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The Best Travel lighting kit
Hi All Just curious as to what everyone is lugging with them when they travel internationally to shoot? Pro's con's etc Jan 29 13 12:26 pm Link I travel with camera flash only if I can, don't always like to bring studio lighting all over. 2x SB-910 with one SB-800 I use the 800 with diffuser on model with 2x 910 as rim lights remotely or one on towards the background.. Jan 29 13 12:32 pm Link Until Bowens updates the Pioneer system, I ave to admit the Elinchrom Quadrant looks very handy Jan 29 13 12:35 pm Link Elinchrom just updated their Ranger Quadra system to take lithium ion batteries. Took 2lbs off the weight of an already compact true 400ws system. Can get a US or international Charger. Jan 29 13 02:36 pm Link I pack a dozen speedlites. Jan 29 13 03:03 pm Link Elinchrom Ranger A/S Jan 29 13 03:10 pm Link Leo Edwards Photography wrote: To shoot what?? I shoot portraits on location and take my Alien Bee's with me wherever I go. If I had to do the same type of shoot overseas I'd bring them as well along with all my other equipment. Jan 30 13 03:23 am Link Mike Collins wrote: ABs aren't set up for dual voltage, though. You'd have to get a transformer or a set of ABs for 220V. Jan 30 13 03:49 am Link Leo Edwards Photography wrote: I'm on the road at the moment. I have with me: Jan 30 13 04:21 am Link I've taken my Profoto Acute2 lights around. Dual voltage and the system is pretty universal, so you can always rent mods without too much trouble. I'm also a big fan of what I call my "mini-kit". It's a bunch of speedlights, small stands, umbrellas, softboxes and other small modifiers in a rolling carry-on size case. (The stands go in a small tripod bag.) It's amazing what you can do with a few little strobes. Jan 30 13 04:38 am Link oops- misread. nevermind Jan 30 13 04:44 am Link Vagabond mini & ABR800 with grid and moon unit accessories. Jan 30 13 06:19 am Link in some areas you're forced to travel on foot all the time, and each gram counts -- portable LED lights with regular batteries and 5-in-1 collapsible reflector if you have the right camera, you can easily shoot amazing frames by positioning 5-7 regular candles (pretty portable! and stick to walls, trees etc) around at the total darkness. I hide all labels on my cameras, lenses and strobes by covering them by black gaffe tape. sometimes I even wrap my camera into a big handkerchief when shooting -- I don't like to be immediately recognized as a professional shooter. I don't dress up as an American tourist either. don't transport candles and batteries with you, buy them abroad. I also use the hotel bedsheets to soften the window light Jan 30 13 06:23 am Link Haven't been International, for years...but for GrandCanyon/Sedona/etc.  Jan 30 13 06:51 am Link Haven't traveled internationally but have traveled within the states. I pack whatever will fit in my carry on, even for my clothes. I try to never check a bag/suitcase if I dont have to. Usually my mini soft box, a stand, speed lights, and my camera gear. Jan 30 13 07:05 am Link Well, not quite a Pelican case, here's my portable light kit. My kit consists of a WL-1600, WL-1200, 4 Pocket Wizards, 2 Lumedyne 200's (packs and heads), power cords, extension cords, reflectors, two lite weight stands, two umbrellas, a small softbox for the Lumedynes, a bunch of cine foil, clips, tape and some other odds and ends. To haul it around I use a hard shell golf club case. I riveted in some straps to hold things in their respective halves of the case. To cushion all the lights, I got some foam sheet and then kinda layed everything in place. Then I got some of that foam insulation spray and used it to fill in the gaps squirting it between the case and the foam. It looks kinda ghetto and I could probably be more efficient with space usage but it was supposed to be just a temporary thing. But it's worked so well at holding things in place that I've just left it. The case fits perfectly sideways in the bed of my Toyota and I can lock it to the bed for a little piece of mind on lunch stops.  Jan 30 13 07:29 am Link Leo Edwards Photography wrote: Depends on the needs of the shoot. Jan 30 13 07:37 am Link ChiMo wrote: Excellent for airlines too, low key and unobtrusive. Doesn't scream out "Camera Equipment!". Although it could get "tossed around" by airlines staff. Jan 30 13 12:11 pm Link The Ranger RX, Speed AS and Ranger Quadra. Jan 30 13 05:37 pm Link There's nO simple answer. It depends on where, what you're shooting and how you're traveling. I used to travel for one client internationally and would be out as many as 13 weeks a year traveling to different locations / cities / states / countries every day or two for a week at a time. This was in the film days too when I shot everything medium format or large format. Of course times are different but I lugged an average of 16 cases everywhere. Sometimes I had a assistant and sometimes not. In today's world of travel where it's a pain in the butt to fly anywhere I would look to rent if its requires more than hand held strobes in or near the city I'm traveling to. The last time I carried my own gear my assistant and I flew to Baltimore for a architectural shoot for a big network. My excess baggage charges alone were over $2000 plus tickets. That's nuts!!! Now rental is the best option if I'm going to be anywhere near a good size city. Now if you're just shooting a single person you could tuck 2 or 3 small moonlights and light stands and umbrellas in a bag. My main lighting is 8 speedotron force 10's and some Norman 2000 gear. If I'm going light duty and just shooting a small setup I have 5 alien bees that make a nice small and lightweight kit. Not much power there for large areas but up close and personal they're great. The thing I like about them is I can put a soft box on one and push it within a foot of a person and at minimum power I can shoot ISO 50 wide open and get some beautiful shallow dof. Of course if you go the alien bee route you will need small transformers. Feb 02 13 05:25 am Link Elinchrom BRX500 They voltage switch Feb 02 13 06:02 am Link ArtisticGlamour wrote: What kind of models are you shooting that requires you to carry pepper spray? Feb 02 13 05:50 pm Link 4x cn160 led lights powered by 4 plugs and adaptors that will run from 110-240 volts in au/hk/uk/usa and two compact tripods with two compact light stands, they and most of my gear fit in a cricket bag. Feb 02 13 05:55 pm Link Can be anything from nothing (rental at location) to some big studio generators. Most jobs I do with two Profoto Acute B2 Lithium with an Elinchrom Deep Octa, Profoto zoom, Profoto Magnum and a ringflash. For smaller ones or when I just want to use onboard luggage just one of the Acute B2 plus the 27.5" Rotalux Deep Octa and a zoom reflector.  Feb 03 13 09:13 am Link gl-amour wrote: I agree with Vagabond mini, when I shoot on location anywhere I always bring along the mini and a couple of AB 800's and a couple of shoot through umbrellas (occasionally a beauty dish). Feb 03 13 09:22 am Link I have Canon, so I use 3 speedlights "600EX-RT" radio triggered. Lightwieght and compact but a little pricey. Feb 03 13 10:05 am Link Instinct Images wrote: Thanks, II! It's a self-protection from jealous escorts thing! Feb 03 13 11:52 am Link David M Russell wrote: This.^ Feb 03 13 01:52 pm Link Remember to check with the Airline about the baggage / carry on limit of big battery i.e.: li-on battery for power pack... otherwise you may stuck in the airport. And mess your schedule. Apr 03 13 10:49 pm Link -JAY- wrote: Someone bumped the thread, I'll update my post. Apr 03 13 10:58 pm Link Profoto, dynex and another that I can't think of right now. Apr 04 13 10:38 am Link Jens Look Photography wrote: I have the acute B2 also, which bag is that? Apr 04 13 10:48 am Link |
