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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Advice on buying studio lights
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 10/18/2009 12:40:40 PM · #1
Hi All

I want to buy some studio lights to use for hair and portrait photography.

Will 200W lights or be enough or will 750's be better?

Also is their any difference in the quality from different brands?

cheers all - all help appreciated

Thanks

Tony

10/18/2009 01:57:19 PM · #2
Alien Bees is a good option but I would wait a bit since they are about to come out with their new Einstein lights.
as for power.. it really depends on your needs but personally I could always use more Power.
 10/18/2009 02:01:36 PM · #3
Originally posted by TonyUK:
Will 200W lights or be enough or will 750's be better?

That probably depends on the size of your studio space. If you can afford it, go with the 750w/sec, of course...it will be easier to dial down the power on 750's than get more than 100% output of the 200's. Make sense?
 10/18/2009 02:04:48 PM · #4
yeah thanks both....

and defo makes sense.......but I was coming from the thought that the soft-boxes for hair and and face are always close so wondering if I would ever really get above 300W?

Alien Bees!!!!! every one raves over them but ..........what do you need to do to make them work in the UK? AND - can you buy bulbs for them in the UK ?

thanks
 10/18/2009 02:09:23 PM · #5
I just checked out Alien Bees Site..............they looked perfect........BUT I think I just missed the boat!!!!

We regret that we will no longer to be able to accept orders from new customers from outside the USA, Canada and US Possessions (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam) after October 16, 2009
 10/18/2009 04:59:49 PM · #6
Originally posted by TonyUK:
I just checked out Alien Bees Site..............they looked perfect........BUT I think I just missed the boat!!!!

We regret that we will no longer to be able to accept orders from new customers from outside the USA, Canada and US Possessions (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam) after October 16, 2009


wow... how's that for timing. You could probably still wave to that boat.
 10/18/2009 05:32:06 PM · #7
I'm not an expert so I'd look for confirmation elsewhere, but I can definitely say that in my small studio space (13 feet square, approximately) I have trouble with lights being too bright. I have 2 Alien Bee 800's, and 2 1600's. I bought them thinking that "more is better". However, I've now had to buy lots of ND filters for them to tone them down. In such a small space I'm not able to get the model far enough away from the background, and the lights are too powerful, so I end up using filters on each light, but still needing a high f-stop number & then I get to see all the lovely wrinkles in the backgrounds.

Perhaps I'm doing something really wrong, but I would opt for less power next time. (On the other hand, I've taken these lights to huge venues & it was sweet the have the power available.)
 10/18/2009 06:56:31 PM · #8
Bowens are made / sold in the UK and are sold in the US under the Calumet brand name as well as under the Bowen's name. I think they are your best bet and least expensive. Even if you can get someone to buy Alienbees for you and ship them to you, you would have difficulty with guarantee / warranty issues. Bowens dealers in the UK.

Message edited by author 2009-10-18 18:58:00.
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