$1500 budget - Strobes

OK, I have always obtained fantastic information and I figured that after a few weeks of research I might as well post.

I am in the market to purchase some strobes.

The majority of work that I do is on location, a lot of sports (mtb and cycling) as well as a small amount of portrait work.

I am working with a Canon 1dmark2n and have only used my 580 flash.

I have assisted on a number of commercial shoots so I have a basic idea of battery packs, lighting, etc.

Most people (photographers) I ask say get at least 2 heads 800w min. each.

I would like the ability to work remotely and not have to plug in or have a generator but have the ability to plug in if working indoors.

Being that I am on a very tight budget, I'd like to keep in under $1500 for the heads and battery pack.

I have looked at the WL/Zeus & ABs as well as everything to Dynalights and Bowens but obviously they are quite a bit more expensive.

I do have umbrellas and looking to get a medium sized light box.

Any info on this would be great.


Thanks!

This is a bit different than what you are looking at, but for what you say you want to do, I would consider a Hensel Porty 1200. A bit more than you want to spend, and 1 head, but serious gear for both location and studio. Rolando Gomez swears by them. Here is a link to his site. http://www.rolandogome​z.com/ and a Porty shoot. http://www.rolandogome​z.net/

Thanks, I'll have a look. At this point I am open to suggestion. Thanks for taking the time and replying.

What ever I do get I would like it to last so if it does cost a bit more over the long haul it will be worth it.

roundsquare1 wrote in post #4440552
OK, I have always obtained fantastic information and I figured that after a few weeks of research I might as well post.

I am in the market to purchase some strobes.

The majority of work that I do is on location, a lot of sports (mtb and cycling) as well as a small amount of portrait work.

I am working with a Canon 1dmark2n and have only used my 580 flash.

I have assisted on a number of commercial shoots so I have a basic idea of battery packs, lighting, etc.

Most people (photographers) I ask say get at least 2 heads 800w min. each.

I would like the ability to work remotely and not have to plug in or have a generator but have the ability to plug in if working indoors.




Thanks!

When considering location lights for sports photography you also need to consider flash duration. POwer is of course important, but many of hte portable flash units will have long flash durations that don't stop the motion of an athlete.

If I were you...I'd look seriously into getting a powerful battery pack with a short flash duration. If you can only afford 1 head at first that would be OK...because it's more important to start off right...you can always build up later.

The elinchrom Ranger speed AS with freelite A head is a favorite of sports photographers. It has the ability to freeze action at 1/5120 of a sec. The Ranger speed kits are about 1 thousand dollars more than you want to spend...but it would work perfect for your kind of photography. Just a suggestion.

My old boss (who was a very wise man) told me that whatever he thinks something should cost...he then doubles it. He's usually right. For example, if ya think you can get away with 1500...then it probably will actually cost closer to 3 grand to do it right according to my old boss's rule

Also, softboxes and accessories are sometimes less important for sports photography. A lot of times a good reflector with efficient coverage will be all you need. SO that means you can save your money on accessories...you may only need a good reflector or some gels for diffusion or whatever.