Advise needed for studio lights

I'm looking to buy my first set of stuido strobes and am considering Alien Bees.

I'm not sure what to buy and would love some advise. I'm open to other brand suggestions to.

I've been using two 580EXII speedlights, but I'm getting tired of dealing with the batteries, and occasional mis-fires.

I shoot family portraits and I'm looking for a really nice 3-light system. I don't shoot professionally, but pick-up occasional jobs on weekends. Only been doing this for 2 years, and it's fun, but I'm ready to take it to the next level with better, more reliable gear.

I'd like to have one key light, a fill and one hair light or backdrop light.

I'd like to keep my start budget at $1000.

I own (4) Imapct light stands, and (2) Westcott 45" shoot thru umbrellas. And, I also own a set of pocket wizzard plus II's and a mini TT1 & flex TT5.

I typically shoot families of 5 people or less.


Can anyone help me put together an equipment list?

I would get a 2-light kit and use the flashes as a bg light. That way you can just get a 2-light kit...but that's just me.

I don't think your light stands are sturdy enough for monolights. Look for heavy duty stands (I actually have two for sale) or boom arms.

For the lights, it really depends what you're looking for. I would go with Flashpoint, Genesis, AB, or Elinchrom. The problem with AB is that you might have issues with color shift if one light is at minimum power and the other isn't. Elinchrom is more expensive overall, though.

I have alien bees and i love them.

I'd get a AB1600 (for key) a AB800 for fill/light, and if need be, use the speedlites for bg. I know you said you don't want to deal with batteries etc, but you can pick up a quantum battery pack to keep them running strong.

I don't know how you were triggering the speedlites before that made it misfire, but with the cybersyncs, i never misfired. I know you said you own the PWs, but that shouldn't cause a misfire? (for the price you pay, i hope not lol)

I'd also invest in heavy duty stands like Toxic said. Only they can support the AB's with a large softbox or PLM.

If you can find used AB's...get them. I picked up two AB800's with stands for $515. But I also had to buy the softboxes...new. Couldn't find them used. I spent around $400 for a large foldable octabox and a stripbox, both with grids.

Thanks folks!

My impact stands are the heavy duty versions. They're great, and are air cushioned. I also sandbag them, just as a precaution.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Cushioned_Heavy​_Duty.html

I also own a sturdy Manfrotto convertible boom arm. It's great to.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …20B_Combi_Boom_​Stand.html

I own (2) pocket wizzard plus II's and miniTT1 and FlexTT5.

The new miniTT1 failed in the middle of my shoot. Not sure why, it's either defective or the battery went dead. I sent a note requesting tech support from PW.

As for mis-fires, I think my NiMH batteries in one of my 580EXII's were going bad. The flash kept going to sleep too often, and I had to press the test button to wake it up. I later realized I could set the custom function to disable sleep. I also did not have an optional Canon Battery Pack attached to this flash, so with only (4) batteries, I think that's what caused the mis-fires.

I got tired of messing with these issues, and want lights that are more reliable, and more powerful.

I've heard a lot of folks recommending the Alien Bees, but I'm now concerned about the inconsistant color temperatures.

Are the new Einsteins better units?

I love your idea of buying used AB's to!

I also like the idea of the foldable octabox and stripbox with grids.

Great advise, thank you all!

Any other tips or suggestions on equipment are appreciated.

Wow, check out David Hobby's review of Alien Bees!

Very interesting indeed!

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …big-lights-alienbees.html