If you had a $1000...

If you had a $1000, what would be your strobe kit of choice? I'm a newbie and would like to venture into the world of strobes. I would like to purchase a kit that I can grow into.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I was thinking about purchasing this from BH photo: Elinchrom D-Lite IT 400Ws 2-Light To Go Set http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …REG&si=rev#spec​ifications

Or this from Calumet: Genesis 400 2-light kit
http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0514K1/

Alien bees seem really popular around here, I might give them a try =)

If I had $1000, I'd skip Alienbees and go with Elinchrom.

toxic wrote in post #9983892
If I had $1000, I'd skip Alienbees and go with Elinchrom.

What do you think of the Elinchrom kit I mentioned above? Is that a good kit for a total beginner or is it overkill?

jonahrei wrote in post #9984071
What do you think of the Elinchrom kit I mentioned above? Is that a good kit for a total beginner or is it overkill?

It's a great kit.

I went with the elinchroms, and I totally love them. It seems a lot of AB users covet them too. :P

TBH, don't worry too much about being a beginner. The stuff that you're n00b-ish at will be the same whether you go with elinchrom, calumet, AlienBees or whatever.

Just get the strobes and go wild.

I'd definitely go with an Alien Bees setup. I'n my opinion, they're a lot easier to outfit with modifiers and a lot cheaper at that. You can do:

2 x AB800
1 x Vagabond Power Pack
1 x Large Octabox
1 x Large Softbox
Set of CyberSyncs to trigger wirelessly.

It'll run you just above $1k but you'll be portable and you wont be spending a ton in the long run on modifiers. Then if you want a bit higher quality, upgrade to the Einsteins once they become more readily available.

jonahrei wrote in post #9984071
What do you think of the Elinchrom kit I mentioned above? Is that a good kit for a total beginner or is it overkill?

I've had the D-Lite 4 kit for over a year now...there's a LOT you can do with two lights and a reflector. I don't really feel like I've got much further than scratching the surface at this point, though admittedly I'm just a 'weekend warrior'.

I'd agree with an earlier post...just get ANY decent two-light kit and a reflector. It will be a while before you'll consistently need a third light.

I'd say Elinchrom Only

For $1,000, I'd tell you to get AlienBees. As a beginner, you'll feel a lot more comfortable with that company. And the strobes ain't that bad either. They have great support and are very much willing to work with you. They also have a great resale value due to their popularity.

But when you start getting comfortable with lighting, look into the vast modifiers Elinchrom has. The fact wireless receivers are built-in seamlessly into the units for only a few bucks more (think D-Lite 4 vs. B800), you can't go wrong. Just read up on the D-Lite 4 it overheating issues 'fix' first so you can judge for yourself if that's something you're okay with. You can do all that or just get a Kacey adapter to use Elinchrom modifiers with the new Einstein lights.

But with a grand, you can really have a nice two-light set up easily.

How about a genesis 200 2 light kit plus a genesis 400 1 light kit all for $450? Or should I really try and stick w/ alien bees or elinchrom?

jonahrei wrote in post #9985456
How about a genesis 200 2 light kit plus a genesis 400 1 light kit all for $450? Or should I really try and stick w/ alien bees or elinchrom?

you can get all that for $450? If so, I would consider that route.

I have the genesis 400s and was close to selling them for the D-Lites. Seems like the D-Lites are very similar and both have a tough time dealing with large modifiers. So for me, I think I am sticking with the genesis.

Genesis use Elinchrom mounts for modifiers. When you are ready to add more lights in the future or upgrade to something above the D-Lites for your main lights, you wont have to switch out all your modifiers.

The advantage to the D-Lites is the built in Skyports. When you factor the cost into the Genesis, the price isn't that much diferent (Genesis 400 2 light v. D-Lite IT 400). Bu for $450, to get a 3 light set-up, thats a pretty good deal.

CosmoKid wrote in post #9985613
you can get all that for $450? If so, I would consider that route.

I have the genesis 400s and was close to selling them for the D-Lites. Seems like the D-Lites are very similar and both have a tough time dealing with large modifiers. So for me, I think I am sticking with the genesis.

Genesis use Elinchrom mounts for modifiers. When you are ready to add more lights in the future or upgrade to something above the D-Lites for your main lights, you wont have to switch out all your modifiers.

The advantage to the D-Lites is the built in Skyports. When you factor the cost into the Genesis, the price isn't that much diferent (Genesis 400 2 light v. D-Lite IT 400). Bu for $450, to get a 3 light set-up, thats a pretty good deal.

I'm still waiting to see if I can get all that for $450. Great to hear that I can use Elinchrom modifiers in the future, that would save me a little more dough!

Id go with an Elinchrom kit. Great light, room to grow with whatever modifiers you get, built in and included remote triggering, etc.

Holy crap, I just pulled the trigger on some ALIEN BEES!!!!! I know these were not in my OP, but I just won them on ebay.

Thanks for all your comments and input!

Here's what I got:

2 Alien Bees B1600
AlienBees Carrying Bag
3 CyberSync Trigger Receiver
2 13-foot Heavy Duty Stand
Stand Carrying Bag