Recommendations on lighting

[Noe]

I am considering buying a portable lighting system. I would mainly use it for on location portraits.

I am currently looking at the following system.

I like this one because of the portability, but don't have any experience with the brand and this setup. I like the fact that it includes the flash and the receiver.
Photoflex 1 X 2,

I am also considering some alien bees. How many units would be a minimum for on location? If you are using alien bees on location, which should I consider B400, B800, or B1600. Is portability an issue when taking this out to locations?

I am shooting with a 7D.

Thanks for all advice.

Noe

[Abel]

moving to lighting section..

[JWCustomPhotography]

personally I have 2 AB800s and a vagabond mini lithium. One is generally enough, 2 is fantastic if you have the room. I love it love it, but I also have one 580exII that is no slouch either.

Portability is ok... if I really have to be light, the 580 is fine, but I also dont tend to care about how much I lug, so Ill leave the AB800s on the stands and just roll with it, but with the cases for them, and smart ways to tote around the stands and stuff, its all good.

[tukaniray]

I also use ABs ... Like John stated, one is more than enough for a location.

If you are shooting during the day, I wouldn't go any lower than the AB800. the AB400 isn't powerful enough to match the sun.

I also use Speedlights, but since you shoot with a Canon, the 580 is great as well. I have a friend that shoots with Canons and uses his 580 for onlocation shoots.

-Ray-

[Kenski Photo]

What are you using the lights for? What will you be lighting? That is the MAIN quesiton. All lights are portable, it is a matter of your subject.

I can bring out my six photogenics and my alien bee, set it up with the backdrop and have a good exposure all in 30 min.

I can also bring my five speedlites outdoors and be set up quickly too.

If I REALLY want big light outdoors, I bring either my portable generator or my battery box I made with a 500 Watt pure sine wave inverter. I have two batteries for it. A portable one that will last for a couple hours shooting lightly, or I will roll out my massive truck battery that can last all day shooting pretty heavy with 3-5 lights.

[canon_shooter]

Generally, I prefer the flexibility and portability of speedlites (specifically Canon's 580EXII) for location work. Lugging around ABs and having wires run everywhere can complicate the logistical issues that come with location photography. I'm not saying that it can't be done with AB's, I just question the reason to do so if you have the capabilities of speedlites.

If you know what you're doing, then you should be able to shoot up to 10 or so people in a group, using a single speedlite and still overpower the sun. If you find yourself in a constant need to overpower the sun, get two speedlites.

These were shot with a single 580EXII (I used a 28" octo on the monks, and I shot through a 48" LasoLite 1-Stop diffuser on the family).

[Kenski Photo]

An alien bee is not difficult to lug around if you have a vagabond or other inverter. Yes it might be heavier then the 580 but I hope your not climbing a mountain with it to take a picture. Speedlites are GOOD for location photography but there is only so much you can do with them. Some times you need the raw power of a strobe.

[canon_shooter]

Originally Posted by Kenski Photo

An alien bee is not difficult to lug around if you have a vagabond or other inverter. Yes it might be heavier then the 580 but I hope your not climbing a mountain with it to take a picture. Speedlites are GOOD for location photography but there is only so much you can do with them. Some times you need the raw power of a strobe.

I don't know... Lug around an AB + Inverter + your gear for more than a football field (or moving from one end of a lake to half of another) in the Tx heat with client in tow. I'm sure most would welcome the weight of a 580 - regardless of mountains.

I have both AB's and the 580's. It's rare when you need that raw power on location. Also, with a top sync of 250 on a 7D (160 on my 5DMKII) vs 8000 using a 580 - I'd say it's more than "GOOD." If it came down to a decision in capability and portability - I'd go for the speedlite setup.

[Kenski Photo]

hahaha, if your shooting a client, I sure hope they aren't moving around that much that would require a sync of 8000!

I have a home made battery pack. 300 w/s digital pure sine wave with a lightweight LiPo pack that equals out to 3lbs total with my bag. This will get me a couple hundred shots at 1/4 power with my alien bee or photogenic lights. they are both light weight so lugging it around is no problem as I usually do beach shoots with it. I have the AB Ring Light and just use the reflector with diffuser and it pops as the sun is going down. More reliable light and power when I need it compared to my speedlites and believe me, I love using the speedlites outdoors and keep the strobes indoors.

