If i were to buy one studio strobe ... which elinchrom one

i'd like to take pics of my kid at home.

I currently use speedlights to bounce and stuff (i like these because of the TTL)
or
optical strobes w/ shootthrough umbrellas (the bulb looking ones) but these are very limiting as they only have one power level and i have to adjust my settings and physically move the strobes.

I want to get one good light.

questions:
1) between the DLite RX and BRX ... which should i get?
2) which power rating 200/250 or 400/500?
3) will i be better off getting more speedlights?
4) what softbox should i get for my usage?

What aspect of using speedlights is limiting you? Your answer to your question can only be reached by examining what it is you want achieve for your photos in the end. You simply stated that you want to take pics of your kids, which is a little vague.

Do you want to take studio quality portraits, or are you simply wanting a different look for your candid photos? If you want to take portraits, do you need more power than your current speedlights are providing? Do you need faster recycle times? The list of questions can go on forever...

If you're certain the look of a softbox is what you want, there are made-for-speedlight options available on the market. You'll be maxing out the juice of your speedlights and will likely require a battery pack.

This elinchrom kit might give you some ideas of what direction to begin your search for better portrait taking equipment if this is the brand you're steering towards.

thanks for the reply, instead of failing to describe what i would like to happen ... here's the stuff i want to imirate
https://photography-on-the.net …p=15551450&post​count=3567
and especially stu's shots
https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=15481668&po​stcount=55

i'm sure i'll be too lazy to setup multiple modified lights ... that's why i wanted to concentrate on one good modified light (because i chimp too much when i use bounce, and that's with inanimate objects)

i want a direct but modified light ...

You should be able to achieve results similar to the links you posted with your current gear. I've got speelights and have been able to get shots like those. Are you using your speelights off camera? And why are you bouncing them instead of using modifiers with them? Please explain your setup.

mike cabilangan wrote in post #15577073
i'd like to take pics of my kid at home.

I currently use speedlights to bounce and stuff (i like these because of the TTL)
or
optical strobes w/ shootthrough umbrellas (the bulb looking ones) but these are very limiting as they only have one power level and i have to adjust my settings and physically move the strobes.

I want to get one good light.

questions:
1) between the DLite RX and BRX ... which should i get?
2) which power rating 200/250 or 400/500?
3) will i be better off getting more speedlights?
4) what softbox should i get for my usage?

600 RX - wider range of power, better build.

Otherwise BRX500, 250 may not be enough power in a bigger modifier.

Look at the Elinchrom Rotalux Softbox Octa 135 cm as well.

Consider using your existing flashes in a lastolite hilite

I grasp what you're saying when you want a more controlled method to produce a direct, soft light source. There are so many modifiers and flash options out there that will do the job. As is the case for most people, budget should then become the next determining factor. Sylvester mentioned some great recommendations, but a single, soft light source doesn't need to come at such a high price tag. You could get a single D-Lite, two skyport receivers and use your speedlight to light your background. As for a modifier, you don't necessarily need elinchrom brand. You can mount one of these on a lightstand and shoot with it behind your shoulder and get a very even spread of light much like in the link you provided.

Pearlallica wrote in post #15579143
You can mount one of these on a lightstand and shoot with it behind your shoulder and get a very even spread of light much like in the link you provided.

The softlighter is a good idea, but I went with a Fotodiox 48" ex-pro octa box because I heard the softlighter eats up more power. It wouldn't be a problem if he bought a strobe, but I am able to get good shots with the 580EXII in the octa box.

His gear list shows him having a 580 and a 430 so he could just buy an off camera ETTL cord or some wireless triggers and place the 580 off camera in the modifier and have it fire the 430 at the background via the master mode of the 580. Actually he also has a 270EX2 as well. With some creative group slection, the 270 can only be group A, he could incorporate that as a third flash.

FEChariot wrote in post #15579532
His gear list shows him having a 580 and a 430 so he could just buy an off camera ETTL cord or some wireless triggers and place the 580 off camera in the modifier and have it fire the 430 at the background via the master mode of the 580. Actually he also has a 270EX2 as well. With some creative group slection, the 270 can only be group A, he could incorporate that as a third flash.

+1

You can achieve the same look with your current speedlight setup to those links you provided. OCF with umbrella or 24" softbox and a small roll of seamless paper.

Unless you plan on shooting outside, even a lower-powered DLite will be sufficient for your described needs. Outside, you need to have more power, deal with power/battery options, etc. But for what you have described, a 200 ws DLite will give you a reasonable amount of output, faster recycle time than you currently experience with your speedlites, and options for various modifiers. Start with simple umbrella type modifiers first, and move on to more sophisticated attachments as you perfect your lighting techniques and find a need for something different. A DLite is far more durable than a delicate speedlite, and you can set it up, move it around, adjust angles, swap modifiers/umbrellas, etc., etc., without the fear of abusing an expensive speedlite. The output range on a 200 ws DLite is ideal for shooting in small residential environments.

You can always buy my RX600. I have a few modifiers that I can include.

stu46 wrote in post #15580294
You can always buy my RX600. I have a few modifiers that I can include.

If he buys your RX600, you'll need to give him a one-on-one lesson on how to set it up to get the lighting he was asking about.

I don't have any secrets.

First shot was with a DIY ProGlobe aka amateurglobe. It was 3' behind me and about 6' high. Shot with a 5DII and 135L wide open I believe.

2nd shot: 2 strobes behind for rim. 69" octa for fill and RF as main. Checked Flickr and looks like I shot it at iso50, f/2, 1/50". If I remember correctly, I used the 300 watt modeling lights at full power and fired the RF at minimum power (9ws).

i actually have umbrellas and lightstands, but they were used for the optical strobes ... so i will need to buy speedlight mounts to use the umbrella. i was just not happy with the optical strobes' power ... i wonder which has more power, the bulb type optical strobe or a speedlight. (well that and the fact i had to fix shutter speed and chimp the aperture)

stu, if only i was in the US

how about BD's? i can keep those assembled even in the bedroom (won't need to take them down because of the size as opposed to big softboxes or umbrellas)

mike cabilangan wrote in post #15580569
i actually have umbrellas and lightstands, but they were used for the optical strobes ... so i will need to buy speedlight mounts to use the umbrella. i was just not happy with the optical strobes' power ... i wonder which has more power, the bulb type optical strobe or a speedlight. (well that and the fact i had to fix shutter speed and chimp the aperture)

stu, if only i was in the US

You can get a cold shoe mount for $8 in US or a whole bracket for about $18 US with B&H prices.