help with lighting decision/opinions

[b2photos]

Hello, I am in the need and market for some new studio/portable lighting. We do some event, portrait, still and wedding. My questions centers more on the power and f-stop range of lighting. I have looked mostly at PROFOTO lighting and was wanting an opinion on the need for more than 3 or 5 stops of lighting range. I dont do a lot of heavy studio work, mostly location and I need it to fill flash very large rooms for corporate events and some weddings. I have looked at the Acute packs and heads as well as the top of the line 4 light packs. I have also looked at the mono lights that they have that start at 3 stops of latitude to 5 stops with the 1000 w/s lights. Seeing as most of my shooting is leaf dig back or canon 1ds MK11, I dont see the need for more than 5 stops of lighting since the chips only have about that much range. I do some film, large format mostly. I know I should pony up and get the most lighting I can, but this is my 2nd set in 4 years, i tend to burn them up for some reason. Let the opinions fly and I appreciate any info.
Paul
b2photos.

[michaelnotar]

im a fan of the pro 7b packs, but all profoto is really expensive. im a speedo guy. i really like their explorer 1500ws battery powered pack. much like the 7b, +300ws and 1/2 the price. dial down is like 7 stops continious, no clicks!

for what you mentioned, dial down shouldnt be an issue. you would probably use that pack at full to 1/4 power. you would probably need 2-3.

hard wired speedo 2400 ws packs are my favorite, 3 stop dial down, plus another -1.5 stops depending where you put a head. they are tanks but go forever, the run $800 used and heads are cheap, someof them for $100 or less.

if trying to fill lit a large room, crank the iso to 800, and set a slow TV as slow as you cann hand hold safely. at this point all you might need is an on camera flash/580ex.

thats what i do, i shoot home interiors for realtors and its like my magic setting that works 90% of the time.

[DougAxford]

Originally Posted by b2photos

Hello, I am in the need and market for some new studio/portable lighting. We do some event, portrait, still and wedding.

I guess I'm confused why you feel you wouldn't be better served with monolights for these purposes. Most of the industry is heading away from the use of strong lighting with the incredible results at high ISO. Even with weddings, there are many now using small video lights to supplement what little light there is in a dark reception hall for dance shots. Actually, the last number of out-of -studio shots I've done have been with battery operated Canon & Nikon flashes with umbrellas. Fast, simple and identical results, save for the lack of modeling lights. We're considering switching to 2 Nikon flashes with umbrellas to do all of our preschools in the spring.

I won't get into an argument over who makes the best. I gave up my big pack 25 or more years ago after it left me stranded DOA on a shoot. I've got 11 White Lightning 400ws that have been ample for everything I have ever needed, and that was 99% at 100 ISO for all those years. Most of our non-studio work has switched to 400 ISO or more simply because I can't see any difference in normal prints between 100 & 400 ISO with the new cameras. If I were doing it again, I'd probably get Alien Bees by the same mfg. - even cheaper for the same power. Mine go a full 5 stop range.

I'm trying to play devil's advocate with you. Maybe you don't need to spend all that money and can buy us all Christmas presents instead. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we need equipment without really seeing what can be done for much less.

Doug

[b2photos]

Thank you for the input and please keep it coming. I am NOT tryng to spend the money! Id rather add a lens, or take a vacation and enjoy myself. I do use monolights now, blew a capacitor on one of them, the other is acting a little freaky at the moment. I have looked at the alien bees, and was wondering how well they work. I dont do a lot of studio motion stuff, so i dont need 1/12,000 sec flash times like the B4. We are getting more studio and hollywood portraiture type requests, so lighting contrl is somewhat "paramount" if you get the pun. i would rather use monolights, and that was the reason for looking at the PROFOTO lights. If others can chime in on their monolights of choice Im all ears!
thanks again averyone.
Paul
b2photos.com

[ChrisPerry]

First, digital cameras have more than 5 stops. The 40D has been tested at 9 and you can get 11 if work the RAW capture a bit. 11 stops exceeds the best color film made. Yes, film really is dead now.

As to 3, 5, or even 7 stops of adjustability on monolights, I don't see the need most of the time. Depends I suppose on how intricately you need to light something, but for weddings, events and the like 1 to 2 stops is all you need if that. Even for studio portraiture I've not needed more than 2 or 3 stops.

I use paterson stellar strobes (monolights). Needed studio lighting fast, and therefore had no budget. These are good lights and about 1/3 less costly than AB units. Their accessories are cheaper too, and the rings are Bowen/S mounts (I've found them everywhere, a common easy to get item).

The only weakness IMO is the tilt lock/screw thing. If you use heavy softboxes you will strip these out (2x4 foot or bigger anyway).

Are there better lights? No doubt. More durable? Probably, but my lights get used a lot and moved a lot and I've had no problems (even on AB's vagabond battery unit). Cost/performance wise these units rock.

Norman makes nice strobes too, and have models with PW receivers built in, handy and convenient.

[Mark Swindler]

I'm a big fan of Calumet Travelights. I have an Elite 2400 set-up in my studio, and the accy's are the same. I've used my Travelights HARD for 4-5 yrs now, and they just keep working. I also use the Calumet radio slaves, and they are really good for the price.
Just my 2 cents-
Mark S.

[ChrisPurves]

Hi Paul:- I'll weigh in on the Alien Bees. I have 2 - B1600 (600 ws) I bought them originally to do horse shows. I have schlepped them all over. They travel in the AB bags in the back of the truck. I've been in -35 travelling with them over mountain roads. They have at least 20k pops on each one and have not missed a beat. At low power they recycle fast enough to keep up with 3 fps.
I have asked AB customer service a lot of questions lately about studio plans I have. They are right there to answer them and always willing to go the extra mile.

Cheers
Chris

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