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I've started causally looking at studio gear lately and seem drawn to the simplicity of using bright continuous lighting instead of strobes..

What are the pros and cons of each ?

I believe a direct analogy would be this: think of pics taken in doors with tungsten lighting and the same pics taken with flash. They both have their place

which are?

I only use flash:
When I dont have enough natural/room light
To put catchlights
To fill shadows..

I believe that if you can get a straight tungsten shot there is a warmth that can not be replicate by flash but it does require the model! to remain fairly still. Or as a combination to use slow sync on the flash so that the background has a more natural lighting but the subject is lit by the flash.

While Chris is quite correct, one of the primary advantages of using a studio strobe would have to be the flexibility it can offer you.

With a greater intensity of light - usually switchable in terms of power output - you can have a greater variety of apertures to play with, thus giving you greater control over your DoF than might be possible when using continuous light.

Also, the lower intensity of the continuous light might force you into using a tripod where a flash might permit handheld images.

And if you're using live models, you might need to consider that the heat output of continuous lighting might cause your models to perspire. That might, or might not, be desirable from the POV of the image that you're trying to make, but it's still something to be considered.

Certainly, for studio tabletops and still lifes, I think either are very workable solutions, but once you get into people shots, I think that the strobe starts to have a slight edge over continuous lighting.

This was shot indoors with tungsten continuous lighting:



(2) 1000w lights and (1) 500w light on backdrop

About the only 'pro' was I already had the lights. . .

cons were:

-Subject complained lighting was too darn bright

-Light WASN'T bright enough (1/30th) exposure

-Light appears harsh to me, because it's direct (bouncing it would reduce the brightness, and then well. . . you'd be at an even slower shutter, or need brighter lights

-produces a LOT of heat. . especially if you get into lots of lights

Great points... Hadnt thought about heat and persperation...

As you know I was asking questions about studio lighting a few months ago, and have since learnt a hell of a lot about them and also managed to play with various types.

I would try and stay away from the continuous lighting if you can... they are called hot lights for a reason. It is possible to get 'cool' continuous lighting, however I prefer working with strobes.

The majority of strobes now come with a modelling lamp, which means you can see what the shadows will be like prior to taking the shot.

FYI, I just purchased two ab800s from the following: http://www.alienbees.com They are very highly regarded, and they mod the lights to allow for international voltage.

cheers

looks like nice gear!

Do they have agents in Aus?

no... i bought direct.

If you dont mind me asking how much did it cost to send it over?

http://www.alienbees.com/international.html

that's the info on how much it costs to convert power.
cost another $60US for shipping. Then add GST of 10%.

I didn't get hit for duty fees... not sure if that is normal or not.

cheers

xerubus wrote:I didn't get hit for duty fees... not sure if that is normal or not.

cheers

Duty is not chargeable on photographic equipments

Scott... I just purchased this to complete my setup.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 03173&rd=1

Will let you know what it's like and take some behind the scenes shots of the studio with the next model.

cheers

Well done, Mark. It should be great for you.

another fyi scott...

i just picked up a new background support and 11mm of seamless paper from vanbar for $420 delivered to brisbane. very good price.

cheers

xerubus, who did you buy the background and paper from? Is it a freestanding type support or autopoles? Want to get myself a complete autopole setup but haven't figured out how to get it from yet!

cheers,

adam

adam.... have a look at vanbar...

i went for another free standing setup which I can take to schools and weddings with me.

http://www.vanbar.com.au

xerubus, have done. Wish the buggers would make a package with the autopoles - hard to figure out which bits and pieces to order That said, pretty decent prices as long as you stay away from the manfro$$o gear...

thanks,

adam

yeh... the prices aren't great, but not too bad for AU based.

cheers

well ... all the studio gear has arrived ... lots and lots of new toys

i ended up getting three strobes, 1 soft box, 1 shoot through umbrella, 1 black/silver reflective umbrella... plus lots of other goodies like reflectors, a snoot, barndoors etc etc yadda yadda yadda.

the beauty of it is this... with the sb800, I don't need any sync cords for any of the heads as they fire when the sb800 fires... no extra setup or fancy config... it just works

once i've tidied up the studio over the weekend i'll post some behind the scene shots...

cheers and happy easter.

Ahhh... A whole new world of toys!!!!

Hegde: What strobes you using?

xerubus, cant wait for some behind the scene shots. This is an earea I would like to explore.

mainly, to setup a studio for basic stuff like children portraits , family shots and the like and maybe school formal stuff.

But not charge an arm and a leg to allow everyone access to good memories.

Providing my skills are any good which will be the stumbling block


MATT