Jump to content

Best studio flash for budget


Recommended Posts

All depends on your requirements. Home portraits, or commercial studio? How many strobes are you planning to use, how big a space do you have, what kind of light modifiers, etc.

 

Watch eBay. There was a 400 watt second Speedotron Brownline with 2 heads that went for about $110. Old unit but still quite serviceable, and good enough for home hobby use, or 2 light studio use. I almost bought that kit just for the heads. My home setup is a similar 400 WS pack + 2 heads.

 

Although if commercial studio, the 400 WS pack is likely not enough. You should go up to 800+ WS, depends on your needs (number of heads).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a Hensel Studio Technik kit that I like quite a bit. It was $1100 new for two lights, each with their own power and built in light slaves, two umbrellas, a softbox and a couple different pans for the light heads. It's easy to use, cycles pretty quickly, and using my on-camera flash (pointed at the ceiling, often) to set them off gives me a lot of flexibility for camera position.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>I am very pleased with the Elinchrom <a href="http://www.elinchrom.com/">D-

Lite</a> for casual use. The light is very precise and constant. You have electronic

variation in 0.1 stop units.

<p>The build is sturdy but plastic so I'm not sure they would be appropriate for

commercial use (the BX style would be more appropriate) but if you shoot half a day every

week, as I do, it's excellent value for the price.

<p>What makes them particularly attractive is that they work with every Elinchrom

accessory (including 3rd parties) so you have an upgrade path if you decide to go with

more pro lights in the future.

<p>I discussed them in <a href="http://www.declencheur.com/clic/archives/2006/05/

histogramme">my podcast</a> but the podcast is in French ;-)

<p>--ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The two things I would want to know are 1) how much do you have to spend, and 2) how often would you use the system?

 

For my small studio, I have used SP Excaliburs for years and really like them. They are consistent, accurate, nice controls, and always work. They've had the same great distributor in the USA for a long time also. Also on the lower end, I've used Alien Bees and White Lightening and liked them too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Michael, I have about $800-$1000 to spend. I won't be using these all that often. At least not right now. Maybe once a week. I'm mainly getting them in case I have brides or others who would like studio shots. I prefer doing location shots, but I need to be prepared for what the client wants.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Martin,

 

In that case....go ahead and get an B800 with a Medium Softbox and a B400 with a set of

Honeycomb grids. Use a Reflector for Fill and the Honeycomb for Hairlight.

 

A Boom stand for hairlight, a Straight stand for the softbox. A lightweight stand with a

Superclamp to hold a Reflector or just use big sheets of Foamcore (bookends).

 

You'll probably still be able to afford a cheap Flashmeter like a Sekonic 308

 

jmp

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have used Speedotron Brownline and never had a problem with them. I didn't really "choose" it. My first outfit (which still works and I still have) was a D402 with two heads in a carrying case, found used for practically no money, and it worked well so I expanded from that. I think you have a more reasonable budget so you can consider different setups. However, if you plan to shoot through any sort of heavy diffuser like a softbox, you will probably want more power than the 400ws total that I had.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...