Calumet Stobe Lights vs. other companies

I am going to be offering studio photography soon and I am trying to get a good idea as to what kind of lighting is best for this. I would like to use Strobe lights (because there is a model light on them and they seem to be better then continuous). I have been looking into purchasing the Calumet Strobe Light kit which runs about $1200. Is there another company out there that offers great lighting for cheaper? I do not have much to spend since I am just starting out and I'm leery of the companies that offer kit lighting for really cheap like $300. I'm sorry for being so amateur with this topic. I am willing to buy used kits but I haven't had luck with finding anything. Are the cool lights or warm lights better? I like the warm lights for Boudoir but not sure if it would be best for children and families. Thanks so much for your help! I need backdrops too if anyone is looking to sell some!

calumet genesis 200 two light kit is on sale for 389$
2 lights
2 stands
2 umbrellas

Really!?! That's affordable. Are these strobes or continuous? Would they be strong enough to photograph families and children?

Ok, just spoke to someone at Calumet. They are strobe but she said wouldn't be good to photograph more then 2 people at a time. I may need to photograph a family of 5 or more. :/ That is more in my price range though. Any one have other suggestions?

Calumet are renamed Bowens They are good stuff.

However I would look into Alien Bees. Decient lights at a good price. They can feel cheep. But they do the job well.

two 200 watt lights will light 5 people fine.. they make 400watt lights too.. alien bees has some good pre-packaged portrait kits...

Mark1 wrote in post #15666088
Calumet are renamed Bowens They are good stuff.

However I would look into Alien Bees. Decient lights at a good price. They can feel cheep. But they do the job well.

Calumet has sold numerous models of re-branded Bowens gear for several years. In years past they sold re-branded flash units from several sources. As the years rolled on so did the different companies gear that they re-branded for sale.

But, I do not think the Genesis line from Calumet is re-branded Bowens gear. I suspect a Chinese manufacturer with a direct link to Calumet.

Enjoy! Lon

Thank you everyone so much for taking the time to respond! I will be looking into Alien Bees and comparing. Thanks again!! You guys are the best.

Calumet makes some really good Genesis lights. I have the 200 and the 400, and they're both really good for their price!

A family of 5? That might depend on your lighting set up; but if you're asking whether the Genesis are good lights to start off with, my answer would be yes.

That response from the Calumet rep is perplexing. I wonder what she meant... OP, did she expand on that statement at all?

I lights groups of 5 with a single 400 w/s head.

The calumet rep either didn't know what she was talking about or was trying to get you to spend more money. Simple.

She was probably concerned about having enough depth of field at a lower ISO. A valid consideration. But just bump up you ISO 2x and you get the equivalent of twice the power.

Genisis lights from Calumet are OK starter kit.
They are Chinese origin. Not Bowens.
They take Elinchrom modifiers which is a big plus.
The power adjustment is a digital readout with up and down buttons. It suggests that the power is linear, its not. You will have to play around with it to see what you need.
200Ws through a modifier is right on the edge when the light has to be more than 5 feet from the subject.

If you are in US, Alien Bees are economical and good lights. The PLM modifiers are outstanding and also economical.
AB800 is 320 Ws which is probably enough in most studio situations.

Another alternative is Elinchrom D-Lite. They are Elinchrom entry level lights and also a good value. Get the 400Ws version. The 200Ws version may be a little under-whelming when using a modifier. The newer ones have built in Elinchrom radio triggers, not sure if that includes remote power adjustment. Elinchrom power adjustment is linear. They have even gone so far as to use the proper readout based on the power rating on the strobe. (Here is a good explanation; http://thelightingacad​emy.com …n-the-world-of-elinchrom/ )