Portable studio flash setup help?

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AUMusicNerd
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p.1 #1 · Portable studio flash setup help?

So my wife is a high school choir director, and they weren't at all happy with the group that came in to do her student's photos a couple of years ago, so I stepped in and took over. I've been shooting with a pair of Sigma EF-500 DG Supers with umbrellas and a radio slave.

I'm looking to go to something that I can plug into a wall so I don't burn through batteries quite so quickly during a day of shooting.

I've worked some with Photogenic lights in the past, so I know I like how they light things up. Anybody have ideas on what kind of kit/setup I need to look into? I've found a couple of StudioMax kits on BHPhoto that are tempting, but I'd like some input from folks who've "been there, done that."

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Oct 15, 2012 at 01:33 AM

alohadave
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p.1 #2 · Portable studio flash setup help?

What is your budget?

Oct 15, 2012 at 01:38 AM

AUMusicNerd
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p.1 #3 · Portable studio flash setup help?

Currently looking in the "under $1K" price range.

Oct 15, 2012 at 01:42 AM

saelee
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p.1 #4 · Portable studio flash setup help?

If you don't mind the size, adorama flashpoint lights will give you the best bang for the dollar. If you want something smaller, go with the alienbees.

Oct 15, 2012 at 02:26 AM

Allynb
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p.1 #5 · Portable studio flash setup help?

Studiomax III has a nice kit with umbrellas case and stands for under $1K.

Oct 15, 2012 at 03:26 AM

BrianO
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p.1 #6 · Portable studio flash setup help?

Allynb wrote: Studiomax III has a nice kit with umbrellas case and stands for under $1K.

+1

They're the "other" Made-in-America, constant-color, entry-level strobes. Photogenic has been in business for more than a century, so there's no worry that you're buying into some Chinese-made junk from a company that's going to change names ten times in the next year, rendering your warranty useless.

Oct 15, 2012 at 03:59 AM

Mr645
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p.1 #7 · Portable studio flash setup help?

Look for a Speedotron Brownline kit. You can expect 20-30 years out of those things. A bit heavy, a bit slow to recycle, but cheap and reliable.

Oct 16, 2012 at 10:45 PM

BrianO
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p.1 #8 · Portable studio flash setup help?

Mr645 wrote: Look for a Speedotron Brownline kit.

Interestingly, Speedotron and Photogenic are both divisions of the same company, headquartered in Illinois.

Oct 17, 2012 at 04:04 AM

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