Strobes Vrs Continuous lighting

Have your say on issues related to using a DSLR camera.

Moderator: Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Strobes Vrs Continuous lighting

Postby MHD on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:18 pm

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 ?
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby sirhc55 on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:23 pm

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 :D
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10

Postby MHD on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:29 pm

which are?

I only use flash:
When I dont have enough natural/room light
To put catchlights
To fill shadows..
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby sirhc55 on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:33 pm

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.
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10

Postby gstark on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:36 pm

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.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22918
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Postby NetMagi on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:39 pm

This was shot indoors with tungsten continuous lighting:

Image

(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
User avatar
NetMagi
Member
 
Posts: 243
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:45 am
Location: Jim Thorpe, PA, US

Postby MHD on Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:44 pm

Great points... Hadnt thought about heat and persperation...
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby xerubus on Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:18 pm

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
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby MHD on Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:21 pm

looks like nice gear!

Do they have agents in Aus?
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby xerubus on Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:22 pm

no... i bought direct.
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby MHD on Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:33 pm

If you dont mind me asking how much did it cost to send it over?
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby xerubus on Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:48 pm

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
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby birddog114 on Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:02 pm

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
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby xerubus on Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:14 pm

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
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby the foto fanatic on Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:14 pm

Well done, Mark. It should be great for you. :)
User avatar
the foto fanatic
Moderator
 
Posts: 4212
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 7:53 pm
Location: Teneriffe, Brisbane

Postby xerubus on Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:20 am

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
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby hedge on Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:23 pm

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
He who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused...
User avatar
hedge
Member
 
Posts: 77
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:07 am
Location: Blackheath, Australia

Postby xerubus on Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:35 pm

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
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby hedge on Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:49 pm

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
He who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused...
User avatar
hedge
Member
 
Posts: 77
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:07 am
Location: Blackheath, Australia

Postby xerubus on Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:50 pm

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

cheers
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby xerubus on Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:11 pm

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.
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby MHD on Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:07 pm

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

Hegde: What strobes you using?
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby MATT on Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:51 pm

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
User avatar
MATT
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1748
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 8:24 pm
Location: Biloela, QLD-----nikon--D700-----


Return to General Discussion