Traveling with LitePanels Flypak.

[C. Keiser]

Just received my Flypak from LitePanels. It came with what appears to be a rather sturdy bag that has a Petrol tag on it.
It looks like it might be good for protecting as checked baggage but would like to know if anyone else has made the brave test already.
I can get 2 1X1s into a Pelican case that I own, but think it would be easier to use the provided Petrol.
Anyone?

 

[Stu]

Hi Christopher - I have replied to your direct message, however I thought I would post the reply in case someone else finds our experiences helpful.

While we received shoulder canvas style bags with each LED600 panel we purchased, we do not use them when travelling to other countries. We put 2 LED600 panels minus the barn doors into a normal suitcase surrounded by clothes. We made cardboard covers that slide into the front of the panels to protect the LED bulbs. We do not take the barn doors because they are too heavy and take up too much room in the suitcase, particularly when we have other important items we require. At the end of the day they are not really that effective where you can't improvise and use other objects to block stray light. We do however own other LED lights such as Mini Plus units from Light Panels which can be used in combination with the LED600s. It all makes for a lightweight package that can handle a great many situations with or without mains power.

Hope that helps:

Regards: Stu
www.studioscotland.com

 

[C. Keiser]

Stu,

Thanks you for taking the time to respond to this as I imagine it will benefit many.

You mention that you received canvas, shoulder bags. Do they look like the one pictured above? (Dunno why the browser turned it sideways) This one seems so close to being sturdy enough, and much lighter than my alternative which is a Pelican case at 56cm x 46cm x 23cm.

Really like your idea of sliding cardboard into the filter slots. Good one.

In place of barn doors are you using cine-foil. Actually, considering there is no heat, you don't even need that. Could just create some cardboard blinders and gaffers tape eh? Almost bought the barn doors, glad that I held off.

It looks like the battery system is too good to ignore. Was just planning on mains, but as I've read that you can run a couple hours on the LitePanels batt, it would be preferable to running cables (I'm a one-man show far more frequently than I would like to be).

All thats left is throwing the lightstands into the tripod case which is a piece of cake.

Thanks again,
Christopher