Lighting for portrait work.

[nik_hodgkinson]

I'm moving from doing nature and landscape photography into portrait photography

and need a lighting setup for a recurring on site shoot as well as a growing

amount of studio portrait work coming from the on site shoot. (I'm currently

renting gear for the on site and all of the studio work is scheduled in the

somewhat near future)

<br/><br/>

I was initially thinking about the <a

href="http://www.adorama.com/HLIPPKS.html">Hensel Integra Pro Plus Kit</a>, but

after reading quite a few forum posts here I've strayed into indecision. It

seems as if Profoto will give me more of what I'm after but at a higher cost and

no included stands, umbrella's, or softbox's. I'm not to concerned about weight

most work I plan to do is either in studio or relatively close and power should

always be available. I'm also torn between a block and head system or

monolights or even a combination of the two.

<br/><br/>

The things I'm looking for in a system are a good recycle time, the possibility

of a radio slave, and maybe being able to shoot people in action, mainly

dancing. Also, at my on site shoot I will be taking quite a few pictures

somewhere in the neighborhood of 100-150 photo's an hour for 2-4 hours, the last

time I did this I shot 500 pictures in around 3 1/2 hours. And as a side

thought it is possible that I will want a single DC light in the future, so it

would be nice to have the ability to move my accessories around.

<br/><br/>

My budget is about $4000, or more if I feel its justified and it will give me

more options in the future.

<br/><br/>

As far as use I plan on shooting a lot of individuals, couples, families and

some small to medium groups(4-12)

<br/><br/>

Thanks for any help you can give,<br/>

-Nik

[twmeyer]

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/327636-REG/Dyna_Lite__1000_W_S_2_Head.html">Dynalite</a> 1000ws with two heads and built in Pocket Wizard. <p>Plus a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242246-REG/Hensel_7020495_Porty_1200_Kit.html">Hensel Porty</a> with one head and your $4000 is gone... t

[berardi]

In regards to monolights v. block and head system, monolights might work better for what

you're doing. They're easier to spread out for a bigger shoot in my experience, since they

don't all have to be plugged into the same place. Also, what do you plan on shooting with? If

it's a DSLR, you probably don't need super-powerful lights.

[nik_hodgkinson]

I'm using a D200. I also have a D80 as a backup body. And I almost always shoot at ISO 100. I have currently been thinking about a block with two heads for the main and secondary light and one monolight for a hair or background light.

 

-Nik

[d_g5]

You may hate me to death. I suggest 3 Alien Bee 800's with the Vagabond II portable power system and whatever modifiyer you like! I'm pretty sure you will end up saving tons of money and get great saleable images with either system. Also the warranty and service from Alienbees is outstanding.

[twmeyer]

I just don't like the weight of monolights on a stand and especially on a boom with a large modifier... too much weight, and unless you get a remote control, hard to adjust without lowering the lights or using a ladder. Just me. Your results may vary... t

[laughing buddha production]

You might look into the Profoto Acute 2400 R - you can often get a kit with two strobes for under $4000. Great system, I don't think anyone will denigrate Profoto, expandable, pretty light in weight, built in radio trigger, great consistent light, and fast recycle.

 

I haven't used it to shoot a lot of action - mainly fashion/beauty, but I'm sure it powerful enough to stop action.

 

If you've been renting, I would think you've probably run across this system before. The power cords and pack are a limit vs monolights, but I've found it long enough to spread out 15-20 feet apart.

[twmeyer]

The only negative about Profoto is that you get two heads for $4000.<p>An important part of photographing dancers is anticipation of the peak moment, and a strobe with a short flash duration to avoid ghosting.<p>That Porty has AC and DC capability... t

[nik_hodgkinson]

Thanks for all your help. Right now I'm looking at getting a Profoto 2400R Kit and an extra light.

 

Thanks again,

-Nik