Help buying lighting

I use a 5DM3 outdoors and would now like to get some strobes for indoor shooting. I want to do headshots, portraits, soft lighting, etc. I know very little about what I should get. Can someone please recommend some good lighting for under $2k? I already have c stands, backdrops, clamps, and other accessories....

Thanks.

I would look at the alien bees from paul c buff. 3 of the ab800s and some softboxes etc would give you lots of flexibilty.

On a budget, if you want new....I guess the Paul Buff (AlienBees or Einsteins) would be ok. There's a dozen reasons why I'm not particularly fond of them, but I'll admit that for a "beginner light setup" they'd be ok. If you're inquisitive and don't mind basic math (ie. ratios) then I'd opt for a Speedotron Blackline setup instead. I've seen 2400w/s packs and 2 heads go for as low as $500 before, usually around $700-800 though, with additional heads being around $150-250. Sturdier and more reliable in my experience...but at the cost of being much much heavier and cumbersome.

If you are new to lighting, and want to get something that will do the job (albeit with a couple quirks) then a couple Alien Bee's should be fine. New they're like $250-500 depending on which model, and their modifiers are pretty cheap too.

ETA:
If you go the Bee route I'd opt for:

A (Budget version): 2 B800, 1 B1600, Beauty Dish (white), 2 med. Softboxes, "Lite Mod" with Barndoors and Snoot add-ons, and a PLM umbrella. Oh and Cybersync trigger and receiver. That should cover most bases, and cost ~$1500-1600 (or maybe 200-300 less if you buy used)

B (slightly more expensive version) 3 Einsteins, BD, 2 Softboxes, Lite Mod and Triggers. Should be around $2k, maybe 1-200 more. Benefit of faster recycle, shorter flash durations (if you need it) and supposedly better color temp consistency (I wasn't impressed when I used them, but they were definitely better than the Bees)

tdlavigne wrote in post #17548040
If you're inquisitive and don't mind basic math (ie. ratios) then I'd opt for a Speedotron Blackline setup instead. I've seen 2400w/s packs and 2 heads go for as low as $500 before, usually around $700-800 though, with additional heads being around $150-250. Sturdier and more reliable in my experience...but at the cost of being much much heavier and cumbersome.

Don't let the 'math' dissuade you. Speedotrons are pretty easy to figure out imo.

I have no experience with the other brands mentioned, but have used Speedos exclusively for years. At the cost of being heavy, they're basic, built like a tank and will last for decades without issues.

I don't think they're that difficult to be honest, but I've met at least one other photographer who couldn't grasp the concept of the whole "Combine/Isolate=diffe​rent power ratios"...but then again they were used to the simplicity of the power slider on the back of bee's. After using Bee's exclusively at the studio I worked at for a little over 2 years I'm looking for some lights of my own, and will most likely get a 2403 pack and a couple 202 heads. Can't bring myself to like anything else (although technically I've only ever used Bees/Einsteins, Profoto Acute's, and Speedo...).

I think for the price, they're the best thing around. AB's have their uses though, and if I were to start shooting with lights on location I'd opt for a B800 and Vagabond as a budget option that isn't too heavy/bulky.

Speedotrons are great lights, but the pack /head system can be limiting if you decide to take the show on the road. Your spread is dependent on your cable length. Monolights are more easily scalable, need another light, just add one. No worries about pack capacity or location.

^ I can see where mono lights might offer some convenience in that regard, especially so if you're dealing with one pack. It's never been an issue for me that I recall (but I have multiple packs).

I would consider the Elinchrom D-Lite also. They are very compact, and fairly light. The 400ws model is about 280. from B&H or Adorama, a little cheaper than the 320ws Alien Bees 800.

Also for me, the graphics on the Alien Bees were embarrassingly cheesy, but you might not think so.

The Elinchrom mount is more rigid for soft boxes etc than the spring arms on the Alien Bees.

We travel with the D-Lites a lot, and they have held up well.

Oh, and we've used Speedotron in the studio for decades, and they're very durable, good color, good modifier mount. I take them for location work that is more like "studio product work on location," but they're quite heavy.

I am asking about the Speedotrons. What kind of power you are using on the Speeedos while on location?? Would a Gen1 Vagabond work??I would be worried about the 150W inverter hurting the Speedos even though they are tanks.

I'd really be surprised if you could power a typical Speedotron pack with a rechargeable battery unit. I'm not an electrical engineer so it's only an un-educated opinion, but the Speedo's draw a lot of power. FWIW, (and the work that I do is a little different than what others here typically do), but when we go on location (out-doors) I typically use a long power cord or a gas generator.

southwestform wrote in post #17547681
I use a 5DM3 outdoors and would now like to get some strobes for indoor shooting. I want to do headshots, portraits, soft lighting, etc. I know very little about what I should get. Can someone please recommend some good lighting for under $2k? I already have c stands, backdrops, clamps, and other accessories....

Thanks.

Heya,

For that budget and you already have some of the stuff, maybe three Godox AD360's (package with battery and transciever). I bring it up because of the battery included, making them both good for indoor and outdoor use if you venture there. Since you're doing headshots & portraits, etc, not trying to over-power the sun, you don't need those higher power strobes (at least, I don't think you do). So you could instead get other features. Depends if you want portability or not.

I would look into monolight or bare bulb in the 300+ w/s range either way.

And then look into modifiers like 36~48" octas or big grid softboxes. Good to go.

Very best,

sincity wrote in post #17560841
I am asking about the Speedotrons. What kind of power you are using on the Speeedos while on location?? Would a Gen1 Vagabond work??I would be worried about the 150W inverter hurting the Speedos even though they are tanks.

I remember reading a long time ago on another forum that someone tried the Vagabond with their Speedos and it didn't work. You'd probably have to try find a used "Explorer" pack (their battery operated pack for location stuff). But in that event, you're probably going to be way over budget and it's probably better to get something else. I've been looking for a used Explorer pack for a while, those things unfortunately don't come up for sale often, and when they do they're probably the only Speedo gear that actually has a high resale value (ie. They're like $1800 new, and I've only seen a couple in the last 2 years for $1500+). Then, if you've got the 102/202/206 heads, you'll have to buy the 103's for the Explorer (no fans, won't drain the battery as quick). So all in all, for location stuff on a budget it's not the best option (for me at least).

If you do a lot of location work, there's probably better ways to go....I hate AB's, but I'd still consider one and a Vagabond Mini as a light-weight, better than speedlights option.

FWIW, this is what I use:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_2x500ws_chimer​a_kit.html

I've three of those monolights, actually, but my initial purchase was a 2-unit kit not unlike the one I linked to. B&H also has a 3-unit kit for $1900, but it's currently backordered:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_3x500ws_chimer​a_kit.html

For places without electricity, the budget recommendation was the Photogenic Ion (better than the Vagabond), but you'll need 1 per monolight:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …nverter_with_ba​ttery.html

Myself, I bit the bullet and purchased the system the manufacturer recommends:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ower_max_l_120v​_60hz.html

The Power Max will power up to 2000J. I know this is over your budget now, but how often will you be shooting where there's not a single power plug?

I shoot with the Profit D1 kit. You can get a full kit with 2 strobes, stands, umbrellas, case for about $1800. It's a great setup.

Thanks everyone for the info. The gear that I will be using are the following:
- 5DM3
- Sekonic Light Meter L-478D
- Cam Ranger

Is there anything I should look for to make sure the lights are compatible with the existing gear?

Thanks!