moving from small strobist kit to bowen esprit 500 x2

[Canonymous]

As an amatuer-portrait photographer, I have been playing around with off camera flash with my 580exii and vivitar flashes for a while now. Recently I have found a good offer on a pair of second hand bowen esprit mono-lights. Currently I have no experience with that type of set-up, but I was wondering if anyone who had made the leap may have some advice.

Although I love the portability of the small flashes, I feel that I will learn alot more and have more power. I also like the fact that I will have a modelling light and built in slave.

I love my strobist kit, but they do seem to limit me in certain applications.

Should I spend the money?

[Rudi]

Should I spend the money?

I would! Studio flash will open new doors, for sure. I have both hot shoe flashes and studio type lighting. When I'm going out with the express purpose of making images, the big strobes always come with me! I might use hot shoe flashes, but the big strobes are always with me, just in case. If you're getting a good deal and eventually find out you don't like studio lighting, you can always sell the gear again at next to no loss. :)

[inthedeck]

I'm in the same predicament, Canonymous. While I appreciate the portability of speedlites, they are becoming a limiting factor especially in the evenings when there is little to no light left. I've been stuck in the same boat as you...but, I would agree with Rudi here, and go for it. I'm sure you'll appreciate the differences...and if you don't 'have' to, don't sell the portable kit you've already built up...as a back-up. ;)

[Canonymous]

If you're getting a good deal and eventually find out you don't like studio lighting, you can always sell the gear again at next to no loss. :)
Good point Rudi

...and if you don't 'have' to, don't sell the portable kit you've already built up...as a back-up. ;)
I agree Manish

Thanks guys.

[eduardofrances]

As an amatuer-portrait photographer, I have been playing around with off camera flash with my 580exii and vivitar flashes for a while now. Recently I have found a good offer on a pair of second hand bowen esprit mono-lights. Currently I have no experience with that type of set-up, but I was wondering if anyone who had made the leap may have some advice.

Although I love the portability of the small flashes, I feel that I will learn alot more and have more power. I also like the fact that I will have a modelling light and built in slave.

I love my strobist kit, but they do seem to limit me in certain applications.

Should I spend the money?

You won't regret it, Bowens is a great brand and you will find that the transition from hot shoe strobes to monolights will be very natural :). You can use the Innovatronix explorer XT to do location work :) BTW your avatar is totally great :D

[Canonymous]

You can use the Innovatronix explorer XT to do location work :)
I never heard off these, and they seem so affordable!

BTW your avatar is totally great :D
Hee hee, thank you:)

[nadtz]

Assuming the bowens lights address the limiting factors of what you are currently using, go for it.

[WillMass]

Assuming the bowens lights address the limiting factors of what you are currently using, go for it.

Agreed, assuming also the price is right, and you have adequate space to utilize their potential

I too recently bought my first set of 500ws lights, and discovered a problem. The rooms in my house are so small that even at 1/32 power, they're almost too much. The room I've been using most, is only about 130 sf. At 1/32 power, their lowest setting, through a medium softbox, with both diffuser panels in place I still get f/8@1/125, ISO 100. Not good for any really shallow DOF. And dialed that far down, the modeling lights are nearly useless.

[Canonymous]

Assuming the bowens lights address the limiting factors of what you are currently using, go for it.
I am hoping the 2x500 watts will address the power I need, for full body, groups or large scenes.

I too recently bought my first set of 500ws lights, and discovered a problem. The rooms in my house are so small that even at 1/32 power, they're almost too much. The room I've been using most, is only about 130 sf. At 1/32 power, their lowest setting, through a medium softbox, with both diffuser panels in place I still get f/8@1/125, ISO 100. Not good for any really shallow DOF. And dialed that far down, the modeling lights are nearly useless.

WillMass, can you tell me what you have done since realizing this problem?

In regards to the shallow depth of field, are you able to use a higher shutter speed, say 1/250th?

[WillMass]

WillMass, can you tell me what you have done since realizing this problem?

In regards to the shallow depth of field, are you able to use a higher shutter speed, say 1/250th?

I'm still working through this one.

I've considered neutral density gels, but that would kill the levels from the modeling light.

I've considered a 3 stop ND filter on the cam but am not sure if that would effect WB. Or what other unintended consequences might pop up.

Unfortunately, my lights are of substantially lower cost/quality than the Bowens, and only sync up to 1/160. So higher shutter speed is not a viable option.

I'm open to suggestions....

ETA: Well, while playing with the lights today, I discovered that the modeling light can indeed be set to full on. (The documentation is somewhat lacking). So, perhaps the ND gel is an option after all.

[Rudi]

I'm open to suggestions....


Crank up the ISO. DON'T use the flashes if you want to get wide apertures, use the modeling lights to expose the subject. Simple. :)

[WillMass]

Crank up the ISO. DON'T use the flashes if you want to get wide apertures, use the modeling lights to expose the subject. Simple. :)

Yeah, that's what I thought after recently taking a workshop where hot lights were used. Tried it. The 250 watt modeling light was only giving f/2 @ 1/125 @ ISO 400, with no modifier other than the reflector.

Interestingly, a Home Depot clip light w/ 150 watt lamp is yielding f/2.8, from the same position, and same SS, ISO.

I realize there's no real correlation between power consumed and lumen produced, but still you'd think.....