Prolinchrom £85 studio light produces this

[gopalsl]

Hi all, 1st time i'm posting images. I borrowed this simply 100w Pronlichrom 23 studio flash from a wedding photographer after seeing him use it over the weekend on location. He kindly let me borrow the kit for a few days - nice guy !

I am in the process of purchasing a Bowens 500 Esprit kit or Elinchrom Equivalent kit, but these kits are about £700+. But is this an overkill for me who wishes only to take 2 or 3 weddings a year and take these lights on location to the wedding hall to take bride and groom portrait shots after the ceremony. I do NOT want to use for anything else - period.

This Prolinchrom kit is some sort of approved venture with Elinchrom and Indian Maufacturers and only has full power or half power with modelling lamp, it costs about £85 for each unit. The basic facilities and options has produced these 2 shots I took in my home without much thinking so am wondering can i do my bridal shots with a Interfit or similar 100w or 200w unit rather than spend mega money on something I will not use fully.

Appreciate your views on this link :
http://www.candidshots.co.uk/test.htm

Thanks

[Peter_AUS]

Works for Head shots, but what about full body shots, 2 or more people. You really need to use them a bit more than just what you have shown here. Try and emulate in the conditions you are going to use them some test shots, especially white gown, black tuxedo sort of environments and then post those up. This will demonstate more the sorts of usage you are suggesting you want for them.

Sounds like a reasonable choice possibly.

But you won't go wrong with the Bowens setup either. I wouldn't get the Elinchrom Equivalent as it isn't as adjustable as the Bowens f/stop wise.

You haven't mentioned what camera you are using either. If a Canon 10D, becareful of the Safe Sync Voltage it is only 6V on the Canon 10D, so you could over time fry the shutter of the camera. This is just a general comment regarding the 10D.

The prices you are quoteing for the Bowens isn't too bad, yes much more than the cheaper setup, but you are also looking at more in the Bowens kit than just the lights, you do get the softbox, umbrella, which are excellent quality. Light STands, Speed Ring and universal adaptor for the speed ring, sync cable, bag and it comes with an excellent video tape as well. The umbrella is a white silver black one, so can be use for shoot through as well as reflecting the light. There are many pluses bying the more expensive kits, than just saving lots of money. Refresh time of the heads is excellent, and that is important especially when taking wedding photos, you don't want to delay people too long getting shots and waiting for the flash to refresh its charge.

Hope that helps in some way.