How much does all of the weigh?

Thanks

I stumbled across your web page while doing a google search on ‘Elinchrom Ranger Users’

I am a press photographer based in the Midlands area (UK) and have used Elinchrome for 15 years and always been very impressed with them.

But I have never used the Ranger series, and on location away from power sockets I have been using a number of Canon flashguns with pocket wizards that has given me some very good results. But I always want more quality for my features stuff.

Recently I have been considering getting a ranger set with a couple of batteries and three heads to use for all my location work. But seeing that I already have 7x mains flash heads I am very much in two minds.

(I currently have 3x Classic 500’s & 3x Style 600 & 1x Classic 1000 head)

I mainly use the Style 600 heads which replaced the Classic head, but I couldn’t bring myself to sell them on.

As I don’t know anyone with a Ranger set I was wondering if you didn’t mind me asking you what your views and experiences, good & bad are with this equipment? What Items would you recommend?

I often find that I use a three head set up for indoor work (one with a softbox on the subject, one 3/4s backlight with honeycomb softbox and one light into the background)

Do you have a preferences regarding the “A” or “S” heads?

Is there anything to be gained by having the Speed battery packs over the standard packs?

Do you carry spare batteries and if so how many per pack?

How long does it take to set up and take down the Octa on location?

I look forward to your reply

Regards

Jamie

I have been using Elinchrom lights for 2 years, and I love them…

The Ranger pack is definitely the way to go and something I wish I had. However, I have (8) 600RX units that ROCK. I regularly use these lights for portraits, as well as lighting arenas for shooting sports. The Flash is very consistent…

They are small, the light is great, and surprisingly, they are a lot tougher than you might think. In addition, Elinchrom offers a much wider range of reflectors than most companies.

The Ranger is my next investment… I have wanted this setup for a while.

For anyone considering Elinchrom lights over other, much cheaper versions, I definitely believe that you will be glad you spent the extra money down the road.

When lighting an arena in Atlanta, I consistently got almost a full stop difference in the light from my 600RX units over another photographer that was using a much cheaper solution.

In addition, the flash duration with the Elinchrom 600RX units is much faster. Because of this, I was able to freeze the action much better. The other photographers photos always had some sort of motion blur in them.

SI photographers regularly use Elinchrom lights, as well.

Scott is definitely steering you all in the right direction.

NOTE: SI recently came in to shoot a portrait at the Bucs facility, and their photographer used 2 of my Elinchrom lights that were already setup in the studio, as well as another one for a key light.

You mean item #3 is the octabank softbox itself.

David… yes, my octabank came with an elinchrom speed ring.. nothing else to buy. Dialing down? My ranger pack dials from 3.5 to 7 in 1/10 stop increments. 3.5 is still a lotta light. If you are using in conjunction with something like a nikon SB-800, you are going to need the SB dialed way up.

I read somewhere that an SB-800 puts out about 50 ws of light, while a ranger/S combo puts out about 1100 ws at full power. So you have a legit concern. My solution? I use reflectors — take advantage of that power, rather than fighting it.

Ron H
Westport, CT

Well, I guess I could contribute, now that the cat is out of the bag. The one bit that you need is either a sand bag or two to hold the c-stand steady, or alternatively, a pair of superclamps and a magic arm which can then hold the ranger pack to counter the weight of the softbox and head. The superclamp/magic arm route is better because the whole friggin thing is on then on wheels and can roll around on your hardwood floor.

You are also going to need a ceiling of at least 9 feet. It will just barely fit in an 8 ft ceiling, but movement is pretty restrictive. Oh, and you need a hardwood floor.

Ron H
Westport CT

(Did I mention that B&H even ships sand bags and 9′ rolls of paper for free under the NAPP program? Can Scott work a deal or what?)

Hey, does the octabank come with the speedring for the elinchrom strobe or is that a seperate item you need to track down? This is exactly the setup I’ve been looking for but I find the whole issue of strobe/softbox/speedring compatibility a little confusing.

I think this kit will serve me better than the wescott lights - constant lights are great, but strobes are better if you need to freeze the moment as I do with animals who despite my best efforts still don’t understand “sit still!”

Lastly, (man I’m pushing my luck) - do these particular elinchrome’s dial way down? The last thing I need is strobes that are too powerful.

If you get a moment I’d love some thoughts on these. Thanks.