Lighting, reflectors or softboxes?

[littlemonster]

Hoping for a little help

Going to buy a couple of lights for lighting a softbox, however there's plain round reflector ones or ones with softboxes.

http://www.photosel.co.uk/studio-lighting/continuous-lighting/light-kits/studio-light-kit-ls12e52
or
http://www.photosel.co.uk/studio-lighting/continuous-lighting/light-kits/studio-light-kit-ls21e52

Basically, I'm thinking the softboxes on the 2nd may make them more versatile, but unsure if the effect without the softbox would be as strong/easy to control as the first?



Please, no suggestions for studio flash, if I had the money I'd buy them but I don't, so these will be used with SB800 at the front instead. as the main light to freeze action, the continuous to brighten the background, add general light and reduce shadows etc.

Thanks

 

[HoppyUK]

The main problem you will have is the continuous lights will not be as bright as the flash, so you'll end up having the drop the shutter speed significantly. Therefore while the flash will freeze any movement, you'll still get continuous/ambient blurring around the edges unless the subject is nailed down and you have a steady hand/IS (or tripod).

The only way around that will be to turn the flash down and push ISO to get the shutter speed up. Far from ideal, but the brighter the continuous lights the better, so therefore the smaller reflector will be the better of the two options.

 

[DrGed]

The main problem you will have is the continuous lights will not be as bright as the flash, so you'll end up having the drop the shutter speed significantly.

This is exactly what I found when using continous lighting.

I moved to off camera flash and I find it much better and you don't have to spend hundreds on a speedlight.

 

[littlemonster]

To be honest it's largely going to be for rats One of the issues is it all being flash would be startling for them, one going off is fine but the whole tent lighting up suddenly could be a bit... shocking!

A friend has 55W bulb versions and we consistently got photos like:


Ruby by GemmaWoodPhotography, on Flickr


I've used my speedlights off camera for other things (though only have 2) but they just aren't suited for this


And they also didn't get particularly hot with 2 hours use. I really want the lencarta ones (4 x 105W bulbs) but they're just a hell of a lot more money


Was mainly whether I needed to get the direct version or the softbox version (softbox off for use with the tent obviously) Thanks for the answers


I still hope to get some posh flashes but I think they'll be some way in the future!

 

[HoppyUK]

Haha subject changes everything.

You don't need or want softboxes for small subjects like that. Move a smaller light close and it becomes relatively much bigger. You'll most likely have trouble creating shadows rather than losing them.

With the light maybe 18in or less from the subject, it will be soft and also effectively much brighter.

 

[littlemonster]

Thanks hoppy, was just hoping I could get the softbox version and remove the boxes for use lighting the rats, and have it for... other.. stuff... hadn't thought what yet anyway!

I pop them in a light tent/cube thing for ease