George, drop me a line next time you've got a shoot. I'm in derby, so close to you, and got a profoto 7b... Might be able to give you a hand / help you see what you need.
I've got a shoot up near Long Eaton on the 17th of this month, would you be interested in coming along for that? Very kind of you to offer
Short answer, for good power at a good price, is Lencarta Safari Li-on.
Longer answer is get a back issue of Advanced Photographer magazine, Feb 2012, that included a review most of the current market leaders, including the Lencarta and Elinchrom Quadra. It's been discussed on here quite a bit if you search.
Longest answer is to pop up to the Focus show at the NEC, starts tomorrow 4th March, and see them all for yourself. They'll be showing a new version of the Quadra with lithium battery, but a lot more money than the Lencarta, and not as powerful.
Very very useful post, thank you!
Not a bad price at all. I had a quick look at the Safari stuff and the battery pack was £400, however that was 600w and would power two heads.
Tim Wallace, don't know him but I admire his work.
Focus at the NEC is a good shout and you'll get to chat to some of the makers/users. Some of the Lencarta lot would probably be making an appearance on this thread if they weren't involved.
Oh and size of a mini - I saw the traveller against a Range Rover Evogue - didn't look much difference in size! But I don't know know how easy it is to get big bags into the mini so something to be aware of. If it comes in a big bag it might make a difference.
I've access to a bowens three head setup, which just fits across the boot of my Primera (Goes in the tvr boot fine though). Bought another of the bags to put my portable lighting setup in (flashes, brollies, softboxes, triggers etc)
As with everything photographic, you could work your way up or perhaps buy right first time? Seeing as you're doing so well (photographicly), Bank of Mum and Dad if you're a little short? You seem to be well connected with supercars and owners - any sponsorship?
Good luck with what you've got coming up George.
The Safari stuff does look good. Certainly worth a good bit of research into.
I'm too busy at the moment to go to Focus unfortunately
With the Mini I currently don't even fold down the seats (unless I've got a passenger as rig gets put on the front pax seat).
I'm just doing my research at the moment. No point splashing out £2k if £1k will get the job done well.
I lost my pin code to Bank of Dad
Hard enough persuading them I need to spend my own money, yet alone borrowing theirs to spend! I could easily borrow money from a connection, but don't believe in doing business that way. I never want to owe anything to anyone unless there is really no alternative.
Thanks for the kind words about my photography. Need to get it all sorted by the end of the month when I've got my biggest shoot yet
It'd be interesting to know just how much light you're lacking..... do you keep a note of exposure data and lighting? There's no exif for those shots because they're comps but are you using the speed light at it's fullest potential (i.e. 1/1 all the time)? If you are then adding a modifier is only going to see you losing power but if not, doubling, trebling or quadrupling speedlights could be the answer to keep things very, very portable.
I suppose that if you go for a studio head, then working quickly is key and doing it by yourself (I take it there's no assistant?) the set-up need to be very portable and light. That calumet Genesis battery looks like it'll be very easy to carry and with a head, comes in well under budget, and leaves enough spare for some good modifiers. Don't know how it'd stand up out in the field though - Speedlights will be the safer bet in that respect IMO.
I don't keep note of exposure data and lighting, but can remember with most stuff. It is difficult to say exactly how much I'm lacking, but as I've said, the problem isn't just power, it's the spread of light too. I always shoot bare flash at full power at the moment. Not great for batteries! I don't want to double up the flashes, portability isn't the biggest issue I don't think.
I always have an assistant if time is going to be tight or if it's a commercial shoot
I might pop up to the Calumet shop in London and ask to have a good look at the lights
Can you hire the kit you really need? If you do a couple of shoots with hired stuff then you can see if it does what you want without spending a fortune...Once it has proved its worth you can buy it either all at once or in stages while hiring the rest.
Would rather not hire tbh
