Strobe Set Up for Car Shoots

Hello. I've decided to take the dive and invest in above average strobe set up with a power source.

i'm reading i need 2 strobes at least 400 watts to sufficiently light up a whole car.

i'd like to spend no more than $700-$800 for the whole set up, if possible. can you guys suggest/link a good set up, i'm assuming buying a "kit" would be less expensive in the long run. i'm new to strobes, so thank you in advance.

anyone? would like some feedback, thanks.

alien bees alot of people will swear by them on this site. I have seen car shots done with a 2 vivitar 285hvs too.

To be brief...

- 2 AB1600s
- 1 vagabond II (or any portable power supply)
- 2 cybersync receivers
- 1 cybersync trigger
- 2 impact HD stands
- 2 photoflex speedrings
- 2 extra large photoflex softboxes
- 2 sandbags to hold down your gear

I think thats over your budget

If you want the cheaper alternative...

Switch out the ab1600s, vagabond, and photoflex gear for 2 vivitar 285hvs and necessary accessories and cables to triggers them.

Softboxes are really the best way to shoot a car.

Marloon wrote in post #8978545
To be brief...

- 2 AB1600s
- 1 vagabond II (or any portable power supply)
- 2 cybersync receivers
- 1 cybersync trigger
- 2 impact HD stands
- 2 photoflex speedrings
- 2 extra large photoflex softboxes
- 2 sandbags to hold down your gear

I think thats over your budget

thanks for the detailed reply, exactly what i was looking for.

you don't think the ab800's will be strong enough to light up a car? vagabond 2 & cybersync i'm committed to buying, that's a given.

but i dont' know what the HD stand & speedrings are.

for your budget the 800 will be fine But you'll get twice the power for only $100 more each stobe.... its up to you

HD= heavy duty stand
speedring= device the connects to the softbox that goes to the strobe

u can pass on the soft boxes and just use the 7" reflector that it comes with

u can use your 580 to trigger the lights too so u can pass on the Cybersynctriggers for now

HoRnYTuRbO wrote in post #8980421
for your budget the 800 will be fine But you'll get twice the power for only $100 more each stobe.... its up to you

HD= heavy duty stand
speedring= device the connects to the softbox that goes to the strobe

u can pass on the soft boxes and just use the 7" reflector that it comes with

thank you! i wish i can physically see someone's set up so i can understand it more. what's the benefit of having the stronger strobe? i understand more wattage, but how would i justify that additional $100?

HoRnYTuRbO wrote in post #8980447
u can use your 580 to trigger the lights too so u can pass on the Cybersynctriggers for now

so i can use my 580 to trigger the alienbees?

heres a pic of a set up https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=773485

there will be times you're gonna wish u had more power and for less then 80 bucks u can dbl.

yah the AB will fire if it see's a flash from ur 580

John Photography wrote in post #8980706
so i can use my 580 to trigger the alienbees?

Not necessarily.

If you put both the 580EX and the camera into manual mode, and IF the Alienbees' optical slaves can "see" the output from the 580EX, then the Alienbees units can trigger off the 580EX properly. This will usually work in an indoor studio environment where the output of the 580EX can bounce off the walls and ceiling a bit. However, in an outdoor scenario you'll find that it is very difficult to get the optical slaves to "see" the master.

For outdoor work, I would highly recommend radio slaves. My personal choice is the Elinchrom (universal) Skyport system.

SkipD wrote in post #8981766
Not necessarily.

If you put both the 580EX and the camera into manual mode, and IF the Alienbees' optical slaves can "see" the output from the 580EX, then the Alienbees units can trigger off the 580EX properly. This will usually work in an indoor studio environment where the output of the 580EX can bounce off the walls and ceiling a bit. However, in an outdoor scenario you'll find that it is very difficult to get the optical slaves to "see" the master.

For outdoor work, I would highly recommend radio slaves. My personal choice is the Elinchrom (universal) Skyport system.

thanks for pointing that out, that would drive me insane!

with anyone who has experience with cybersync's, how reliable is it vs pocket wizards?

John Photography wrote in post #8983998
thanks for pointing that out, that would drive me insane!

with anyone who has experience with cybersync's, how reliable is it vs pocket wizards?

Very reliable. I've only borrowed Pocket Wizards, never owned them but the CS I own (also selling at the moment) has never missed a beat.