New Versatile Studio Lighting

I am about to order some new studio lighting, to replace my Novatron 240 kit. I have already decided on Alien Bees. The only thing I have not decided on, is softboxes.

I am going to buy three of the B800's, and then softboxes for each. My choices are:

Foldable Medium Softbox
(24" x 36")

Foldable Large Softbox
(32" x 40")

Foldable Giant Softbox
(30" x 60")

Foldable Stripbox
(10" x 36")

Foldable Medium Octabox (35")

Foldable Large Octabox
(47")

I had originall planned on getting two giant boxes, and one stripbox. I then thought about getting the large octabox, a giant softbox, and a stripbox.

So, if you were planning on doing glamour photos, but also needed this kit to work with family photos, which three would you choose that would be the most versatile, and why.

I have really been going back and forth with this decision, and the time to order has come. I thought I would get some advice from those of you that shoot more glamour, as I am just getting into that aspect of photography.

Thanks,
Chris

Ok, let me put this another way. Out of the six softboxes listed above, if you could have three (any combination) in your studio, which would you buy.

I really need some experienced help here, I need new lights.
I don't want to wish I had bought something else later.

Hi Chris,

Since it looks like you're going with AB products, if I was going to pick 2 modifiers I would choose:

1. Large Octabox - nice large diffused light source with great coverage and a natural looking catch light. Can be used for 1 and 2 person portraits. In a small space it won't give you the control and directionality you'll get from a softbox and you might want to pick up the grid to regain some of that control.

2. Giant Softbox or Large Softbox - it's hard to just give you a be-all do-all solution. If you were doing more full length, 2/3 body shots. or groups then I would probably go with the giant box but large is not always the best way to go and a 30" x 60" box may not be ideal. I would probably get the large 32" x 40" for general use.

3. Stripbox - very useful device. Can be used for the main light, hair light, accents and kickers. Great for directionality and control, while still giving you nice soft light.

Something you may want to think about getting is the set of 4 spot grids. They fit in your standard reflectors and cost $99 for the set of 4. You get a 10, 20, 30 and 40 degree grid. I find grids to be very valuable and some of the best tools in my lighting kit.

I bought Photoflex softboxes from B&H, when I was buying the AB softboxes didn't have a great reputation for quality.

Robert,

Thanks so much for your advice.
For the money, would the AB products be the way to go? Everyone who has them, seems to like them. I just think, they seem to be the logical choice for what I want to spend, which is about $1500.

tim wrote in post #5904396
I bought Photoflex softboxes from B&H, when I was buying the AB softboxes didn't have a great reputation for quality.

Thanks Tim,

What sizes did you get? Is the build quality far superior to the AB softboxes?

Chris71 wrote in post #5904419
What sizes did you get? Is the build quality far superior to the AB softboxes?

I never got an AB soft box because of what people had said. I don't know what size I have, but in genera buy the biggest soft boxes you can fit into your room.

I too use other brands of modifiers and I'm not using AB's, but Chris had decided on AB's for his lights and posed the question asking us to choose from the AB modifiers listed.

If you (Chris) want input on other third party modifiers then we're going to see everyone chiming in with their favorite brand and type.

I tried to answer the question without veering off target. My understanding from many owners of AB modifiers is that they work well, the foldables are very convenient, although bulkier when collapsed, and are priced very reasonably. Quality of light is not an issue at all.

I have also heard and seen mention of the inferior stitching and build quality, which I'm not sure if it's an issue unless the gear is going to be setup and broken down a lot or moving with you on location. If that were the case I would look into some other products with better build and durability.

Also, if you were not buying AB for the foldable boxes then for the money I would seriously look into Photoflex as a very good, reasonably priced alternative. Personally I've never even understood why people talk about assembling a softbox as if it's a hassle. I put my boxes together and break them down easily and I do so on location without any trouble whatsoever, and I think it takes me about 60 seconds to assemble a box. Maybe a foldable goes up in 10 or 15 seconds but for an extra 45 seconds I think I'll survive

The first time I tried to assemble a soft box it took ages, the instructions that come with them suck. Once I looked at the instructions online and a friend who happened to pop around had a look too it was pretty quick, now it takes me a few minutes to assemble a soft box.

