Quality or Quantity...

[d_tyme]

Need some advice here...I am about to start getting into some portrait shooting setting up a studio in my converted garage which is now an extra room... I have about 2,500.00 to spend on lighting equipment and I'm confused. It's between quality, a Profoto 600R set (2-units, umbrellas, light stands, built in pocket wizards, case ) or a complete order of goodies from AB's. Again, this will be a new unchartered area for me...and I want to invest in something that I will be able to use in the future and grow into, possibly even doing some outside location portraits... any advice will help me.. Thanks!

[Titus213]

I've never heard anyone complain about quality.

[d_tyme]

When I stated quality, I was referring to long lasting wear and tear, and type of light. What do you use or prefer?

[eduardofrances]

If you have the money go for Quality this is a smart choice if you can afford it and you won't live to regret it, I would really advise you to factor in radio triggers and a light meter :), right now at B&H has "in cart" discount for profoto lighting equipment.

[eduardofrances]

When I stated quality, I was referring to long lasting wear and tear, and type of light. What do you use or prefer? Profoto, Elinchrom and Broncolor are the ones designed for wear and tear, they are so rugged you may never have to deal with their tech support ;) and the gear could easily outlive you :P.

[hofajoab]

if it's a 'standard' size garage you wont need TOO much light, or even too many lights to get great portraits. I'd definitely opt for quality gear that you can build on in the future - That way you can make the most of what you'll have (less lights) which will serve well in learning and creativity, i think!.

[Titus213]

When I stated quality, I was referring to long lasting wear and tear, and type of light. What do you use or prefer?

I use Alien Bees because of financial situation. They are long lasting, and wear pretty well. There are other issues with quality. I would prefer an upper end Elinchrom or some such but it just isn't in my budget. The ABs are working fine for me.

[iqbal624]

i was in the same predicament as you. i had about 1700-2k to spend and i did a lot of reading and went with the Elinchrom 400bx setup. I can't comment on it yet because it will be here next week but the reason i went with this kit is because it is more robust than the DLite setup, much more consistent than the AB's setup which i ALMOST ordered two weeks ago, and it comes in at a good price point because as eduardofrances said, you need to think about a light meter and radio triggers. Additionally, you need to think about backdrops, backdrop stands, reflectors, and additional modifiers.
There also seems to be a lot of very active Elinchrom users on this board which help seal the deal for me because i know that if i had a question or concern, someone else here has probably gone through it before and could help me with it.
Good Luck in picking a kit.
Let us know what you decide.

[eduardofrances]

if it's a 'standard' size garage you wont need TOO much light, or even too many lights to get great portraits. I'd definitely opt for quality gear that you can build on in the future - That way you can make the most of what you'll have (less lights) which will serve well in learning and creativity, i think!.

the Compact 600 have a 5 stop range from 600 to 37.5 ws so that pretty much has all bases covered, when he needs the full blast he will have it, in the meantime he can dial down the strobes without problems of color casts and wild white balance variations.

[d_tyme]

...Guess I'm leaning towards the Profoto 600R kit. Will it be enough to power outside shots and is it compatable with the Vagabond II?

[pswann]

When people talk about wild white balance swings when dialing power way down, they're usually refering to Alien Bees, but does this WB shift at low power also hold true for the White Lighting line from Paul C Buff? I'm thinking, in particular, of the WL 1600. Does anyone know if it's more stable, color-cast-wise, at low power?

[AzMandella]

...Guess I'm leaning towards the Profoto 600R kit. Will it be enough to power outside shots and is it compatable with the Vagabond II?
Don't forget about Norman's. They have the pocket Wizard recievers also at a cheaper price. And Norman's are very rugged. I just ordered this.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366423-REG/Norman__ML600R_2_Monolight_Kit.html

[amap]

Just my 2 cents. Since studio lighting is always a learning experience .
I would say go with the quality. To many want to jump into studio lighting
and just grab the cheapest stuff. Then they either sell it at a loss when they
realize quality lighting is more important, or they have to praise their stuff to make them feel better about there decision.
Quality doesn't always cost a lot more. Just save for another few months.
During those few months read more and try as many different brands that you can.
Nobody ever cheaps out on the camera so why cheap out on lights.
Good lighting is more important than a camera body.

Remember its all about the light

[d_tyme]

Any one familiar with using the Vagabond II with profoto compacts?

[amap]

Hi d_tyme go here and you can see a picture of someone using the Profoto
600 compact with a vagabond 2 and an explanation.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mortonphotographic/2624806607/

[d_tyme]

Amap, thanks for the link, helped out a whole lot. Looks like it will be a set of Profoto Compact 600R's and a Vagabond

[d_tyme]

PROFOTO COMPACT 600R kit on the way...great deal from B&H...now what modifiers?

[DocFrankenstein]

PROFOTO COMPACT 600R kit on the way...great deal from B&H...now what modifiers?
Deepthroat
Beauty dish

That's about all you need for the first year. I'm assuming you have a brolly.

[d_tyme]

Nope Doc, just starting out with lighting. Now after I invested in the lights, I need to invest in modifiers. I just sold a 24-70L 2.8 that I recently brought from a friend for $950 and want to invest in light mods for this kit. *I am just thinking that Canon will come out very soon with an updated model for the 24-70...I hope :)

[DocFrankenstein]

Nope Doc, just starting out with lighting. Now after I invested in the lights, I need to invest in modifiers. I just sold a 24-70L 2.8 that I recently brought from a friend for $950 and want to invest in light mods for this kit. *I am just thinking that Canon will come out very soon with an updated model for the 24-70...I hope :)
Ok, how many lights do you have and what are you planning to shoot?

Can you link to the kit you got?

If you don't have the brolly, don't worry about it - softboxes are usually more convenient anyways and you get less spill.

Do you have a flashmeter?

[d_tyme]

Doc....(2) Profoto Compact 600R monolights, the kit is from B&H Photo Video... planning to shoot portraits for seniors, family, model shots, and motorcycles...Have a 358 that I'm sharing with a friend who rarely uses it... Thanks... any suggestions...Anyone?....Bueller?...Anyone?....Tha nks to all who post!

[DocFrankenstein]

Doc....(2) Profoto Compact 600R monolights, the kit is from B&H Photo Video... planning to shoot portraits for seniors, family, model shots, and motorcycles...Have a 358 that I'm sharing with a friend who rarely uses it... Thanks... any suggestions...Anyone?....Bueller?...Anyone?....Tha nks to all who post!
Keep one of the them in the box (after testing that it works) and shoot with one light only.

Assignment one:
Borrow a friend's head or get a manequin.
Light it the following way with just the bare bulb:
Rembrandt lighting - short and broad
Split lighting - short and broad
Glamor/butterfly - head on camera
Frankenstein lighting
Short lit profile

Post the results and PM me