Picking lighting equipment.. strobes.

Foques

Good day, folks.

While, I still have my interest spiked with Icelight, I also would like to pick up triggers/strobes/soft boxes combo.

Currently, I am looking at either PW or Cyber Syncs.
I am also looking to get 2 strobes (Alienbees b800 seems to be a strong contender).. but need suggestions.

Obviosuly, I would like to save $$. but I would also like to get somewhat decent quality items. My current situation allows me to swing a purchase that I won't be able to swing again in the near future.

That said..

Thoughts on the B800? Should I go with one B800 and one Einstein?
Thoughts on the Zeus™ Ringmaster Flash Head vs AlienBees ABR800 Ringflash Unit? Worth it? or can I save and get a different one for the similar effect?
I plan on getting a Vagabond power pack as well.

Which light stands would you suggest? how about softboxes? All of the stuff would have to be carried as well.. so I am hoping to make the needed set up as lightweight/portable as possible (I've never been a big fan of the hikes with 80lbs of armor on, but if I need to do that I can.. but just want to make it as logical as possible )

Also, back to the strobes.. Do you think it would make sense to use speedlights as a fill lighting? or should I just get 3 strobes and be rid of my Sb-600s

Lay it on me!
Please!

aktse

Read this thread about radio triggers.

The rest of your questions depends on what you're shooting, where you're shooting at, the quality of light desired, the need to over power the sun, battery powered or battery packs, size of scene, and the list goes on and on and on.

My conclusion: there doesn't exist a single lighting solution to fit all situations; it all depends on the situation.

In the end, light is light. Everything else just helps you control and finesse it and in the end, some methods are easier than others.

If you're backpacking in to a location, I would go with hot shoe flashes, ezybox, honl stuff, various clamps and bungee cords due to weight. For hiking, i go with my smallest and lightest light stand.

If you're in a studio setting or somewhere where packing it in is easy, i suggest strobes (like ABs)/battery pack combos since they output more light, refresh rate is faster and they're cheaper. For studio settings, i like C-stands.

Foques

thank you for the input. The thread you linked doesn't really cover the triggers i'm looking at I believe.. the pricetag is considerably higher.

And yes, absolutely, if i'll be looking to hike, my SB-900s will be with me; it is the easy accessible areas that i'm looking at to use better strobes on.

I do want to be able to overpower the sun.. Shooting will be primarily outside and conventions.. As my post states, I am going to use the vagabond power pack to pwoer the strobes.

ziggy53

I'm pretty pleased with Adorama FlashPoint II monolights. (I think that our moderator, "Pathfinder" also has a set).

These are AC/mains power only, although there is a newer model with an "M" suffix that can be battery powered or AC powered. Also the Flashpoint DG600 which is AC/DC capable.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Flash/Lighting&cat2=Monolights&cat3=Monolights&Feature1=Flashpoint

Specifically I have a pair of the FlashPoint II 1820A monolights, and they can overpower the sun using large umbrellas. They are probably too much power for close proximity indoors unless you use double-diffused modifiers and smaller apertures. The 600 and 1200 effective watt-second units are probably more general purpose than the 1800 effective w-s units.

The FlashPoint monolights have their own ring mount, and only a few Adorama modifiers are available. Fortunately, a converter is available to allow the use of Westcott modifiers (which are abundant):

http://www.superdigitalcity.com/Westcott-Adapter-Ring-Alien-Bees-Balcar-p/3500-wst.htm

The FlashPoint monolights also have the standard "stem" socket, so umbrellas and even the SoftLighters work fine too.

The following are all from my FlashPoint II monolights:

Foques

this is very helpful! thank you!

aktse

Foques wrote: »

Do you think it would make sense to use speedlights as a fill lighting? or should I just get 3 strobes and be rid of my Sb-600s

I use speedlites and ABs depending on the situation and have mixed them before as well.

1. AB as fill, speedlite in bd for key, and a speedlite to side rim.


I have also successfully used a speedlite for fill.

2. Result: Midget Stig

Foques wrote: »

thank you for the input. The thread you linked doesn't really cover the triggers i'm looking at I believe.. the pricetag is considerably higher.

PWs and Cyber Syncs are mentioned in the thread. PWs are industry standard unless you're using elinchrom due to their durability and reliability; the PWs Flex are nice because they give you TTL option; both are recommended in that thread with various reasons. If I have to start over again, I would probably go with the Einsteins, Flex+PowerMC2s; it's still cheaper than the elinchrom + skyports combo once you start looking at modifiers. If you're going with the cyber Syncs and ABs (perfectly fine combo), I would pick up the Cyber Commander too. I like these combos because you can remotely adjust the power of the lights and this matters if you're doing multi light setups in a large space, but not so much if you're using one light. The gear depends on the situation/location/desired light, e.g. like if you need HSS.

3. Camping -- small, light and fast


4. Headshot; AB, octo, reflector



I use a mixture of 580s, ABs, PWsII and a ton of modifiers. I tend to care more about the shape, quality of light and environment rather than the light itself which is why I like PaulBuff; the modifiers are affordable. The bells and whistles on the lights/triggers are nice, but they're not a must have for me (Flex, etc).

Foques wrote: »

I do want to be able to overpower the sun.

My last attempt to over power the sun with my speedlites required three of them in a tri-grip and it was still a struggle.

FlyNavy

I am very pleased with Paul Buff. I have 2 AB400's, 2 AB800's and use the cybersync triggers and various modifiers. Their soft boxes are top quality! I bought the Cyber commander but rarely use it as I seem to prefer the manual mode. It is a real hoot to call the great folks at Paul Buff to get technical support. They make you feel like family!

perroneford

I'll add more later. I have AB800s, 1600s Einsteins, PLMs, Vagabonds, PW Flex units and MultiMaxes. There are VERY few scenarios where I take the Bees instead of the Einsteins. But the Bees are lighter. If you get a Vagabond and need more than 300 full power pops, then get two or a spare battery.

I have the AC3 unit for the flex units and have used it some. That is a fabulous system. That said I did a model shoot today and just took one Einstein, Vagabond, flex on the light and MultiMax on the camera. I used a strip box on the light and loved that.

As to stands I only use Matthews. They are heavy. They don't fail, flex, or cause problems. I have used other stands in the past. Most are garbage.

If you start shooting studio strobes, forget hiking with it. If you want hiking stuff take aktse's advice. I have Honl stuff and some other stuff. Works great. I've worked with Dave Honl and Dave Black and am constantly amazed what you can do with a few speed lights.

Foques

thank you so much for the input, folks! much appreciated!
Just picked up that package : http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=339012
need to order a vagabond, and softboxes.. I think, i'll be selling of the heads soon.