I've just received my BXRi 500 "to go" kit (2x 500Ws flash heads, 2x softboxes, 2x stands, Skyport transmitter, cables etc.) and briefly tried it out.
My initial reaction is mostly positive. This goes especially for the Skyport which not only triggers the flash wirelessly but also allows you to adjust its intensity. Very practical if the flash head has been placed in an akward position where its controls aren't easily reachable.
On the negative site the system seems a little "cheap" in its build quality. Don't get me wrong; it's not
bad quality, but as Frank pointed out earlier it may not be as suitable for "heavy" use and rough handling as more expensive units. In comparison with the
Visatec Logos 1600 which we use at school which have metal enclosures it seems flimsy, light and cheap. But then again the Visatec costs way more but still doesn't allow for wireless control of flash intensity. The Visatec is also bulkier and heavier, which means it'll be heavier to travel around with (my Elinchrom kit comes with two seemingly heavy-duty, padded carrying bags -one for the two stands, one for the rest and isn't too heavy to travel with).
The stands are of the plastic clamp-locking type. I've heard of people complaining about this kind of mechanism for camera tripods, and I would imagine stands from Manfrotto or whatever would last longer, but at a higher cost of course.
I personally have a plastic clamped tripod (Slik) which I've had for several years without a problem, so maybe this isn't something I need worry about.
The two 66x66cm softboxes are OK although they also seem a little "cheap", but then again I'm no expert in judging as I don't have much to compare with except the stuff at school where they have mostly bigger softboxes, which of course are heavier and more sturdy. So I assume my comparison would be unfair.
But then again I would guess that the supplied softboxes are of the cheaper, simpler kinds Elinchrom produces, and that separately bought more expensive ones might have a diffferent feel to them. I don't know.
These are only my very first impressions, so don't take this as a review or anything. I'm also very biased, comparing everything to the Visatec which is the only studio-flash unit I've used. So I really need a few days/weeks of use to get used to it.
All in all I think Frank's review (which is one of the reasons I settled for this kit) is right on the spot, and I've gotten myself an affordable, high-quality and versatile studio flash system which I can put to good use. As I'm the only person who will be using it, I handle things with care and won't be shooting 4 hours continously etc. I believe I've made a good choice in comparison with other equally priced units (I haven't found other brands/models in the same price range which offer wireless control, and some don't even have proportional control of the modeling lamp).
As my needs grow I will probably expand my setup with more light modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, barn-doors etc.), but so far I don't really know what I need, so I'll put that off until later. I'm sure it's too easy to buy those kind of things like a kid goes into a candy store wanting this and that
Talking about light-modifiers I have one question: everywhere the 500 BXRi is pictured (e.g. Elinchrom's website) the flash head is shown with a reflector (see image below). But none came with my setup. I didn't find any "this is what you should get" list in the user-manuals either, so I don't really know 100% what should be included. Did anyone else here buying the "to go" BXRi kits get two reflectors as well, or do I have to buy this extra? If the latter, I see that Elinchrom supplies several types -which one would be most versatile for general use?
Author
Logged
