Affordable studio lighting for the enthusiast?

While I would love to drop a few thousand on Profoto monolights, I really don't need them. What I need is one really useful, high quality light for fullbody and close-up portraits in a small home-studio. I have heard of "alienbees b800" a lot and am wondering if that is the way to go, but I'm not sure if 320ws is enough. Should I get the 640ws? I plan to put a big softbox on it as I need the light to be extremely diffused and soft.

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/b800.php - I like the price, I am not really looking to spend more than this unless there's something way better for slightly more.

Also if anyone has any genius methods to adding a slight rim/hair light without having to buy another one of these lights that would be awesome. All advice on other brands and recommendations appreciated. Thanks!

How big is your studio? You might get away with some speed lite copies like yongnuo. With 2,3 or 4 yongnuo a you might be more versatile than 1 ab.

Abs are good though for what you need. For rim and only 1 bee, you can use reflectors or add other lights like ambient lights, house lights, sun light, or speedlites.

It's pretty large, but the backdrop itself is only 8ft wide that rolls out. Space isn't the issue, I am trying to focus on portability as I have to carry the stuff to the space and back home. I like how lightweight speedlites are but I'm not sure I can trust them to fill up a large softbox/octa evenly, and I really don't want to be buying new batteries every day.

If you're working inside the B800 will be more than enough. As far as a hair light, you can feather the light across the model, then use a silver reflector to push some light back at them from behind. I don't know that you'd get the intensity you want, but it would give you something.

If I were starting out again, I think I would have sprung for the Einstein 640W. More range in the power and the light color is said to be more consistent than the AB800. Obviously a bit more money too though.

Yeah it's a really nice light but $500 is a bit steep for me. The reason I say so is because I still need to purchase the Paul C. Buff lightstand which is $70, their softbox which is another $150 and after the carrying bag, transceivers etc. it goes over my budget.

I plan have the light just a few feet from the model so I don't need range. I am trying to make very soft, intimate portraits.

Does anyone know what their PLM system lighting looks like in comparison to their softboxes?

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/plm.php

I want to achieve maximum diffusion so I'm not sure what modifiers to get.

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16827114
Yeah it's a really nice light but $500 is a bit steep for me. The reason I say so is because I still need to purchase the Paul C. Buff lightstand which is $70, their softbox which is another $150 and after the carrying bag, transceivers etc. it goes over my budget.

I plan have the light just a few feet from the model so I don't need range. I am trying to make very soft, intimate portraits.

Does anyone know what their PLM system lighting looks like in comparison to their softboxes?

http://www.paulcbuff.c​om/plm.php

I want to achieve maximum diffusion so I'm not sure what modifiers to get.

I only use a 3x4 foot soft box, or a bare head. I would personally want to be able to control diffusion at various levels! Maximum diffusion is lovely at times, but after a while you **MAY** find yourself wanting for something more dynamic!

As far as profoto is concerned.... ehhhh... they are ONE of MANY players in the market.


Do you have a hard and fast budget established?

I didn't know Paul c. Buff had kits, type package in the search. I think if I can still use student discount with package I will try to get the busybee set up this summer!

If you just need a set to get started check your local craigslist for some old interfit powerbox kits. I have one of them right now. Its not as portable but I got 2 heads, stands, one softbox several umbrellas, a slave trigger, pc sync cable and a few extras and it was less than 200 and I have got some great shots with it.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/kvHT​rK

pyrojim wrote in post #16827176
I only use a 3x4 foot soft box, or a bare head. I would personally want to be able to control diffusion at various levels! Maximum diffusion is lovely at times, but after a while you **MAY** find yourself wanting for something more dynamic!

You're actually right, sometimes (very rarely) I may want the lighting to be slightly more dramatic. Still, I dont understand the difference between their PLM system (they have silver, white, and combos) and a general softbox. I would say for the entire light system (with stand, softbox, etc.) I am not trying to go over $4-500. I still have to pick up transceivers so I may get some yongnuo's, they seem really cheap and get the job done.

mrniceguy715 wrote in post #16827177
I didn't know Paul c. Buff had kits, type package in the search. I think if I can still use student discount with package I will try to get the busybee set up this summer!

Wow they have an AB800 package with a stand, bag, and a 51" PLM system that saves $100 almost. Thanks!!!

mrniceguy715 wrote in post #16827187
If you just need a set to get started check your local craigslist for some old interfit powerbox kits. I have one of them right now. Its not as portable but I got 2 heads, stands, one softbox several umbrellas, a slave trigger, pc sync cable and a few extras and it was less than 200 and I have got some great shots with it.

Well I've shot with expensive lights before so I don't need something to learn on, I need a quality light. I've used interfit and impact before and I don't feel comfortable with them so I am looking to spend just a bit more on one really good light.

gotcha, yeah there is a reason I am upgrading!

If you want affordable, well built yet powerful studio lights the Mettle series are a very good option. I've used the 600ws ac/dc version for 3yrs now without one problem either indoors or out. They use the Bowens mount so you can use many different modifiers from different manufacturers which also means very affordable in layman's terms.

OCCamera on ebay is a good source of modifiers for the strobes while Cowboy Studio sells the monolights. I know Cowboy Studio doesn't have the rep on here Adorama, B&H Photo or even Keh does but the monolights are built by the same company as Adoramas Interfit brand.

small home studio = AB800

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16827114
I plan have the light just a few feet from the model so I don't need range. I am trying to make very soft, intimate portraits.

I believe "range" refers to the ability to turn the light's output down and the number of steps between full and low power.

My room is 14x20 and most of the time I use B400s FYI

Using my big softbox 30x60 also.