Choosing studio strobes

Sorry if this has been thrown about a bit before but after researching for the last couple day's I can't seem to narrow down what studio strobes would be best for me personally.

The reason I say personally is I have certain criteria that are mentioned but not always highlighted between different brand's models:
-Price first and foremost (I'm a budding photographer with far from the profoto budget probably $2000- $3000) for 2 or 3 heads, 2 packs, flash stands and a bag.
-Portability: I'm a skateboarder and will be rolling around with my camera bag on back and heads/packs in a second bag with my flash stands strapped to one of those bags
-Longer flash duration as I already have pocketwizards and would like to keep using hypersync

My first call was AlienBees as they are affordable and if they hit the ground when skateboards occasionally hit them (which does happen now and again) the replacement globes are equally affordable. but in comparison the Heads and pack's seem a lot larger than some others.

Any advice with these criteria in mind would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like battery power is also on the list.

ABs and VML, Einstein and VML or Elinchrom Quadra. An Einstein and VML weigh less than a Quadra. However, a second Einstein weighs more than a second Quadra head. There is of course the problem of cables limiting light configuration.

I can't imagine trying to carry my Einsteins, stands, modifiers etc on a skateboard.

Thanks dmward,

So you're saying that the VML is lighter than a Quadra but the alien heads are heavier than a Quadra head. Seem's I'm in the same predicament essentially. Considering I'd be happy enough with the quality of Alien Bees double the money for a setup for less bulk and essentially the same weight seems steep.

To be truly portable, I'd stay with flashes. You can carry those around on you when on a skateboard just fine. the Yongnou flashes offer the cheapness with the trade off of lack of support, but certain models are proving to be very reliable. I don't think any strobe will be comfortable to carry on a skateboard, let alone multiples. What is your current setup?

Well you've got to know 80% of the time my equipment is just in the boot of my car, then lugged 20 meters or so to the location. its just that other 20% of the time jumping fences and skating through the city.

But i already manage this absolutely fine with a 10kg camera bag and a relatively heavy light stand bag (with 2 stands and a heavy tripod)

My current setup:
7D
2 x 580exii
flextt5's & a minitt1
50mm 1.4
10mm sigma fisheye
24-105mm
And occasionally my canon a-1 & hasselblad 500c are up in the mix

What is this current set up not doing for you that strobes will? And have you checked out the new Cheetah light? If it is power you are lacking, then maybe the Cheetah is the way to go?

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com/Cheetah-Light-p/cl-180.htm

EDIT:

the 600ex rt is going to be the easiest solution...

It won't offer the studio power that other options have, but the entire thing is 100% plug and play. AND you can still use it in a studio setting!

Somewhere online, an engineer type sat down with a circular saw and worked out estimated flash durations for the 580 at all power levels.

How confident are you in using the 500C? It has full flash sync at all speeds, with all flash durations. You just need a flash meter... Or if you can snag an old digital back... You would be REALLY surprised what you can find if you look...

check out this thread and the link in the first post for interesting stuff about speedlites:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1296111

i've had a hard time deciding whether i need to go with traditional strobes or not, I think i'm leaning towards "not" right now.

yeah the upgrade has been inspired for a number of reasons (in priority order)
-more power, eg 'over powering' the sun as 'they' say
-longer flash duration for faster hypersync
-flextt5's and 580exii's hate each other for radio frequency issue (yes i have the copper socks that are supposed to eliminate this) and rather than spending whatever on 2 600's i thought it was time i familiarise myself with a new type of lighting.

I would absolutely love to sync my pocketwizard's with my hasselblad, I bought the $30 sync cable, got personal instructions on how to set up my pocket wizards and everything but to no avail unfortunately, no matter what i do they wont trigger.

If you are considering 'heads and packs', the AB products are NOT called 'heads and packs', but called 'monolights'. Same comment for Einstein and Quadra.