Elinchrom EL 26158 74-Inch Octa Light Bank

by Elinchrom

Product Details

• Item Weight: 13.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009XVMY
• Item model number: EL 26158
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

Largest of the Elinchrom banks, its octagonal shape is ideal for the reflection method of light, resulting in remarkably even illumination within 1/3-stop variation across the front cloth. Ideal for portraiture, the OCTA can be placed close to the subject for soft results and impressive light readings from even the smallest Elinchrom Compact units.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Soft Large Light Source, August 18, 2009

By 

William T. Moore (Londonderry, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elinchrom EL 26158 74-Inch Octa Light Bank (Electronics)

This is an excellent huge soft light source. I only use it in studio because of it's size, but I once took it on location and used it outdoors and I really loved the results. But it is too much of a pain to set up and close down to bring on location. In the studio it is a light modifier I could no longer do without. This thing is like using a cheat code in a game. You just simply can't screw the light up.

I use mine with the Elinchrom Style RX600. I also purchased the remote control for the strobe so I don't have to keep opening up the octa to adjust my light settings. I also purchased a Manfroto stand with sliding bar to support this thing. Oh and you need at least three sand bags to keep this thing from falling over.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, September 21, 2011

By 

Michigan BADMO "Dandy Don Colleen" (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elinchrom EL 26158 74-Inch Octa Light Bank (Electronics)

This is a beautiful light source. I hear a lot about how even it is, who cares? Really? Even? What difference would a little variation make, seriously.

What is great about this box is the fantastic smooth quality of the light, the easy fast setup, and the great durability and design. I have used it on hundreds of shoots most on location and it looks great, travels well, and holds up well to repeated setup, tear-down and travel. This is my favorite piece of lighting gear, period.

Throws a beautiful round catchlight.

I also have profoto large umbrellas and while they are interesting, this is just a much better design.

It seems like a lot of money, but this box works great on everything and is totally worth the price. TOTALLY WORTH IT!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous light shaping device, January 21, 2011

By 

Tenna Merchent (Noblesville, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elinchrom EL 26158 74-Inch Octa Light Bank (Electronics)

I love this soft box! It provides such beautiful, even light. If you take a light meter, and run it across the front of the diffuser, the f-stop will barely change across the whole face. The strobe faces the back of the reflector, and the design utilizes satellite technology to disperse the light evenly. It is so big you can even stand in front of it and shoot your subject, because the light will simply wrap around you, there will just be a tiny spot in the catch light where you were standing. So the catch light becomes an upside down U.

In spite of it's size, this is one of the few soft boxes I can actually put together myself. There is a handle at the back of the soft box, then you pull the ring in until the teeth match the holes. There is a release button on the back of the ring to to take it down. It comes with a carrying case, that it actually fits in.

I use this with the Elinchrom EL 10291.1 Ranger Quadra Kit with 1 Ranger Quadra Power Pack, 2 Batteries, 2 "A" Heads, 2 Reflectors, 1 Skyport Transmitter, Hard Shell Case, Cables and Charger, which I also love. The only thing I don't like about the Ranger is no modeling lights. But with the Octa bank you really don't need them. If you put your subject in front of the light, they're going to get lit.

I've used this light shaper both in studio and on location. It is easy to transport and assemble. I wouldn't use it in a windy environment where it might blow off a building or into the water, but that's just because I like it so much.