[canon_shooter]

Originally Posted by Kenski Photo

hahaha, if your shooting a client, I sure hope they aren't moving around that much that would require a sync of 8000

Movement isn't the only thing that sync speed controls. It controls ambient - oh wait... You can shoot at 2.8 with a sync at 160 during the noonday sun right? You're also shooting at 1/4 power - kinda goes back to what I was saying - it's a rarity to need full power on location.

I have a 600W pure sine wave inverter that I can hook up to different sized battery sources (Vagabonds seem to be on eternal backorder), yet my 12 AA batteries seem a bit lighter. Sans the cords and I think you've got an easier setup and still be able to shoot 90% of the ideas you come up with.

[arich]

I'll go ahead and suggest this set before Thomas does (wouldn't want anyone to start wondering if Elinchrom is paying him for advertising! )
Amazon.com: Elinchrom D-Lite 4 IT EL 20815KIT To Go Set With Two D-Lite 4 400WS Compact Strobe Units: Camera & Photo
Fantastic kit. I say this based on what I have heard other photogs say about it, images that have been lit with elinchroms, and behind the scene videos where I see just how darn easy that Skyport system makes everything. This is the kit I'm saving up for.

[Kenski Photo]

Sure you can shoot that, that is what a ND filter is for, ND filters control light also.

Im not arguing with you that the 580 is sometimes better for location shoots but I always keep one of my photogenics or alien bee in the truck JUST IN CASE. I would rather be over prepared than not prepared. The 580 is just such a narrow beam of light and even in a softbox or umbrella it sometimes is not enough for a larger group unless you really drag the shutter.

[Kenski Photo]

I think we are missing the the point of the OP too. Is this going to be for outdoor use portability or just on location at someones house type of portability?

If im doing a family shoot at someones house, it takes me 10 min to bring my gear in and another 20 min to set up my background (if I am using one) and set up and dial in my lights. then another 15 minutes to break down and pack the truck back up.

I agree with Canon shooter though, 90% of the time if I am shooting outdoors, it is with my 580's/550's. When Im shooting a car or something along those lines, I usually shoot with my alienbee and 56" moonunit or my photogenic with the 86" PLM as long as their is little wind outdoors.

I never wanted to carry a strobe with me to a wedding but after it took me 15 min to set up my speedlites at a very dark church to get a good exposure, I have since switched to the white 86" PLM with the black back cover and I will use a speedlite or two to fill the back of the altar. It ends up being ALOT quicker and the formal group photos turn out awesome. I can find a power outlet 90% of the time within 2 min for the strobe that is out of the way and doesn't get in the way of guests, myself, or the bridal party.

If the church isn't so dark then I go to my trusty standby of three speedlites for a even light. Left/Right/High Center all shot in manual.

[Kenski Photo]

I think we are missing the the point of the OP too. Is this going to be for outdoor use portability or just on location at someones house type of portability?

If im doing a family shoot at someones house, it takes me 10 min to bring my gear in and another 20 min to set up my background (if I am using one) and set up and dial in my lights. then another 15 minutes to break down and pack the truck back up.

I agree with Canon shooter though, 90% of the time if I am shooting outdoors, it is with my 580's/550's. When Im shooting a car or something along those lines, I usually shoot with my alienbee and 56" moonunit or my photogenic with the 86" PLM as long as their is little wind outdoors.

I never wanted to carry a strobe with me to a wedding but after it took me 15 min to set up my speedlites at a very dark church to get a good exposure, I have since switched to the white 86" PLM with the black back cover and I will use a speedlite or two to fill the back of the altar. It ends up being ALOT quicker and the formal group photos turn out awesome. I can find a power outlet 90% of the time within 2 min for the strobe that is out of the way and doesn't get in the way of guests, myself, or the bridal party.

If the church isn't so dark then I go to my trusty standby of three speedlites for a even light. Left/Right/High Center all shot in manual.

[texxter]

Modern speedlights have some really amazing capabilities, including high speed sync, built-in remote triggering, and high power in a small package. They are definitely the most portable, most convenient way to go, and will work for many if not most situations. The most obvious limitations are that portable flashes have longer recycle and flash duration times. These are not big problems for typical portraits.

Battery powered strobes, such as the Elinchrom Quadra would be next on my list - fairly light and portable but they pack a lot more power, and the flash duration can be extremely short.

My third choice would be normal A/C power strobes powered by an inverter and battery. Using these in the field is fine, but if all you do is location photography and you're moving them around, you'd better have an assistant and a dolly.