Photography News Issue 35

Photography News | Issue 35 | absolutephoto.com

41 First tests

Broncolor Siros L 800 £2106

Specs

With an enviable reputation built over many years, Broncolor is a leading light (excuse the pun!) in the world of studio lighting with its kit respected for its longevity, build quality, reliability and of course, performance. Its latest introduction is a battery- powered flash head, the Siros L, which is available in two output options, 400W/s and 800W/s. In respect of their features, the units are identical and in this test we take a look at the Siros L 800. Bron flash units have always looked the part and the Siros L is no exception. It’s elegant andunderstated with the brand’s usual dark grey/light blue livery yet its design is functional, practical and very usable. As you would expect, build quality is high and the locking angle bracket is very positive yet smooth to operate. The firm locking action is a good thing because once on a lighting stand the L 800, which is longer in the body than the 400, is back-end heavy so make sure you’re supporting the head when adjusting its position. Bron takes great pride in its flash tube design. The tube sits proud of the unit and the glass protection cap is clear on the side and frosted on top. This means when a modifier, especially a large softbox or brolly is fitted, light output is spread evenly including sideways from the tube around the interior before exiting the modifier and reaching the subject to give an even effect. Designs where the tube is recessed means the light goes forward rather than sideways leading to the risk of a central hot spot. The lithium battery clicks positively into place and charging can only take place with the battery out of the unit. It also means that if the battery dies on a job you need a spare battery to keep on shooting. A spare costs £258. A fully charged cell gives over the 220 full-power flashes claimed and a great many more at lower power settings so you are going to have to go some to exhaust a cell. A power level check is built. Aside froma sync socket, mini USB socket and the on/off switch, which

sits on the underside of the body, the unit is controlled from the back panel. The control knob’s default function is to adjust output within the range of two through to ten in 0.1EVsteps. A gentle little turn adjusts power in 0.1EV steps while a more definite turn adjusts in 1EV steps. Getting used to how the power output is adjusted is a matter of familiarity with the control and the large blue LCD readout couldn’t be clearer. Push the same knob in and you are into the unit’s menu. Rotate to select the function you want to and then push again to engage the function. Here you can do things like turning the beep on or off, choosing which sync method you want (optical cell, trigger), select Speed mode and use Sequence mode for multiple flashes. There is also a Wi-Fi option when using the BronControl app, an HS (high-speed sync) mode for the forthcoming new trigger and something called lamp mode. Here you can change the colour of two lights on the top of the unit which in amulti-unit set-up could prove handy. Two more controls complete the tour of the backplate. Push the ‘mod eco’ button once and the tungsten -balanced modelling lamp comes on; push and hold for a second and eco mode is engaged. Eco mode gives you even more flashes at the cost of slower recycling. Full power -recharge in normal mode takes about three seconds and in eco mode this time extends to just under five seconds. In normal operation, the Siros L uses Bron’s proprietary Enhanced Color Temperature Control (ECTC) feature to help maintain a consistent light colour temperature as output is altered. Our tests showed good colour consistency throughout the Siros L 800’s output range. Flash duration at the lowest power setting is 1/8700sec (1/9000sec on the 400L) but if you want an even shorter flash duration there is the Speed mode. Here in the same output level, flash duration is a mere 1/18,000sec (1/19,000sec on the 400L. In Speed mode, the ECTC feature is disabled

Price Siros L 800 £2106, 400 L £1818, Siros L 400 Outdoors Kit 2 £3594, Siros L 800 Outdoor Kit £4194. Spare lithiumbattery £258 In the box Head, tube, RFS 2.1 transceiver, umbrella reflector, lithiumbattery, charger, lamp cover, mains cable and flash bag Maximumpower 800W/s Colour temperature 5500K, constant colour temperature with Bron’s ECTC system Flashduration Normal mode: 1/250sec to 1/8700sec. Speedmode: 1/700sec to 1/18,000sec Flashmodes Manual Recycling times 0.03-2.7secs Manual power range Level 2 4W/s to full power 800W/s Modelling lamp 25WLED, 3000K Syncmethod Photocell, sync cable, test button, with RFS 2.1 Remote control BronControl app or with RF S2.1 Battery 8700mAh lithium-ion, four-hour recharge time Capacity 220 full-power flashes approx. Modifier fitting Bron bayonet Other features Wi-Fi, USB interface for updates, brolly mount, ecomode, Speed mode, sequence shooting up to 50 bursts, audible beep, integral cooling, ID lamp system. Dimensions 360x180x130mm Weight 4.3kg with battery RFS2.1 transceiver 2.4GHz frequency Working range 200moutdoors, 50m in closed rooms Dimensions 68x38.5x31mm Weight 43g Contact broncolor.com

so there is a greater variation in colour temperature as power output is adjusted. Our tests showed that the images inSpeedmodewere noticeably cooler as output levels were lowered. A custom white-balance reading gets round the problem until you alter power again or just correct in editing. The L 800 did well in the studio tests, and this high level of performance was borne out in

practical situations too. For example, I had the chance to use it at a friend’s wedding and for the confetti shot the unit’s power and fast recycling came in mighty useful. I needed a lot of power to allow f/11 for good depth- of-field but I needed to cover a wide area with the unit placed about five metres from the subjects. The Bron, set to power level eight, helped me get 12 shots in eight seconds. WC

Verdict

There is much to like in the Siros L and it works very well indeed, as you would expect. There is plenty of power, recycling speed is fast and the colour temperature consistency as power is adjusted is good too. With Bron’s legendary build quality and access to its impressive range of light modifiers, the Siros L 800 is very much recommended.

Pros Power, feature set, Speed mode, build quality Cons Bron modifier fitting

Above Colour consistency throughout was good, however with Bron’s ECTC feature disabled in Speed mode, there is a greater variation in colour temperature.