Help me decide on studio lighting?

Alright folks, here we go. I'm a newbie to 'artificial' light, and have a couple of Sunpak 383s and Stofens. I'm also looking at studio lighting for weddings.

Here's what my friend recommends. I was looking at Alien Bees instead, but I have no idea why I prefer them... can you help me?

Here's the item I'm looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com …ViewItem#ebayph​otohosting

Good? Bad? Worthwhile "for awhile"? I am on a pretty tight budget, but I can flex it out enough to afford the Alien Bees if I decide on them. Anything I purchase will get plenty of practice before I use them, but the actual purchasing is just giving me headaches. ^^;

Thanks a lot!

Poor confused little lighting newbie

I am in the same boat. I am debating with Continuous vs. Strobe lighting, and that issue is blowing my mind. Sorry I can't offer any help, but I am interested in reading the responses you do get on this issue. I found these on Ebay, they seem to be a good buy. http://cgi.ebay.com …em=200090966104​&rd=1&rd=1

BUT I don't know if they are going to blow breakers in my house, if they will make my pictures blurry, how hot they will get my room, and how the statement that they can be used as continous or strobe is possible. If it is possible for them to "go both ways" what extras do I need to buy to make strobe work?

There is so much $$$ you can spend in vain, and then be stuck with products that take up lots of room I don't have.

Those are "hot" lights, always on lights. Fine for product and still life shots, could be too warm, literally, for portraits.

A 2 light AB kit would be good for all-around lighting.

Other then the light stands, The ebay item the OP showed looks like your basic home lights with a slightly improved reflector. They are not going to have a lot of output and you are going to have a fairly slow shutter speed I suspect. However they should work fine.

The main issue is you are talking 250watt light bulbs which tend to generate some heat so not bad during winter months, but just adding to the heat during the summer.

I personally think getting a couple flood lights on your own with better stands might work better (you can get the umbrellas and mounts from BH ). I am trying really hard not to disparage the lights, because that is very similar to what I started out with over 5 years ago, but I would point out I switched to Alien Bees about 3 1/2 years ago and haven't felt the need to upgrade since.

If you can afford it Alien Bees are a much better investment in my opinion, with a lot more control over your lights including the ability to change intensity by other then moving the light forward or back.

I liken (the ebay set to a P&S ) to (the Alien Bees as a 30D/5D ) and (the Profoto/Elinchrom's Pro strobes as a 1DsMkII ). It will work, but will have serious limitations.

Just my experience and opinion,

I use to use speedotron blacks back in the 80's & 90's and then sold them and all of my medium format cameras. In 2004 I was asked to shoot our fire department composite. I puchased a cheap set of smith victor hot lights for $150. They came out great. I then took the money I made and bought 2 Jtl 160 monolight kit for $250 but needed a light metor which cost $200. I would not shoot studio stobes without one. I have now taken the money from other shoots and Bought 4 Whitelighning 1600x. You can always start small and build up as you go along.

I have heard bad things on this site about the Jtl, but mine still work great and they where the right price at the time. If I had it to do over again I would have started with the AB better company, easier to get fixed, replace or upgrade.