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11/29/2004 10:36:27 AM · #1 |
I need some advice on studio lighting (monolights to be specific) I have almost no experience to this day with studio lighting, I have used a "pro" studio twice but both times under supervision and when I shoot indoors I have relied on the 550ex and 420ex with umbrellas or bounced and ambient lighting + big apertures to get what I want.
Now I want more control and after some (not a lot) of research my plan is to get one good light and a softbox for now and use it as my main lightsource and the two flashes for fill light to get rid of shadows and then maybe next summer or fall get another light or maybe two and complete the setup. This -> is the light I am planning on buying along with a lightstand and a 60x60cm softbox, anyone got any experience with this light.Bowens Esprit 500. Also, how good is it compared to this? -> Alien Bees.
I welcome any input or insight.
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11/29/2004 10:57:29 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by larus:
I need some advice on studio lighting (monolights to be specific) I have almost no experience to this day with studio lighting, I have used a "pro" studio twice but both times under supervision and when I shoot indoors I have relied on the 550ex and 420ex with umbrellas or bounced and ambient lighting + big apertures to get what I want.
Now I want more control and after some (not a lot) of research my plan is to get one good light and a softbox for now and use it as my main lightsource and the two flashes for fill light to get rid of shadows and then maybe next summer or fall get another light or maybe two and complete the setup. This -> is the light I am planning on buying along with a lightstand and a 60x60cm softbox, anyone got any experience with this light.Bowens Esprit 500. Also, how good is it compared to this? -> Alien Bees.
I welcome any input or insight. |
The Bowens Esprit 500 has a 15V DC sync voltage, which means you don't want to hook it directly to your 10D. It's a 500 w/s strobe and costs about $899.00 (currect adorama.com price). On the other hand, the AlienBees B1600 strobe puts out 640 w/s (1600 effective w/s), has a sync voltage of less than 6V and can be hooked directly to your camera. It also has other features such as a built in cooling fan, stepless 5-stop range, faster flash duration (1/1600 second), and it only costs $359.95.
Message edited by author 2004-11-29 11:01:26.
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11/29/2004 12:07:03 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by micknewton:
The Bowens Esprit 500 has a 15V DC sync voltage, which means you don't want to hook it directly to your 10D. It's a 500 w/s strobe and costs about $899.00 (currect adorama.com price). On the other hand, the AlienBees B1600 strobe puts out 640 w/s (1600 effective w/s), has a sync voltage of less than 6V and can be hooked directly to your camera. It also has other features such as a built in cooling fan, stepless 5-stop range, faster flash duration (1/1600 second), and it only costs $359.95. |
Thanx for taking the time to answer but not really the answer I was looking for. Maybe I should have elaborated more but what I am looking for is opinions on is the performance of these two lights. Bowens is supposedly one of the best manufacturers so supposedly it should provide much more quality light. Is this true or not? |
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11/29/2004 12:20:19 PM · #4 |
I don't have any experience with the Bowens lights but I do with Alien Bees. I started with one light, as you are planning to do. I liked it so much that I just added two more. I am thrilled with them! Another strong selling point for me is their customer service which ROCKS! The folks at AB have always been enthusiastically helpful and I have no doubt that if I ever experienced a problem with my lights, they would take care of me.
I know there are better/more expensive lighting packages out there but so far, the ABs are perfectly suited to my needs so unless something catastrophic happens, they've got my business over the long haul.
Good luck in your search :-)
p.s. I also got one of these and it works like a dream! So nice to shoot untethered!
Message edited by author 2004-11-29 12:24:50.
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