I've had good luck with the quality and the price of amvona's dynaphos softboxes (ebay auction). They come with accessories like louvres and fabric grid. It's an inexpensive alternative and you can buy a new medium-sized softbox with dual baffling and accessories for less than $30 if you keep your eyes open.

Based on what I've read, I also agree that grids are an invaluable tool.

Thanks everyone, for your replies.

form, I have two of the 3' octaboxes from Amvona. I like them a lot, they have served me well for the past two yrs. I may look into getting more, if I don't go with the Alien Bees.

Tim, thanks for your advice, and info you have provided.

Robert, I have just finished reading your thread, where you tested the various studio strobes, and I must say that I am now starting to rethink my Alien Bees idea.
The only thing I am worried about, is that I only have about $1500 to spend on three lights, and the modifiers. That also includes speedrings, which comes with the Alien Bees units. The D-lites seem the way to go, but how much are the modifiers going to cost me?

I have to stay in my budget, so I have to balance between lights and modifiers.

I know a photographer who believes firmly in speedotrons, and her reasoning is that they produce very consistent color temperature, much better than bees.

Chris71 wrote in post #5905594
Thanks everyone, for your replies.

form, I have two of the 3' octaboxes from Amvona. I like them a lot, they have served me well for the past two yrs. I may look into getting more, if I don't go with the Alien Bees.

Tim, thanks for your advice, and info you have provided.

Robert, I have just finished reading your thread, where you tested the various studio strobes, and I must say that I am now starting to rethink my Alien Bees idea.
The only thing I am worried about, is that I only have about $1500 to spend on three lights, and the modifiers. That also includes speedrings, which comes with the Alien Bees units. The D-lites seem the way to go, but how much are the modifiers going to cost me?

I have to stay in my budget, so I have to balance between lights and modifiers.

Hey Chris,

There is no doubt the the entire line of Elinchrom strobes are outstanding and the D-Lite's are an amazing value. I use 2 D-Lite 4's and 2 D-Lite 2's and they are excellent. Pop to pop consistency is as good as it gets and color temperature shift is among the best.

When budget is a major concern then it's hard to get around the pricing on Bees and the modifiers made by PCB. Using standard modifiers on the D-Lite's requires the appropriate speed ring and unfortunately modifiers are not shipped with the speed ring. The AB foldable boxes have the speed ring attached, so there is an added expense in using other strobes inaddition to the cost of the modifiers themselves being slightly more expensive.

For me the difference is noticeable and I've chosen to buy Elinchrom and other products despite the higher cost.

As long as you have the appropriate speed ring you use just about any brand modifier you like including the Elinchrom proprietary Octa's, which are highly praised for the quality and evenness of light.

Thank you Robert, you have been most helpfull in giving me the information that I need to make my decision.

Now all I need to do is make it!

Chris71 wrote in post #5905594
The D-lites seem the way to go, but how much are the modifiers going to cost me?

Like Robert, I couldn't go past the D-Lites. I shoot with 2 D-Lite 4's and the Portalite softboxes supplied with the kit (better than I expected). I added the 53" Octa Midi ($309 at B&H) and some bits and pieces - snoot and grid, standard reflector with a set of grids, and an umbrella reflector. I can shoot whatever I want with the gear I have, but to be honest with you - for portraits, the 53" Octa Midi is my bread and butter! I can (and have) made more money with that one light than the rest of my outfit!

I'm not saying that that is all I will ever need (or you for that matter), but a D-Lite kit and the Octa Midi is a great start, and might be all you need for quite a while. You can get all that for well under $1500, and let me tell you now - you will NEVER regret buying Elinchrom!