White Lightning monolight power question

[MediaMagic]

Alrighty then,
I'm switching from Alien Bees to White Lightnings. Not that there's anything wrong with the Bees, but after getting an opportunity to play with some White lightnings, I like those better. Very solid, very easily controlled.. just more my taste in equipment.

I have 2 B1600 and 2 B800 AB's. I've never come close to maxing out the power of any of them (even using the 800's as main and fill).

I was thinking I'd save some money and buy all X-800's in the WL line. But is this penny wise and dollar stupid? What would be a situation where I'd *need* the extra power of the X-1600's? The 1600's do have a dual power setting and 7 fstop range as opposed to five on the X-800, but is that worth the extra dollars for a portable portrait studio?

There's even an X-3200 megablaster. I can imagine that thing would take the skin right of someone's forhead.

Still learning.... knowledgeable input very much appreciated.

David

[westfalcon1]

I would buy all 4 of the same 800's. You have plenty of power and the modeling lights are all the same intensity. Keep everthing the same and you'll have a much simpler life in the studio. I'm a veteran with 8 white lightnings for the last 15 years and they are wonderful. Bigger units are heavier and I find that I usually use less than half power when I shoot anyway. Good luck.

[MediaMagic]

I would buy all 4 of the same 800's. You have plenty of power and the modeling lights are all the same intensity. Keep everthing the same and you'll have a much simpler life in the studio. I'm a veteran with 8 white lightnings for the last 15 years and they are wonderful. Bigger units are heavier and I find that I usually use less than half power when I shoot anyway. Good luck.

Thanks for the input westFalcon, 15 years experience and owning 8 of them is a pretty good reference in my book.

so what are those high powered lights really needed for? large group shots or something? I mean, i suppose if I were trying for f22 at super fast shutter speeds I'd need a blast of lightning like that, but what are some practical examples of that kind of power need?

David

[westfalcon1]

I use one ultra 1200 to shoot groups as big as 100 people and I still don't use more than about 3/4 power at asa 400. They are amazing and never let u down. brian

[Yance]

Once you start to use umbrellas, softboxes or other light modifiers, you start to lose some light so a more powerful flash becomes necessary. The powerful units are also helpful for lighting larger areas or for sports arenas. I've used my 1600 for lighting a ballroom and a friend borrowed them to light a high school basketball game. But for normal, small-studio use a smaller powered unit is more than enough.