Anyone using Quantum battery packs for your flash

[Spooky]

The thread on charging batteries got me thinking.

I have had trouble with chargers and AA rechargeables as well. A while back I looked at getting one of those quantum battery packs but they seemed pretty expensive and I didn't know what I should buy.

I do mostly weddings but I also do some fashion stuff where you need a fast cycling flash. I find the 5 batteries on the SB800 mostly adequate for weddings but the status of the batteries worries me. Never know if they have charged properly and you can't really tell until they stop working.

A powerful, reliable, fast cycling battery pack would be the go. Can anyone offer any advice on these units or share their experience with specific units?

[jerrysk8]

i use a quantum turbo and turbo z for my t2's. did have another turbo coming, from ebay in the states, but i guess i got ripped off. anyway i'd go a quantum turbo or a quantum 2x2 if you want to power your camera as well. these are awesome batteries and allow me to recycle fast enough to do 8.5fps sequences. on the other hand they are very expensive.

what flash do you have? you might be able to use a cheaper quantum battery.

[Spooky]

SB800

[wendellt]

quantum battery packis highly recomended but with a sb800 i think you need to get the nikon sk6 flash bracket to get the two working together both are expensive
most of the fashion photographers use this setup it looks seriosuly mean



otherwise the Nikon SD8A works a charm and is much smaller and affordable

[birddog114]

Me, I have one set:
- Turbo 2X2 Ni-MH Battery with Charger
- CKE Dedicated Module for SB800
- Charger for Turbo 2x2 / Australia version
The pain is the Quantum battery pack supplied with US power adapter, though I have the inverter for 110 -240, but I do still need it when travelling.

Yes, superb and turbo fast flash recycle, 8 - 15fps no problems with the Quantum. If you're using flash for rapid-fire, then it's the one. It's far better than the SD-8

Finally it's costly.

[wendellt]

Me, I have one set:
- Turbo 2X2 Ni-MH Battery with Charger
- CKE Dedicated Module for SB800
- Charger for Turbo 2x2 / Australia version
The pain is the Quantum battery pack supplied with US power adapter, though I have the inverter for 110 -240, but I do still need it when travelling.

Yes, superb and turbo fast flash recycle, 8 - 15fps no problems with the Quantum. If you're using flash for rapid-fire, then it's the one. It's far better than the SD-8

Finally it's costly.

birdy do you need the sk6 battery pack to host the quantumn battery pack?
i was talkign to one of the fashion photographers at loreal and he said you needed both to work, why cant the quantumn just plug into the sb800

the sk6 costs areound $600 and the quantumn battery pack around hte same price

[birddog114]

Wendell,
The photo which you posted is difference setup, it's Quantum battery pack for both camera and flash, it's bulky and we don't need it.

It's Quantum Instruments Battery Pack - Turbo AC Universal Battery (100 - 240 VAC)

Just the Quantum Turbo 2x2 will do the job, and it's similar size of the SD-8, you put it in your pocket.

[birddog114]

Me, I have one set:
- Turbo 2X2 Ni-MH Battery with Charger
- CKE Dedicated Module for SB800
- Charger for Turbo 2x2 / Australia version
The pain is the Quantum battery pack supplied with US power adapter, though I have the inverter for 110 -240, but I do still need it when travelling.

Yes, superb and turbo fast flash recycle, 8 - 15fps no problems with the Quantum. If you're using flash for rapid-fire, then it's the one. It's far better than the SD-8

Finally it's costly.

birdy do you need the sk6 battery pack to host the quantumn battery pack?
i was talkign to one of the fashion photographers at loreal and he said you needed both to work, why cant the quantumn just plug into the sb800

the sk6 costs areound $600 and the quantumn battery pack around hte same price

Don't listen to those junkies boy!!!!!!!

You need these two items:
- Turbo 2X2 Ni-MH Battery with Charger
- CKE Dedicated Module for SB800 (for connecting the Turbo 2x2 to the SB800).

