Interfit Stellar 300

[canon shooter]

Just trying this one out for the 1st time (sad to say I have had it 6 months), anyway I am a little surprised at output.

At ISO 100 shoot down toward floor for small child, only getting f8 (at full power). I can get same output with old WL5000.

I a shooting with umbrella. Silver reflecting backwards to subject.

I thought I would get another stop or two, at least more than the WL500.

Next question is I am thinking of buying softbox, but now concerned it will not put out enough to shoot through the softbox at least f8.

[Bruce Foreman]

I'm retired but I was used to Photogenic StudioMaster IV and Sunpak monolights in the last studio environment I worked in (retired in Sept 2000). For my personal portable lighting I had 3 Bowens 9000 monolights with various reflectors.

Interfit is one of what I consider "Johnny come lately" outfits to studio and portable lighting so I would not trust their products. You know WL (that was the lower priced line that was acceptable to photographers who could'nt afford Photogenic, Bowens, or any of the other big names) and WL quality apparently was acceptable to some pros. WL built a pretty good reputation as they do back their product up.

I foolishly sold my Bowens stuff and then found a need to occasionally do an in home or on location portrait so I had to re-equip myself.

I went the Alien Bees route with some misgivings (that turned out to be not founded). But in actual use I found them to be very useable. I have the B800's which for my applications (using umbrellas) have plenty of power, the units are very compact, and should work with your softbox. You might call them and discuss your needs before ordering.

Looking at the specs on their website, the B800 at full power shooting thru a medium fabric softbox should net you a shooting aperture of f16-f22 at 4-6 feet. Of course most of us would dial the power down some at that distance for studio portrait work.

They are Paul Buff's economy line and share some of the same technology as WL.

www.alienbees.com

[canon shooter]

Thinking of getting a softbox for this one. Since never used Softbox before how will the output compare to reflecting from silver umbrella as I now do?

Will I get more light than with the reflection approach?

I know it will be more even.