My turn for which one is best ?, Studio Lighting

[Longwatcher]

I am trying to decide on which of several lighting kits I want to get.

So far I am very dissapointed with my lighting technique and at this point I am blaming the equipment. Probably not fair to the equipment, but can't seem to get the results I want on a consistent basis so they get blamed for now, at least until I can't blame anything but me.

To date my best results have come from one 1000 watt work light and one off-camera 550EX flash triggered by my on-camera 550X (which is flash off). My second best from using two work lights and the 550EX on my camera (although I get irritated at the shadows in this case).

So far my choices seem to be Alien Bees, Novatron, or Smith Victor. I am open to other choices.

My Selection criteria:
Mandatory requirements -

1. Must work with 10D (which is why this post is in this forum)

2. Cost for at least 3 lights and all needed accessories under $2500. (The Alien bees setup looks like it will run me about $1950 with accessories and shipping)

Considerations (in no order at this time)-

A. Professional Look

B. Flexibility to take to location without power
(AB have vagabond battery, but I can always use a honda generator or two for power)

C. Accessory selection and availability

D. Availability of replacement parts

E. Reliability

F. Flexibility of lighting

G. Ease of use

H. Flexibility to use non-US power, when needed.

The lighting will be used for three types of photography.
- In home studio (8' by 15' max area)
- Portable studio
- Location lighting

I would appreciate any help.

I am feeling pretty good about my outdoors photography, but until I can get my studio lighting down pat, I don't feel I should be charging more then a minimal amount for my photographic services if at all.

Thanks for any assitance.

[justme_dc]

I use The Calumet/ Bowens Travelite system. You can find info on their line of products at: http://www.calumetphoto.com/
I have two 3 light kits with a bunch of Accessories and I have never been sorry for picking this system.

Here's where I think they line up with your needs:

Their kits are of top notch quality, with metal bodies. The carrying cases are bullet proof as well.

They have a HUGE amount of pro level Accessories!

Replacement bulbs and flash tubes are easy to re-order and install.

Super easy to set up and use!

These lights are super reliable, I've had mine for almost ten years now without a significant failure.

I am not sure about the power flexability issue. I can say that I have used them in countless locations with questionable mains power without any problem.

Further, if you ever decide to upgrade/transfer to a powerpack system, all the Travelite assessories work with the traveller and elite systems so you don't lose all your goodies.

Anyway, they are worth a look.

Hope that is of some help to you.

[rodbunn]

Do you think the 550's have enough power for what you are shooting? If they do, what I use is one 550 on a stand into an umbrella connected to my A2 with two off camera shoe cords tied together so I can get the flash up to 10 feet. Another 550 for the main light on a stand (either through an umbrella or straight forward). The 2nd 550 is controlled by a pocket wizard on my pc connector of my A2. I use this when I only need two lights. If I'm in a studio and I need a third light I use a AC strobe triggered by the "flash". I did this setup because I already had the two 550's and I don't shoot much "studio" so I didn't want to invest much. I also use two of Canon's transistor packs to run the 550's so the recycle time is pretty fast. Also, everything is in "manual" mode and I hand meter it. The A2 only does TTL (not ETTL) with the 550's so it works better if I hand meter.
What don't you like with the past studio stuff you've done? Is it the lighting or ?

Good luck, I know this is a wierd setup but it works great!

Take care, Rod

[brunz]

To me, there is only one light system to use. I have White Lightning monolights from Paul Buff in Nashville. They are built like a tank and have never let me down over the last 15 years. They also make Alien Bees as a secondary line. The White Lightning units are their best however and their packages are very reasonable. Their customer service is absolutely phenomenal. I would definitely check them out at http://www.white-lightning.com/index2.htm

Best of luck Brian

[daveh]

I really like the Bees. Great bang for the buck.

As far as your current set-up goes, your mix of hot lights and flash presents some color correction challenges. Is that the problem you're having? It's hard to recommend anything without knowing what's going wrong now.

