Advice on deciding between 250/250 or 500/500 flash kit

[Ineedhelp]

I could use a little advice on buying a lighting kit.

I am looking at the Bowens Gemini two head kits that include stands, an umberella, a softbox, reflector, cables etc. They are described as having a 5 stop range and I could get two 250W heads or two 500W heads, pricewise there's not much difference.

I would intend to use them with my 350D (Canon 50 1.4, Canon 85 1.8 and Tamron 28-75 2.8 lenses), mostly for portraiture. Would also like to take pictures of pets but I guess those sorts of flash might be a little scarier than on-camera flash!

I am a total hobbyist and will almost certainly use them in the home or slightly larger garage. Any thoughts on Bowens as a maker or more likely whether there is much advantage to shelling out for the more powerful 500W kit?

Thanks

[Ineedhelp]

Don't all go bonkers! I can only take so much advice! LOL

[tim]

Bowens make good lights, not many people around here seem to use them. In general, more power is better, 250W should be enough but 500W might be nice to have if you use large soft boxes.

[Ineedhelp]

Thanks Tim

I've not used studio flash before and take your point about soft boxes, which I would plan to use....hadn't thought of that.

Only thinking of Bowens as I'm UK based, and Alien Bees come at a price to import

[gmen]

If your budget can stretch to it, go for the 500s. You can never have enough power and the Gemini heads have stepless variable power settings (full power to 1/32 power).

Bowens units are built to a very high standard and, of course, the Gemini heads are also designed for location use with the optional TravelPak.

Highly recommended.

---- Gavin

[Ineedhelp]

Thanks for your help Gavin.....er, stepless variable power would be what now?

[tim]

It means power's controlled with a slider, not buttons.

[Ineedhelp]

Cool thanks

[MsFood]

I'm getting in on this late, but I'll add my two pence worth. Bowens has made spectacularly good equipment for a long time, and the company has made equipment for others as well. I'd put most contemporary Bowens lights against almost anything on the market. Dollar for doughnut, quid for crumpet, Bowens represents an excellent value.

As stated before, if you can afford two 500 ws heads, go for it. As long as you can trim the settings for low output, 500 WS is a good start.

And don't scrimp on the hardware. Buy some good, used light stands and a boom to put those lights on. The need to change the axes of the light sources is something often overlooked by studio photographers.

[sony23]

Originally Posted by Ineedhelp

I could use a little advice on buying a lighting kit.

I am looking at the Bowens Gemini two head kits that include stands, an umberella, a softbox, reflector, cables etc. They are described as having a 5 stop range and I could get two 250W heads or two 500W heads, pricewise there's not much difference.

I would intend to use them with my 350D (Canon 50 1.4, Canon 85 1.8 and Tamron 28-75 2.8 lenses), mostly for portraiture. Would also like to take pictures of pets but I guess those sorts of flash might be a little scarier than on-camera flash!

I am a total hobbyist and will almost certainly use them in the home or slightly larger garage. Any thoughts on Bowens as a maker or more likely whether there is much advantage to shelling out for the more powerful 500W kit?

Thanks

I have the Bowens gemini 500/500 kit if you need any help deciding just pm me.

Bruce

[Ineedhelp]

Thanks for the additional comments....every littles helps as they say in the adverts!

I've gone bonkers and splashed out on the 500s. I guess they are as powerful as I'm ever likely to need and can be dialled up and down. Now I just need to find out how the darn things work.

Thanks everyone for your advice which was duly considered