Studio lights VS 580ex

[Lin-z]

Ok so here is what I am thinking about

I have a little bit of money to invest into my equipment, so I am interested in purchasing some lighting equipment.

As far as photography I did a little of everything, but mainly outdoor portraits and weddings. Mostly weddings.

I currently have a 430ex speedlight that I use for this work.

I am now considering purchasing either a 580ex, and the extra battery pack that clips to the belt.

OR

The alien bee Digital bee set up, a background stand, and some sort of background.

The 580x set up will cost less, and it will leave me with the 430ex to use as a backup. As far as wedding work with is what I do the most of I think this would be the best investment.

BUT

I have recently not been able to book several parties because people are looking for a photographer that can come and set up a backdrop and offer posed photos and packages.


I am also thinking that I could set up these studio lights to do the before the ceremony family group photos for weddings.

What do you guys think?

[FlashZebra]

If you want studio lighting get the Alien Bee units. They are a lot more powerful, have modeling lights, do not require clunky lightstand adapters, and accept more usable and more available light modifiers. In addition, if you add to the setup, the Alien Bee units are less expensive than using the rather anemic Canon Speedlights.

If you must have battery power and very compact hotshoe based flash gear for ad hoc studio use, get several Sunpak 383 units. They only cost $80.00 not $380.00 like the Canon 580EX. Both the 383 and the 580 have about the same flash output.

You could have a multi flash ad hoc setup based on the Sunpak 383 units, for less than one Canon 580EX.

The Canon Speedlights are nice units, but are extremely expensive to adapt into a ad hoc, multiple flash, studio setup.

In addition, unless you totally stick with Canon gear, the Canon flash units are difficult to integrate with other nice studio flash gear.

So, if budget is a big consideration get the Alien Bees, or the Sunpak units and forget the very overpriced Canon gear.

If you have a big pile of cash to burn, go for the Canon units as the basis for an ad hoc studio.

If you need a backup flash, get the Canon 580EX.

You are not going to be able to fill all these needs with one magic piece of gear.

Here is a link for a very nice review, written by forum member Curtis (for the Sunpak 383 flash).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=242847

Enjoy! Lon

[Lin-z]

I am not expecting to build a studio from speed lights. I am just trying to decide which type of investment I would like to make at this time. Either have the option to use studio equipment or upgrade my wedding/event gear.