Depends on what kind of sun. Arizona sun or Idaho sun? I'm in AZ, and 400ws is decent enough to overpower sun, but 600ws is better for bright sun (3ft octa about 4 feet away). 1200ws is only 1 stop difference between a 600ws strobe.

sboerup wrote:
Depends on what kind of sun. Arizona sun or Idaho sun? I'm in AZ, and 400ws is decent enough to overpower sun, but 600ws is better for bright sun (3ft octa about 4 feet away). 1200ws is only 1 stop difference between a 600ws strobe.

We are talking California sun, So i take it thats about the same as Arizona Sun....oops i forgot our smog should kill some of the suns punch on certain days...so for my lungs and for my single light photos!!

Im just having a tug of war in my mind if i go with the 600ws light or fork the extra food money for the 1200ws as a single light source.

I think it also depends on which brand of light. Profotos 1200ws isn't worth it as much, the range isnt the same as the 600ws. Elinchrom's range is the same on all of them. WLs 1280ws strobe has the largest range, but is large.

It also depends on the modifier you plan on using. Umbrella, softbox, beauty dish, grid, bare relfector Those will all effect the outcome.

Pworld wrote:
Im just having a tug of war in my mind if i go with the 600ws light or fork the extra food money for the 1200ws as a single light source.

It's not just the cost. A 1200ws monolight is usually considerably larger and heavier than a 600WS unit, with double the capacitors. IMO, 1200 ws compacts have their place but they can also be unweildly.

I like my compacts, but for this reason I will usually opt for a pack head when more power is required.
(Not to mention that my 1200 ws Ranger unit is portable too. )

BTW, it's actually pretty easy to figure out your needs for outdoors, and you don't even need to go outside in full sun. Since you know you're going to want f16 (even 22), set up any light at full power using the modifier and distance you want for a properly exposured subject. Take your meter reading at full pop. For each extra stop you need to get to your number, just double the power. As has already been said, this will depend as much on your modifier, your working distance and/or your coverage (portrait, full length or group) as the power of your light, and maybe even more.

If I was doing mostly outdoors, I'd want the headroom and versatility of a 1200 or 2400 pack. If I wanted something for a small portrait studio too, that was both manageable and affordable, I have no problem with a 600 compact. If you felt the need to upgrade later, you'd still have use for the 600.

Good luck.

Great info Carmen, I really appreciate that. I think im going with the single 600, or the 2 600(great value) kit and put one away while i learn and hopefully contribute pictures to this thread.

Medium Softbox above her clamshelled with a silver reflector below light.

I must thank all off you, for the past few hours I have been studying and learning. I have a headache from the amount of information I am force feeding my head. I appreciate the patience with those of that are struggling with indoor/outdoor portable solutions.
Thank you!

Gomez wrote:


gomez, lovely pic. elegantly understated lighting.

One of my wife & me during our anniversary trip to Bodega Bay last weekend.

Camera on self timer, SB-800 on a lightstand in front and just off to the right triggered by my pocketwizards. I wanted to use one of the umbrellas that I brought with me, but the wind made it impossible to use.

house party shot w/ one bounced 285HV

Nice shot Mike. Also thanks for the compliments from earlier. It was also shot with 1 285 into a shoot-thru umbrella.

DavesCam wrote:
Hi Everyone!

Just signed up and have a request/question. I see some very outstanding lighting examples and wonder if anyone could post some before/after picture sets. I'm trying to get a feel as to where I am with my lighting and how much post processing plays into the quality of the lighting in the final image. I would like to see examples of what proper lighting should look like before processing, because one could dramatically change the lighting via post processing techniques. Its hard to get a feel because not many post their before shots.

Thanks,
Dave


Dave, you should start a new thread. Maybe you will get more help. This thread is 90 pages long and is about single light set ups.

Also, Welcome.

Simple 1 light with Storm gray seamless as backdrop.

Softbox slighly right of camera. F8, 1/180, IS0 400,115mm. The only model I have with perfect skin!

Dave..

One sb-800 and 30'' Umbrella, 1/32 power if I remember well, black background. Nikon D70s 1/500 f/13.0 and Sigma 105mm.


The umbrella was located at left side and was 45 degree... sorry, I did not take a picture of the setup.

Daydreamer...

Just thought I'd shake things up a little around here...single shoot through umbrella with Speedlight, up close and personal. : )

Edited by Albert Taylor on Aug 24, 2007 at 03:48 PM GMT

Wow..you need to get outside more often

Would make a good zombie type image with a little tweak..

Ewwwwww, yeah...