighting system available) pack I bought in 2001 didn't need servicing for 5-6 years. Do bear in mind if there's no Profoto dealership in your country, you'll have problems servicing it if your equipment breaks due to misuse.

Best
Wes

[elitegroup]

Hi,

I'm planning to visit the US in a couple of months specially for acquiring photo gear (a new camera and a portable lighting kit). I've saved for a long time and my concern is primary about a brand that suits my needs for many years.

I will shoot primary fashion and advertisement, on location and on studio. So I have read reviews, specs and opinions and I'm leaning towards Hensel or Profoto. I know Profoto is the standard rental gear in the US but I don't live there, so this is not important for me.

I need your recommendations for a long term brand marriage.

Thanks!
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

You've narrowed it down to Profoto and Hensel.

If there is no support/service/repair for Profoto & Hensel in your country then you'll be limited to sending your gear interstate or overseas.

Profoto is a good choice otherwise if you're on a budget Hensel and the Elinchrom Ranger RX AS Kit are worth looking at. The Ranger is made from the same manufacturer as Hensel and is the best bang for the buck available IMO.

I used the Ranger RX AS indoors & on location (at the beach) very clean consistent color temperature even after heavy use, water/splash proof, intuitive to use, light (8 kilos)
I love the EL Skyport triggers which wirelessly adjusts flash power in 1/10 stop increments and turn on and off the modeling lamp.

By using the group feature of the EL Skyport photographers can fire each group individually or all groups together. Additionally, when using RX Receivers with RX heads, photographers can adjust the power on their main lights, fill lights, hair lights and background lights individually, than once the ratio is established, adjust all of the lights as one group.

EL Ranger RX AS KIT - $2,463.50 @ [a href=\"http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532562-REG/Elinchrom_EL_10287_Ranger_RX_Speed_AS.html]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5325...X_Speed_AS.html[/url]

Hensel Porty Premium Plus Kit - $3,559.95 @ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4770..._Plus_1200.html

Profoto Pro 7B-2 Pack, Pro-7B lamphead & Profoto Battery with Cassette - $6313.95 @ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...earch&Q=*&bhs=t

[sergio]

Long life in flash units are usually associated to big capacitors which are less portable and considerably heavier. I have used and abused several brands under many stressful and less than ideal conditions. I settled for norman p2000d which are very basic in functions, horribly heavy, big, and other downsides, but they are incredibly reliable, fast to recycle, cheap, and will last a lifetime. I have that has 30 years and god only knows how many millions of cycles and it is still working pretty well. They can withstand a lot of abuse such as poor power sources, high humidity,dirt,banging, and the likes. They are rtelatively easy and cheap to repair almost anywhere in ther world. And if you blow a capacitor it keeps working and wont let you down.

[sergio]

Long life in flash units are usually associated to big capacitors which are less portable and considerably heavier. I have used and abused several brands under many stressful and less than ideal conditions. I settled for norman p2000d which are very basic in functions, horribly heavy, big, and other downsides, but they are incredibly reliable, fast to recycle, cheap, and will last a lifetime. I have that has 30 years and god only knows how many millions of cycles and it is still working pretty well. They can withstand a lot of abuse such as poor power sources, high humidity,dirt,banging, and the likes. They are rtelatively easy and cheap to repair almost anywhere in ther world. And if you blow a capacitor it keeps working and wont let you down.