Need Studio lights set up suggestions please

With a budget 1-2 k what would you guys suggest for 2-3 lights for a studio setup ( other than to get a bigger budget please ). Mostly shooting glamour with one model sometimes group of two three people. At the moment using one 580ex2 and two 430s canon flashes with a reflector added sometimes and simple Brolly box and umbrella.

The budget you have set forth is actually quite generous!

Some basic questions to get us started?
Do you shoot on location much? Or just in studio?

I ask because at some point, you will have to choose either a system with a power pack(very common, high powered), or mono-lights(common with budget minded photographers, low power).


In general, a MORE simple setup reigns supreme. SO, I would recommend against more lights over fewer lights. Three lights feels extraneous to me, as I have two flash heads, and rarely use BOTH.

You may(or may not) want to consider a large, high quality modifier as part of your new setup. Chimera is a colorado based light modifier manufacturer who makes extremely high quality products at reasonable prices.

Additionally, a beauty dish seems to always be a useful tool to have in your arsenal, although I have never seen one in use - I just use a medium 3x4 foot soft box(from chimera)


(some of you may have seen this coming)
Speedotron black line lights, which are cheap and relatively easy to find on craigslist or ebay, will give you an awful lot of bang for the buck if you find a decent set USED. I found my 2400 watt second power pack, and two flash heads, and two chimera soft boxes for $750. That, to me, was a worthwhile investment.

Other options include the Paul C Buff Einstein640 monolights, however they offer a max output of only 640 watt seconds - which can be enough for most applications. Paul C Buffs modifiers may leave something to be desired, but they have a great return policy, and a large variety of useful toys and tools to choose from!

To summarize:
-simple light setup
-large modifier

Look at that, I didn't even once bring up tethered shooting.

thank you for detailed info!!!

I mostly work in a studio, and prefer the AC powered lights not to invest in battery and all for now. So you think 640 is barelly enough power? I also was looking at Bowens, but they are only 400... I cant even imagine how 2400 performs))

jstsasha wrote in post #16547289
thank you for detailed info!!!

I mostly work in a studio, and prefer the AC powered lights not to invest in battery and all for now. So you think 640 is barelly enough power? I also was looking at Bowens, but they are only 400... I cant even imagine how 2400 performs))

I personally use more than 600 watt seconds, so having the RANGE to work with is always nice.

And a power pack is NOT a battery.

Although some power packs have batteries, they are decidedly lower in power output for the price.

How would this kit suit your needs?

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/pkg-thegenius.php

There is a lot of value in the alien bees linked to above.

jstsasha wrote in post #16546471
With a budget 1-2 k what would you guys suggest for 2-3 lights for a studio setup ( other than to get a bigger budget please ). Mostly shooting glamour with one model sometimes group of two three people. At the moment using one 580ex2 and two 430s canon flashes with a reflector added sometimes and simple Brolly box and umbrella.

A Novatron kit. Mine has 3 studio flashes with umbrellas plus a smaller background light. Needs to be plugged into a power pack but it is worth it's money for a starter studio. I still use mine on location at events.

Thank you for suggestions.... Which of the novatron kits do you have? One for about $1800?

Also as far as that alien bee kit... Would this possibly work better for glamour and stuff?

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/pkg-busybee.php

Its a three light and a bit more power it seems but a little cheaper... Or am I missing something as far as specs...

I don't own studio strobes but like you they are on my list. From my readings PCB seems to offer the most bang for the buck. The Einsteins seem to offer the most versatility with 9 stops of light adjustment and their 'Constant color' and 'Action sport' modes. And of course the more lights and modifiers the more versatility too. Considering all that, I would buy as many Einsteins and modifiers as my budget would allow. Then build my studio with still more of them as time went on. At least, that's my theory.

Einsteins +1

jstsasha wrote in post #16554212
Thank you for suggestions.... Which of the novatron kits do you have? One for about $1800?

Also as far as that alien bee kit... Would this possibly work better for glamour and stuff?

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/pkg-busybee.php

Its a three light and a bit more power it seems but a little cheaper... Or am I missing something as far as specs...

I checked and they don't make the kind I have anymore, 3 flash heads is all they offer, I have 4 power pack minimum power is 250 watts and increases to 500 watts if needed to light up a huge room or church.