Bowens vs Elinchrom

1 thing I can personally say is I hate the mounting system for the light modifiers on the Elinchrom, too easy to knock loose and have your softbox or whatever falling on the floor.
And equally fiddly to get on.

the S Type found on those like Bowens, Interfit and a good few other non main brands is sturdy, easy to mount and dismount, cannot be knocked off (though more likely to take the light down with them!)

As for the rest, the Elinchrom has a range of different setups accross the range so cannot vouch for them all, the digital ones with 1/10 incriments are nifty for getting things precise but no idea on others.

As for Bowens, clear marked turn dials on both old and new models and because its on the side its easier to get to (example being having an overhead light on a boom!)

Really, best option is to try them out and see what fits.
 
Having used both for quite a while I prefer Bowens as you can at least change the flash tube yourself and they are British!
 
AlicePalice said:
thanks! I hadnt realised Elinchrom weren't!
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Elinchrom are Swiss, most of them are made in India, I believe that their factory in China is near completion
Bowens are British, maybe some of them are actually still made here, most are made in China.

Personally I feel that Elinchrom may have a slight edge over Bowens in terms of light quality, Bowens have a considerable edge over Elinchrom in terms of build quality, and of course there are a wide range of modifiers available from a lot of different suppliers, which makes them cheaper as well as better.
 
BarryDawsib said:
I wasent going to mention cheeper for the fear of getting shot by hard core bowens fans :D
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Well, if you're going to go for good value for your Bowens lights then it makes sense to get Lencarta Light Shapers - but while you're at it it makes sense to get the Lencarta ElitePro flash heads as well:)
 
BarryDawsib said:
1 thing I can personally say is I hate the mounting system for the light modifiers on the Elinchrom, too easy to knock loose and have your softbox or whatever falling on the floor.
And equally fiddly to get on.
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Really? I've never heard that before, it's always been the other way around to my knowledge. S type fittings aren't any where near as safe, especially when you consider Elinchrom actually has a locking ring which makes it impossible to knock the modifier off :shrug:

They also do have, depending on model, user changeable tubes, and all mine say Swiss made on them.

You'll see more Elinchrom lights in pro studios than any other make. Having said that, if you're on a budget, don't get the Elinchrom. Although their light modifiers are the best quality, in build and light, they're also the most expensive, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
 
Personally use Bowens and find them to be good all round work horses in the studio and as mentioned you can change the flash tube yourself. Never had a problem with them.
 
the elinchrom mount can be a touch fiddly with a softbox but the way that the ring locks it in place i cant see how you would knock one off.

The flash tubes though depending on the model are a rip off.
 
treeman said:
Really? I've never heard that before, it's always been the other way around to my knowledge. S type fittings aren't any where near as safe, especially when you consider Elinchrom actually has a locking ring which makes it impossible to knock the modifier off :shrug:
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Theres one of the problems, that flipping ring, someone even remotely catches it and its loose :'(
not to mention it doesent "clip in" you put the box on, move it on the sliders and then have to twist that lock to make it safe ish.

Bowens or similar, small latch on top, no ones going to catch that so no worrys there.
push the speed ring in and twist and its automatically latches. my personal experience is is just miles better with S Type fittings.
 
I uhmed and ahhed when looking into it, looking at Bowens and Elinchrom. In the end, I went with Elinchrom because I liked the ability to remotely control the power from the flash trigger on the hot shoe, and the ability to set up differnet groups, a bit like Nikon's CLS was rather handy.

If you end up getting the massive octabox, it's extra handy as the head is "inside" so getting access to it to adjust is fiddly.

Having said that, the remote power control is on the BXRi range. The Dlite ones don't have it, although the latest Dlite IT does have the skyport remote built in so you can trigger via radio as well as slave cell (but you can't set the power remotely).

But the flip side is the cost of modifiers, as Garry pointed out. It's a proprietary locking system which I haven't had any issues with, but of course makes them unique and they command a hefty price tag.

I'd also potentially agree with the QC / quality of the Elinchrom stuff. When I bought my BXRi set, the first had bits of broken plastic floating around inside the flash head! WHE were great in exchanging, and I did phone TFC but was slightly concerned how the chap I spoke to suggested "oh yes, it does happen from time to time". These are your entry level "pro" range which you claim can be carted around and take the abuse, yet it's arrived in pieces at my front door!

