Pocket Wizards or Elinchrome triggers?

[the_stink]

So im going to be investing in this bit of kit in the next few weeks, well hopefully if my VR money goes in on Friday I will Place my order then!

http://www.lencarta.com/safari-portable-flash/fla009-safari-event-kit-with-softbox-background/index.php

After reading a review by a member on the photography forum i go on who has this kit, its defo the right bit of kit, he did mention that the triggers that come with it are more of a backup type thing not the best but will be good in an emergency.

My ebay specials are on thier last legs so wanted to get some decent ones hence looking at Pocket Wizards but they are £329 where as the Elinchrom ones are half that! all I need is realiable trigger so I can fire the flashes

any views?

[Komenda]

Looks like a fairly nice bit of kit. Are the heads flash only or can they bes used as permanent lights?

[the_stink]

They are just flash heads, but from waht i have been reading the will produce the same amount of light as a continuous light source, but saying that just ahd a email back from the support people saying that when they are plugged into the power pack this is what will trigger them so its jsut a case of linking the camera to the power pack

should be interestign to see what i can do with these! be better than my speedlight on a light stand lol

[Komenda]

Yeah the comment about being able to drown out the sun made me smile. Best not look directly at them on full power 

[the_stink]

Yeah the comment about being able to drown out the sun made me smile. Best not look directly at them on full power 

hahaha yeah i did that with a mate at a car meet had my flash on the light stand and it went off in his face haha, but then we played a prank on another mate, 'hey ian come over here, look at what stinks done to his lens' he walks over 'yeha check this out' FLASH hehe

[Ridg]

I bought a set of the twin link T2Ds, half the price of the PW but got the best review in Decembers? PP mag

http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157621007353246/

I'd considered by ebay / china ones, but given that you all had said they didn't last that long, decided to go for something better quality.

The only reason I can see for the £ premium PW command is the sync times.

The light kit looks good, a lot of money for what's effectively 2 high power speed lights, stands and backdrop though.  Personally for that sort of money, I'd be looking at continuous lights, as other than power and maybe recycle times, I can't see what they are going to offer you over your speed-lights with some shoot through umbrellas.

[the_stink]

I bought a set of the twin link T2Ds, half the price of the PW but got the best review in Decembers? PP mag

http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157621007353246/

I'd considered by ebay / china ones, but given that you all had said they didn't last that long, decided to go for something better quality.

The only reason I can see for the £ premium PW command is the sync times.

The light kit looks good, a lot of money for what's effectively 2 high power speed lights, stands and backdrop though.  Personally for that sort of money, I'd be looking at continuous lights, as other than power and maybe recycle times, I can't see what they are going to offer you over your speed-lights with some shoot through umbrellas.

Ill be honest you are probably right but it may soudn a bit silly but from a business point of view i think it would give a more professional impression when i arrange shoots rather than having 2 speedlights on light stands, but after seeign the results that 'Tinysmall' has had with them its a bit of kit ive wanted for a while and will save on having to keep buying batteries for speedlights etc but thats just my view

[Ridg]

I think for a portable setup, speedlights, on stands with umbrellas is perfectly acceptable, as the whole setup is lighter, and a speedlight is going to be more versatile than a continues or studio strobe, given the fact it's self contained unit, you can use it on a lightstand or on a mini tripod / gorillapod to get it in different positions, as well as being quicker to setup.

If you were in a studio, then it's a different situation, but with a studio, the gear will be setup before the client gets there, so all they will see is light stands and umbrellas / softboxes.  the only think a speedlight could be lacking is the power for the bigger soft boxes / diffusers.

I can see where you're coming from, in terms of appearance, but do you think that someone being photographed is going to know the difference between a lencarta setup and jessops own brand speedlights working off a trigger?

That said if I had £1000 spare, I'd probably be looking at a proper studio light setup, although I'd probably go for a macro lens and wideangle lens instead.

[the_stink]

yeah thats my thinking really and ave already got a wide angle lens and would have no really need for a macro lens as yet

[Ridg]

yeah thats my thinking really and ave already got a wide angle lens and would have no really need for a macro lens as yet

go for it then lol

back to the triggers, if you've got the money, get the pocket wizards, as they are an investment and you know they will always work, but a lot of money to thrown down, when you consider the difference in price, is the same as additional receivers or reflectors, backdrops, umbrellas etc