Studio Lighting recommendations?

JohnR · February 19, 2005

I'm looking into getting some studio lights. I see that Alien Bees come highly recommended at FM and by a friend of mine. What about you all? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on this. This is what I was thinking, though I think I'll drop the bags for now:

ian408 · February 19, 2005

Why only the 400s? The 800's would allow you a little faster re-cycle time
as well as access to more light.

I meant to add, check out the Bogen light stands. I think they're somewhat
cheaper.

Ian

John Mueller · February 19, 2005

I have a similar set-up but with 800's
The 13' lightstands are good.I went with the air cushioned.It will make a difference if and when you add octabox or softboxes.
I also have added a 1600.
Youll have fun which ever you choose.

JohnR · February 19, 2005

Not sure which Bogen you are talking about, but I found this at B&H:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3078 - Light Stand without Casters - 13' for $81.95
That's the cheapest one.

Alien Bees 13' is only $69.95

The reason I'm going with 13' is for flexability.

John Mueller · February 19, 2005

JohnR wrote:

Not sure which Bogen you are talking about, but I found this at B&H:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3078 - Light Stand without Casters - 13' for $81.95
That's the cheapest one.

Alien Bees 13' is only $69.95

The reason I'm going with 13' is for flexability.

Ab 13' air chusioned light stands are 99.95 Here They really help when you have weight on them.

JohnR · February 19, 2005

Yeah..I was talking to ian when I said about the price.

ian408 · February 19, 2005

JohnR wrote:

Not sure which Bogen you are talking about, but I found this at B&H:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3078 - Light Stand without Casters - 13' for $81.95
That's the cheapest one.

Alien Bees 13' is only $69.95

The reason I'm going with 13' is for flexability.

I found the 3078's for $59. Not too long ago either.

Ian

ian408 · February 19, 2005

ian408 wrote:

I found the 3078's for $59. Not too long ago either.

Ian

I should have added, don't forget the sandbags to keep those bad boys on the
ground.

Ian

Shay Stephens · February 19, 2005

Hi John,
What will you be shooting typically, and in what size space? This has a big impact on what to choose.

That 13 foot stand is nice and stout and extends up tall, but you can't retract it down very short. The 13 foot is usually overkill too if just using umbrellas, unless you just need the hight. I only use the 13 foot when I need to use the large softbox or the boom. I mostly use the 10 footers.

You might want to consider a background light stand if you think you will be needing to light something from a low angle.

The B400's have plenty of power for a small studio space (room, garage, etc). I rarely go above 1/2 power with them. And being plugged into AC power, recycle time has never been an issue for me.

The white/silver umbrella is pretty ugly, especially with some wear and tear. The shoot through umbrellas look great and are nearly as bright and more versatile, but they control light spill much better than the white/silver.

I would also recommend getting at least one 20 degree grid to create a spotlight effect. If you light the background separately from the subject, a grid can create a really nice look on either the subject or the background. It adds versatility fairly inexpensively.

JohnR · February 19, 2005

Right now, this would be for small studio type...basement of our house for now. I plan on practicing with my family and (hopefully) our friends before moving up.

Thanks for the information on stands and their heights....I didn't know that!
Sounds like I found someone I can pick their brains for information

:D

fish · February 19, 2005

One of these days, when I get old enough to graduate from the three strobe setup, I want some alien bees. A martian pink one, an alien green one, and a mello yello one.

ian408 · February 19, 2005

fish wrote:

One of these days, when I get old enough to graduate from the three strobe setup, I want some alien bees. A martian pink one, an alien green one, and a mello yello one.

They are the bomb. But why'd you want MPY

Actually, I'm in the running to do our company x-mas party shots again. If I
do, I might have to pick up some lights and I think the AB's would be perfect.
Last time, we used a large softbox and a couple of umbrellas. Shay's
suggestion of a background stand is a good one.

How's about a warmer reflector? Is that worth using?

Ian

patch29 · February 20, 2005

ian408 wrote:

How's about a warmer reflector? Is that worth using?

Ian

If you want to warm it up I would just gel the strobe head (just don't let it rest on the flash tube/modeling lamp. Then you can still get different densities, effects or none at all.

ian408 · February 20, 2005

patch29 wrote:

If you want to warm it up I would just gel the strobe head (just don't let it rest on the flash tube/modeling lamp. Then you can still get different densities, effects or none at all.

Pardon my ignorance. But can gels be left on the lights for long periods of
time?

Thanks,
ian

patch29 · February 21, 2005

ian408 wrote:

Pardon my ignorance. But can gels be left on the lights for long periods of
time?

Thanks,
ian

How long are you talking? I have left them on for extended periods, but I will usually turn off the modeling light if it is not needed. If you stretch it over the reflector you should be fine depending on the light, do it loosely so air can flow. If the gel touches the flashtube/modeling light it is possible that you can melt the gel to it and that would be very bad, but knock on wood, it has not been a problem for me. I also use Profoto lights which have a glass dome over the flashtube and modeling light, and the heads have fans which draw air from the back of the head and push it forward. I have also used them on Speedotron, Dynalite and Broncolor lights, plus a few others. I have not worked with AB lights so I can't give you a good answer on them. If you place them well and leave space and airflow everything should be fine.

ian408 · February 21, 2005

patch29 wrote:

How long are you talking?

Hour or two at most.

Ian

patch29 · February 21, 2005

ian408 wrote:

Hour or two at most.

Ian

I think you would be fine. AB and most manufacturers offer gel holders. AB also sell the gels here. You could email them to see what they say about the amount of time they can be left on. I would just use caution and not leave them unattended.

JohnR · February 22, 2005

Ordered the Digi Bee setup last night, shipped today!

John Mueller · February 22, 2005

Congrats John.ENJOY

ian408 · February 22, 2005

Equipment Review?
When you get the lights and have had a chance to play around with them;
Would you mind writing a review for us?

Thanks in advance!
Ian

JohnR · February 22, 2005

Sure, I can try! Still need to get a background.

REECEPHOTO · February 27, 2005

I have 3 AB's myself you willl love them. They have worked wonderfuly for me.
I cant wait to get one more.

Studio Lighting recommendations?

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