good beginner stobes?

hey, im sure this has been beat to death over and over agian here, but to me 140 bucks is a lot, so i wanna make sure. im getting into portraits/family portraits and wanted to get a some umbrella flashes for cheap first, not something like alienbees, just to see how i like using them. are these any good or worth a shot, or some cheap crap that wont work? thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com …1308&_trksid=p3​286.c0.m14

or what about these? which is better?
http://cgi.ebay.com …1308&_trksid=p3​286.c0.m14

I've been thinking of grabbing a couple of the first link type for indoor stuff. I imagine the output isn't consistant so you'd have to white balance more often but, they're cheap.

I'd stay away from those and save a bit more. You've spent money on the camera, don't skimp on the lighting, it will cost you more in the long run.

ok, well, the most i can spend is 200. any good name brands i should look for besides alienbees? i dont really want to spend around a grand for alinebees, but what are good, but a little cheaper name brands?

Ah, the desire of everyone - cheap and good. Unfortunately the two very seldom go together.

If you can come up with about another $100 the AB kit with the B400 would work.

These are getting good reviews on this site: http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K/. I am going to order a set if I can get off my butt sometime soon and do it.

Yep, I can vouch for the Genesis lights from Calumet. Mine work great. Thats as cheap as you are gonna get for something that will work for more than a month and give you great results. Stay away from those cheap Ebay POS Chinese lights. You might as well just got to Chiantown, give some guy $100 and let him kick you in the baby maker. You will get more for your money.

How about someone explaining the weak points so casual shooters can decide if they're adequate to their needs. If you're only going to use them once in a while they might be fine for a small home studio.

Vivitar and Sunpak flashes are used and raved about so what's the difference? (beyond obvious portability)We know they're cheap and not work horses.

edit: Thanks for the link Neutron, that's a good middle ground.

SlowBlink wrote in post #6297301
How about someone explaining the weak points so casual shooters can decide if they're adequate to their needs. If you're only going to use them once in a while they might be fine for a small home studio.

Build quality for one. Cheap strobe lights usually mean cheap build quality. Things breaking or falling off.

Performance for another. Lights not firing all the time or firing at the wrong time.

Overall look of the lights. Weak modeling lights, bad color casts etc...

You get what you pay for.

SlowBlink wrote in post #6297301
Vivitar and Sunpak flashes are used and raved about so what's the difference? (beyond obvious portability)We know they're cheap and not work horses.

Ummm, that's where you have it wrong! The Sunpaks and Vivitars may be inexpensive, but they aren't cheap! They are workhorses! In hot shoe flash terms, they are the Alien Bees or better. That is why they are popular.

Buy one light, and learn how to use it. Once you understanding lighting with 1 Strobe, then buy another. AB's are excellent lights to begin with, plus they are quite durable. I bought (2) B800's, to start my lighting kit. I use both when they are needed, otherwise, I use just one, no worries. Buy a B400 + Translucent Shoot-thru Umbrella & a lightstand. Yes, that does come to approx. $375 including shipping & such, but it is a worthy investment.

thanks everyone. i well definatley look at the b400 and the calumet. i already have two umbrellas that were passed down to me from my father as he retired photography, and one tripod, so all i need is another tripod and some heads for which the light and umbrella can be mounted. if i do buy the b400, do i need one of those powerboxes, or do the plug into the wall?

I also can vouch for Calumet's genesis lights. Mine work wonderfully.

Rudi wrote in post #6297816
Ummm, that's where you have it wrong! The Sunpaks and Vivitars may be inexpensive, but they aren't cheap! They are workhorses! In hot shoe flash terms, they are the Alien Bees or better. That is why they are popular.

I didn't mean the vivitars and sunpaks were cheap, I meant the low price ebay strobes. I've got a vivitar from the 60's that's still cooking up some light.

bad punctuation is my enemy

CameraMan741 wrote in post #6298726
thanks everyone. i well definitely look at the b400 and the calumet. i already have two umbrellas that were passed down to me from my father as he retired photography, and one tripod, so all i need is another tripod and some heads for which the light and umbrella can be mounted. if i do buy the b400, do i need one of those powerboxes, or do the plug into the wall?

Alienbees, Travelites/Genesis, & pretty much all other Strobe lighting, does not mount to a tripod. They mount on a light-stand. The two are not the same. Make sure you are not confusing the two different forms of mounting equipment.

Bee's plug into a wall. Does not need a block. Go over to Bransford Ave, and check them out in person. No matter what side of Nashville, you reside on, it is quite easy to get to Paul C. Buff Inc...