Studio Light Question

illuminati919

I was wondering if like 160 watts was enough for basic studio work, just modeling photos and such. I was looking at these Impact strobes on B&H
http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=459067&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Either that or I was thinking about some AlienBees, does anyone have any good ideas while still keeping it under 400 dollars ?

Marko Knezevic

Art Scott

Sorry but that link takes me to an old W3C webpage...must a broken link or something....

Anywho.....
As some one with experience with the Paul C Buff company, I would highly recommend the Alein Bees....I don't won them but I do believe that several here have purchased them.....I myself have been using his white lightening 5000's for a very long time....

Good luck

Jeffro

I bought 3 Alien Bee 800's, after trying some tungsten lighting. The Bee's are great! You can get a light, stand and umbrella for under $400...here http://www.alienbees.com/beginner.html

illuminati919

Jeffro wrote:

I bought 3 Alien Bee 800's, after trying some tungsten lighting. The Bee's are great! You can get a light, stand and umbrella for under $400...here http://www.alienbees.com/beginner.html

Will those be powerful enough for modeling photos, maybe motorcycles and cars too ?

Jeffro

illuminati919 wrote:

Will those be powerful enough for modeling photos, maybe motorcycles and cars too ?

The 800's work pretty well. I have not had to use them at full power yet. I've used them for people and still life's, but have not yet used them for car or cycles...even though I plan on shooting my dads Harleys. There are tons of reviews on them, and it seemed like the 800's were the way to go.

I guess the area in which they are used will dictate some of their abilities too.

A buddy of mine just ordered 2 800's with stands and umbrella's, because he liked mine so much.

I'm sure there are more dgrinners that have the Bee's that can reply too.

illuminati919

Thanks alot Jeffro, give me alot more confidence to buy them now knowing that you're satisfied with yours.

Marko Knezevic.

spider-t

illuminati919 wrote:

Thanks alot Jeffro, give me alot more confidence to buy them now knowing that you're satisfied with yours.

Marko Knezevic.

I love my bees too. I have 3 AB800's. I started with one and used that with a reflector and a large octagonal softbox for a long time before I got the other two.

I just had a chance to use all three at full power tonight. Had to shoot a group of 80 people. I thought for sure I didn't have enough power for such a large group, but I was able to get to f11 at iso 400. Totally stoked.

Love the bees.
-Trish

AntoineD

I've heard Elinchrom is a little expensive in the US (it has to come from switzerland) but you might give them a try:
http://www.elinchrom.com/

They do some beginner sets that seem very attractive