420 EX or 420 Ws studio flash

[xenomer]

At my home "studio" I currently use 500W halogen lights as "studio

lighting" with self-made softboxes, diffusers and reflectors. Due to

the heat effect of these lamps and because of the electricity need I

would like to ugrade my home lighting to flash lights. Currently I

own a Canon 580 EX flash what I use mainly outdoors but not in the

home studio. Now I have the money to buy 2 used 420EX flashes OR 2

used 420 Ws studio flashes. (About the same price.) Which one would

you prefer and why?

[Ed_Ingold]

If you plan to shoot outdoors with multiple flash units, or need spares, the 420's are the way to go. Battery power for studio flash is expensive and short-lived.

 

If you plan to shoot mainly indoors, the studio flash is much more flexible. For one, you will have nearly 3 stops more light with the same modification and coverage. The recycling time will (probably) be much shorter, and it is usually easier to find modifiers - reflectors, soft boxes, barn doors, etc - to fit studio flash.

 

Not all flash units are the same. See what people think of the particular make and model. Make sure you can adjust the power output in some way, trigger the flash safely with your camera, and that a speed ring and modifiers are available to fit.

[xenomer]

Thank you very much Edward. I have choosen the two second-hand studio strobes for Christmas.