The CKE is a cable with similar plug to the SD-8A to support external power for the SB-800, and the Quantum Turbo 2 x 2 is a power pack.

If you do get the Quantum Turbo AC (TAC) then you need the SK-6.
Is it cleared?

[birddog114]

And for people who needs the Quantum Turbo AC: it's good ideal to shoot in the studio, it's very complicated and bulky when travelling, especially when you stuff your customer up and want to cut and run.

[birddog114]

Wendell,
Look again at your photo,
She has the SB-800 on the SK6, not on the D2x hotshoe, that why she has to use the SK6 with Quantum Turbo AC.
If you have your SB800 on the camera hotshoe or remote, then why should you bother with the Quantum Turbo AC and SK6.

She could not run fast with her set up.

[wendellt]

Wendell,
Look again at your photo,
She has the SB-800 on the SK6, not on the D2x hotshoe, that why she has to use the SK6 with Quantum Turbo AC.
If you have your SB800 on the camera hotshoe or remote, then why should you bother with the Quantum Turbo AC and SK6.

She could not run fast with her set up.

birdy

i am going to buy a flah bracket otherwise the flash bracket that comes with the sk6, on shoe flash sucks harsh shadows more red eye etc

just wondering if i can get away with the RRS flash bracket a quantum turbo 2x2 and the cord

the sk6 costs as much as the rrs bracket, so the bracket combined with a quantum battery pack

thanks for the info

[birddog114]

Wendell,
The RRS flash bracket will do the job and it's more convenience & flexible than the SK-6, the SK-6 has to be mounted under the body, while you have the L bracket, then it'll create more bulkier for your setup.

Pls. note: Once the SB800 mounted on the SK-6, It's side mounted and fixed, the RRS let you swing the flash 180 degree and with lot of various angle.

I got the SK-6 and ditched it for the RRS once it was available.

Get the RRS flash arm, the Quantum Turbo 2x2 and CKE and you're in the game.

Remember, once again, don't listen to those junkies

[jerrysk8]

she has a quantum turbo compact not the turbo ac. all you really need is the battery and the right module for the flash. strobo frame also make decent brackets.

[birddog114]

she has a quantum turbo compact not the turbo ac.

Thanks for correct it! The size of it and the photo looks similar.

all you really need is the battery and the right module for the flash.

And do same as I mentioned earlier:
Battery pack and CKE fits the SB800.

[Spooky]

The Turbo compact looks like it would be the go for me, pretty light only, half the weight of the Turbo 2x2 and 400 full power flashes.

Would this be okay with the SB800? I would have to get a chord to plug it in I guess. What chord would that be?

$527 US bite me

knew there would be a catch.

Tell me you can get them for $500AUD Birdy

[birddog114]

The Turbo compact looks like it would be the go for me, pretty light only, half the weight of the Turbo 2x2 and 400 full power flashes.

Would this be okay with the SB800? I would have to get a chord to plug it in I guess. What chord would that be?

$527 US bite me

knew there would be a catch.

Tell me you can get them for $500AUD Birdy

Spooky,
I like the ideas of Turbo 2 x 2 more than the compact.
It should be OK for the SB800 and you require a CKE for SB800.

[jdear]

...ill say it again, the qtm batt that chick is using in her setup is the

Quantum QB1 compact battery pack. ($173USD @ BH)

http://www.qtm.com/QuantumBatteries/?res_set=no

NOT the qtm turbo compact / turbo ac...



... birdy is there anything you dont have?

Jonathan

[birddog114]

... birdy is there anything you dont have?

Jonathan

I don't have a 21 YO female model as Wendell has.

[jdear]

oooh expen$ive!!

Im surprised he has any equipment

J

[birddog114]

oooh expen$ive!!

