Please list the names of the better photo lighting companies still relevant.

I am writing an RFP for proffesional photography work to be done for our theatre dept.

I am not looking for opinions on whether good work can be done with speedlites,. I know it can, but for this RFP I do want to specify a list of lighting equipment we deem capable of doing the job we desire. We are requiring 2 strobes, and softboxes, and a back up.

My list right now is short and likely includes a mess of names that are out of date.

Other than ProFoto, can you help make this list?

I admit I've never done this before, but I do work in professional stage production and our bids often include the brands of audio equipment or lighting equipment we deem of a quality that can be trusted, and in some cases a list of equipment we DO NOT deem trustworthy or capable of the kind of sound reproduction we require, eg; "Peevey" amps, etc.

I have Profoto, Bowens, Broncolor, Elinchrome, Hensel, Paul C. Buff thus far.

Paul C. Buff comes to mind, Elinchrom, Westcott modifiers...

Note I haven't used any of these as they're all out of my price range and I stick to speedlights and cheaper modifiers. But these are a few names that I'd look at if I were making such a list...

edit: beat me on the reply. Oh well.

Jake,

Way too big a list to compile!

If you go to the B&H website, look under 'Lighting' it will then present categories of
Monolights, battery powered Strobes, Powerpacks, SlaveStrobes

Each of the above categories then has subcategories, and each subcategory has a list of vendors...eleven of them for Powerpacks alone!!!

• Broncolor (14)
  
• Comet (2)
  
• Dynalite (20)
  
• Elinchrom (16)
  
• Hensel (14)
  
• Lumedyne (11)
  
• Norman (19)
  
• Novatron (27)
  
• Photogenic (2)
  
• Profoto (3)
  
• Speedotron (28)
  

• Angler (17)
  
• Bowens (4)
  
• Broncolor (9)
  
• Dynalite (6)
  
• Elinchrom (12)
  
• Godox (49)
  
• Hensel (20)
  
• Impact (37)
  
• Interfit (10)
  
• Lindsay Adler's (1)
  
• Norman (24)
  
• Novatron (10)
  
• Photoflex (1)
  
• Photogenic (64)
  
• Phottix (4)
  
• Profoto (15)
  
• Raya (1)
  
• Smith-Victor (5)
  
• Studio Essentials (4)
  
• Westcott (5)
  

.
B&H customer support will be able to help you.

They have salespeople who deal only in commercial sales. . These folks are very familiar with the type of equipment you are looking to spec out. . I'd at least give them a call at 212-465-4006.

In the menu you get when you first call, they have a number for you to hit for "commercial sales". . If you hit this number, you will be connected to a representative who specializes in lighting for commercial applications.

They sell to Disney, the BBC, the NFL Network, state and federal governments, etc, on a daily basis. . They really know their stuff and are very current on what is available and what is the best value.

They really are a wealth of information and I think a chat with them would be invaluable to you.


.

So far so good

I’d say look at the stage (size, depth) and consider power needs. And your $$ budget. I’d be thinking maybe 2 3,000ws units. Pack and strobe more than a mono light. That’s a swag though.

Broncolor has decent packs, and their Paras can really focus light and give variety of looks from the Para. Huge money though.

Elinchroms large modifiers are next highly recommended.

Any supplier has decent spotlight like modifiers.

What’s the usage?? Will these be used for advertising, temporary set up and taken down or left up?

Is there a need for a backup light/spare & spare parts? Other needs? Light stands, access to adequate power (mains).

It may be possible to rent and not buy.

Thanks guys, some good ideas and some names I had not considered.

The document has been completed and sent on the powers that be,

Angmo,
The photos are staged with the cast of every show we put up. The images get used for archival and marketing use, in print and on our website etc. It happens during our rehearsal process, so we can use them in time to market the show. Often there is no set yet, so they tend to be closer in and focus on the cast, so we don't need full stage. 1200ws would not be needed, really, but couldn't hurt.

I would also look at commercial soft boxes and modifiers. Chimera comes to mind as they supply lights and boxes for TV stations from lanterns and strip boxes Pay attention as some are flash only while the bulk of them can handle 500w and up hot lights.. Plume Wafer lighting from Colorado also could be a good fit, since they have a graduated baffle to stop that hot spot in the center.

The distance from the light to the stage would play into your calculations for lighting the whole stage. I would echo Angmo comments about the possible use of a pack head system just for the power you may need to push out photons to light a stage. The comment about decent spotlight and fresnel modifiers would also bring a even shorter list from Elinchrom, Speedotron, and Broncolor. Having a fresnel or spot attachment would help in lighting key areas.

Thanks!

Again, I don't need to light the stage, (it is usually a bare stage at this point in the process) just a few members of the cast at a time.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18815939
I have Profoto, Bowens, Broncolor, Elinchrome, Hensel, Paul C. Buff thus far.

My two cents. Bowens is out of business, and other names on Wilt’s list are now defunct. You asked for relevance, so I think you want what is actively selling, not what still exists.

