Water Splash Photography:

Using Elinchrome Quadra in Water Splash Photography: Enough Action Stopping Power?

This is the Second Part (1.2) of the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra RX review, this time I’ve tried to do some Water Splash Photography with this power pack.  Read first part: Elinchrom Quadra Ranger Review: Controls and Operation

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Pretty cool, right?

A little pack with only 400Ws at full power was able to get job done! So, yes, it can be used in water splash photography! The beauty of this little performer is that it delivers short enough flash duration (up to 1/6000 sec t.5)  to stop action in liquid splash photography.

I did not use it this way, as it impractical for me. 2 heads should work together:-)

Lets examine more closely images we got with this Elinchrom Ranged Quadra Hybrid Rx

Splash Water Photography Examples:

First test, full power of 400WS (34/66 percent distribution), 1/800 sec shutter F23:

100% crop from the photo above, central area (low velocity moving water splash):

100% crop from the photo above, corner area (high velocity moving water splash):

What do we see? On a web size everything looks cool, but close examination shows that the flash duration is on the edge of acceptance. It freezes water drops, large and slow moving ones, but not quite freezing a little droplets flying at higher velocity.
In any case, considering that this is a strobes working at FULL POWER, the result is great. I have not seen any pack which was able to freeze water splash at full power.

Lets see how it will look like at lower power levels

Second test, -2 stops (100Ws total), 1/800 sec shutter F18:

100% crop from the photo above, central area (low velocity moving water splash):

100% crop from the photo above, corner area (high velocity moving water splash):

We still see some motion blur. Of course, it would be better if I’d run only high speed head B for this test, but I did not. There will be one more test for this posted soon.

Third test, -4 stops (25Ws total), 1/800 sec shutter F8:

100% crop from the photo above, central area (low velocity moving water splash):

100% crop from the photo above, corner area (high velocity moving water splash):

Ok, here we got a pretty good freezing power, suitable f0r water splash photography. Of course 25Ws won’t be quite enough to stop action and provide enough power to get deep enough DOF, but clever photographer can always use a “dirty trick” of raising ISO on the camera.

Conclusion:

The Elinchrom Ranger Quadra RX can be used for water splash photography. Actually, it can be used for any hi-speed action photography. With price tag around $2500 (check BHphotovideo.com for the best price) this is not bad at all.
It won’t beat Paul C Buff Einsteins by stopping power (very close though), but with x2.5 times more expensive that 2 Einsteins it provides a much higher build and “feel” quality. Yes, you can feel the quality of Elinchrom Quadra first minute you get it in your hands.

Not sure how many studio worms  photographers who do not go outside much will be using this pack, but for those who do shoot in and out of the studio, it would be a great investment.
Will I keep this pack? The answer is no.
Why?
This is what you’ll find out in a second (2.0) part of this test of Elinchrom Quadra Ranger RX power pack. I am going to compare it head to head to Broncolor Grafit (with pulso heads) and PCB Einsteins, squeezing a maximum of a shortest flash duration from each strobe.
It will be fun, come back to read and watch it later:-)

P.S I’ve used TriggerTrap device to trigger the camera for every splash: https://triggertrap.com/. Use code “PHOTIGY” to get 10% off from the regular price of Triggertrap if you are going to order one.

P.P.S Watch my Elinchrom Quadra Ranger Review on Youtube, like it and subscribe to the Photigy Channel.