want to buy momolights...what is best watt amount for modest budget ( $800 )

[ihartphotography]

Im a fine art photographer, studio based. And i guess you could say i need

lighting that will light a large backdrop as well as be great lighting for

portraiture in studio and on location. Nothing super complicated but need 3

heads and can be light weight and NOT ac only.

 

Im interested in buying monolights as it seems i can get a good starter set for

no t too much and get the look i want.

 

ive seen a lot of posts recommending different light sets, but i am still

hesitant and confused. I only have a budget for about $800. So i do know that

limits me, but what would you recommend?

 

1 - http://www.adorama.com/SPLLLK.html

 

2 - SP-Systems Excalibur 3 Light SP Systems Kit - Includes: 1 SP1600 160 W/S, 2

SP3200 320 W/S Monolights, Umbrellas, Barndoors, Sync Cord, Light Stands, Case -

800 W/S Total

 

3 - alien bees (although their kits are too expensive and i need a kit since i

dont have ANYTHING at all yet...

 

4 - http://www.briteklighting.com/36as3listkit.html

 

 

 

 

Are any of these good? or terrible!

 

How many watts do i need for portraiture? Ive only ever used the profoto 2400's

and i certainly cant afford that! but i still want the same lighting affects ..

or as close as possible. are 2400 watts really nessesary? what is the lowest i

should go to get good studio results. (concerned about lights poerful enough to

light a large backdrop.)

[bdp]

I don't know specifics about eithe brand, but have heard both good and bad. My only thought for you to consider is that they both seem to be on the lower end of wattage and may leave you short for future projects.

[ellis_vener_photography]

the Alien Bees are fine and are definitely not overpriced. they also have an excellent reputation for service if you ever need it.

 

Did you ever use a Profoto 2400 at full power?

[uriah]

Alien Bees are great

 

"The Digibee" & "The Background Bee" will give you three B400 units like you are looking for.

 

Grand total minus shipping $888.44

[tim a]

I just got the AB "beginner bee" 1 ab800= 320ws 1 10' light stand and an umbrella for about $370 shipping and all. In my small space( 12' x 17' ) and a reflector I can do just about anything. I will be getting another ab 800 and that should be about all.

[Mike D]

If you are really constrained by price, check out Britek for the most watts per dollar. http://www.briteklight.com/

[ihartphotography]

thank you guys.

 

And to answer someones question about using profoto 2400 on full power. yes i have. I generally shoot using a medium format camera and @ 160. if that makes any difference.

 

I want the most watts i can afford and/or what is the best for the amount of space i have usually, which is 15 x 20 sqft

 

since ive used only such a powerful light source i dunno what will happen when using a less powerful one? and still get such good light.

 

but it seems the vote is on alien bee?

 

no one like the SP Studio Systems?

[buckry]

Britek is toy lighting. If that is all you can afford it's better than nothing, but you will outgrow it after your first use. They are weak and cheap. I got a few on eBay I thought might be a good emergency back up. Of the 3 I bought, only 1 is still working, and it puts out about 5w/s, it's totally worthless.

[mitchfalk]

Believe or not, Flashpoint monolights from Adorama are the best buy for the money. They're built like tanks and have all the features of the much higher priced lights - 250 watt modeling lights, variable power controls, very sensitive slaves built in, etc. I've been using a pair of the 300 watt models for the past 4 years, never had a problem and I'm not that gentle with them.

[d_g5]

mike may be right bou the adorama strobes. I use briteks. get them from www.briteklight.com not briteklights.com. The briteks I have have been very - very good to me! The adorama lights have better build quality meaning you wont have much afterpurhase maintenence. However the service I have gotten from britek has made them well worth it.