Elinchrom D-lite 2 kit.

[Sid Jervis]

I don't work for these guys, the only association that I have with this company is that I own a D-Lite 2 kit. I bought my kit as a portable system, the price is quite amazing.

I am not sure that these are available in the USA yet, but no doubt they will arrive soon. At present they can sell them faster than they can make them.

http://www.theflashcentre.com/ is the company I bought from. Cost $775 plus tax.

Kit details:
http://www.theflashcentre.com/item.do?item=547

Check out the reviews:
http://www.theflashcentre.com/images/mpadlite.jpg
http://www.theflashcentre.com/images/swppdlite.jpg

The heads are accurate to 1/10th stop. Despite not having fan cooling, they work all day and come back for more.

 

[Frank Doorhof]

I demoed them on the pro imaging fair 2006 for Elinchrom and they are amazing value for money.
They have alot of the features and feel of the more expensive Elinchroms but don't cost that much.

Highly recommended.

Greetings,
Frank

 

[Sid Jervis]

I understand that the D-Lites take all the Elinchom accesories, is that correct?

Output of (200w/s) makes me wonder about softbox sizes.
What would you consider the largest softbox on a D-Lite 2, while still being sensible to use?
Finally, have you used, or heard of a delivery date for the D-Lite 4.

Thanks

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Hi,
I'm still waiting for the test set for our studio, we will be using it as promomaterial during our workshops.

It will take all the accessoiries from Elinchrom, which makes it the perfect start kit if you want to grow into the brand.

Biggest softbox is trick question.

I use a striped softbox from Chimera in the studio which takes a FX400 almost full power, while I also use the 1.90 Octo box from Elinchrom with the same FX400 on half power, they both output the same f number

It all depends on the desing of the box you are going to use, the octo's are very very efficient, but expensive compared to the D-lites.

For NORMAL small studio's I think 200 will suffice, if you have some extra budget go for the 400's.

Greetings,
Frank

 

[Sid Jervis]

Hi,
Biggest softbox is trick question.

No it was a serious question. Let me ask the question a different way, when you were at the pro imaging fair, what was the largest softbox that you used on the D-Lite 2 heads?

I do understand that it depends on the softbox, but I wanted an approximate guideline. I looked at this kit so I can stay with Elinchrom. Once I have become more proficient, I will add either D-Lite 4 or other Elinchrom heads.

Thanks

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Hi,
I did not meant a trcik question as negative, but it's really difficult to answer.
The octo 1.90mtr will work with the 200W flash, the Chimera striped I use will need more power, if you want to use f8.0 that is

At the pro imaging I used them without a softbox attached, the main light was a FX400, we used the Dlites in the shot itself to light the model, see example (don't look at the background ):

After that we did some small demonstrations with them just to show how they work.


For the power itself it all depends on what you want, if you have a small studio and you want to use softboxes for the mainlight, often 200W is enough, if you want to use grids/gels and more distance from your model 200W will be a little short (moving the flash further away from your model will increase the need for more power).

In the studio I also have a 100W FX head which combined with a Elinca softbox gives me more than enough power on half power for hairlights and effect lights, but that's a very simple softbox, no diffusion material except the front and a silver inlay.

If you have the extra budget it's always better to go 1 step higher in output, but for alot of home studio's 200W will suffice.

Greetings,
Frank

 

[Sid Jervis]

Hi Frank,
thanks for the updates.
I will ignore the background, it's very hard to do so, but I will try

As I already have the D-Lite 2 200w/s kit, I will try one of the larger softboxes and see how it works for me. My main requirement was the system had to be portable, the price was a pleasant surprise.
I mentioned that I am likely to buy a D-Lite 4 head (as a main light) when it is available.

As I am new to studio work, what should I look for in softbox design?
My main experience with softboxes is the Photoflex litedome range.
What are the companies to avoid, or is it better to ask what you would recommend.

When I am back in Europe (August), you may get a call for a course booking.

So now I know who shot the image that is being used in Europe
Excellent web sites BTW.

Cheers

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Hi,
The D-lites have been in the studio now for a week or 4 and I will post some of my thoughts.

For the price I think it's one of the best buys you can do over here in Europe.
I have never tried the Alien Bees so I can't say for the US but compared to the same price in Europe I can't see anything coming close.

