Bowens Monolights

[Sw1tchFX]

D1 1000's are nice lights, but big power often mean mid-to-high f/stops and slow durations. The D1 500 is bright enough for most uses (unless you have to shoot large groups alot), and they power down enough to shoot wide open. Than if you get a job where you have to fill a room with light, you can rent a couple acute 2400 packs or w/e and just use your own modifiers.

D1 250's are for home-studio and freezing action, you're shooting between f/1.4 and 5.6

D1 500's are for most general studio and location use, you're shooting between f/2.8 and f/11

D1 1000's are more for location use or bigger studio, where you're shooting between f/5.6 and f/22

assuming ISO 100-ish of course..

If you're a student, you might get mac group discounts too. they're generally pretty nice.