I think you will want to decide if you prefer wired or wireless strobes. Plugging into AC was how it was done for decades, but no more. If you’re moving strobes around the stage while the cast and crew are waiting, battery-powered monolights are the way to go. These can be either built-in batteries or battery packs depending on the system. However, built-in rechargeable batteries seem to fit your scenario best. For a two-strobe kit with stands and trigger, this would include Godox/Flashpoint starting around $1400 or Profoto and Broncolor starting around $4500. Like all battery systems, you’ll need to ensure they are full charged before each shoot or purchase some spares.

Modifiers vary greatly from strobe manufacturers, plus those from third-parties. Most are cross-compatible with strobe brands using the correct mount. A pair of 60” umbrellas will only cost $100 and may be perfectly adequate. Two 60” Profoto octoboxes are $1000. Two Broncolor Parabolics are $9000 (just for kicks). If you’re only filling faces while stage lighting sets the mood, you may only need a bowl reflector or umbrella. If you’re setting up perfect light for marketing or headshots, then you’ll probably want assorted softboxes.

Buff and Elinchrom are workhorses and still relevant if you decide to go with battery packs.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18817713
My two cents. Bowens is out of business, and other names on Wilt’s list are now defunct. You asked for relevance, so I think you want what is actively selling, not what still exists.

I think you will want to decide if you prefer wired or wireless strobes. Plugging into AC was how it was done for decades, but no more. If you’re moving strobes around the stage while the cast and crew are waiting, battery-powered monolights are the way to go. These can be either built-in batteries or battery packs depending on the system. However, built-in rechargeable batteries seem to fit your scenario best. For a two-strobe kit with stands and trigger, this would include Godox/Flashpoint starting around $1400 or Profoto and Broncolor starting around $4500. Like all battery systems, you’ll need to ensure they are full charged before each shoot or purchase some spares.

Modifiers vary greatly from strobe manufacturers, plus those from third-parties. Most are cross-compatible with strobe brands using the correct mount. A pair of 60” umbrellas will only cost $100 and may be perfectly adequate. Two 60” Profoto octoboxes are $1000. Two Broncolor Parabolics are $9000 (just for kicks). If you’re only filling faces while stage lighting sets the mood, you may only need a bowl reflector or umbrella. If you’re setting up perfect light for marketing or headshots, then you’ll probably want assorted softboxes.

Buff and Elinchrom are workhorses and still relevant if you decide to go with battery packs.

I am somewhat surprised by the comment in blue, in view of the fact that the list of names were from the B&H list of vendors equipment as of 2/2019 which they are selling!

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18817713
My two cents. Bowens is out of business, and other names on Wilt’s list are now defunct. You asked for relevance, so I think you want what is actively selling, not what still exists.

Didnt a British company just resurrect Bowens? Jake Hicks mentioned something about this. I believe manufacture is being moved to Godox's factory. Before they were manufactured by Godox but in Bowens own chinese facility.

RandallB wrote in post #18817735
Didnt a British company just resurrect Bowens? Jake Hicks mentioned something about this. I believe manufacture is being moved to Godox's factory. Before they were manufactured by Godox but in Bowens own chinese facility.

It was just announced and I think they’re calling Godox the production partner and it may be a good thing. However, a brand that has been liquidated and acquired more than once is often only the same brand in name only. I would love to see their battery-powered monolights re-released and supported since they would have split the field between Godox and Profoto before they shut down. Yet, it remains to be seen since the Bowens line will still be undercut by Godox with virtually the same features and a big consumer following already. It made sense to consider them when Bowens was still Bowens, but will it make sense to pay more when Bowens is actually Godox?

Some acquisitions in this field are due to a lack of innovation over many years, even decades. If sold and kept alive only for parts and repairs, it’s hard to consider an older brand relevant among the newest technology and competitors. The same appears true when they only reduce the price of old tech without new products to take their place.

Wilt wrote in post #18817725
I am somewhat surprised by the comment in blue, in view of the fact that the list of names were from the B&H list of vendors equipment as of 2/2019 which they are selling!

Many brands linger long after their popularity has ended. Others are acquired and refuse to die. In lighting, PocketWizard sales peaked 10 years ago, but are hardly the best option today. I’m sure you know that B&H lists almost every photographic brand as a vendor, including Kodak and Polaroid cameras in 2019.

RandallB wrote in post #18817735
Didnt a British company just resurrect Bowens? Jake Hicks mentioned something about this. I believe manufacture is being moved to Godox's factory. Before they were manufactured by Godox but in Bowens own chinese facility.

Wex Photo Video, they were part of the deal that got Bowens bought out by a German asset management company.

I think they'll be making the Generation X heads to the same standard as they were being made before but it was always more of a Godox product than Bowens, I'll still be glad if Wex keeps all the miscellaneous Bowens stuff alive (modifiers etc) but I'm a little sceptical until we hear more.