Sketcher
29th of May 2004 (Sat), 22:33
Leading toward the "L" discussion. No no no, the other L discussion... LIGHTING!
I was literally 15 minutes from placing my B&H order for the 17-40 f/4L when the wife leaned over and asked what I was doing... busted. She skillfully reminded me "Honey, you can spend the money on lighting and get good enough to keep us from paying a studio or I will spend that money at the studio." Adding up our portrait expenditures these last few years (of three kids three and under) makes my head hurt.
So I put the 17-40 f/4L back on my B&H Wish list and spent the equivalent amount on Alien Bees (http://www.alienbees.com/) gear. My first inclination was to go full bore and get the Busy Bee (http://alienbees.com/travelingbee.htm) package. Then sensibility reigned in and I figured I'd go with a simple light and reflector setup and build my studio as I learn how I'd like to work with light. Once I learn the capability and limitations of a single softbox/reflector combo I'll spring for the fill, hair, background light and wireless control. Oh, then there are snoots, barn doors, grids and umbrella's... This is an "L" obsession of a different nature!
I'm starting with a Main light:
1 B800 Flash Unit (http://alienbees.com/b800.htm)
1 Giant Softbox 30"x60" (http://alienbees.com/sb3060.htm)
2 13' Extreme Duty Stands (http://alienbees.com/ls3900.htm)
1 5-in-1 Reflector kit & mount bracket (http://alienbees.com/crk42.htm)
[EDIT] Still partial to the AB's for the strobes but now considering Photoflex (http://www.photoflex.com) Softboxes and stands. The AB accessories seem to be what most people upgrade first. Of course, better construction = higher cost = that whole argument of what's 'worth' the expenditure. You experienced lighting blokes feel free to jump in at any time...
BTW, this brings up a question: Any interest around here in a "Lighting" forum? My searching for studio lighting and strobes brought up a number of excellent posts spread across five forums.
Anyhoo, $670 can buy you a 17-40 f/4L. $670.00 can also put the Sun in your living room :).
.
I was literally 15 minutes from placing my B&H order for the 17-40 f/4L when the wife leaned over and asked what I was doing... busted. She skillfully reminded me "Honey, you can spend the money on lighting and get good enough to keep us from paying a studio or I will spend that money at the studio." Adding up our portrait expenditures these last few years (of three kids three and under) makes my head hurt.
So I put the 17-40 f/4L back on my B&H Wish list and spent the equivalent amount on Alien Bees (http://www.alienbees.com/) gear. My first inclination was to go full bore and get the Busy Bee (http://alienbees.com/travelingbee.htm) package. Then sensibility reigned in and I figured I'd go with a simple light and reflector setup and build my studio as I learn how I'd like to work with light. Once I learn the capability and limitations of a single softbox/reflector combo I'll spring for the fill, hair, background light and wireless control. Oh, then there are snoots, barn doors, grids and umbrella's... This is an "L" obsession of a different nature!
I'm starting with a Main light:
1 B800 Flash Unit (http://alienbees.com/b800.htm)
1 Giant Softbox 30"x60" (http://alienbees.com/sb3060.htm)
2 13' Extreme Duty Stands (http://alienbees.com/ls3900.htm)
1 5-in-1 Reflector kit & mount bracket (http://alienbees.com/crk42.htm)
[EDIT] Still partial to the AB's for the strobes but now considering Photoflex (http://www.photoflex.com) Softboxes and stands. The AB accessories seem to be what most people upgrade first. Of course, better construction = higher cost = that whole argument of what's 'worth' the expenditure. You experienced lighting blokes feel free to jump in at any time...
BTW, this brings up a question: Any interest around here in a "Lighting" forum? My searching for studio lighting and strobes brought up a number of excellent posts spread across five forums.
Anyhoo, $670 can buy you a 17-40 f/4L. $670.00 can also put the Sun in your living room :).
.