Even when I was doing an internship at Paul Ripke`s five years ago, I adored it: The Para by broncolor. I watched every single “Life of Paul” video like eight times.
On one hand because of the partially funny content, on the other, because I love to take a look behind the scenes and to learn about what the men and women behind the camera actually work with. In my opinion, the light coming from those Paras by broncolor is really something else and just brilliant. If someone would`ve told me then that I would work with such a (or a similar) system in the future, I would`ve laughed at them. That idea is really bizarre. Right?
Last year, at the tender age of 22, my dreams came true when I purchased not only the second-hand version of the Para 88, but also of the Para 133. At the same time I invested in a Profoto D2 and a Profoto B1 and thought I was greatly equipped for the next few years. Silly me. The monolights by Profoto are extremely nose-heavy which sets my nerves on edge every time I use them. Obviously the flashes I mentioned above work with a corresponding adaptor on the Paras – however, the way I see it, you can`t achieve the light those are rumored to have that way. Fortunately, I`m not alone with that point of view; even Erik Valind visualized it here.
I got myself a Profoto Acute 2 2400 and a Profoto Acute 2 1200 soon after. Due to the exterior flash tube of the Acutes this immediately resulted in a way better light efficiency. But still I couldn`t really get along with the system. Something didn`t feel quite right and I was dissatisfied.
I used to work with Elinchrom and loved their softboxes. Their flashes were infinitely variable and could be adjusted easily via a display. That`s not entirely working with Acute. They only offer the full, a half and a quarter of power with minor gradations. Too much for me. I just want it to work. And I want to be able to look at it.
broncolor came up with a proposal for their broncolor Move 1200L Outdoor Kit 1 in September.
On top of that you`ll get a MobiLED and an accumulator for free, meaning you save about 2300 USD just like that. That`s certainly appealing. Well, that`s still really expensive, but it`s also build to last; an investment for the future. So a typical response followed suit: to sell everything I own by Profoto on the spot. That actually worked very quick and well (A big thank you to all the purchasers at this point!). Only with those proceeds I was able to get everything to where I live, because all together it`s actually double the worth of my Volkswagen.
I don`t really think too much of the rent system in general though – probably because there’s no provider in this small city I live in. For tools you use once in a time, however, it`s great. Just not for tools you`re using weekly. That`s why I mostly go by buying and not by renting.
“If you throw your money out of the window, then it comes in again by using your door.”
“You have to throw your money out of your window, for it to be coming back knocking on your door.” – Karl Lagerfed
The amazing Marco Justus Schöler whose outstanding work inspired me to use Move was able to get me connected with Bron. So I placed my order and yesterday was finally the day: About noon the door bell eventually rang and the postman happily gave me my packets. Happily, too, I accepted them.
Then I packed all my stuff, drove to the studio, did the first test shots and gave everything a try. What should I say? I am thrilled. From the feel of the surface and the attachment of the lamp head to the color stability – everything just fits right together. Everything feels like a unity. Though he field tests have to finally show what the Move really is able to do – but I`m very positive.
The Move is small, powerful and shapely. I don`t want to get too much in detail, there are enough videos online.
