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#1
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Upgading to Budget Strobe System?
Hey all,
Once again, more questions I am looking for a set of strobes. I would be using them with my Contax G1 (35mm), and Olympus E-1 (Digital), and possibly an unknown medium format that I may purchase sometime in the future. I am starting new, nothing but my basic flash (Olympus FL-50, similar to Canon 550EX) and a Metz Slave flash. I am bouncing between three kits, Could any of you all tell me what you thoughts are on these? I am trying to keep the strobe kits at or under $1000. 1. Travelite 1500w/s Two-Head Umbrella Kit: 999.00 I believe these are made by bowens. Neat thing is, end of the month there is a no tax sale, and they are opening 2 miles from me. 2. 2x DigitFlash (made a mistake earlier) 500 with Stands and barn doors. 3. Alien Bees, B800x2, + stands, etc. These seem nice but are very low powered and have very low powered modeling lamps. I am looking for head and shoulder portraits, and some tented small product shots. I work, mainly, in a very small one care garage, all white interior. My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H. I was considering using the FL-50 for fill off the ceiling (164 guide number). At times I will very likely be shooting at an altar area of a church (not weddings, not up to that yet). The thing that did weird me out is how expensive barn doors are for the travelites, versus the AB and DigitFlash. I am pretty open, new or used. I was also offered a Calumet Elite 1200ws set with two heads (used). So I am pretty far gone. Too many options. Any other suggestions? ? Thanks! Robert Meyers Crossposted to rpe35, rpd, and rptp, as all relevant. [ |
#2
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You did not list White Lightning. That is what I own. I love
them! They are VERY powerful, I have the middle ones and 90% of the time they are TOO powerful. What I like the most about them is that they are mono lights with the ability to control them from a central control unit, when need be. When I am in the studio, I have all three of my heads hooked to the command module. Today the connection can be wireless where mine is wired. But when I go into the feild, I leave the command module and extra wires at the studio and have normal mono lights. I also like the fact that the modelingl light is the same type of light bulb one puts into a standard light in ones house. The only down side I have found is that the set of accessories don't even begin to touch that of the high end systems. Here is their URL: http://www.white-lightning.com Sam On 2004-10-19, Robert Meyers wrote: Hey all, I am looking for a set of strobes. I would be using them with my Contax G1 (35mm), and Olympus E-1 (Digital), and possibly an unknown medium format that I may purchase sometime in the future. I am starting new, nothing but my basic flash (Olympus FL-50, similar to Canon 550EX) and a Metz Slave flash. I am bouncing between three kits, Could any of you all tell me what you thoughts are on these? I am trying to keep the strobe kits at or under $1000. 1. Travelite 1500w/s Two-Head Umbrella Kit: 999.00 I believe these are made by bowens. Neat thing is, end of the month there is a no tax sale, and they are opening 2 miles from me. 2. 2x DigitFlash (made a mistake earlier) 500 with Stands and barn doors. 3. Alien Bees, B800x2, + stands, etc. These seem nice but are very low powered and have very low powered modeling lamps. I am looking for head and shoulder portraits, and some tented small product shots. I work, mainly, in a very small one care garage, all white interior. My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H. I was considering using the FL-50 for fill off the ceiling (164 guide number). At times I will very likely be shooting at an altar area of a church (not weddings, not up to that yet). The thing that did weird me out is how expensive barn doors are for the travelites, versus the AB and DigitFlash. I am pretty open, new or used. I was also offered a Calumet Elite 1200ws set with two heads (used). So I am pretty far gone. Too many options. Any other suggestions? |
#3
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You're lucky that the Alien Bees company is an american one. Here in Europe we/I can only wish these systems could be purchased as low priced as in the US. I've drooled on Alien Bees, for their reputation and price. But the shippingcosts would almost double the price. My vote for Alien Bees, for price, reputation and being a complete system. Borgh. |
#4
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You're lucky that the Alien Bees company is an american one. Here in Europe we/I can only wish these systems could be purchased as low priced as in the US. I've drooled on Alien Bees, for their reputation and price. But the shippingcosts would almost double the price. My vote for Alien Bees, for price, reputation and being a complete system. Borgh. |
#5
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Borghesia wrote:
My vote for Alien Bees, for price, reputation and being a complete system. On paper (or website) absolutely agree. The only thing I would have reservations about would be location work. Not sure they would handle the abuse as well. Cheers, Alan -- -- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource: -- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.-- |
#6
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I would go with White Lightning. I've owned them in the past and they are
