Monolight comparison Bowens, Profoto, or many others... HELP!!!

[bdubbs79]

I'm starting a studio, don't konw much about stobes.. I have some questions that may sound dumb, but i shoot natural light with a 580exII diffusing it only. So here goes..

How much do I want to spend on my main light and how many watts for, lets say a 200-300 sq ft stuido room ? I'm mainly shooting with the 70-200 and 50mm prime... I want a very controllable monolight, pocketwizard compatible if that is the recommended RF, and just need a few people to let me know what will work for this situation... camera 5DII by the way..

So does bowens work best with pocketwizard since they make it? Or am I way off..? I don't have a preference, just stuff compatible with other lights and canon EOS...

Should I get a kit? Should I get the kit with 1-softbox and an unbrella ? I was watching a lighting tutorial but they don't go over what to get, and now I'm basically set on a main strobe and a hair/back light and even could use the 580 if needed... but really need some strong advice.

What works in a studio, money isn't a problem, just get me on the path for around $2000 give or take $1000.. big range..

thanks

 

[ghache]

everything you just listed works in studio. just buy whatever you you have the money for, profoto is quite expensive. Bowens are cheaper a bit and they work as well as the profoto, for a 300 sqft sutdio, you dont need more than 300-400 ws

 

[bdubbs79]

what about it all working together and with the pocket wizard shoe? Is it just as mix and match as your post is sort of leading at? What about a hair light, you can't use the umbrella for that so if I get a 2 light bowens 500w lights probably get a separate taller stand with a boom to hang another softbox over subject? If you like specific products on adorama or something, please link or just shoot in some model numbers you use.. thanks for the quick reply, a little info helps huge..

 

[Hatch1921]

This might be helpful? I've gone through the same steps... as I'm sure many others a have.

I want to buy studio strobes, how many should I buy? 1, 2, 10?

Hatch

 

[Village Idiot]

Where did you get that Bowens make Pocket Wizards?
PocketWizard® - The PocketWizard Story

What's your budget? I'd lover a set of Profoto lights, but I don't have $11,000 to spend. Also, look at modifiers. If you have a decent budget, check out Elinchrom. They make some very good quality lights at an affordable price. If you had VW, Audi and Porsche, Elincrhoms would be the Audis.

 

[bdubbs79]

Where did you get that Bowens make Pocket Wizards?
PocketWizard® - The PocketWizard Story

What's your budget? I'd lover a set of Profoto lights, but I don't have $11,000 to spend. Also, look at modifiers. If you have a decent budget, check out Elinchrom. They make some very good quality lights at an affordable price. If you had VW, Audi and Porsche, Elincrhoms would be the Audis.

You know what I'm sorry, i meant they had said the bowens was compatible with the pocket wizard... had a slot of the card... etc. my bad. thanks for the info. One of the guys at adorama is trying to get me into a 300w/s proflex starflash and 150 w/s flashpoint II with softboxes...

 

[Village Idiot]

Where did you get that Bowens make Pocket Wizards?
PocketWizard® - The PocketWizard Story

What's your budget? I'd lover a set of Profoto lights, but I don't have $11,000 to spend. Also, look at modifiers. If you have a decent budget, check out Elinchrom. They make some very good quality lights at an affordable price. If you had VW, Audi and Porsche, Elincrhoms would be the Audis.

You know what I'm sorry, i meant they had said the bowens was compatible with the pocket wizard... had a slot of the card... etc. my bad. thanks for the info. One of the guys at adorama is trying to get me into a 300w/s proflex starflash and 150 w/s flashpoint II with softboxes...

Photoflex is the company that makes the Starflash. Adorama makes the flashpoint. It seems almost weird that they would recommend two separate brands, except the Flashpoint is Adorama's brand. I'd cheack to see is the accessory mount is the same, because Photoflex also sells a 105w/s Starflash monolight and it would make no sense to have differently monolights with different mounting systems.

edit: The flashpoint lights use a Balcar mount and the Photoflex use something entirely different.

 

[Big Mike]

What sort of Pocket Wizard compatibility are you worried about? If you are talking about the Plus II units, which are straight up triggers...then you don't need to worry, they will trigger any flash that has a socket to plug in the cord.

But, if you are currently using the Pocket Wizard TT units with your 580EX flash, and using the TTL functionality...then you need to realize that you can't do it that way with studio lights. The TT units will work just fine, but only to fire the lights....you'll have to meter and set your exposure manually.

 

[bdubbs79]

What sort of Pocket Wizard compatibility are you worried about? If you are talking about the Plus II units, which are straight up triggers...then you don't need to worry, they will trigger any flash that has a socket to plug in the cord.

But, if you are currently using the Pocket Wizard TT units with your 580EX flash, and using the TTL functionality...then you need to realize that you can't do it that way with studio lights. The TT units will work just fine, but only to fire the lights....you'll have to meter and set your exposure manually.

i want to trigger them with the higher end units... i am putting a reciever on each light and use the transmitter on my canon 5dii.. should i just get alienbees and get their cybersync with it and just get it over with or a bowens system? What do you like personally for 320 and 160 for main and backlights? or around that wattage...?

 

[bdubbs79]

Where did you get that Bowens make Pocket Wizards?
PocketWizard® - The PocketWizard Story

What's your budget? I'd lover a set of Profoto lights, but I don't have $11,000 to spend. Also, look at modifiers. If you have a decent budget, check out Elinchrom. They make some very good quality lights at an affordable price. If you had VW, Audi and Porsche, Elincrhoms would be the Audis.

