Need some advice

[schrackman]

This should probably be in the studio and lighting forum but I figured I'd get more feedback here. I am looking to purchase studio lighting for in-home portrait purposes, and, possibly outdoor portraits also.

I have set my sights on Alien bees, but am unsure if I should go with the Digibee package which contains two B400 flash units with umbrellas, or should I go for a single B1600 and a single large softbox. Either way I'd be spending roughly around the same amount of $$ but I am unsure which setup would work best for what I want to do.

Pros and cons comments for both are needed. Thanks!

[shutterman]

Hi Ray,

How high are your ceilings?

I have two monolights. One I use for the hairlight with a long narrow softbox overhead. The other I use with either a softbox or octodome as a main. Since my ceilings are low (8-9 feet) I have a hard time with the softbox overhead b/c 1; even at only 400 it is too strong and I usually have to use some fabric to tone it down and 2; it hangs down so that most of my pictures are of people sitting.

If I could do it over I would probably use much smaller lights (speedlights with softboxes and grids/snoots, etc) for the hair lights, but the long softbox is really nice for even soft lighting.

I rarely use my main much higher than 1/2 power b/c the room is not large (about 14 ft deep) and when you put a 7' octadome on it it can take a lot of room.

What sort of pictures will you be taking - single portraits or groups?

I love using 1 light and a reflector for a lot of stuff, but with groups of 3 or more I usually use a speedlight to fill out the shadows on the opposite side of the main using an umbrella.

Not sure if this is helpful or not!

thanks,
Wes

[drg]

Depends on whether you like single source portraiture?

Even with a softbox, you may want reflectors or another light or two (kickers etc) to add that magic definition and dimensionality to the photographs.

Personally I like softer light with Digital photography for portraits. Though if you have translucent umbrellas to use as an option or really soft lined umbrellas they will work quite well. It often is about getting the setup adjusted and then being able to leave it alone.

[schrackman]

Hi Ray,

How high are your ceilings?

HI Wes and drg,

This will vary from home to home or business to business. I will be doing single portraits, family portraits and probably executive portraits (including groups). I also intend to do outdoor engagement portraits. So whatever setup I get it will need to pretty much be used for all around portraiture. I am leaning toward the two light setup, but figured a little input wouldn't hurt.

[shutterman]

Ray,

two lights are for sure more flexible, but if you plan on being portable monolights might be better than strobes.

thanks,
Wes

[MJS]

I purchased a pair of 1600's with the 48 inch reversible silver/white umbrellas. They are great units. I got them because at times deckcadet and I have to shoot large groups. That being said, I can't remember the last time I had them at full power. My suggestion, as a very happy alien bee owner, is go for the 800's and use the savings for a 400 or two to use as a hair or background light. You can check viewfinder for a low key shot labeled the deckcadet. We used highly directional lighting. We just need to ramp up the hairlight for better background seperation. Under Studio/lighting I have a test shot with a single 1600 in the large octobox. It was set at 1/32 power to get the 5.6/125 exposure with a reflector to camera left. the post is labled just playin around, or something like that.

Good luck with your choice, whatever one you make.

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

i have the 400's ... have yet to pump them up to full power .... at the moment i am just using the equipment that came with the package (shoot through umbrella and reflected umbrella) ..

remember that they offer upgrades if you need bigger and better ... i believe its $25 per head + the difference between what you have and what you want ...

or start with the 400 package and if you need bigger then add to the 400's and use the 400's as hair / background .....

just my .02