quick question...

[kBair]

What's the best and most affordable monolight or strobe kit to do typical family, kid and baby shoots with?

[Mark_Cohran]

I'm partial to White Lightnings from the Paul C. Buff company. They make a line of strobes called Alien Bees that are quite affordable and used my many here on POTN.

Mark

[italypa99]

Alien Bee B800 has done me well very good quality and very good price

[Mark_Cohran]

BTW, one thing that I would recommend is that if you buy more than one strobe, get identical units. It makes it much easier when you're trying to balance key and fill lights.

Mark

[kBair]

Okay, I'll look into those. Will I need a power pack, sync cords, or light meter? I'm new to strobes. Thanks for your help guys.

[SkipD]

Okay, I'll look into those. Will I need a power pack, sync cords, or light meter? I'm new to strobes. Thanks for your help guys.Check out www.alienbees.com (http://www.alienbees.com). They have almost everything you'd need except for a meter.

Their lights come with 15-foot PC cords. If you have a 20D/30D/40D, their cords plug right in. If you have a Rebel series DSLR, you will need a simple hotshoe-to-PC adapter. Quite a few folks go for one of several different radio slave links to avoid the wired connection.

One of the most popular meters these days is the Sekonic L-358. You can get by without a meter, but it takes a LOT of trial and error to work without a meter.

[kBair]

Thank you so so very much SkipD. You're helping a great deal!!

[poloman]

I have 3 AB800s with some stands and modifiers and a Vagabond II power pack. It's really nice to be able to shoot wherever I like.

[kBair]

Okay, I'm going to go all out and get the Alien Bees busy bee package along with a sekonic L-358 light meter. Just need to decide if I'm going to stick with all 800's or if I should upgrade a light to 1600. I'm going to place the order in an hour and I'm pretty nervous. I've just got to break down and do it!

I'll have a lot of experimenting and learning to do when they get here. Any tips would definately be applied:) Anything to help me understand the best techniques to apply the best lighting.
Love you guys. Thank you.

[SkipD]

Kelsey, the Vagabond II power pack is not the same as the power packs I described in the PM.

The Vagabond II is a battery and inverter system to provide AC power for the flash units when you are away from commercial power sources. It's the ideal way to power the flash units if you are out in the middle of the woods with your equipment, for example.

[poloman]

I would suggest that if you upgrade one you upgrade them all. I really think you will be happy with the 800s though.
Enjoy your lights. Customer service with that company is A-1.

[kBair]

what kind of a reflector do most of you use on the background light to keep it from spilling onto the subject?

and - would you even attempt to squeeze 12 people onto a white seamless paper background. They'll be in formal dresses and suits - what would you shoot them in front of... A background I've provided or natural environment?

[poloman]

I like the natural places. That's why I got the Vagabond. I prefer to shoot in the shade. Some experimentation will show you how bright your lights need to be so the background doesn't get too dark. I have a 20 degree honeycomb. I don't have them but barn doors would be nice.

[Mum2J&M]

"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my right hand!" Steven Wright

I am so happy someone has finally quoted Steven Wright! I adore that guy. I saw him in Cape Cod once years and years ago. I almost fell off my seat laughing. :)