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What do you think about this monolight?
SP-Systems Excalibur 3200 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … Navigation I'm looking into some lights... all my work has been done with available light, so I'm kind of new to this. thanks. Feb 08 06 11:08 am Link and this one Photogenic StudioMax III Constant Color 320 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … Navigation thanks ........................... I'm also looking at the Alien Bees  Feb 08 06 11:12 am Link I think it all depends on what you are doing. With your experience being in utilizing available light, and having interest in video, than maybe hot lights would be a better answer? However, living in a tropical zone, I would think that you might be doing a lot of location work where a battery powered strobe of at least 600 ws would be handy. Just some thoughts anyway. Feb 08 06 12:19 pm Link Jay Dezelic wrote: thanks for the feedback Feb 08 06 12:25 pm Link Excalibur lights will work fine. I use them and have only used them since I started shooting. They are inexpensive (bigger than I'd like them to be), and they get the job done. No matter what lights you decide to go with, there will be learning curve as you understand what your lights can and cannot do. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on strobes, so I went with the Excalibur set and have since added a set of 6400's to the case. Feb 08 06 01:15 pm Link EMG STUDIOS wrote: cool... I saw your portfolio Feb 08 06 01:27 pm Link Victor Javier wrote: I agree. I have done a couple shoots recently (as a model) with photographers who use hot lights. It is a lot easier to hold an expression with strobes. I can only imagine that hot lights would not be comfortable in warm climates either. Feb 08 06 01:36 pm Link I have the Photogenic like that but the AC/DC version. If I were you, I would spring a little bit more and get the AC/DC version. You can then use it inside with AC or out with a Turbo type battery. It's not as robust as the big brother photogenics (I have 5 of those), but it's lightweight, puts out plenty of light, etc. The light weight is also a factor if you ever mount it on a boom for a hairlight or want to rig it up high. It takes all the standard mounting rings that fit the bigger photogenics and all the other photogenic accessories (grids, snoots, barndoors, etc) so if you get some accessories, they will work down the road if you upgrade to the bigger photogenics. On a lightweight lightstand, with a small softbox, the turbo battery and a pocket wizard, it makes a great outdoor fill. Mark Feb 08 06 01:44 pm Link thks... I'm going to look into that... Feb 08 06 01:48 pm Link Well, I don't know about either brand, but if I would pick between the lesser of two evils just based on the published specs.... I'd stay away from the 1st 1) extremely long flash duration 2) recycle time is almost twice as long. #1 doesn't evenr try to claim constant color temperature which is critical. These are both cheap units. John Feb 08 06 05:56 pm Link John Allan wrote: Thanks John... I'll keep on with my research Feb 09 06 07:13 am Link Victor Javier wrote: Victor - Feb 09 06 07:23 am Link thanks Jim ............................... so far I'm going with the Photogenics Feb 09 06 07:41 am Link The Studio Max's don't have fans. That's a big downside. I have the PowerLights. Paul Feb 09 06 11:02 am Link the powerlights look great... but they are way out of my initial budget Feb 09 06 11:14 am Link Victor Javier wrote: I use a combination of both as well as just the reflectors that come with these monolights. You can acheive the results you need if you're willing to learn to use your equipment correctly. John Allan wrote: I would agree with you that they are cheap units but I'm under the impression that the finished product is the ultimate goal. This is not an insult to your work, but I wouldn't be surprised if you told us you were using some expensive lights of some sort. Problem with that is, it's really hard to tell. Feb 09 06 02:08 pm Link EMG STUDIOS wrote: Victor Javier wrote: I use a combination of both as well as just the reflectors that come with these monolights. You can acheive the results you need if you're willing to learn to use your equipment correctly. I agree. I was a location photog who just moved to studio work and I started with some JTLs 320 that went for about $400 as a pair with the stands and two umbrellas. Except for an occasional "I wish the wattage was a tad bit higher" I love the strobe lights and If used correctly you can get some pretty good images off them. Feb 09 06 02:15 pm Link I am using Alien Bees B800 (set of 3) and they work great. You can pair them with some remote triggers (pocket wizards) for added flexibility. Granted, they are cheap unit with manual adjustment for the power needed (although you can get a remote control to remotely control the needed power output), but they get the job done. They are also fairly light and as such I use them for formal portraits at churches during my wedding gigs. Customer service at Alien Bee is good to excellent. They carry a whole bunch of accessories (grids, reflectors, umbrellas, stands) at a good price too. It could be a nice start-up kit (they actually have pre-defined start-up kits with differents light set-ups) and when you know what you need for your style or requirements you can get a "professional" equipment instead. Feb 09 06 02:16 pm Link There must be hundreds of studio lighting systems available . Not to sound like some commercial but im very satisfied with there products. http://www.white-lightning.com I can personally say the white lighting system by Paul buff has more then adequately filled my needs with staying within budget plus i believe they also have a no questions asked complete 100% refund policy if not completely satisfied . Good luck with your choice in lighting  Sincerely Ron Blake Feb 09 06 02:17 pm Link thanks to everyone for their feedback Feb 10 06 10:22 am Link thanks to everyone for the feedback Feb 10 06 10:22 am Link |