The readout is digital in 1/10th of a stop just like the bigger FX series.
This is very very handy when doing final adjustments in the studio, you don't have to keep measuring like with analogue, but you want 1 fstop higher, just set it one f stop higher.
I first worked with analogue flash systems and can't express how much my photography have improved and gotten faster with the digital sets.

The stability is good.
The problem with the fan many people suspect will be less of a problem than I initiatly thought.
During a workshop we tried to get the Dlite 4 into overload and it happened once.
Well ok we asked for it in that occassion.
I added a large reflector with grid and a color gel, put the flash on full output and decided to test the time before it would stop.
It took arround 1-2 minutes of really fast shooting (MUCH faster than you would normally do) and the flash stopped working, after 1 minute cool down we proceeded with the normal use and it continued to work althrough the remaining workshop.
Although I'm still no fan of a fanless design I think it works especially for the normal studio use.
When using the flash full power you can always set the modelling light on off and you will probarbly never overheat.

The touchcontrols on the back are similair to the FX series although the touch feels a lot cheaper, read this correct, it works all very well, but when you feel the touch of the FX series it's a whole different feel.
But than again you buy one FX head for a whole setup of Dlites with stands and umbrellas.

One problem we did found was that the Dlite doesn't want to be triggered by my radio triggers (3 star) the Dutch importer can modify the units to work, or you can use the skyport system from Elinchrom when it's released or the synccable.
Some cheaper radio triggers like the falcon eyes appear to work without a problem.

My conclusion....
It's an Elinchrom for the price of the lesser brands.

Greetings,
Frank

 

[Sid Jervis]

Hi,
One problem we did found was that the Dlite doesn't want to be triggered by my radio triggers (3 star) the Dutch importer can modify the units to work, or you can use the skyport system from Elinchrom when it's released or the synccable.
Some cheaper radio triggers like the falcon eyes appear to work without a problem.

My conclusion....
It's an Elinchrom for the price of the lesser brands.

Greetings,
Frank

Thanks for the summary, it is good to get real feedback not PR statements.
On the triggering issue, do you know the detail of the problem?
I guess I am asking, have you seen the problem with P.Wizard kit?

I assume that Skyport will only trigger these lights, is that correct.

Has the DLite 4 been officially released in Europe now?

Thanks.

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Dlite is official for sale now.
I have been beta testing a week before release and found the trigger problem.
The problem is in the Voltage needed to trigger.
They did everything to not damage digital cameras and went a little bit too low
With the sync cable it's no problem, but with the tristars I use it's problematic.

It should not be a real problem because the units can be modded anyway.

Skyport as far as I understand it will be compatible with other brands, but tailor made for Elinchrom, but I have very little information at this time, I expect my test units in about 1-2 months.

Greetings,
Frank

 

[Jim Davies]

This thread has been quiet for a while. I wonder how you are all getting on with your D-Lites? I'm looking at either the 2 or the 4 (probably the D-Lite4s) and it would be good to get some feedback here on how they are performing?

 

[Sid Jervis]

Thanks for asking.
The D-Lites (2 and now with additional 4's) are still running fine, I trigger mine with Pocket Wizard plus II units, they do not appear to suffer with problems like the tristars that Frank has mentioned.

I use the D-Lites with the modeling lights set to "proportional", they have been used in softboxes, umbrellas, Lastolite umbrella boxes, reflectors with grids and with snoots.
I have not had a shutdown of any sort, although I will admit that the snoots do get hot.
I do not hold back when I need a shot, the last thing in my head is a worry about the D-Lites.


What would I like to change, well not much actually. I know they are built to a price, but if I had the choice, a remote control panel would be nice (I am only 5'6" 176cm) sometimes I cannot reach the control panel, maybe I need an Elinchrom stepladder.

Problems:
I have heard of two issues, one where heads do not trigger the flash, and a batch of heads that had a modeling light problem (it stays on all the time). Happily for me, mine have been great.

 

[Jim Davies]

hi Sid
Thanks for taking the time to respond so promptly.

I'm looking to use the lights in a small home studio (probably my garage) and am trying to decide on the DLite2s or 4s. I figure better spending money on the 4s initially?!

These lights look perfect for me. New into studio lighting and looking to practice and learn. The seem to be good value and come from a well known brand. i had thought of the Interfit Stellars but something just puts me off buying gear from interfit!

Would be nice to see some of your work Sid?

regards
Jim