|
Forums >
Photography Talk >
Vagabond II from Paul Buff
I am looking to buy the Vagabond II from Paul Buff to power my bees outdoors. Do you own this unit and what has been your experience with regards to its short comings or limitations and benefits as an external power supply. Moreover, do you thinks itâs is worth the investment and can you show me some samples of what you have done outdoors with your Bee system. Thank you Mar 17 08 07:20 pm Link The Vagabond II is a very popular option for outdoor power. See the portable power section of the Lighting, Flash, Ring, & Battery Strobe Reference thread for links to many other discussions of the Vagabond unit. Here's a few... * Anyone using the Vagabond II (Paul Buff's updated battery unit) * location lighting equipment * Portable strobes & packs...what are you using? * Vaggabond (Inverter and battery options) Mar 17 08 07:37 pm Link Heard from a friend that there is a recall on vagabond II's from failed inverters . Might want to check into it prior to purchase. I am a little turned off from the original vagabond, it had to be grounded. It has since been changed, but still... makes me wonder. Mar 18 08 09:05 am Link Shot with the Vagabond II  Mar 18 08 10:00 am Link I bought the Vagabond II right after it was released to the market. Used it a few times with no problems. Then I received a letter from Paul C. Buff, inc. advising of the recall of the power inverter. Once I signed their agreement to return the original within 15 days of their shipment to me of a replacement (free of charge mind you), I received and swapped it for the newer inverter. Used it a few times since with no problems. I love mine and would recommend it. Mar 18 08 10:03 am Link Estupido Studios wrote: There is a recall, yes... but they completely take care of everything. I just did it, and the only thing I had to do was switch out the inverters and put the old one in the box to be sent back, which they took care of with UPS. I didn't even have to go to UPS, they came to me with the shipping label and everything. This new inverter doesn't need to be grounded as it now has a built in GFCI. Mar 18 08 10:06 am Link Dean Johnson Photo wrote: since the commenting feature is busted right now, I'll say here, that I love this shot! Mar 18 08 10:09 am Link I got the Vagabond II, the Paul send me a letter and upgraded my Vagabond IIa (with the PSI900GF). In the middle of a magazine photo shoot, it die! Yummy. Then I got a Honda EU2000i Generator the next day (to continue with the photo shoot) and it has been rocking since. Called Paul's customer service and they sent me a new inverter (no charge, free shipping). I have used the new inverter twice; one for testing the inverter shooting my backyard and two, using that to charge my laptop and watching DVDs on the laptop. So far, it works great as an external power source for battery backup. Anyway, did I mention that Portable Honda Generator? With the portable generator, I eliminated and have the following: 1. Power waiting (waiting for battery pack to charge up the strobe sucks). 2. Don't have to worry about if the strobes are digital or not. 3. It lasted me 5 hours shooting straight on one 1.1 gallon of gas. 4. It has 1600 watts continuous power. Mar 18 08 10:13 am Link I've used mine 4 times, fired off around 250 shots with two strobes each, and no complaints at all. I never got the letter about the recall so maybe I received the updated unit. Mar 18 08 10:35 am Link Timelessimage PHOTO wrote: Ping Leo Howard. Mar 18 08 10:38 am Link I use mine all the time for hours on end with 3 strobes and i have never had a problem with it, best investment i have made almost all of the shots in my port were used with my ab800, ar800 and my ab1600 and vagabondII set up, get it its worth it you wont be disappointed. Just make sure to keep it plugged up and charging all the time even when you are not using it, keeps the battery fresh, alien bees says the same thing, you'll love it, i also use it to poer fans and a radio while on set, Mar 19 08 04:25 am Link Thanks for all the positive feed back, I just purchased the unit today for delivery this Friday. I would love to see more work from you guys using the system outdoors. I will also check out Paul C Buff's on line forum for Alien Bees as well. Cool T Mar 19 08 10:23 am Link Mike in Maryland wrote: I am wondering can you pimp out the system by getting a more powerful after market inverter that will give more juice and last longer in the field and swap out the old inverter for the new and still use the vagabond II casing. Mar 19 08 10:31 am Link Caradoc wrote: Thanks for the Behind the Scenes Shot Mar 19 08 10:32 am Link Dean Johnson Photo wrote: Lovely Shoot, but what's the story with the Bird hovering behind her :-) Mar 19 08 10:36 am Link Kevin Connery wrote: Good links thanks Mar 19 08 10:37 am Link Timelessimage PHOTO wrote: It comes with mini jumper cables to hook up the inverter to another battery, like a car battery, a motocycle battery, etc. So let the pimping commence. Mar 19 08 10:38 am Link Most of my outdoor shots use the Vagabond II. I don't put heavy strain on it, maybe an hour of shooting tops. I use it to fire off two WLs. Here's a sample shot:  Little Red Riding Hood and the Harlequin Romance photos also use it. A lesson I learned the hard way, turn on the inverter first, then the lights. Otherwise you blow the fuse. Mar 19 08 10:42 am Link I purchased an inexpensive inverter to power laptop from my truck. I tried running one of my bees on it and the strobe kinda freaked out. I have a boat with twin batteries and a 4wd truck. Im curios about the pure sine inverters. Mar 19 08 10:46 am Link Timelessimage PHOTO wrote: No real story behind it really. We just noticed a bunch of gulls flying around and thought it would be fun to try to capture one in the shot. So we scattered a few dead minnows around and spent about 15 minutes waiting for the right moment. Mar 19 08 10:49 am Link A lesson I learned the hard way, turn on the inverter first, then the lights. Otherwise you blow the fuse. GOOD TO KNOW, THANKS Mar 19 08 10:56 am Link Hillwoman2 wrote: GOOD TO KNOW THANKS Mar 19 08 10:57 am Link Dean Johnson Photo wrote: nice, Mar 19 08 10:59 am Link Timelessimage PHOTO wrote: Upgrading inverters to a higher continuous wattage will allow your strobes to recycle faster or allow you to have more devices plugged in. If you want more juice to last longer, you need batteries with more Ah (ampere hours), or multiple batteries. If you're gonna do this (upgrade batteries and inverter), no sense using the orange bag the Vagabond II comes with unless you're an AlienBees fan. Mar 19 08 11:04 am Link Brandon Ching wrote: Dang more stuff I need to study up on. amps, cine waves, inverters, etc etc etc Mar 19 08 11:09 am Link Funny i just bought one last night lol. Send me a message and i tell you how it works and vice versa. Mar 19 08 11:13 am Link Timelessimage PHOTO wrote: Lasting longer is the battery... i was told by one of the representatives that if you can get the connectors to fit onto the battery you can use any battery... hell you can use your car battery... Just carry 2 or 3 extra batteries in the back of your car around and you will be set for days. Mar 19 08 11:51 am Link Erick Kush Photography wrote: anyone know what offbrand batteries fit as in brand and model numbers? Jul 01 08 05:51 pm Link Top two rows of my port are with a single AB800, Softlighter II, and Vagabond II. Jul 01 08 06:09 pm Link biwa wrote: As long as you match the battery voltage to the inverter, you'll be fine. Jul 01 08 06:53 pm Link Shot my Avatar with a VB II and an AB1600 last Saturday. Took about 150 shots at from 1/16 to 1/2 power. Took it back home and plugged the charger in. About 60 minutes later it was showing it was already 90% to fully charged. Jul 02 08 09:53 am Link |
