Lighting and color temperature...

[phiya]

Maybe I'm mistaken, but it seems like I hear about people mixing types of light when taking photos. Say for example some alien bees, and some regular flash guns (like SB-800's etc).

If I'm not mistaken and this is the case, people are mixing different types of light are they not? I wouldn't think studio flash type units have the same light-color temp as flash gun type units. So my question is, how are people balancing this difference in types of light?

As a side note, I'm slowly moving into the world of portraits. I currently have an SB-600 and am likely picking up an SB-800 tomorrow. If I want to take portraits both in the field, and in a home studio I'm designing for my garage, what is my best option for lights? Should I look into one of those cheapy studio kits with a couple of always on type lights w/ umbrellas? Or are is there a better option and something I can take into the field? I've been learning quickly that decent remote triggers are super freaking expensive. I'd like to keep my overall lighting goal in a reasonable price range, but if that's not ideal or possible, I guess it'll just take me longer to get it all. As far as i can tell, ideally I'd need say 2 lights for the background and another 2 - 3 lights for my subject(s). Should I just keep investing in flashgun-strobes or go another route?

 

[tirediron]

What exactly is your "reasonable" price? There are three routes you can go: Speedlights which are a reasonably priced option, with wireless functionality, compact and easy to set up, or, you can go with strobes, which offer a lot more light for the cost, but are more expensive, require remote triggers, and 120v electrical power instead of batteries. Lastly, you can pick up a slew of used, inexpensive big old flashes (Vivitar 283s, Sunpak 500-series) and use them. That is the cheapest of all, and a good compromise between cost, features and function.

I would stay away from continuous lighting. For portraiture it really doesn't deliver and while it is inexpensive, it has all of the drawbacks associated with strobes, and none of the benefits. With respect to the question of quantity, 2 lights and 2 reflectors will do most of what you want. I rarely work with more than 2 strobes and one reflector unless I need a hair light.

As far as 'mixing light' goes, most strobes should be a similar temperature, but yes, you should avoid, whenever possible different light sources. My solution when I have to use multiple temperatures is to shoot the first exposure with either a white or grey card in the shot to balance to in post.

 

[Village Idiot]

You can always get battery to use with ac powered strobes. There's a lot more weight that you have to carry around though.

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, there are issues with mixing different color temps when using different lights/flashes/strobes etc.

Going back to film, most film was calibrated for 'day light' (normal sunlight) which is about 5500-6000 K. Electronic flash was also calibrated to this, probably because it would work well with most film and would balance well with the most common light source, day light.

So you could check the specs and/or measure the light from studio lights and flash units...and hopefully, they would match up pretty closely...but in reality, that won't always be the case.

Most studio lights (I don't know about flash units) will vary the color temp over the their power range. The best lights might have little or no variation, worse lights/designs will have a greater swing.
For example, the one big issue that people have with AB lights, is that they exhibit a fairly big color temp swing over the power range, especially near the lower end.

But even with these swings, it's not nearly as bad as trying to mix flash with tungsten lighting or other hot lights that aren't 'day light balanced'.

Sure, if you are doing color sensitive work, or you are just really picky about it...you will want to keep your color temps very consistent...but for a lot of photography, the precise color temp maybe shouldn't be your top priority.

what is my best option for lights? Should I look into one of those cheapy studio kits with a couple of always on type lights w/ umbrellas?

Since you are already going to have two Speedlight units, why not use those? I'd certainly prefer those over a cheap studio kit, either strobe or hot lights. This will allow you to work in the field or in the studio.

Of course, there are many benefits to having actual studio lights for your studio (and I'd recommend studio strobes over hot lights, especially for shooting people). But I would recommend investing in something more than those cheap kits.

 

[phiya]

Thank you everyone for your help!

Mike, is there a particular type or brand of studio strobe you'd recommend? Also, I haven't picked up the SB-800 yet, would it be better in the long run to go another route?

 

[Big Mike]

Also, I haven't picked up the SB-800 yet, would it be better in the long run to go another route?

Depends what you want to do and how you want to do it. :er:

If you had two Nikon units, you could use the Wireless CLS system and have off-camera flash with iTTL metering etc. But adding the SB800 is one expensive piece of gear...and if you would rather put money toward studio gear, that's up to you.

Mike, is there a particular type or brand of studio strobe you'd recommend?

Not really...there are plenty of options. I use Alienbees and I like them, but like I mentioned, they do have their issues. I can't recall the name, but I believe there is a brand of 'discount' flash units being sold at B&H or Adorama that look to be pretty good quality at an entry level price.
I've heard good things about the studio stuff from Calumet Photo and Elinchrom has a line of entry level lights that are pretty good.
This has been asked many times on the forum, the search tool is your friend.

 

[Derrel]

Adorama Flashpoint 320 monolights are being sold at $99 for the amply powerful 150 watt-second models, with free shipping. $129 for kits with a stand and umbrella included. Adorama also has a newer M-series line, which can be powered by AC wall power OR by their new, low cost battery pack for off-the-grid uses.

 

[Village Idiot]

Keep in mind, if you plan on using these outside and want to be able to kill the sun with a modified strobe, you'll probably need about 600w/s. That's strong midday sun.