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More Advice on Strobes Please
Diego James Robles, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | U.S. | Posted: 5:41 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> After carefully reading Russ Erbe's thread, I wanted to post a similar question maybe geared more towards the students/minimalists/strobists.
Since I started lighting stuff in college about a year ago, my basic set up has been two 580EXs with two small softboxes. For a time they worked fine and I eventually picked up some umbrellas and a couple Vivitars.
However, after a frustrating shoot the other day with a bobcat inside his inclosure, my school's mascot funny enough, I realize I need something a little more powerful with a faster recycling time.
QUESTION: What would you recommend for a slightly more powerful system that is singularly for small and on-the-go portraits?
I am looking at two Alien Bees B400s and even though I am sick of AA batteries, the 18lb Vagabond power-pack scares me and kinda takes the fun out of the strobist movement. Alternatives for power?
Any and all ideas welcomed. |
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Todd Spoth, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 5:46 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> You can get the CP-E3/4/whatever they have now, battery packs for the 580's. They work well, but I hear ya. Those small strobes work for me sometimes, but honestly I get WAY too frustrated with the sketchy recycle time and the power.
The Elinchrom Quadra is a neat/new option that would work. Its like a newer/cooler Lumedyne setup. |
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Jesse Jones, Photographer
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Ponte Vedra Beach | Fl | USA | Posted: 5:56 PM on 03.12.10 |
| ->> I have been using AB800's with the Vagabond pack for the last three years and they have taken quite a bit of abuse and never let me down. There are better monolights out there but none better at anything close to the same price range. The Vagabond may be 18lbs but it is worth carrying. |
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Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Owings Mills | MD | USA | Posted: 7:51 PM on 03.12.10 |
| ->> Go for the strobe battery packs. They recharge faster and give you more shots...and are far far lighter (and cheaper). |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 8:30 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> It al depends on what style of Portraits you're going to do!!
When I shoot Executive portraits, I use Four Lights..
Key
Fill
Hair
Background
IMHO, four Alien Bees is he kit for Executive Portraits
Y |
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Bryan Hulse, Photographer
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Nashville | Tn | USA | Posted: 8:54 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> A few year ago I primarily used small strobes too. Yes, they are light and portable. But after shooting many weddings and having them blow over in the wind. And lots of senior portraits, I finally started settling on a kit of Alien Bee's.
I often shoot on location, or at the studio in the elements outdoors. And, like the SB-800s, the Alien Bee's are replaceable if something goes wrong as apposed to a more expensive system (although I've yet to have one fail). They have consistent power, or less likely to blow over in the wind (especially when attaching the batter pack to the light stand), and the modifiers just work much better than the thrown together modifiers I have for my SB kit. Especially when it comes to softboxes and grids.
I shot over 80 seniors last year and only used my SB's for additional lighting to my AB kit. For example, photo #7 in my gallary was done with 2 AB's with grids and 5 or 6 other SB-800's with paper snoots. And photo #3 was done with 2 AB grids, and 3 SB's with paper snoots.
I can throw 3 AB's in a light bag, or 2 with my Vegabon battery pack, along with some light stands, etc. And I put the light bag on rollers. Yes, it's heavier than my SB kit, but much more versatile.
But it's all about what you want, what you shoot, and how you shoot. For indoor stuff, I usually just use the AB-400's (also for basketball with the sports reflectors). Outdoors I usually use an AB-800 as the main for more power, and a large reflector for fill (I put that together with PVC after breaking several frames, but that's another story entirely), and a scrim also made from PVC. I often do use an SB-800 as a separation light if needed.
Bees rule! |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:08 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> A. Go with the 800's instead of the 400's, better versatility, you will SO thank me in six months. Go one of each worst case and the 400 will become a rim or fill in no time when you add another 800 to the kit.
B. 18 pounds?? What's that in beer balls? Seriously it's not THAT much to lug to a shoot and if you REALLY need to cut weight, pull the big lead cell and replace it with a smaller SEALED lead cell. You won't get 300 pops but you can cut 6 or so pounds of weight. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 9:59 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> Diego ---
If you can wait until the workshop in a couple of weeks ...
Matt, Jordan and I can show and discuss with you several options ranging from how to better utilize your speedlights to full multiple powerpack Dynalight lighting kits.
As with the previous SAA workshops there will be several lighting classes and several opportunities to shoot portraits of athletes after events. Faculty at any of these can answer your questions.
Mahalo! |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 10:47 PM on 03.12.10 |
->> "What would you recommend for a slightly more powerful system that is singularly for small and on-the-go portraits?"
Go find two Vivitar 283 strobes, buy a couple of Manfrotto stands, a couple of umbrellas and a couple of those little thingys that hold the strobe and the umbrella on your stands. Cheap, cheerful and it'll all fit in a small padded tripod bag.
Get some rechargeable AA's to power the whole thing. |
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 6:13 AM on 03.13.10 |
| ->> you can make battery packs for your vivitars for around $20 that will improve recycle time and last a lot longer than AA's. I have a how-to on a blog, the link is on my member page. |
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Diego James Robles, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | U.S. | Posted: 2:11 PM on 03.14.10 |
| ->> Thanks to all who gave me their two cents. I am researching all these options. And Bert, don't worry, I have no money so I have to wait. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 3:25 PM on 03.14.10 |
->> Diego ---
Sports Shooter Academy VII 's speedlight lighting class and to an extent the lighting basics class will give you a lot of ideas...and a chance to see some equipment.
There will be plenty of portrait opportunities during the three shooting days of SSA VII where you'll get a chance to try out things, experiment and ask plenty of questions of the faculty and staff.
Should be a fun four days! |
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