I just shot my first studio session and I rented the equipment along with the studio. The owner had something like 20 Speedotron 202 something or other lights. Each was capable of 2400 ws of power but they were all strung up on 2 2400 powerpacks so no light was actually drawing more than 800ws of power.
I loved the setup. We used 5 lights (and I actually wish I'd tried with the 6th light to remove the last of some shadows). I played with them a little but we were in a 2200 sq ft studio. This was the type of place I would love to setup for a fashion studio/workshop. I just checked on B&H and those lights are $460 USD while the powerpacks are around $2000 USD. Now that's a pretty big investment to get 2 powerpacks and 6 lights but when I shot with these they seemed worth it. They recycled like nobody's business and they really lit up the place. We turned out the overheads and the only thing that was visible was the model illuminated by the modeling lights. It was awesome for me.
My question? Oh yeah. Since I'm sure many of you have more experience with something like this I wonder if $7,500 worth of lights is a good investment. I mean I'm not the best shooter in the world but I hate to buy anything that isn't top of the line. I'm satisfied with my 10D right now but I really do want to get the successor to the 1Ds after it comes out and some people give it a thorough going over. It's not like I'm charging anyone but I would like to produce something that is at the apex of art and nothing gets me in the mood more than knowing that I have awesome equipment, a wonderful setting and gorgeous models. So far I think I'm starting to really get the models and I've found some great outdoor sites (now I'm ready to keep expanding my outdoor shots but I want to add studio work). I'm not down no Alien Bees for anyone; but after shooting with those Speedotrons I just wonder will I ever notice something less than outstanding about the AB's (or Elinichrome or whatever). I can't shell out $7,500 tomorrow but I can start buying heads for $500 each and build up to a full studio by the end of the year.
What lights are at the top of the line and based on what criteria? It seems like I've read an article that the guy who designs Alien Bees also designed White Lightning and at least one other brand of lights. Can anyone help me select some lighting that I can slowly buy my way into and then plan on using happily over the next 10-20 years (I know I'll need to replace bulbs but I want a top-of-the-line lighting system and I don't know enough yet to make that selection).
Nope - you can purchase them used. Speedotron makes a 4000WS chainable power pack - can't use one, have to use at least two. One acts as the controller and the other packs act as slaves but are piggy backed to the first etc. A setup just sold on Ebay about a month ago for $2650 for three - 4000WS packs and four heads. Get the Blackline series.
I can't answer about the Speedotrons, but you're correct about Paul C. Buff. He designs both the White Lightning and Alien Bees. He's an interesting guy. http://white-lightning.com/profile.htm
As a matter of fact, you should just go by their business location here in Nashville. I know you're just down the road from me, so it wouldn't be that far to drive.
I went by and purchased my Alien Bees one day while I was off work. The White Lightning and Alien Bees are in the same building, but still seperate.
I bought 3 of the 800's and love them. I'll probably add a 400 shortly.
I'll have to check out the Speedotrons and see what you're talking about.
Do some comparison shopping among the various manufacturers before you lay out any money on studio lights. I have a three head Novatron set that I have been getting excellent results with for five years.
The one thing to be careful of is making sure the lights have a trigger voltage of 6 volts or less. If the voltage is any higher, it is possible to fry the trigger circuitry in the camera. There have been several recent threads regarding this issue in the various boards here. There are some comments regarding trigger voltage in the following thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/99349#799556
Edited by John Wright on Jun 03, 2004 at 04:23 PM GMT
The trigger voltage is not a factor to purchase by. A simple safe-sync, pocket wizzard or Radio Slave will elliminate that problem.
The most important factor is to purchase a name brand that you can rent additional accessories and or heads/packs locally and get the units repaired locally.
gdstaples wrote:
The trigger voltage is not a factor to purchase by. A simple safe-sync, pocket wizzard or Radio Slave will elliminate that problem.
The most important factor is to purchase a name brand that you can rent additional accessories and or heads/packs locally and get the units repaired locally.
Duncan
I agree, but why not make sure the voltage is compatible when purchasing a set of lights anyway? Most manufacturers are selling their lights with the reduced voltages as it is.
Kevin stated he wanted to save for the 1Ds successor when it appears. The Pocket Wizards range from $350-$600 and the Quantum Radio Slave is $300. A simple safe-sync runs about $60, and is good thing to have in any event in case you have occasion to use a set of lights you are not sure of.
You can purchase a used Radio Slave II for $100 and a safe-sync (H) adaptor for $25.
My comment was that it shouldn't be a determining factor in the purchase as not all high-end strobes conform to 6V. Most Norman, Speedotron, some Dyna Lite models etc., do not conform to the 6V trigger voltage but would be a better choice than say an older set of White Lightnings or a Novatron etc.
Speedotrons are great, really great equipment. I have two powerpacks (1 1200W and 1 2400W) and they work flawlessly.
My question is, do you NEED 2 2400W packs? Most of the time I use only one of my two packs, and a lot of times it's the 1200W one. So maybe you would be set with one of each, which would already drop the price down a bit.
Then, as Duncan said, you can get them used, as I did. I paid $2500 for the two power packs and 6 heads (2 202 heads and 4 102 heads)
If you want to look at really high end systems, the ProFoto, Broncolor and Balcar ones are the best you can get. But if you think that the Speedotrons are expensive, then these will definitely not be a good choice... Those are really, really expensive.
On the middle there are the Speedotrons, Dynalytes and Novatrons, systems that are still great and are used by many professional photographers, Speedotron probably being in the top of these three, specially for reliability (or at least that's why the industry says)
If you want to grow your system with time, and you want a system that will stay with you for 10-20 years as you said, I'd suggest that you don't go with AlienBees or WhiteLighting ones. Not that they are bad, they are great entry level systems, but if you want the system to grow with you (and stay working with you forever), then a power pack with heads is definitely the way to go. They are built to last, and boy, do they last...
Dasch - if he used 3 piggy backed 2403 packs he could potentially vaporize a fantastic looking model - I want to see that capture - shhhhhh.....
I agree with Dasch's comments on higher end systems. If you are a serious fashion shooter - recycle time and color accuracy may be more of a factor for you than just pure power. Most of the high-end fashion shooters that I am familiar with shoot either ProFoto or Elinchrom. These are pricey but they have a purpose.
From my point a view, I would go with something more flexible than speedos. The Profotos, etc., are individually adjustable and can be dialed down by 1/10th stops. Try that with a speedo.
Ricky
P.S. For the record, we use speedos (7 packs and numerous heads). I "inherited" them in the current studio I work. I just wish the previous shoot had gone a different route.
You may want to look at Dynalites packs. The M1000wi packs are 1000 watt packs with the Pocket Wizard built in. Get a PW transmitter and your set to go..
Dynalites can be found at most of the equipment rental companies. Full range of modifiers from grids, reflectors, barn doors, snoots, spots, beauty dishes etc. Another plus is their size. The 1000 watt pack weighs a little less than 7 lbs and it's dimensions are 5 7/8 tall by 6 7/8 L X 6 7/8 W. Due to small size very easy to transport.
For the price, Speedotron is a great value. Plenty of used gear on the market and if everything was as reliable as most lighting gear, everyone would be happy. I use Speedotron Brownline gear, some items such as a D1600 Powerpack are over 20 years old and have never failed. The Brownline packs and M11 heads are dirt cheap and dead reliable. They do recycle a bit slow. The Blackline series adds more control and much faster recycling and is a bit more money, but still a good value. 1200ws is plenty for most non-commercial needs.