Second set has been flawless and no broken bits inside :)
 
BarryDawsib said:
Theres one of the problems, that flipping ring, someone even remotely catches it and its loose :'(
not to mention it doesent "clip in" you put the box on, move it on the sliders and then have to twist that lock to make it safe ish.

Bowens or similar, small latch on top, no ones going to catch that so no worrys there.
push the speed ring in and twist and its automatically latches. my personal experience is is just miles better with S Type fittings.
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We'll have to agree to disagree :) in my experience if the ring is locked, I fail to to see how on earth you could accidentally loosen it enough to then be able to knock off the modifier :shrug:

Going back to the OP, I think you really need to decide what you want to do with your lights, not only in the short term, but long term too. Much like camera makes, once you start investing in a system, it can be expensive to change at a later date.

IMHO, if you're on a budget look at the Bowens, If not, look at Elinchrom, but not Elinchrom's budget D lite range, which used to be marketed as Prolinca, and are frankly, horrible :)
 
I use a dlite kit, the first generation ones, and although I had a couple of problems with them they have been very good lights. I have sold part of the kit but have 2 dlite heads along with my new rx lights.
Im not sure if other manufacturers lights work like this but I like that I can get a dlite 4 head a dlite 2 head and an 600rx set them all to power 3 for example and they are all outputting the same amount of light. if I want an extra stop of light on each I just up them all to 4. the difference is the stop range of each light.

the modifiers are expensive but the quality of light from them are good, but you can get lots of 3rd party modifiers.

but saying all that I can only talk from my expereince with elinchrom, Im sure both bowens and lencarta work well, there will always be pros and cons for each.
 
It is very much like saying Canon or Nikon.

One is not necessarily better than another, but in the same way I wouldn't swap my Canons for a Nikon. Your lighting system is a long term relationship, so get it right first time and stick with your decision.

Personally, Elinchrom all the way for me. They are Swiss made (all of them, not China or India as mentioned above (their Prolinca range were made in India, but are long gone)), they are probably the most widely used professional system (certainly internationally), they have several very neat tricks up their sleeves (like the very portable Quadra or very powerful Ranger), remote power control via Skyports, internal octaboxes, extremely well made (I've been hammering mine for more years than I care to mention and the above commments on the loose mounts is not my experience at all), have an excellent budget range (D-Lite) to get you addicted early, plenty of third party accessories now available, excellent second hand retention values (check out Ebay), the equal power level indicator across the whole range, a system you can never outgrow and you will never look back and regret the purchase, or wish for another system (well, maybe a Profoto at a push).

Oh, and I forgot and probably most importantly for me, they are completely and utterly consistent from shot to shot to shot, both in colour and intensity. Something that cannot be said about all brands.
 
photochimp said:
I use a dlite kit, the first generation ones, and although I had a couple of problems with them they have been very good lights. I have sold part of the kit but have 2 dlite heads along with my new rx lights.
Im not sure if other manufacturers lights work like this but I like that I can get a dlite 4 head a dlite 2 head and an 600rx set them all to power 3 for example and they are all outputting the same amount of light. if I want an extra stop of light on each I just up them all to 4. the difference is the stop range of each light.

the modifiers are expensive but the quality of light from them are good, but you can get lots of 3rd party modifiers.

but saying all that I can only talk from my expereince with elinchrom, Im sure both bowens and lencarta work well, there will always be pros and cons for each.
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+1 on Elinchrom D-lites. No problems with them. I've found The Flash Centre helpful and convenient.
 
Kris said:
It is very much like saying Canon or Nikon.

One is not necessarily better than another, but in the same way I wouldn't swap my Canons for a Nikon. Your lighting system is a long term relationship, so get it right first time and stick with your decision.

Personally, Elinchrom all the way for me. They are Swiss made (all of them, not China or India as mentioned above (their Prolinca range were made in India, but are long gone)), they are probably the most widely used professional system (certainly internationally), they have several very neat tricks up their sleeves (like the very portable Quadra or very powerful Ranger), remote power control via Skyports, internal octaboxes, extremely well made (I've been hammering mine for more years than I care to mention and the above commments on the loose mounts is not my experience at all), have an excellent budget range (D-Lite) to get you addicted early, plenty of third party accessories now available, excellent second hand retention values (check out Ebay), the equal power level indicator across the whole range, a system you can never outgrow and you will never look back and regret the purchase, or wish for another system (well, maybe a Profoto at a push).

