Author Topic: Continuous or strobe lighting? (Read 7814 times)

PaulieWalnuts · « **on:** January 30, 2008, 21:48 »

I'm building up my studio and need to add some lighting. I already have an setup for isolations but need something for object scenes (e.g. laptop on desk) and eventually for people.

I'm undecided on a strobe or continuous setup but am leaning toward an Alien Bees B800. And if it should be a softbox or umbrella. Or a combination of these.

What has worked well for you?

Graffoto · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:22 »

I use White Lightning, which is also a Paul Buff product. They do exactly what they are supposed to, and the service department is top notch.

I would not hesitate to use the ABs either.

I have a friend that started with a continuous light set up, which he quickly abandoned for a WL set-up. He is very happy with his decision.
In short he feels like he is now in the "real world" of photography.

Softboxes and umbrellas give a similar look, but there are advantages to each. Umbrellas are light weight and can more easily be carried for a location shoot. The downside to them is they scatter light over a larger area than a softbox, which tends to be more directional.

In my mind, in a smaller studio it is easier to control the direction and spread of light using a softbox.

Bateleur · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:52 »

I live in Switzerland and have never seen Alien Bees advertised or on sale. Are they a US product?

For a starter lighting kit I bought the Elincrom D-lite 4. Two flash heads adjustable in 1/10 stop increments (who uses it that fine?) with softboxes and all the gear, packing neatly into 2 cases. If you're in Europe I'd recommend this kit.

Phil · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:32 »

Yes they are a US product, but b&h etc will ship overseas BUT they only have US power connections

kgtoh · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:58 »

Hi Bateleur,
I am currently in Switzerland (Geneva). Everything seems very expensive, and the product choice is horrible. What's the best place to get equipment, online or offline? Thanks!

vikavalter · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2008, 05:40 »

check out what you can do with simple camera flashes http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/

RT · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2008, 07:54 »

Quote from: kgtoh on January 31, 2008, 03:58

Hi Bateleur,
I am currently in Switzerland (Geneva). Everything seems very expensive, and the product choice is horrible. What's the best place to get equipment, online or offline? Thanks!

I use Elinchrom lights, they're made in Switzerland surely you can get them cheaper there?

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2008, 08:06 »

Quote from: Bateleur on January 31, 2008, 02:52

I live in Switzerland and have never seen Alien Bees advertised or on sale. Are they a US product?

For a starter lighting kit I bought the Elincrom D-lite 4. Two flash heads adjustable in 1/10 stop increments (who uses it that fine?) with softboxes and all the gear, packing neatly into 2 cases. If you're in Europe I'd recommend this kit.

Yes, a US product http://www.alienbees.com/. I'll check out the Elincroms, thanks.

Bateleur · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2008, 03:27 »

Quote from: kgtoh on January 31, 2008, 03:58

Hi Bateleur,
I am currently in Switzerland (Geneva). Everything seems very expensive, and the product choice is horrible. What's the best place to get equipment, online or offline? Thanks!

Hi there. Funnily enough not everything is very expensive in Switzerland (though some things are). Petrol is a whole load cheaper than in France or the UK. And photographic equipment too.

I bought my Elincrom strobes from a shop in Lausanne, and they were significantly cheaper than in UK.

Also, try the online shop Architronic (http://www.architronic.ch). I buy all my camera equipment from them and they're significantly cheaper than shops. Unfortunately their web site is only in German (which I don't speak). I've e-mailed them to ask why they don't do it in French (another national language) and they told me it isn't worth their while at this stage. I get by using web-based translation for the site, and it works (though some of the translations need translating themselves

). Otherwise their service is excellent. Typical Swiss efficiency.

kgtoh · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2008, 08:56 »

Thanks for the link Bateleur. The prices on the website look a lot better than the shops in Geneva.

The shops here keep giving me sticker shock. The meat section at the supermarket is heart-attack inducing.

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Author Topic: Continuous or strobe lighting? (Read 7814 times)

PaulieWalnuts

Graffoto

Bateleur

Phil

kgtoh

vikavalter

RT

PaulieWalnuts

Bateleur

kgtoh

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