Elinchrom D-Lite 4 vs Lencarta 300J

Livin The Dream

Livin The Dream

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Kris
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Title says it all really, can't decide between the two. Looking for a starter kit circa £500 and these seem to be the contenders. Would anyone like to put their experiences up of either please?
 
You could also take a look at Elemental HERE their also very good for the price :)
 
I have the D-lite 4's and they are fantastic, I have owned cheaper 'kit' sets before and always had problems with them, my kit was interfit I have not tried lencarta but now i have had a taste of quality lighting I would never go back
 
You don't say where you are, but if you're within reach of my studio in Bradford you're very welcome to come here by arrangement and try out the Lencarta lights for yourself. And I'll be happy for you to compare them with Elinchrom, which I also have here.
 
I like my Elinchrom D-Lites very much - good quality, good pice, very light and compact.

I also like the Elinchrom Rotalux softboxes very much, quality gear, quick and easy to put up, but they are horribly expensive. £220 for a 1m softbox is crazy.

I also have a couple of the much cheaper Elinchrom Prolinca softboxes which are okay, but a right pain to put up and take down. Mine are a few years old now, but unless they have changed the design, or you can leave them set up, try before you buy.

The Flash Centre hire out D-Lite kits from £45 for a week which is a brilliant deal. http://www.theflashcentre.com/d-lite-4-two-head-kit-i799.html
 
Thanks guys for the feedback, been away with work this last couple of days so slow getting back.

Gary, i'm midlands based so probably a bit too far to travel but thanks for the kind offer. Elinchrom have the brand name but the add ons are really expensive imo for a budget kit but realise they fit the top end stuff too. Anything S fit is allot more universal with plenty of add ons priced budget to high end.

I may opt for a hire before i buy as that seems quite a sensible idea but to be perfectly honest they're both probably up to what i want it anyway.
 
Hi Wayner,

Bowens do look the biz but are slightly more expensive but understand you get what you pay for. What do you use for wireless triggers, Bowens own pulsar or inexpensive IR's?

Cheers

Kris
 
I bought one of these from here:
Link
along with some other bits and pieces.
It does the job, although I will eventually upgrade to either pulsars or skyports when cash allows. I love the lights though, very compact and solidly built. :)
 
Having had a look at a few reviews this morning i'm leaning towards the Elemental stuff, seem to get a hell of allot for your money and the build quality seems good from reports. Decisions, decisions........:thinking:
 
I have had my elinchroms 20 year best kit I ever bought for reliability and durability
 
Eddie1 said:
I have had my elinchroms 20 year best kit I ever bought for reliability and durability
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The Elinchrom of 20 years ago are very different in terms of both build quality and spec than the 'Prosumer' Elinchrom of today - Today's Elinchrom have much better spec but aren't very solidly made. They do however produce good quality of light and are very reliable.

IMO Lencarta produce equal light quality, are better made and better value - but either is equally capable of producing quality results.
The real differences will become obvious if you buy Elinchrom and then buy some of their light modifiers, which are perfectly OK but very expensive
 
I think that having looked at the options out there both elinchrom & Bowens are generally high end systems that for the pro market offer everything a pro could ask. For the newcomer a prosumer range is more than adequate for what they require out of a system. Elinchrom are at a disadvantage in the lower end of the market as they haven't adopted the S fit therefore any accessories are overpriced for the newbie unless of course they wish to buy into the higher spec'd range at a later date.

In my case when i look at adding another head plus lots of accessories in the near future then most of the prosumer ranges will suffice. I'm not going to rush into it and possibly leave till after xmas especially now the missus wants to book a week away somewhere sunny next month. :thumbs:
 
I will second Garry. The Lencarta kit is excellent value for money the results I've had I'm more than happy with. Consistent light output and excellent build quality.
 
Garry E, im close to making a similar decision.....could I possibly take you up on the offer on a visit to the studio to check out the lencarta product? Its a lot of money to invest with out trying or feeling what your buying.

Im in Scotland, but my sister stays in Morley (Leeds) so wouldnt be too hard arrange.
 
Matt989 said:
Garry E, im close to making a similar decision.....could I possibly take you up on the offer on a visit to the studio to check out the lencarta product? Its a lot of money to invest with out trying or feeling what your buying.

Im in Scotland, but my sister stays in Morley (Leeds) so wouldnt be too hard arrange.
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No problem, just PM or ring me to make arrangements. There's nothing quite like trying it for yourself
 
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