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Thread: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

  1. #31

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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Thank you. I have been reviewing that site but was specifically looking for something that would speak to the reliability of older flash packs/heads, etc. I.e. what to avoid, what is a workhorse, etc.

  2. #32

    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Personally I think they are all workhorses. The Pulso and Primo packs I own are top of the line and have a lot of life left in them. Kevin at KHB has advised me numerous times he is an expert in strobe repair and modification. Maybe call him up and discuss your needs? Any used pro shops in your area? My new Pulso 2 pack came from Ebay.

    http://www.khbphotografix.com/ServiceParts2.html
    Last edited by Daniel Unkefer; 3-Dec-2022 at 06:26.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

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  3. #33

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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Broncolor moonlights, studio power packs, strobe/flash heads, light modifiers and such are designed, built with some of the best parts available with the goal of a product that endures decades with excellent reliability. There are good reasons why Broncolor gear is SO pricy..

    If you're set on acquiring a Broncolor outfit, be patient, shop good and pounce on the Broncolor item when the opportunity happens.. Know who and where this stuff can be properly serviced, Spend the time, effort and resourced needed and required to get each and every part of the Broncolor outfit back into top operating condition. Once this has been done, expect many, many, many more years to decades of predictable and reliable service..

    Not just strobe/flash light sources, much of the perk with Broncolor is in their light modifier offerings which are often some of the very best made.


    Alternative to Broncolor would be Elinchrom gear before year 2000, after that Elinchrom went a different direction (not good) as did the electronic strobe/flash market needs. Before the dive of Elinchrom, they produced the "Ranger" portable system. It is excellent in every way, essentially a 1100 watt/second battery power "studio" strobe/flash system that allows using any Elinchrom light modifier on location (IMO, a Really Big Deal). Top complaint of the Ranger is weight due to the lead acid battery.. The modern and proper upgrade is to replace the OEM lead acid battery with a current Lithium-Iron battery (LiFePO4). These are a direct replacement and works direct with the Elinchrom charger.. Done this to three Elinchrom Rangers with excellent results, more energy storage (more flashes per charge), lower weight (about 1/2), equal to faster recycling times.. Only negative is performance at sub-zero temperatures are not as good due to the way Lithium-Iron batteries work.

    Modern alternatives to these very excellent "vintage" studio strobe/flash units are pricy..

    Profoto Pro10/Pro11 list for near $18,000 for a mere 2400 watt/seconds and two head outlets..
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...11_pro_11.html

    Basic head list for $2,900, 2400 watt/second.
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...d_Plus_UV.html

    Twin tube head list for $4,100, 4800 watt/second.
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...win_Flash.html


    Adorama's Flashpoint 2400 watt/second kit, $6,200:
    https://www.adorama.com/fplfx2400k2.html

    Godox P2400 (sure looks identical to Flashpoint 2400), 2400 watt/second kit, $6,200 and special order:
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...flash_kit.html

    Current Broncolor Scoro series, starts at $6,100 for the 1200 watt/second battery power unit and goes up from there.
    3200 watt/second Scoco starts at $10,300 then add heads:
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...er_packs_20390

    Power capability and cost reflect the higher power strobe/flash market of today, it is very much a specialized item today compared to a common staple during the sheet film era.. Or why these "vintage" studio strobe/flash power packs are an absolute bargain once made proper again and they have more strobe/flash power capability than the current offerings.


    IMO, light modifiers, their variety and cost are more significant than the strobe/light source. Once the strobe/flash light source has:

    ~Enough light output (power).
    ~Absolute consistent light output per each and every flash (no more than 0.10 f-stop variation).
    ~Minimal color temperature change (not more than aprox 300 degrees K) over it's entire light output range.
    ~Absolute reliability and durability under daily use hour after hour, month after month, year after year..


    The ability to support a Large variety of light modifiers becomes the far more significant question... as this kind of lighting is much about light modifiers and how the light sources can be used.



    Bernice











    Quote Originally Posted by bmikiten View Post
    Thank you. I have been reviewing that site but was specifically looking for something that would speak to the reliability of older flash packs/heads, etc. I.e. what to avoid, what is a workhorse, etc.

  4. #34

    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Pulso Packs 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    Pulso Packs 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    Primo Packs 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    Primo Packs 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    It has been helpful for me to investigate the olde Sinar catalogs as you see here for PULSO and PRIMO. This is a good starting point to sort all of this out.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
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  5. #35

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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernice Loui View Post

    Alternative to Broncolor would be Elinchrom gear before year 2000, after that Elinchrom went a different direction (not good) as did the electronic strobe/flash market needs. Before the dive of Elinchrom, they produced the "Ranger" portable system. It is excellent in every way, essentially a 1100 watt/second battery power "studio" strobe/flash system that allows using any Elinchrom light modifier on location (IMO, a Really Big Deal). Top complaint of the Ranger is weight due to the lead acid battery.. The modern and proper upgrade is to replace the OEM lead acid battery with a current Lithium-Iron battery (LiFePO4). These are a direct replacement and works direct with the Elinchrom charger.. Done this to three Elinchrom Rangers with excellent results, more energy storage (more flashes per charge), lower weight (about 1/2), equal to faster recycling times.. Only negative is performance at sub-zero temperatures are not as good due to the way Lithium-Iron batteries work.



