Need help with home studio!!!

[pilot1962]

Hello, everyone. Great forum, lots of help here, awesome people.
Facing dilemma with my current setup at home.
I have a nice square 30'X30' room with a lots of ambient light (during the day) and about 60 degrees ceiling.
So far I'm using hot lights and a 580X bouncing from ceiling and two 4'X8' bookends, but lately my models got so annoyed with the heat - think it's a time to convert to a nice flash system.
I'm leaning towards alienbees 800 flash and octagonal softbox for start.
Could I reuse my Smith-Victor stands as a support system?

[AmpedPhoto]

AB are a great start, if I rememeber right those stand should work. If not invest in some cheap sand bags to be safe

[FlashZebra]

Could I reuse my Smith-Victor stands as a support system?
There are only two popular types of light stands in the US. One type has a 3/8 inch diameter connection area, the other a 5/8 inch connection area.

Older lights and light stands are a bit more likely to be the 3/8 inch variety, but there are a significant proportion of older lights and light stands that are the 5/8 inch type.

Newer lights and light stands are a bit more likely to be the 5/8 inch variety, but there are a significant proportion of newer lights and light stands that are the 3/8 inch type.

The Alien Bee lights are the 5/8 inch variety.

But, there are inexpensive adapters to convert 3/8 inch light stands to 5/8 inch light stands. In addition, there are inexpensive adapters to convert 5/8 inch light stands to 3/8 inch light stands.

Just measure the diameter of the connection point on your light stands to see what you have.

So, you can use your Smith-Victor light stands. Worst case is you might have to purchase some inexpensive adapters.

Enjoy! Lon

[sirsloop]

keep in mind, during the day light coming in from the windows can throw off your color balance... you'll probably need to use custom WB if you are getting natural light mixed in with your light boxes.

[pilot1962]

Thanks, guys!
I'm using custom BW every time in studio, my bookends are matte white and perfect for it.
I'm going to give it a try to my 580EX with umbrella and a ST-2E on a 20D plus a large reflector.
When my technique improves - two Alienbees 800...
BTW Smith-Victor came with reversible adapters...
Thanks again.