Oh, and I forgot and probably most importantly for me, they are completely and utterly consistent from shot to shot to shot, both in colour and intensity. Something that cannot be said about all brands.
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I don't think it matters in the least where they are made, as long as they are made to the required standard.
But the fact remains that many Elinchrom products are made in India and then imported into Switzerland. And Elinchrom now have a factory in Shanghai too. Let's be factual.
 
I didn't know that.

But all of my Elinchrom stuff, including some latest stuff, all say Swiss Made on them. Inc the D-Lite. Maybe the assembly is in Switzerland.

I still wouldn't swap to anything else, no matter where they were made.

They were just the Pros of the Elinchrom system I could think of off the top of my head. I'm sure Bowens have many advocates and pros too. I've just never used a Bowens in my life.
 
Well, I finally received a set of Dlite 4 IT lights, and not too good news :(

They don't have the small reflectors which WHE confirmed they were supplied with

And one of them (I ordered two) had broken glass all over it - the modelling bulb was smashed :thumbsdown:

I don't understand why they ship the heads with the modelling bulb not mounted - it's just packed in a normal bulb box (like 3 packs of cigarettes stacked) at the end, waiting to be crumpled. Strange really because the heads come with the protective plastic covers on them, so the bulb is protected when in there.

So overall, the quality of the units are great if you get them in one piece. But my first set (the BXRi ones) came broken too, with cables missing. A bit :thumbsdown:

0 out of 2 so far in terms of DOA.
 
Regards the locking on Elinchrom Barry, I' not sure what you did but it's impossible for any softbox to fall off once you've locked it on the head. You twist the box on which is easily done by placing gthe softbox on the floor fact down and placing the head into the box and twisting. Then as a double lock you turn the locking unit and there's nop way to catch it for the box to come off. how would one "catch" the flipping ring as you call it?

Regards India, Elinchrom make a number of items in India. i think my softboxes were made there (the Rotalux Pro ones)!

regards build quality, Garry states Bowens is better but what are you compatring Garry? D-Lites with other Bowens lights? the D-lites are entry model lights and the the build quality (whilst still ok) is not to the same standard as other Elinchrom lights like the RX pro units.

I use 3 of the BX heads and they are as well built as most heads - I've used Bowens too and I would not say better or worse just different (actually more compact).

As stated above I don't think it'll make muc difference although one thing I did like about the Bowens lights was the availablity of the travel pack. Elinchrom does have one too but seemed to me a lot more expensive. Both have advantages and disadvantages and to be honest if you pick either you'd be happy.

I want the new Quadra set. :)
 
I suppose that build quality is subjective.
I have some old Elinchrom generator units with excellent build quality, and AFAIK the current ones are similar.
But I also still have one of their very 'professional' mono heads, the Style 1200 from a few years ago, which is made of very thin plastic - so far the case has had to be replaced 3 times, and although I don't have any of their current crop none of the current models I've seen has impressed me. Bowens by contrast have very solid cases, clearly designed for professional use and abuse.

I suppose it depends on the sort of person you are. I'm a pro, I don't handle equipment gently and I need lights that can take the knocks. Different people may have different needs. I'm not praising Bowens (why buy Bowens when you can get the very similar Lencarta products at much lower prices?) and I'm not knocking Elinchrom - I just prefer the build quality of Bowens/Lencarta.
 
BXRI's have been an absolute nightmare they are supposed to be mobile yet twice they have arrived with broken parts, once they didn't work after about 50 fires well 3 out of 4 and fianlly on sunday they started smokin.

Nik
 
Garry Edwards said:
I suppose that build quality is subjective.
I have some old Elinchrom generator units with excellent build quality, and AFAIK the current ones are similar.
But I also still have one of their very 'professional' mono heads, the Style 1200 from a few years ago, which is made of very thin plastic - so far the case has had to be replaced 3 times, and although I don't have any of their current crop none of the current models I've seen has impressed me. Bowens by contrast have very solid cases, clearly designed for professional use and abuse.

I suppose it depends on the sort of person you are. I'm a pro, I don't handle equipment gently and I need lights that can take the knocks. Different people may have different needs. I'm not praising Bowens (why buy Bowens when you can get the very similar Lencarta products at much lower prices?) and I'm not knocking Elinchrom - I just prefer the build quality of Bowens/Lencarta.
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Fair enough Garry. I own Elinchrom but don't have any real commitment to any. I don't know the old Style unit you have but the new ones seem pretty decent - and hugely expensive :)

Comparing both I think the Elinchrom's skyport is a massive leap forawrd in making life easier for the photographer.... I just need to save some money to to be able to afford buying more :)

I think the Canon/Nikon comparison is pretty much the same for lighting companies too.... each have advantages and disadvantages.