    Bernice

    Bernice I'd love to get info on the Lithium batteries for the original Ranger. I have one of those with three batteries. They are all pretty old now though. I replaced one a few years ago with a Panasonic? golf cart battery that was a perfect direct fit and that only cost like $20 if you can believe it, but the Lithium-Ion sounds pretty good..

    I used to have some Elinchrom Monolights back in the day. I think they were called Style. A couple of 600 w/s and a 1200 w/s. The 1200 was pretty nice to have but up on a boom it would definitely stress the boom. It was fairly big and heavy. I liked to use it overhead (over my head) with a huge soft box with a grid (maybe that stressed the boom too. ). Gorgeous light. If stuff is cheap I wouldn't mind picking up some good old strobes. Can't beat the quality of light coming out of an Elinchrom or a Broncolor. I was never fond of Profoto. I thought they were way overpriced for what they were. I had a lot of friends that used Normans. Those were workhorses but I never liked the quality of them. Kind of tin canny. The Toyota Corolla of strobes I guess. Hensel made a nice battery pack strobe similar to the Elinchrom Ranger back in the day too but I guess they are long gone now.

  6. #36

    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    In the clearance room of "World of Used Photography" is a biggie Elinchrom power pack and a couple of Elinchrom heads. Could prolly be purchased for ridiculous prices? Not affiliated IMO somebody should "pounce"

    https://www.worldofusedphotography.com/

    Avedon used Elinchrom

    Gary told me he loves to get rid of anything big in that clearance room
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
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  7. #37
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    I have been there last decade

    I will pass

    almost tempted

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Unkefer View Post
    In the clearance room of "World of Used Photography" is a biggie Elinchrom power pack and a couple of Elinchrom heads. Could prolly be purchased for ridiculous prices? Not affiliated IMO somebody should "pounce"

    https://www.worldofusedphotography.com/

    Avedon used Elinchrom

    Gary told me he loves to get rid of anything big in that clearance room
    Tin Can

  8. #38

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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    The Elinchrom Ranger RX lithium batter conversion began with this web blog posted idea:
    http://www.erikseo.com/blog/put-your...-loose-weight/

    The battery and related parts are long gone due to the march of technology. There are better lithium battery offerings today that are direct replacements for sealed lead acid batteries. It was fortunate that Elinchrom used an industry standard size sealed lead acid battery.

    At some point as time allows, I'll make a separate post on how this conversion was done.. The results are essentially the same to identical capabilities of the current higher power (about 1200 watt/second) strobe units. The Ranger RX is used with the Ranger RX specific Pocket Wizard which adds a number of useful features including remote controlled power setting for each Ranger RX..


    Bernice


    Quote Originally Posted by PRJ View Post
    Bernice I'd love to get info on the Lithium batteries for the original Ranger. I have one of those with three batteries. They are all pretty old now though. I replaced one a few years ago with a Panasonic? golf cart battery that was a perfect direct fit and that only cost like $20 if you can believe it, but the Lithium-Ion sounds pretty good..

  9. #39

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    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Thanks Daniel,

    Will need to give them a call.


    Bernice

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Unkefer View Post
    In the clearance room of "World of Used Photography" is a biggie Elinchrom power pack and a couple of Elinchrom heads. Could prolly be purchased for ridiculous prices? Not affiliated IMO somebody should "pounce"

    https://www.worldofusedphotography.com/

    Avedon used Elinchrom

    Gary told me he loves to get rid of anything big in that clearance room

  10. #40

    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Posts
    193

    Re: Broncolor Flash Pack Bonanza

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernice Loui View Post
    The Elinchrom Ranger RX lithium batter conversion began with this web blog posted idea:
    http://www.erikseo.com/blog/put-your...-loose-weight/

    The battery and related parts are long gone due to the march of technology. There are better lithium battery offerings today that are direct replacements for sealed lead acid batteries. It was fortunate that Elinchrom used an industry standard size sealed lead acid battery.

    At some point as time allows, I'll make a separate post on how this conversion was done.. The results are essentially the same to identical capabilities of the current higher power (about 1200 watt/second) strobe units. The Ranger RX is used with the Ranger RX specific Pocket Wizard which adds a number of useful features including remote controlled power setting for each Ranger RX..


    Bernice
    Thank you Bernice. I'll look into that.

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