Im racking my brain trying to decide if and how I would do strobes

Every few months I decide that I will buy a few strobes, convincing myself that I need them then finally decide against it. A little info about me.

Im a wedding photographer, and always shoot with an extra photographer/assistant​.
I love using OCF, and do it for all of my receptions (2 580ex2s and 3 YN-560
I like the portability of the flashes, but for things like formals sometimes I want a LOT more power (maybe to help with the San Diego sun).
Im not planning on using them for everything I shoot, but I would like the option.
I want to have the option to be portable, and I like modeling lights.

So, a few questions. Should I get a strobe(s)? If so, what kind and how much should I expect to spend? I have been thinking about going AB for a while, but I would like something that I have a really wide range of power, so I was told Einsteins are better? I also need stand(s), portable power, umbrella/softbox/PLM?

Help is much appreciated. Thank you.

You can get a wide range of responses here. Mainly people will tell you to get what they have. And I am probably no different. I have Einsteins and an AB800. I have umbrellas and Octaboxes and one PLM. I also have a VML portable power supply. My reasons for buying PCB gear is budget and what you pay for. I can recommend PCB products because I have never had an issue with them, and they have always preformed well for me. One point about PCB strobes that might interest you is, if you find that you dont like it, or dont use it, you can sell it faster than lightning for around 95% of what you paid for it.

I like the impact stands. Depending on how tall you need.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Cushioned_Heavy​_Duty.html

I think the Vagabond Mini Lithium (VML) is the way to go for portable power, but thats just me.

I love my 47" Octa, and I also have a 22" Beauty Dish that I love. I love my '64 PML too. All used for different apps of course. For portability and on location shoots, I usually use the BD and a couple Yn-560's for fill.

Like I said, everyone has has good and bad experiences with PCB products. And there is a group of people here who love to take jabs at them at the drop of a hat. For price and ya get what ya pay for logic, I went with them.

good luck!
Jeff

leeport wrote in post #12615819
You can get a wide range of responses here. Mainly people will tell you to get what they have. And I am probably no different. I have Einsteins and an AB800. I have umbrellas and Octaboxes and one PLM. I also have a VML portable power supply. My reasons for buying PCB gear is budget and what you pay for. I can recommend PCB products because I have never had an issue with them, and they have always preformed well for me. One point about PCB strobes that might interest you is, if you find that you dont like it, or dont use it, you can sell it faster than lightning for around 95% of what you paid for it.

I like the impact stands. Depending on how tall you need.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Cushioned_Heavy​_Duty.html

I think the Vagabond Mini Lithium (VML) is the way to go for portable power, but thats just me.

I love my 47" Octa, and I also have a 22" Beauty Dish that I love. I love my '64 PML too. All used for different apps of course. For portability and on location shoots, I usually use the BD and a couple Yn-560's for fill.

Like I said, everyone has has good and bad experiences with PCB products. And there is a group of people here who love to take jabs at them at the drop of a hat. For price and ya get what ya pay for logic, I went with them.

good luck!
Jeff

Thank you very much Jeff,

Obviously people are going to tell me what they think based on what they have - there was a reason they bought it after all.

It looks like you have a good mix of what I am looking for. Why would you recommend the Einstein over the AB800 and vise versa?

Hello Bryan,

The reason I would go with the Einstein are several. One is the color balance throughout the 9f stop range. When you take the AB's down to under about 1/8 power, the color shifts on them. Einsteins also give you push button control up or down using buttons and not a slider like is on AB's.

With Einsteins you get digital readings instead of analog. Its WS range is 640-2.5 I believe. AB800 is 320WS, so you are getting a much more powerful strobe with color consistency.

There is also an action mode on the Einsteins but I dont use that as I dont shoot sports. Just to name a few.

Modelling lights oustide in the sun is useless IMHO. Power wise I would agree get something like 600ws range.

bobbyz wrote in post #12616533
Modelling lights oustide in the sun is useless IMHO. Power wise I would agree get something like 600ws range.

I agree, and its not something I would use in the sun. But there are times during receptions or outdoor portraits that I would like a modeling lamp.

I think I have narrowed down my choice.

1 Einstein: $500
1 Vagabond Mini Lithium: $240
1 Einstein/Alienbee single light carrying bag: $13
1 48-inch Shoot-Thru Umbrella: $30
1 Impact air cushioned heavy duty light stand (13') $30
1 photek umbrella - softlighter II (46") $60

Total is about $900. How does that sound for a starter package? I figure from there I can tell if I need another strobe and what Ill need.

Thats a great setup to start. What are you planning on using to trigger the strobe ? That is pretty much what i put together but I added a softbox and octabox. The PCB stuff is fantastic for the price.

Im using Cactus V5 right now and absolutely love them. I really cannot justify spending more on other triggers when these work flawlessly.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #12616092
Thank you very much Jeff,

Obviously people are going to tell me what they think based on what they have - there was a reason they bought it after all.

It looks like you have a good mix of what I am looking for. Why would you recommend the Einstein over the AB800 and vise versa?

Not everyone. I have Speedotron gear and while it's almost perfect for me, you'd have a system that would be completely too cumbersome for what you're shooting.

I had a B800 at one point and it's only 320w/s. That's not really ideal for shooting under bright sun if you're using modifiers and can't have the light right up at the subject. I tried using it to shoot two people with a large softbox and it just wasn't cutting it. The Einstein is 640w/s and has another stop on the B800, which would help.

What's your budget? How important is quality to you? I like the Elinchrom brand of monolights and there's a lot of people on here that use them. I'd say take a look at those as well if they fit into your budget. They even have the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra. It's only 400w/s but it seems to be a favorite of wedding shooters. It's just under $1,600, but the pack weighs 3lbs and the head is just over 1/2 a lb. The pack already has a battery connected to it.

Thank you Village Idiot,

Although I dont have a set budget, but I was hoping to stay below $1000. I am not too sure how much I will be using it (hopefully enough to justify buying it though). I like the range on the Einstein, and I think $1600 for 400w/s isnt justifiable at this point. Maybe once I really see what I need, I will be able to sell and rearrange my lighting kit, but its just a bit too rich for my blood at this point.