As always it's tough making decisions but one thing I still believe is (as the case for most things in life) you get what you pay for.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Well, if you're going to go for good value for your Bowens lights then it makes sense to get Lencarta Light Shapers - but while you're at it it makes sense to get the Lencarta ElitePro flash heads as well:)
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Dear Garry,

There is no point pushing your products in Bowens vs Elinchrom thread, wrong place mate.

You are a shareholder of Lencarta as I understand.

Also, I spoke with owners of Elinchrom, there is no factory in past, present or planned in future by Elinca SA of switzerland to be opened in China. Stop maligning them.

Amit
 
Garry Edwards said:
Elinchrom are Swiss, most of them are made in India, I believe that their factory in China is near completion
Bowens are British, maybe some of them are actually still made here, most are made in China.

Personally I feel that Elinchrom may have a slight edge over Bowens in terms of light quality, Bowens have a considerable edge over Elinchrom in terms of build quality, and of course there are a wide range of modifiers available from a lot of different suppliers, which makes them cheaper as well as better.
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Elinchrom has no factory in China nor planned in future. Simply a damned lie Garry, just coz you own shares of Lencarta.
 
EOS_JD said:
Regards India, Elinchrom make a number of items in India. i think my softboxes were made there (the Rotalux Pro ones)!
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Yes some of the Rotaluxes are made in India at fraction of the money we pay for them here in Europe. There are quite many Indian people selling them on eBay.
 
amitdipsite said:
Elinchrom has no factory in China nor planned in future. Simply a damned lie Garry, just coz you own shares of Lencarta.
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I'll try to get the address of their Chinese factory, perhaps you'll believe it then:)

FWIW, I'm not maligning Elinchrom. As I stated earlier, I don't think it matters in the least where a product is made, as long as it's made to a good standard.

And yes, I do own shares in Lencarta - a whole 3%!
 
N0mi5 said:
Good luck for that, you'll need it to fin something that doesn't exist :)
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Strange that, 2 members having a go at me, both of them brand new...
Good thing I'm not the cynical type:)
 
Hmmm, not only that but one is from someone called "Amit" and the other is from someone called "No MI5" :lol: Is there more than meets the eye there! hehe
 
Garry Edwards said:
Strange that, 2 members having a go at me, both of them brand new...
Good thing I'm not the cynical type:)
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I guess it's just that some people don't like desinformation. Good thing you're not the cynical type at all, 'cause you would have had it all wrong but that's not the topic as I recall is it ?
 
N0mi5 said:
I guess it's just that some people don't like desinformation. Good thing you're not the cynical type at all, 'cause you would have had it all wrong but that's not the topic as I recall is it ?
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Hi Danny, N0mi5
Can I just clarify exactly what it is that you want to know?
Is it the name and address of their subcontractor in China or the address of their factory:)
 
to the 2 newbies, we dont know who you are ( ;) ) but unless you have something to contribute, ie facts, then move along. we all know Garry is associated with Lencarta, thats old news im afraid. It looks to me like a simple attempt to troll. New Zealand IP address..and a Swiss one...really?
 
Garry,

Please let me tell you straight, I have spoken with owners of Elinca SA Switzerland, there is no factory in China. Yes, some gear is made in India and why shouldn't it. Microsoft has biggest office in India other than USA. So has Jaguar, LandRover, Ferrarri...

Also, Garry, you are a shareholder in the LENCARTA ( English sounding trade name only ) Chinese owned company, Blue Dimension International Ltd.


Kind regards

Amit
 
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littlemonster said:
It is a funny coincidence isn't it just :D
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Originally Posted by Garry Edwards View Post
Strange that, 2 members having a go at me, both of them brand new...
Good thing I'm not the cynical type


-----------------

I may be new to this forum but not to Photography and not business world. Afterall I cannot join scores of photography forums on the web, I'll be diong that and no work whole day. By alleging Elinchrom has factory in China, you crossed the line IMHO.

Amit Arora
+64 21 115 6174
Wellington, New Zealand
 
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what is your story then Amit, why the axe to grind? we all know what shares and what association garry has, we also know that lencarta products are assembled in china, you aint telling us stuff we dont know, except why you have a bee in your bonnet?
 
I don't understand how having a factory in China is crossing the line regardless of the company? China are becoming the place to be and it's happening fast!
 
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