Quantum Turbo Speedlight charger

[BuZzZeRkEr]

Must have? or cheaper alternative? (professional wedding use)

 

[JerryPH]

Most pros don't use it, its more a "nice to have" thing. Considering that a good set of AA batteries will get you anywhere from 200-500 shots per charge its no biggie to carry 2-3 sets of batteries which should be enough for the average wedding event. A good set of 2700mah and a couple 8 battery MAHA chargers from Thomas Distribution is all that most need.

The few times I did weddings, I averaged 50% with flash and 50% ambient. That will likely go to 75% ambient now that I use a D700.

 

[Peanuts]

For the reception in a dark room it is invaluable. Batteries are great throughout the day but the recharge time with the battery pack is great for say the first dance or bouquet toss

 

[jstuedle]

I have a well used Quantum Turbo pack and a couple Nikon SD-8a packs that fast cycle my flashes like the Quantum Turbo with 6 AA batteries. If using Nikon SB28, SB80, or SB-800 flashes, these little packs fit in a shirt pocket and cycle in about 1.5 seconds. To increase the number of flashes I modded the SD-8 packs by increasing the battery capacity, they then just about equal the quantum for flashes per charge. The SD-8 runs as little as $140 or a non-Nikon knock-off from Hong Kong runs about $40 plus another $40 for the mod. Pix of my modification are at: http://www.pbase.com/jstuedle/diy_stuff
For ruggedness and durability the Quantum can't be beat though. I only use my modded packs on light stands. The SD-8a un-modded with 6 AA's for events where I need fast recycling and anticipate under 250 frames. And the Quantum Turbo for events that require both fast cycling and high frame count. If you don't need the fast cycling at all, then Al Jacobs makes something he calls the black box. His site is at: http://www.aljacobs.com/THE BLACK BOX.htm
Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[BuZzZeRkEr]

I have a well used Quantum Turbo pack and a couple Nikon SD-8a packs that fast cycle my flashes like the Quantum Turbo with 6 AA batteries. If using Nikon SB28, SB80, or SB-800 flashes, these little packs fit in a shirt pocket and cycle in about 1.5 seconds. To increase the number of flashes I modded the SD-8 packs by increasing the battery capacity, they then just about equal the quantum for flashes per charge. The SD-8 runs as little as $140 or a non-Nikon knock-off from Hong Kong runs about $40 plus another $40 for the mod. Pix of my modification are at: http://www.pbase.com/jstuedle/diy_stuff
For ruggedness and durability the Quantum can't be beat though. I only use my modded packs on light stands. The SD-8a un-modded with 6 AA's for events where I need fast recycling and anticipate under 250 frames. And the Quantum Turbo for events that require both fast cycling and high frame count. If you don't need the fast cycling at all, then Al Jacobs makes something he calls the black box. His site is at: http://www.aljacobs.com/THE BLACK BOX.htm
Hope this helps, good luck.

Very interesting! I was actually thinking of something to put on lightstands and this seems like a great affordable idea. I decided on the quantum turbo for my on camera speedlight because I hate missing the great shots because my flash didn't cycle fast enough or I'm dumping my batteries fumbling trying to replace them quickly. thanks for the great post!