Bill_Green
Member
Hi guys, I'm looking for a 400ws battery powered portable light on a tight budged. Current options on the table are:
Norman 400b
Pros: about $375-$400 used. Least expensive option. Durable. Plenty of modifiers including a high output reflector and a glass dome. Available for rental locally when I need more of them. Seem to be pretty efficient and put out more light than some other 400ws options. Easy to service if needed.
Cons: Longish flash duration, recycle is very slow (IME not the claimed 3 seconds), no fan can lead to over heating on a hot day (in fairness, the models, my assistant and I were overheating too).
Alienbee or Whitelightning 800 + VML
Pros: Available with warranty. Good reputation for service. Can be upgraded to higher power if needed. Cyber commander. Can pair with a beauty dish.
Cons: Weight, durability (comparing AB to Norman), questions of flash consistency.
Dynalite Uni JR + VML
Pros: Durable, Dynalite quality
Cons: Cost, weight
Notes:
While the total system weight is about the same for each of these (I think about 7 lb. or a bit less), with the Norman nearly all that weight is on the stand as the head weighs about a pound.
These will be used to shoot all manner of things from cars to portraits, often in less than ideal conditions (wind, light rain, dust).
I have no personal experience with Alien Bees. I have heard issues about color accuracy and consistency, which I have concerns about. IME the Normans are very color consistent, but flash output can vary significantly. I have never used the Uni JR., but I am making the assumption that it is up to typical Dynalite standards. I am also assuming that it will pair with the VML (not all Dynalites do) as the Dynalite Jackrabbit battery is junk.
I asked a similar question once before, but I have no interest in making my own battery packs, and I have since learned that weight is more important that I thought and I need more lights but at lower power than I originally thought.
I am not really looking at the Quadra due to cost and (perceived) durability.
Norman 400b
Pros: about $375-$400 used. Least expensive option. Durable. Plenty of modifiers including a high output reflector and a glass dome. Available for rental locally when I need more of them. Seem to be pretty efficient and put out more light than some other 400ws options. Easy to service if needed.
Cons: Longish flash duration, recycle is very slow (IME not the claimed 3 seconds), no fan can lead to over heating on a hot day (in fairness, the models, my assistant and I were overheating too).
Alienbee or Whitelightning 800 + VML
Pros: Available with warranty. Good reputation for service. Can be upgraded to higher power if needed. Cyber commander. Can pair with a beauty dish.
Cons: Weight, durability (comparing AB to Norman), questions of flash consistency.
Dynalite Uni JR + VML
Pros: Durable, Dynalite quality
Cons: Cost, weight
Notes:
While the total system weight is about the same for each of these (I think about 7 lb. or a bit less), with the Norman nearly all that weight is on the stand as the head weighs about a pound.
These will be used to shoot all manner of things from cars to portraits, often in less than ideal conditions (wind, light rain, dust).
I have no personal experience with Alien Bees. I have heard issues about color accuracy and consistency, which I have concerns about. IME the Normans are very color consistent, but flash output can vary significantly. I have never used the Uni JR., but I am making the assumption that it is up to typical Dynalite standards. I am also assuming that it will pair with the VML (not all Dynalites do) as the Dynalite Jackrabbit battery is junk.
I asked a similar question once before, but I have no interest in making my own battery packs, and I have since learned that weight is more important that I thought and I need more lights but at lower power than I originally thought.
I am not really looking at the Quadra due to cost and (perceived) durability.