Im surprised he has any equipment

J

Yes, she's expensive and hard to find!
Not only equipments which he has but his skills also

[elffinarts]

well, I just spent the last hour at work looking at quantum batteries and lights and I'm still not sure which battery and which remote radio slave system I'd like to start using with the D70. What I do know is that it looks like using their batteries for the nikon sb800s would take a lot of guesswork away from whether your AA's are going to go the distance. I'm likely to buy the turbo 2+2 when I can afford. (first thing to get on the wishlist is the 20" LCD monitor birdy posted a while back)

My battery and lightings wish list is starting to make my lens lust look kinda so-so. lol

[birddog114]

well, I just spent the last hour at work looking at quantum batteries and lights and I'm still not sure which battery and which remote radio slave system I'd like to start using with the D70. What I do know is that it looks like using their batteries for the nikon sb800s would take a lot of guesswork away from whether your AA's are going to go the distance. I'm likely to buy the turbo 2+2 when I can afford. (first thing to get on the wishlist is the 20" LCD monitor birdy posted a while back)

My battery and lightings wish list is starting to make my lens lust look kinda so-so. lol

When you're ready with the Quantum toys, I'll tell you what you should buy/ need? I'll have some sweet deals of Quantum come from HKG.

Another 20" ViewSonics LCD is just posted in the Bargain section.

[birddog114]

 BTW, The Quantum Turbo 2 x 2 is a great battery pack!!!!
And you only need the difference cable set for difference brand of camera.

[elffinarts]

thanks mate, and I just noticed the other lcd thread. that also has me confused. lol - which one to buy now?

[birddog114]

thanks mate, and I just noticed the other lcd thread. that also has me confused. lol - which one to buy now?

Buy both and run dual 20" LCD monitor.

BenQ does not have stock but ViewSonic has and can be shipped next day.

[Spooky]

So basically the advantage of the turbo quantums is they recharge quicker?

The quoted time for the non turbo like the 1+ is around 3-5 seconds, that seems longer than the 5 AAs on an SB800.

I think one for have to go for a turbo model or just stick with the AAs atleast that is the way I see it for the SB800.

[birddog114]

So basically the advantage of the turbo quantums is they recharge quicker?

The quoted time for the non turbo like the 1+ is around 3-5 seconds, that seems longer than the 5 AAs on an SB800.

I think one for have to go for a turbo model or just stick with the AAs atleast that is the way I see it for the SB800.

Recycling time on the Turbo is more faster and it's what you're after.
The Non turbo Quantum battery pack is slower than the SB800 + SD-8A.
The only thing to worry about the SB800 + SD-8A is individual NiMH battery cell and recharging.

[Spooky]

Yeah, so basically I would have to decide between the turbo 2x2 or the turbo compact and see if they would deliver value for money in the long run.

So the additional cable you mentioned Birdy goes from the flash to the quantum.

I don't need to run the camera off the pack as well, the camera batteries are fine for that. The less chords around the better.


Thanks

[birddog114]

Yeah, so basically I would have to decide between the turbo 2x2 or the turbo compact and see if they would deliver value for money in the long run.

So the additional cable you mentioned Birdy goes from the flash to the quantum.

I don't need to run the camera off the pack as well, the camera batteries are fine for that. The less chords around the better.


Thanks

Yes, CKE for Nikon flash (SB800) uses with Turbo pack.
If you don't want to power your camera body from the battery pack, then just get the solely Quantum Turbo 2 x 2 or whatever, without the cable to the camera body and it's cheaper.

[Spooky]

Looks like the Turbo compact is $391US and the CKE cable $40US at B&H.

Not sure if the Australian charger is more expensive than the US one but you wouldn't think so.

[birddog114]

Looks like the Turbo compact is $391US and the CKE cable $40US at B&H.

Not sure if the Australian charger is more expensive than the US one but you wouldn't think so.

If you buy it from the US (B&H), it's always supplied with US voltage charger.
Need to get an Australian charger or Universal charger (Recommended) and it's optional.

[Spooky]

Birdy
I will await the results of your inquiries through HK.