Speedlites+Softboxes or dedicated studio lights?

So I'm a newbie to studio lighting, looking to expand my horizons a bit. I've been looking at my options, and so far I've narrowed it down to the Cheetah QBox 24's and stands, or something like the Elinchrom D-LiteIT 4/4 to go set. The main application would be family portraits, some product shots, etc.

So obviously, since I have 2 speedlites and pocketwizards already, the qbox setup would win by a huge margin for price, no question. It would also win for portability, but I'm not planning to do a ton of scene work with big softboxes (though it's nice to have the option). The QBoxes would be lit with my 580EXII/430EXII.

The Elinchrom setup is obviously more money, but from the reviews/feedback I've been able to piece together, it seems that the lighting would be more powerful/even with the Eli setup and the hardware would be a bit more solid.

For those who have experienced both, just how much of an improvement in light power/quality is there from softboxed speedlites to something like the D-LiteIT? Saving money is awesome (as is the portability, esp. when you start pricing the Ranger RX) but if I'm disappointed/not gaining anything then the big savings is just a waste... Would love to hear some experiences.

Tough doing family portraits with a 24" softbox. I you go the speedlite route, factor in battery packs to increase your recycle time.

TBH - I have and use both depending on what I need. Studio strobes are a joy to work with while speedlites I have to make work for most situations.

Speedlites with umbrellas may even be a better solution than a Qbox for family work and you probably have that already.

I love my speedlites and Qbox but love my strobes more.

CosmoKid wrote in post #11375822
Tough doing family portraits with a 24" softbox. I you go the speedlite route, factor in battery packs to increase your recycle time.

TBH - I have and use both depending on what I need. Studio strobes are a joy to work with while speedlites I have to make work for most situations.

Speedlites with umbrellas may even be a better solution than a Qbox for family work and you probably have that already.

I love my speedlites and Qbox but love my strobes more.

I actually don't have umbrellas either. Interesting that you recommend umbrellas since there are complaints about the inability to fill an umbrella with a Speedlite.

So it sounds like the simplicity/ease of use nod goes to the studio lights too.

have you checked out this thread Dr. Pete? it's all about your QBox 24, which is what I'm leaning towards.

https://photography-on-the.net …26&highlight=ch​eetah+qbox

Pward1980 wrote in post #11375956
have you checked out this thread Dr. Pete? it's all about your QBox 24, which is what I'm leaning towards.

https://photography-on-the.net …26&highlight=ch​eetah+qbox

Yeah, I did, but my goal in this thread is more of a hopped-up-speedlite vs. decent-studio-light comparison.

I had a Westscott 50" softbox that was usable with flash. My primary issue with it at the time was firing the slaves (two 550EX's) reliably inside it. Now that I'm using Flex TT5's, firing the slaves is a non issue. Secondary issue was that a 50inch softbox is cumbersome to use for location photograph. I'm currently using one slave in an Alzo 15x15" softbox, but I'd like to move to a 24" that will handle two slaves.

The cheetah 24" is on my list of things to add to my kit.

I have profoto studio strobes, but using them on location would require a generator, additional assistants, cost, etc. For the right job, I'll make all that happen.

I tend to agree that a 24" softbox might be too small for family portraits. While you can certainly do everything you described with speedlights, and with enough skill you could do it quite well, I think you'd be a lot happier with strobes. If portability is a factor the speedlights might win, but if not I personally would lean towards the strobes. About a year ago I was in a similar position where I had one 580EXII and was debating whether I should buy another 580EXII or jump into studio strobes. The issues of batteries, recycle times, available modifiers, available modeling lights, etc. all pushed me towards studio strobes, and while I definitely spent more than I had initially intended, I'm glad I did.

In your case, already having two speedlights, you could certainly accomplish what you want with what you have. The question is simply how happy you'll be with the limitations you have. What you might want to consider doing is pick a brand of strobes you'd go with (probably either Elinchrom, Alien Bees, or the Calumet Genesis), buy triggers from that brand to control your speedlights, pick up a couple umbrellas, and see whether or not you're happy with it. If you are, you haven't spent that much, and if you're not, you haven't spent much on the umbrellas and you can still use your triggers with your strobes and incorporate your speedlights into your studio lighting as well.

Edit: Given that you're considering a "To Go" kit (which is a good idea), you'd probably get your transmitter for the triggers with that. So keep in mind that if you were to buy a Skyport transmitter and triggers for your speedlights, you'd probably end up with an extra transmitter if you eventually went with studio lights. If you've decided on Elinchrom (which is definitely a good brand), you may want to solicit more input on which transmitters and triggers would work with the To Go kit and which would work with speedlights, etc.

Just thought of sharing.
5DM2 + 24-70L + one (1) 580EX II + Cheetah Qbox 24" Softbox

jj fad wrote in post #11376827
Just thought of sharing.
5DM2 + 24-70L + one (1) 580EX II + Cheetah Qbox 24" Softbox

more here: https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=11376824#po​st11376824

Pretty impressive. Maybe a QBox and umbrella might do the trick for now... But the Elinchroms are oh so nice! A modeling light that doesn't audibly suck down the batteries in my speedlites would be nice too... Decisions, decisions.

Also sounds like the QBox bracket isn't too friendly to the FlexTT5...

jj fad wrote in post #11376827
Just thought of sharing.
5DM2 + 24-70L + one (1) 580EX II + Cheetah Qbox 24" Softbox

more here: https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=11376824#po​st11376824

It's a halfbody shot of 2 people smushed together. It's exactly what the Qbox is for.

I have my Qbox with my 580 2 and my pixel battery pack and I love it. But it only works well in certain situations. I have been able to pull off a 580 with a 64" plm for more full length photos. But the strobes make it much easier.

I love the options I have with both.

OP i see that you are new to flash so I will assume you haven't seen this blog: www.strobist.com go to the "lighting 101" tab and the guy will walk you thru using hot shoe flashes in practically all situations.

I use umbrellas for portraits of more than 1 or 2 people... I have a 28" Westcott that is nice but it is much more directional than an umbrella - perfect in some but definitely not all situations. Plus umbrellas are cheap and work in a range of situations. There is no reason to avoid picking a couple up, whether or not you add soft boxes, beauty dishes or whatever later.