Multiple Flash Shooting - Studio or EOS

jmony · 19th July 2005

Hi,

I am planning to embark on more serious flash photography and in the cross-roads now. Should I invest in Studio Lighting or should I used do an upgrade on what I have and use 2-3 EOS flashes in slave settings.

The Studio option is going to be more expensive and bulky but I assume that it will also be more flexible although the process is very manual.

The EOS Option is quite automatic, smaller and power and flexibility is not there.

In both these options, I would be investing in the usuals, Umbrella, softbox and reflectors.

So what do I do? Appreciate input from experts out there. I am balancing budget, flexibility, portability and but I do not want to compromise quality.

Sigh..... Thanks Josh

kahheng · 19th July 2005

The bigger question is: What do you plan to shoot with your strobe set up?

jmony · 19th July 2005

Basically single and family potraits both in doors and out doors

kahheng · 19th July 2005

In that case, go with studio strobes. If you're going to use a biggish softbox that's at least 1 meter long, hotshoe flashes are generally not powerful enough to illuminate a group comfortably.

Buy at least 500W/s units. Elinchrom, Bowens from the usual shops. Bowens has a lot more different type of light modifiers than Elinchrom. Both are equally well supported locally.

You could also look at Profoto but if you're after value, the former two would be better for it. However, Profoto's own light modifiers are a serious cut above these two (not relevant if you shooting the usual boring portraits with softbox lighting), and the lights are generally hardier.

To bring the lights outdoors, you can buy a cheap inverter like the one from Tronix - http://www.innovatronix.com/cgi-bin/...alog/index.asp (note: use only strobes with analog power control).

BTW, using independently placed strobes is best figured out the 'manual' way with a light meter and some thinking...........

jmony · 19th July 2005

Hey thanks for your help. Now to figure out what I need.

nightwolf75 · 19th July 2005

Originally Posted by jmony

Hey thanks for your help. Now to figure out what I need.

btw, how seriously serious are u in serious flash photography? cos, buying studio lightings are not a cheap affair. a basic setup can knock u back at least $2k.

if u are doing both in and outdoors (which, AFAIK, requires different wattage of flash power?), u might want to look into lightings which have a built-in capacitor. i think afiend is running a MO on portable lights (and accessories) in the consumer section. go check it out?

jmony · 19th July 2005

Thanks Grey Jei. I did contact afiend and will be buying some stuff off him.

nightwolf75 · 19th July 2005

Originally Posted by jmony

Thanks Grey Jei. I did contact afiend and will be buying some stuff off him.

no sweat! afiend is a nice chap to deal with. do ask him how to use it effectively cos he uses the same lights to shoot some great pics recently!

19th July 2005	#1
jmony Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 72	Multiple Flash Shooting - Studio or EOS Hi, I am planning to embark on more serious flash photography and in the cross-roads now. Should I invest in Studio Lighting or should I used do an upgrade on what I have and use 2-3 EOS flashes in slave settings. The Studio option is going to be more expensive and bulky but I assume that it will also be more flexible although the process is very manual. The EOS Option is quite automatic, smaller and power and flexibility is not there. In both these options, I would be investing in the usuals, Umbrella, softbox and reflectors. So what do I do? Appreciate input from experts out there. I am balancing budget, flexibility, portability and but I do not want to compromise quality. Sigh..... Thanks Josh

19th July 2005	#4
kahheng Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,380	In that case, go with studio strobes. If you're going to use a biggish softbox that's at least 1 meter long, hotshoe flashes are generally not powerful enough to illuminate a group comfortably. Buy at least 500W/s units. Elinchrom, Bowens from the usual shops. Bowens has a lot more different type of light modifiers than Elinchrom. Both are equally well supported locally. You could also look at Profoto but if you're after value, the former two would be better for it. However, Profoto's own light modifiers are a serious cut above these two (not relevant if you shooting the usual boring portraits with softbox lighting), and the lights are generally hardier. To bring the lights outdoors, you can buy a cheap inverter like the one from Tronix - http://www.innovatronix.com/cgi-bin/...alog/index.asp (note: use only strobes with analog power control). BTW, using independently placed strobes is best figured out the 'manual' way with a light meter and some thinking........... Last edited by kahheng; 19th July 2005 at 03:38 PM.