do the strobist route or get the studio lights

Craig2008

Craig2008

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Craig Thomas
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Hi All,

I am in a real quandary now, I had decided that I was going to commit to a studio lighting kit, one of the lencarta one with my crimbo money, but I am now having second thoughts thinking maybe it would be better to buy another SB 900 instead to add to my SB 800 & 900 I already have. My reasoning for it would be the flexibility I don't have a studio yet so most of my portraits tend to be mostly on location and outdoors, and also the weddings would be much easier and flexible, I have a couple of brollies and soft boxes, stands etc.

I think I am leaning towards the strobist option but would like you views cheers

Craig
 
You could still go the studio-but-portable option if you went with something like the Elinchrom Ranger or Quadra products.

I was looking at going that route too, but when I weighed up the costs, I could get at least half a dozen SB-900s for the price of a basic battery powered ranger set (I was looking before the Quadra kit was released, but I could still get 4 or more SB-900s for the same money as one of those), and it would afford me much more versatility.

I ultimately decided to pick up a couple of SB-900s to go with the SB-600 I already had, and I'll be picking up a few more SB-900s in the future. I don't regret the decision for a minute, and if you have multiple speedlights, you can always use the 2/3/4 flash mount adapters behind a diffuser for a bit more power when needed to get that "big flash" style lighting.
 
I like the strobist route because it lets you go places studio lights can't, not just miles away from power but indoors in small unobtrusive places, that and power cables **** me off

It's a good discipline too as you will almost always have at least one sb on you and I keep radio slaves all the time too will give you options when you wouldn't have any before and it helps you be creative when you just NEED more light (in a non lit situation) than dumping it on camera
 
This might seem like an odd answer from me, but I wouldn't rule out getting the studio kit if yoiu think it's something you might have a use for- if you need another speedlight you can always get something like one of the YongNuo ones or an old Nikon SB-24/25 or 26 for loose change. That way you've got both bases covered...
 
something thta might tip the balance is whether you drive

I don't so speedlights are the kit limit really weight wise as it all gets heavy else
 
Craig,

This subject has been pretty much done to death. This is one of the many threads on the subject, it may help you.

Basically, both have advantages and disadvantages. Hotshoe flashes can be better in some situations, studio flash is undoubtably better if real lighting control and a much higher level of lighting power is needed. I think, apart from a few people with either limited experience or very strong views, most people probably use both approaches
 
Basically... you need to ask yourself what is best suited for your working style, this subject is approached a lot, and generally gets lots of personal opinions flying around. granted its good to know how other people work, and indeed sometimes very useful - however I do believe you probably already know the answer to your own question :P

Like you say, most of your work is on location, you dont have a studio set up to work in. therefore I would think portability and flexibility would be key for you? I would think that a strobist set up would be much more portable than having to lug 2-3 studio heads around with you (not to mention having to find powerpoints etc, etc..).

both studio lights and hotshoe flash set ups have benefits, its all about weighing up what will work well for you as you are now :)
 
One big question I think you need to ask yourself is do you ultimately intend to own both a studio strobe solution AND speedlights at some point in the future?

If so, it's really just a case of figuring out which fills the most immediate needs, and starting with that first.

Like Garry says, many people use both. Each has their purpose and they do cross over into each others' territories a little bit from time to time.

As for more power from studio strobes... on a per-light basis I agree, but as I said above, you can always attach multiple speedlights together behind a bigger softbox or diffusion panel or whatever to produce a "big light", and there really isn't a job that speedlights can't handle if you have enough of them.

Just look at page 226 of "The Hot Shoe Diaries" by Joe McNally where he evenly lights about a 120 person group shot in a studio entirely with speedlights, or page 283 where he shoots an Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker with 47 speedlights (of course, to buy all those at today's prices that is about 15 grand's worth of SB-900s, although I'm sure you'd get a bulk discount ;)).

It really comes down to your needs. Each has advantages and disadvantages that you need to weigh against each other personally to see what suits you best.