I'm not sure but your 2nd paragraph MIGHT mean you're just looking for an excuse to get some more hardware. If so, ignore my 2nd paragraph and enjoy the bees :)

[Longwatcher]

daveh wrote:
I really like the Bees. Great bang for the buck.

As far as your current set-up goes, your mix of hot lights and flash presents some color correction challenges. Is that the problem you're having? It's hard to recommend anything without knowing what's going wrong now.

I'm not sure but your 2nd paragraph MIGHT mean you're just looking for an excuse to get some more hardware. If so, ignore my 2nd paragraph and enjoy the bees :)


Color correction is not a problem for me, in fact the reason I like the 2 work light, 1 550EX is the 550EX seems to balance the work lights - can't explain it, but it works.

What I don't like is my shadows and highlights, contrast, the whole mess. I get lucky sometimes, but do not seem to get consistent lighting. The work lights give me the most consistent lighting.

The work lights work, but I can't attach barn doors, umbrellas, or soft boxes (easily) to control the lighting for more artistic model shots.

I tried a couple of better lights, but these came out worse then using the work lights. I realize I could eventually get them set right, but I would rather have a good set of lights, that look professional and will allow me the most options in the future. Work lights just don't do that. So I have decided that I will pick up a full set of something all from the same company, so I have a set of equipment that is better then me and not limited me, but being limited by me. Same reason I have bought what I have for the 10D. I want equipment that I can grow into without placing limitations on me.

[Yance]

Definitely get a system that accepts a avriety of light modification accessories. Grids, umbrellas, softboxes, gobos, flags, snoots, etc can go a long way to making even quartz worklights usable. Don't give up entirely on quartz lights, there are a lot of good ones out there. They can be cheaper than strobes and can still pump out a lot of light but the more powerful ones do get very hot and can heat up a small studio very fast.

Generally any direct light usually doesn't look that good so even if you have expensive strobes, don't just use the standard 7" reflectors. I have been getting into using the reflector with a grid to give very small patches of light for dramatic effects. I like low-key setups more than a standard high-key approach. Just experiment alot and get creative with what you have.

[daveh]

Well if the better lights were worse, you might try worse lights! ;) Seriously, some people recommend learning lighting with hot lights (continuous lights) because of their what you see is what you get nature. If you want something more professional looking and flexible then your work lights, you might look at something like the Photoflex starlites. You can use soft boxes, umbrellas and all that and without any flash unpredictability.

http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/products/starlite/300/starlite.jpg

[garybermanphotography]

Take a look at Hensel Integra Monolights...Hensel is not as well known here in the USA, but has long been one of the best photographic lighting companies in Europe( the company is based in Germany)...Very reliable and easy to use, and easy to get accesories for...They are available at Professional photos stores, and also B&H and Adorama...I am very happy with them, and highly recommend them.

[reittila]

I use three Elinchrom Style 600 ompact flash units with Quadra lightbank and umbrellas.
Swiss quality and reliability.
www.elinchrom.com

[Dans_D60]

Don’t forget remote control. If you plan to do any location portable lighting, these devices are invaluable. The infrared remotes work “OK” and I found the 550EX with the ST-E2 even work outdoors at close “line of sight”. But nothing compares to a good radio frequency wireless remote setup. I use the Pocket Wizard Plus. It’s not the top-of-the-line Pocket Wizard unit, but they have never failed to fire at even greater than 800 feet! A pair (transmitter and receiver) will run about $300 and it’s worth the investment. My thoughts…Dan
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[studiotime]

So far my choices seem to be Alien Bees, Novatron, or Smith Victor. I am open to other choices.

The lighting will be used for three types of photography.
- In home studio (8' by 15' max area)
- Portable studio
- Location lighting



hey longwatcher :)
i'd have to second what justme_dc said on Calumet's Travelites.....they're portable and comes w/a bag you can roll w/you, and if you decide later to ground yourself more permanently, Travelite has a powerpack (if you need to take that w/you as well, you could!)

very easy, comes in a variety of set up kits, scaleable, tons of accessories to meet many of your lighting or creative needs, and all still affordable!

:)