Looks as if I need a new strobe...

For a while now I have been working with some local amateur musical societies to take shots of their shows, and also their programme and front-of-house photographs. There is not enough money in that market for professional photographers - I've not seen one in an amateur musical society for over twenty years - yet it still generates enough income to help me subsidise my hobby.

Sorry for the long ramble, but I want to put my next question in context.

One of my cheap Portaflash strobes has failed. It powers up, I click the "Test" button, there's a click but no flash. So I need to replace it.

I'm looking for some guidance on what I should be replacing it with.

If I look at somewhere like Jessops, they appear to favour the Interfit range. But that may well be simply a replacement for the Portaflash range, and they don't seem to be looking very long-lived. So are Interfit any good?

And if not, and I stretch my budget to Alien Bees or Bowens, what exactly am I getting for my money? Is it better build quality, better colour consistency, better... what?

Any guidance about what I should look for in a studio strobe would be appreciated

Many thanks,

regards,
/alan

Your Portaflash could just need a replacement flashtube. I'm not a fan of the lights but you can't deny that they're portable - If their power/recycle isn't holding you back now, it would be a waste to buy Bowens at quadruple the price and the weight.

Thanks for the suggestion. I took it to Jessops, but when the gentleman behind the desk started entering the details to return it for repair, the computer said that that item could not be repaired.

I got a full refund... but I'm down a strobe!

regards,
/alan