For me, eventually I'll pick up some Elinchrom Rangers for use both in the studio and certain location shoots, but for now I'm happy to build up my little army of speedlights. :)
 
Kaouthia said:
One big question I think you need to ask yourself is do you ultimately intend to own both a studio strobe solution AND speedlights at some point in the future?



As for more power from studio strobes... on a per-light basis I agree, but as I said above, you can always attach multiple speedlights together behind a bigger softbox or diffusion panel or whatever to produce a "big light", and there really isn't a job that speedlights can't handle if you have enough of them.

For me, eventually I'll pick up some Elinchrom Rangers for use both in the studio and certain location shoots, but for now I'm happy to build up my little army of speedlights. :)
Click to expand...
Up to a point yes, you CAN cobble multiple speedlights together to match (or even exceed) the power of a studio flash, although you'll need deep pockets - but although that works for soft light sources such as softboxes, you can't get say 10 hotshoe flashes to produce the precise kind of light needed to power a honeycomb, a beauty dish, a fresnel spot or any of the other creative lighting tools that separate hotshoe flashes from studio flashes.
For many situations, soft lighting tools (or even no lighting tools) will do. But when more is needed, studio flash heads are needed.
For me, eventually I'll pick up some Elinchrom Rangers for use both in the studio and certain location shoots
Click to expand...
Or get the Lencarta Safari for far less cost
 
i think at this point in time the strobist route will suit my needs better, however i have no doubt that in the future i will purchase a sudio setup
 
Garry Edwards said:
Or get the Lencarta Safari for far less cost
Click to expand...
Well, it might cost a bit less for the basic 2 light system, but after you include the skyport system, second battery pack, hard case and other bits that come as standard with the Ranger Quadra kit, the Lencarta system actually ends up costing more according to my reckoning after paying for the extras.

But, for now I'm not worrying about it. For most of the shooting I do at present, the speedlights are more than plenty, so I'll revisit what's available at the time I'm ready to purchase. :)
 
Actually, the Elinchrom Quadra costs £1561.70 (including the essential adapter) and the same contents from Lencarta costs £1034.75 (Safari generator pack + 2 heads+extra battery+radio trigger - so one of us has got the maths a bit wrong...
And the Lencarta has 50% more power, can put all of the power through one head, produces far more flashes from a battery and the accessories are far cheaper.

But, as you say, you've decided to go for hotshoe flashes so it's academic at the moment. Maybe the Elinchrom prices will come down one day:)
 
I'll have to do a bit more digging on the Lencarta one then, because the kit I saw was 2 heads, 1 battery for £903.65 and another £514 for a second battery.

That's already £1417.65 before I go buy a hard case & Skyport universal system (I'm comparing similar range and reliability, not often unreliable eBay triggers). The Ranger Quadra system is £1493.85 all in.
 
No, it's the generator that's £514, not the battery. The extra battery is £99.95. The kit for £903.65 already includes the generator, and you only need the one unless you want to power each head from its own generator to double the power.
So, the total cost is as I said, £1034.75 with the extras that match the Ranger Quadra extras. The Ranger Quadra needs the extra adapter too, so that it will fit the accessories that you need to buy separately.
 
ahhhhh that explains it then :D
 
looks like ill be needing two generators then
 
One thing that has not been mentioned is actually the ability to turn the lights down. :)

Sometimes I want the merest smack of light and that's actually better done with a studio head believe it or not. When I want something cross lit for texture and want softness and subtlety then give me a studio head any day :)

Just to confuse you even more. :)

You already have 2 very good speedlights. I'd be very tempted to get studio ones, but portable. Got all bases covered then. :)
 
I've gone the strobist route - 3 Speedlites so far (and still need to get another umbrella / softbox and gells). The reason comes down to not having the studio space, and intention to do mostly outdoors and on-location work.
However, I would go for studio lights any day when I have the space. Modelling light alone is invaluable.
 
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