How to power external lighting outdoors?

I recently acquired a softbox lighting kit, one softbox setup runs 4x 60W 5500k bulbs. I'll likely be using 2 softbox's in most cases.

To have them working, the power cables need an outlet. The problem is some of my shooting locations will be outdoors with nowhere near one.

I'm wondering for those use these external lights such as strobes etc, how do you power them?

I'm looking for something cost efficient and simple,
I was thinking something like a power pack, with 2-3 outlets?


Any suggestions/tips?


thanks!

I fully agree with the generator solution, assuming the generator is properly sized for the intended loads and the loads can tolerate the generator's output characteristics.

The "4x 60W 5500k bulbs" probably won't provide enough light to be useful outdoors in daylight.

Why use continuous lights oudoors?

It looks like some of his car shooting is done at night.
The lights he has might work well for that situation.
Although I'd be inclined to use strobes to make balancing with ambient easier.

Yes, buy strobes then get a vagabond battery power unit. Continuous lights are not really conducive to battery options so the next step is a generator, but that means noise and more stuff to transport.

Generator for sure with constant on lights. The Vagabond mini can get me 100's to 1000's of shots with my Einstein depending on power, it can literally last all day. If I accidentally forget to turn off the modeling light it drains in 30 minutes. That is only a single 250w constant light, two constant light rigs will eat up any battery pack in no time flat.

I'm really new to lighting, I have always shot in natural light.
I realize there are better options but this is what I have for now, and it was rather cheap,
I'll learn and experiment with it and get something better like wireless flash units in the near future.


This lighting won't be used mid-day, if it's outdoors it would likely be used during a sunset settting.

btw I just noticed the generator's are a bit costly..

If I had to buy one, I'd rather put the money towards the wireless flashes.

I'll think about it -_-

Again what you going to shoot? If sunset setting, why not use simple reflector. 60w something not going to do anything. Maybe I don't know the intended application.

mlech wrote in post #15804999
btw I just noticed the generator's are a bit costly..

If I had to buy one, I'd rather put the money towards the wireless flashes.

I'll think about it -_-

wow. they are a lot more expensive than i thought.


If you're on the small flash board much you've probably seen Yongnuo flashes mentioned. I don't have one but it seems like a lot of folks are using them.

for 50 bucks you can get a really bright light. pick up a couple and get creative
with some kind of diffuser.

The one I posted a picture of costs about as much as a 5D Mark II, if you can still find one.
But the generator has an inverter output, so it's useful also for sensitive electronics, is pretty silent, easy to transport and has an economy mode, where it runs the engine slowly as soon as you power down the load.
Works fine for running power tools, camping trailers and such stuff as well.

If you are looking at low cost manual speedlites, the YN-560III is an attractive option.
It has about as much power as any small speedlite, and has a built-in radio trigger. That means all you have to add is a trigger on the camera that's compatible.

Disadvantage is that you have to go to the speedlite to change settings.

A bit more expensive but still reasonable are YN-568EX or similar models that have ETTL capability. Combined with YN-622 ETTL triggering give you option for Manual or ETTL as well as remote power and configuration control via the external flash menu(s) on your compatible Canon camera.

Here are some of the popular brands:

Innovatronix Mini

Godox Leadpower LP-750

Jinbei Energon EN-760

they can power up to 3 studio lights as well as any electronic appliances.

I did a DIY method in the past: 300watt pure sine inverter by samlex
and a 24ah battery.