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09/03/2013 04:22:02 PM · #1 |
Hi All,
Need some help in buying studio lights .
I want to buy a massive lastolite highlight background
Have two flashes - one each side going into it
Have three lights infront of it: one each side of model with long soft boxes and one in front of model with beauty dish
Can I ask - do I need 200W or 750W - 'watts' the difference in a typical studio for port and full bodies ?
'Watts' (sorry cant help myself) is a great budget brand ???
All advice appreciated
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09/03/2013 04:44:21 PM · #2 |
Hey Tony,
I'm not really technical so I can't explain "why" anything. But I will tell you it is better to have more wattage and not need it, than less wattage and need it.
Mostly it will depend on the distances - how big is your studio? If it's small, will you be expanding at any time? Is there a chance you'll shoot on location? Also, if you'll be lighting from behind your bg, your front lights should be strong enough that they're not overpowered, or you'll get a lot more silhouettes than you intend.
I have ProFotos and love them, but don't know that they're "budget". A lot of folks swear by Alien Bees, which are considered "budget" workhorses. |
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09/04/2013 09:01:29 AM · #3 |
AS Tanguera said, normally more watts are better, but it really depends what you are doing with it.
As said, it also depends on what space do you have. If you are doing a studion in a room where everything is close toguether then you will need less power and 200-300w will be enough. If you have an 100 square meter loft and high ceiling you will need a lot more.
Things you should consider:
* watts are like F-Stops. with 600w you will be able to clove your apperture 1 extra stop comparing to a 300w strobe (so if DOF is important for you invest in more watts. Or if you only planning in wirking between f5.6 to f8 you will not need as much))
* if you plan to use the strobes outside you will need a lot of power to overpower the sun. 600 to 800w minimum
*do you plan on shooting moving subjects? this is a sensitive issue for strobes, but generally speaking the more powerfull flash dialled down to a minimum power will give you more freezing the action ability (T0.5 - the time the strobe needs to output half the power is normally decreases - faster- when you decrease the power)
* be aware that bigger softboxes will need also more power - I have one 90cm octabox and a 150cm onem and with the big one for the same output level on the flash I get almoust 1 stop less light in to the model.
As for brands I work with a "low cost" on, Walimex. I have 4 strobes (2x300+400+600w)and they are quite reliable and very reasonable priced, and very well build.
Hope this helps.
Message edited by author 2013-09-04 09:03:26.
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09/04/2013 10:53:17 AM · #4 |
thanks soo much,,,,,two great replies
thanks for your time.. |
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09/04/2013 10:59:38 AM · #5 |
Another thing to consider is how much the unit can be powered down.
For example, a 600 watt head that only goes down to 1/8 power is not a friendly for indoor use as one that goes down to 1/64 power. |
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