need a little advice on studio strobes

[RockstarPhotography]

I was all jacked up about getting a good deal on a studio setup from craigslist, but alas, my email was not returned. But now I have the studio light bug. I'm looking at going 2 different ways and would like a couple opinions.

I'm thinking either this kit here
Westcott Strobelite Three Monolight Kit (120VAC) 241P B&H Photo

or just get one alien bee 800 and a softbox and use the extra money for a nice tripod.

Edit: I forgot to mention I already have lightstands, umbrellas, and reflectors.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

wow,....7 hours and not one person responds. I'm really deciding to give up on this damn forum. I give and give and give, yet I have one fu%^ing question and no answers.....whatever. later

 

[sleist]

The equipment forum might be a better place to ask. Beginners might not have a lot of experience with studio lights and then not the specific ones you're asking about.
I'm not sure whining will help much.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

don't F&*^*% care anymore anyway...This seems to be the only forum that ever gets replies and there is enouph wannabes here to at least be able to do what they do best which is cut and copy a google response.

 

[sleist]

don't F&*^*% care anymore anyway...This seems to be the only forum that ever gets replies and there is enouph wannabes here to at least be able to do what they do best which is cut and copy a google response.

So you're pissed because because people, that probably did not have anything intelligent to say in the first place, did not search google for you and post links that you could have found yourself a lot faster in the first place.
Seems like you looking for attention rather than answers.

Glad I could help.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

don't F&*^*% care anymore anyway...This seems to be the only forum that ever gets replies and there is enouph wannabes here to at least be able to do what they do best which is cut and copy a google response.

So you're pissed because because people, that probably did not have anything intelligent to say in the first place, did not search google for you and post links that you could have found yourself a lot faster in the first place.
Seems like you looking for attention rather than answers.

Glad I could help.

F*&^ you.....I have damn near 300 posts, of that 300 MAYBE 20 are asking a question. yet I ask one and nobody has ANYTHING to F*%(*&# say????????......you know why? because I already googled it and there isn't alot of information on it. so all the "pro's" on this site can't comment because they can't google it either......ask yourself this...all these people that always have the right answer with tons of posts, when do they actually go out and shoot? they seem to be on here a lot, don't leave a lot of time for actual photography, but they don't need it, they have google too.

 

[SrBiscuit]

wow,....7 hours and not one person responds. I'm really deciding to give up on this damn forum. I give and give and give, yet I have one fu%^ing question and no answers.....whatever. later

you do realize it's 4am est...right?
people will respond, you just have to give them time...and not get mad when they dont respond in the middle of the night.

moving on...
since you already have stands, umbrellas, and reflectors...i think i would get some ABs, and use the extra cash on a tripod, like you said, or light modifiers.
personally i would rather have 2 AB400s than 1 AB800. my current strobes are 160w/s and they serve me just fine. i was advised against such low power lights, but for my applications they have worked beautifully, and you'll get more dynamic lighting with 2...unless you already have speedlites to go with the strobe...

whats your budget?
current equipment? (or at least lighting)
what do you normally shoot?

 

[RockstarPhotography]

wow,....7 hours and not one person responds. I'm really deciding to give up on this damn forum. I give and give and give, yet I have one fu%^ing question and no answers.....whatever. later

you do realize it's 4am est...right?
people will respond, you just have to give them time...and not get mad when they dont respond in the middle of the night.

moving on...
since you already have stands, umbrellas, and reflectors...i think i would get some ABs, and use the extra cash on a tripod, like you said, or light modifiers.
personally i would rather have 2 AB400s than 1 AB800. my current strobes are 160w/s and they serve me just fine. i was advised against such low power lights, but for my applications they have worked beautifully, and you'll get more dynamic lighting with 2...unless you already have speedlites to go with the strobe...

whats your budget?
current equipment? (or at least lighting)
what do you normally shoot?

Wow. thank you, somebody that seems actually intelligent and not a google carbon copy. In my defense i posted this a 7:00pm mst. I shoot portrait and fashion mostly, both in studio and location so I need a strobe that would be able to overpower ambient light so i'm leaning toward alien bees. (that's what i've shot with before) My tripod is old, but good. no brand name on it anymore as it was my grandfathers back in the 70's which goes to show just how far a good tripod will go...but.....the damn thing weights a ton

 

[sleist]

F*&^ you.....I have damn near 300 posts, of that 300 MAYBE 20 are asking a question. yet I ask one and nobody has ANYTHING to F*%(*&# say????????......you know why?

Um, because the people that read your question didn't have an answer?

 

[SrBiscuit]

Wow. thank you, somebody that seems actually intelligent and not a google carbon copy. In my defense i posted this a 7:00pm mst. I shoot portrait and fashion mostly, both in studio and location so I need a strobe that would be able to overpower ambient light so i'm leaning toward alien bees. (that's what i've shot with before) My tripod is old, but good. no brand name on it anymore as it was my grandfathers back in the 70's which goes to show just how far a good tripod will go...but.....the damn thing weights a ton

you did indeed post up at 7. i guess with people all over the country and the world, it's unpredictable when replies will come in.

ok...most of what i shoot is also portrait, both in studio and on location.
not sure how big your studio is, but mine about 12x27 and i shoot on the short side (i know that's dumb, but the space also doubles as my bands studio, and there's music **** all over the place lol, so i had to pick the more accessible bare wall).
i have to tell you that i RARELY jack my lights up to full power. granted i shoot most of it around 2.8, so that helps, but even at 3.5 and up i dont need full power.
when on location i am limited to my speedlights, as i have yet to pull the trigger on a vagabond II. they seem to do the job fine for now...even in mid-day sun.

I hope im not giving poor advice, but if youre looking to spend around 450ish, i would really consider 2 AB400s...then again, add another hundred to that and get 2 AB800s. it's always so easy to spend other peoples money lol.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

Well thanks....I think I'm gonna order the ab800 just because i would like the extra power if needed (this amp goes to 11) only problem is the battery pack i want is on back order.....I was more curious about the wescott system just because I know the brand but the price seemed way too low to be of any decent quality. but, alas, i guess the "gurus" of this forum couldn't google it any better then me.

 

[SrBiscuit]

im sure it will serve you well, and its really not THAT much more expensive than the 400, so you could always add a second down the road.
good luck and post results!

 

[DonBruner]

Well I'm new to this forum, and if what you are displaying is maturity, I'd be surprised. Using the language that you have used is not what I would expect from some one other than a underage brat. I may or may not post anymore depending on what else I see here. Grow up, whether you're 17 or 34.

Don

 

[MissCream]

I would also go with the 2 AB400's instead of the one 800. My strobes are 300 and I have to turn the power all the way down most of the time. I also would be lost without the two of them! You might have a hard time dealing with shadows with just one strobe, hell I'm having a hard time dealing with shadows with 2 strobes!!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I posted in this thread to increase the number of replies and make the OP feel warm and fuzzy.