antonio_carusone Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Is it basically a kit with one light? Im new to this flash stuff so please bare with me. Im looking to buy some sort of strobe kit and I keep seeing these "MONOLIGHT" ones for real cheap. Also do these monolight use a powerpack or are they battery powered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 A monolight is a single strobe in which everything is contained in the same unit, i.e. all the 'works' are included along with the flash tube. A powerpack, or generator pack, is completely different, all the 'works' are in a separate floor-mounted unit, connected by cable to a lamphead that contains only the flash tube, modelling lamp and (sometimes) a cooling fan. Scroll down and look at this week's Weekly Lighting Theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_carusone Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 I skimmed thru it really quick but its a great read. I have to sit down tonight and read the whole thing. So let me get this straight, a monolight does not need a powerpack or batteries to run? Its all contained inside the head? If so then do you just plug it in? Im not fully understanding this. If I were to use a monolight outdoors how would I power it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_cochran Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 See <a href="http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/monolight.html">http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/monolight.html</a> for a somewhat detailed look at one brand of monolight.<p><cite>Also do these monolight use a powerpack or are they battery powered? </cite><p>Neither. They plug into the wall via a standardAC power cord. The equivalent of a pack/head system's powerpack is built into the unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_carusone Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 Thanks for the link. Ok so what if I have a monolight and I want to use it outdoors where I wouldnt have access to an AC outlet? Im basically looking for a beginner kit that I can carry around with me and learn how to use. Then eventually I will invest in a good professional kit. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eigtball Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 A monolight is a good kit to start with. What do you do that requires that kind of setup? Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Mono's as opposed to "pack & head" sets,have all the components needed to work within a single(mono) housing.Pack & head kits are just that,seperate power with the heads containing only the light producing parts(bulbs).There are avantages/disadvantages to both.Try doing a search,there reams of 411 on this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_carusone Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 Well I mostly do shoots for independent muscians in the NYC area. I was looking for a decent lighting setup so I can get use to using a strobe. Is this a decent setup? Its a 320ws monolight with a stand and a softbox for $270. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_prouty Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 If you need to use monolights outdoors with no power source, the White Lightning/ Alien Bees lights have a battery pack available to plug in up to 10 of their lights! The Vagabond power units make these lights very desirable in my eyes! Versatility is big in my view, and these do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_luinenburg Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 What David said. I have three of the Alien Bees myself, 2 800's and a 1600 (love them), but not the battery pack. I think it sounds like a good idea for your puposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_carusone Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 Mark, I checked out the Bees and Im sold. The only thing Im not too sure on is the power. Should I go for the extra light in the 1600 or will the 800 be enough? Also, I dont know whether to get an umbrella or a softbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 Anotonio, 800 should be fine for your purposes. The 1600 would be too bright for most of what I do. A Softbox is not tryly portable. An Umbrella is VERY portable. A Shoot Through Umbrella (Brolly Box) might be the best of both worlds for you. Not as diffused as a softbox, but sets up really fast. If you look in my Portfolio, the shot of Heny Rollins is a Brolly with an Alien Bees 800. jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio_carusone Posted July 21, 2004 Author Share Posted July 21, 2004 Thanks John. I never saw your work before, I really like it man. Great stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacamera Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 <p>If you are shooting outdoors, the Alien Bees might not be strong enough to overwhelm sunlight. More powerful monolights such as the Elinchrom RX1200 might be the best option. If you are shooting indoors, the Alien Bees will work great. This <a href="http://www.losangelescamerarentals.com/category/photography-lights-rental-los-angeles">Los Angeles lighting store</a> has a good selection of monolights and flash units.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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