Who can explain this?

Erbeman

So I'm watching a new DVD I purchased made by Nikon School called "A Hands on Guide to Creative Lighting" and they use Nikon speedlights with umbrellas, softboxes, refectors and white sheets. It's very informative. However my question is this: If you can do everything with speedlights, why do people buy expensive strobe lights that require alot more than a few AA batteries?

ziggy53

Erbeman wrote:

... If you can do everything with speedlights, why do people buy expensive strobe lights that require alot more than a few AA batteries?

Speedlights lack:

Modeling lights that help position the lights and help direct the shadows. Modeling lights with a "follow power" function also help visualize the ratios between the different lights and identify potential conflicts with the different lights.

Power control. Typically speedlights have very specific and limited power output settings. Studio strobes tend to have much more control. Some studio lights have infinite power control throughout their range of power.

Total output power. Studio strobes tend to be much more powerful, allowing larger and more complicated (inefficient but effective) modifiers. Studio strobes are also very effective for competing against strong ambient light.

Repeatability. Typical speedlights will fire when they reach 80% capacity or so, to shorten the cycle time. Many studio strobes will not fire until they reach 100%.

Recycle speed. For any rated power, studio lights tend to be much faster to recycle.

Reliability. Studio lights tend to have longer duty cycles before overheating and circuits to prevent failure if overheating occurs. Speedlights will overheat or even fail if they are stressed at full power without cooldown periods.

User replaceable parts. Studio strobes are often designed so that the user can replace at least the flashtube and modeling light.

I could go on ...

Erbeman

ziggy53 wrote:

Speedlights lack:

Modeling lights that help position the lights and help direct the shadows. Modeling lights with a "follow power" function also help visualize the ratios between the different lights and identify potential conflicts with the different lights.

Power control. Typically speedlights have very specific and limited power output settings. Studio strobes tend to have much more control. Some studio lights have infinite power control throughout their range of power.

Total output power. Studio strobes tend to be much more powerful, allowing larger and more complicated (inefficient but effective) modifiers. Studio strobes are also very effective for competing against strong ambient light.

Repeatability. Typical speedlights will fire when they reach 80% capacity or so, to shorten the cycle time. Many studio strobes will not fire until they reach 100%.

Recycle speed. For any rated power, studio lights tend to be much faster to recycle.

Reliability. Studio lights tend to have longer duty cycles before overheating and circuits to prevent failure if overheating occurs. Speedlights will overheat or even fail if they are stressed at full power without cooldown periods.

User replaceable parts. Studio strobes are often designed so that the user can replace at least the flashtube and modeling light.

I could go on ...

Thank you sir