very good for the money. -- http://www.chapelhillnoir.com home of The Camera-ist's Manifesto The Improved Links Pages are at http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/links/mlinks00.html A sample chapter from "Haight-Ashbury" is at http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/writ/hait/hatitl.html "Robert Meyers" wrote in message ... Hey all, Once again, more questions I am looking for a set of strobes. I would be using them with my Contax G1 (35mm), and Olympus E-1 (Digital), and possibly an unknown medium format that I may purchase sometime in the future. I am starting new, nothing but my basic flash (Olympus FL-50, similar to Canon 550EX) and a Metz Slave flash. I am bouncing between three kits, Could any of you all tell me what you thoughts are on these? I am trying to keep the strobe kits at or under $1000. 1. Travelite 1500w/s Two-Head Umbrella Kit: 999.00 I believe these are made by bowens. Neat thing is, end of the month there is a no tax sale, and they are opening 2 miles from me. 2. 2x DigitFlash (made a mistake earlier) 500 with Stands and barn doors. 3. Alien Bees, B800x2, + stands, etc. These seem nice but are very low powered and have very low powered modeling lamps. I am looking for head and shoulder portraits, and some tented small product shots. I work, mainly, in a very small one care garage, all white interior. My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H. I was considering using the FL-50 for fill off the ceiling (164 guide number). At times I will very likely be shooting at an altar area of a church (not weddings, not up to that yet). The thing that did weird me out is how expensive barn doors are for the travelites, versus the AB and DigitFlash. I am pretty open, new or used. I was also offered a Calumet Elite 1200ws set with two heads (used). So I am pretty far gone. Too many options. Any other suggestions? ? Thanks! Robert Meyers Crossposted to rpe35, rpd, and rptp, as all relevant. [ |
#7
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Tony wrote:
I would go with White Lightning. I've owned them in the past and they are very good for the money. I also got WL. the x16 and x32 have 128:1 range of power. (for the x32, 25ws to 3200 ws.) (the x32 has enough power to fill sunlight at 10-20 feet.) browse though their products and accessories. remember that WL and alienbees use interchangeable accessories. Thanks! Robert Meyers Crossposted to rpe35, rpd, and rptp, as all relevant. [ |
#8
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Tony wrote:
I would go with White Lightning. I've owned them in the past and they are very good for the money. I also got WL. the x16 and x32 have 128:1 range of power. (for the x32, 25ws to 3200 ws.) (the x32 has enough power to fill sunlight at 10-20 feet.) browse though their products and accessories. remember that WL and alienbees use interchangeable accessories. Thanks! Robert Meyers Crossposted to rpe35, rpd, and rptp, as all relevant. [ |
#9
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On Tuesday 19 October 2004 12:29, Robert Meyers wrote:
Hey all, Once again, more questions I am looking for a set of strobes. I would be using them with my Contax G1 (35mm), and Olympus E-1 (Digital), and possibly an unknown medium format that I may purchase sometime in the future. I am starting new, nothing but my basic flash (Olympus FL-50, similar to Canon 550EX) and a Metz Slave flash. I am bouncing between three kits, Could any of you all tell me what you thoughts are on these? I am trying to keep the strobe kits at or under $1000. 1. Travelite 1500w/s Two-Head Umbrella Kit: 999.00 I believe these are made by bowens. Neat thing is, end of the month there is a no tax sale, and they are opening 2 miles from me. 2. 2x DigitFlash (made a mistake earlier) 500 with Stands and barn doors. 3. Alien Bees, B800x2, + stands, etc. These seem nice but are very low powered and have very low powered modeling lamps. Have you considered the Speedotron Brown Line? Been around for years and still in production. Good, durable, versatile, inexpensive, entry studio system. Lasts forever. Buy individual components to suit your needs or choose from the many kits. www.speedotron.com for more info. Buying used will get you more system for less money. -- Stefan Patric |
#10
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On Tuesday 19 October 2004 12:29, Robert Meyers wrote:
Hey all, Once again, more questions I am looking for a set of strobes. I would be using them with my Contax G1 (35mm), and Olympus E-1 (Digital), and possibly an unknown medium format that I may purchase sometime in the future. I am starting new, nothing but my basic flash (Olympus FL-50, similar to Canon 550EX) and a Metz Slave flash. I am bouncing between three kits, Could any of you all tell me what you thoughts are on these? I am trying to keep the strobe kits at or under $1000. 1. Travelite 1500w/s Two-Head Umbrella Kit: 999.00 I believe these are made by bowens. Neat thing is, end of the month there is a no tax sale, and they are opening 2 miles from me. 2. 2x DigitFlash (made a mistake earlier) 500 with Stands and barn doors. 3. Alien Bees, B800x2, + stands, etc. These seem nice but are very low powered and have very low powered modeling lamps. Have you considered the Speedotron Brown Line? Been around for years and still in production. Good, durable, versatile, inexpensive, entry studio system. Lasts forever. Buy individual components to suit your needs or choose from the many kits. www.speedotron.com for more info. Buying used will get you more system for less money. -- Stefan Patric |
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