You know what I'm sorry, i meant they had said the bowens was compatible with the pocket wizard... had a slot of the card... etc. my bad. thanks for the info. One of the guys at adorama is trying to get me into a 300w/s proflex starflash and 150 w/s flashpoint II with softboxes...

Photoflex is the company that makes the Starflash. Adorama makes the flashpoint. It seems almost weird that they would recommend two separate brands, except the Flashpoint is Adorama's brand. I'd cheack to see is the accessory mount is the same, because Photoflex also sells a 105w/s Starflash monolight and it would make no sense to have differently monolights with different mounting systems.

edit: The flashpoint lights use a Balcar mount and the Photoflex use something entirely different.

So should I just cancel that group and get a set of alienbees or bowens? A combo that can work together? I don't mind the option of the bowens to hook up to the battery if needed outdoors. we are in san diego and alot of people want beach shots, but i just use the speedllite... Like to hear your kit you'd recommend with the pocketwizard or alienbees with cybersync....
Thanks
bw

 

[Big Mike]

i want to trigger them with the higher end units... i am putting a reciever on each light and use the transmitter on my canon 5dii.. should i just get alienbees and get their cybersync with it and just get it over with or a bowens system? What do you like personally for 320 and 160 for main and backlights? or around that wattage...?

You want to use the higher end PW units, that's fine...but do need TT/TTL (auto flash metering) functionality?
Considering that 99.9% of studio photographers don't use it...I'd suggest that you don't need it...but it's up to you. As far as I'm aware, the only 'auto flash metering' studio light kit is the Alien Bee with Cyber Commander...although, simply buying more Canon flashes (430EX or 580EX) would also give you that.

If you just want to simply trigger the lights, you really only need two radio units. One on camera and one on a light. As mentioned in your other thread, the studio lights have a built-in optical slave...so once you trigger one light, the other will fire as well.

 

[KmH]

Adorama doesn't make Flashpoint.

It's their 'house brand name'. Various gear makers put the Flashpoint brand on their gear for Adorama.

 

[bdubbs79]

i want to trigger them with the higher end units... i am putting a reciever on each light and use the transmitter on my canon 5dii.. should i just get alienbees and get their cybersync with it and just get it over with or a bowens system? What do you like personally for 320 and 160 for main and backlights? or around that wattage...?

You want to use the higher end PW units, that's fine...but do need TT/TTL (auto flash metering) functionality?
Considering that 99.9% of studio photographers don't use it...I'd suggest that you don't need it...but it's up to you. As far as I'm aware, the only 'auto flash metering' studio light kit is the Alien Bee with Cyber Commander...although, simply buying more Canon flashes (430EX or 580EX) would also give you that.

If you just want to simply trigger the lights, you really only need two radio units. One on camera and one on a light. As mentioned in your other thread, the studio lights have a built-in optical slave...so once you trigger one light, the other will fire as well.

Mike you read my mind. I was speaking with alien bees today. they packaged two 800's and 1 - 400 with softboxes and barn door for fill with cybersync for $1400 and change. I can handle that and i've heard alienbees is good. Should i save and not get the cybersync? that would be my only change.... I just need a good back drop and staging for it.. if you want to link something you use or like..

thanks

 

[Big Mike]

I would think long and hard before investing in Alien Bees for your studio. I own them and I do give positive reviews of them, but I'd still classify them as 'entry level' in the world of studio lights. If you are looking for something that feels, looks and works more 'professional'...then I'd suggest something else. But hey, it's not how professional your lights look...it's how professional your photos look.

Maybe I'm missing it...but I still don't know if you want 'auto flash metering' or not. So what is it?

Even if you don't get AB lights, the simple Cyber Sync trigger is a good product. I've found that it's as reliable as a pocket wizard, but about half the price.
If you do get AB lights and you do want the full auto experience, then you will need the Cyber Commander (on camera) and you will need the Cyber Sync 'Plus' receivers for each light.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

You don't say if the studio you are starting is a "pro" studio or just for fun. That would make a bit of a difference. A pro does not spend money on gadgets. A pro spends money on what is necessary only. It's a matte of bottom line.

And that's a way of saying, forget the Pocket Wizards and Cyber Syncs... I've worked for quite a while in a studio environment and I'm still hooked to one strobe through a cord Somehow, I've never had to place a strobe closer to my camera than I wanted it to be just because of the cord and the price difference is enormous. As I said, hooked to ONE strobe. All others are triggered by the hooked up one.



Now, a couple other thoughts. Monolights vs pack lights. It all depends what you shoot and how you feel about the cords running back to the power pack. They each have their positives and negatives. Study them before buying.

Strobe brands. I bought what I used in my first studio because there was a store selling them 15 minutes away. Very useful in case of a problem and I'm in need of a part. I bought the same brand when I planned my second studio because the retailer is an hour away (as close/far away as everyone else) and I had never had a problem with them the first time around. Plus I enjoyed working with the strobes and the company.

Take a look at what is being sold close by. It could save your ass someday. Do you really want to cancel a shoot because your replacement (insert whatever part can break here) takes 2 days or more to get to you? Big bummer.

Just a few thoughts.


Btw, I agree with Big Mike. ABs are very decent units but are not pro gear.

And I almost forgot. It is important to figure out what you want from the get-go because it is not a good idea to mix and match different systems.