Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I currently own an AB800 and a crap ton of speedlights but I'm looking to up my arsenal for a lot of power that I can take on location.

So here's what I need:

-good build quality is a plus
-portable power source
-powerful

I noticed the Zeus has a batter pack that's specifically made for that strobe so that's enticing. I need something powerful enough to overpower the sun on location if necessary. Something I can use with a beauty dish and octabox etc. I'm assuming the Einstein, White Lightning and Zeus would all work but what's best with portable power?

Thanks!

Phil

First, Zeus does not have a specific battery. Zeus is an AC powered pack and head system. The flash tube and fan are in the flash head, while the capacitors and controls are in a power pack. The power pack still needs an AC power source in order to operate.

The Vagabond series provides AC power from a battery (via an inverter) in order to take lights on location. These are compatible with all of our flash units, including Zeus. However, Zeus would be a three component system (head, power pack, Vagabond), while the others would just be a head and Vagabond.

Otherwise, all of our lights will act virtually the same on a Vagabond, assuming the same amount of power is used. So a AB1600 at half will be the same as a WLX1600 at half, which would be the same as an E640 at half, and the same as an AB800 at full.

I would look at the lights themselves, and choose based on the features you would need otherwise, since battery compatibility is an even field.