Studio Lighting … Choices … Recommendations PLEASE!

[RLBB]

Changing my studio lighting set-up/equipment. The majority of my work is outdoor (HS seniors + family & children), but need to have the flexibility to shoot indoors/studio. After comparison, I thought Profoto or Photogenic might be my first choice, yet I know this is $$. My plan was to buy the minimum # of strobes needed/ best that I could afford and add to it later.
(2) Profoto D1 Air 500w/s. Using Pocket Wizards so that I can meter each light with my Sekonic. Eventually I would like to add better light modifiers rather than the white umbrellas that come with the kit. I have two Interfit 250W lights that I will use as background or hair light.
Other's considerations:Photogenic, Elinchrom, Bowens, and just found another system - Lencarta - but don't know much about this system. Einstein ?? Budget: $2200, but would much rather spend less. If anyone owns any of these systems or can give me advice - I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

This would be for Studio only! I shoot with Quantums (sometime speedlites) for outdoor portraiture.

[danchez]

I've got a few Einsteins and I love them!!!

[Tom]

For outdoor/on location work, the Elinchrom Quadra is incredibly hard to beat. And no one can touch the power/weight ratio.

[Kalrog]

I have the Einsteins and I love them. The integrated commanders where you can change the power at the camera is great. But I don't know that it is the right solution for you if you want to be on the move most of the time. The Quadra might be the right answer for you.

Even if you go with a different system, look into the Paul C Buff battery packs. Those are an amazing value no matter what.

[RLBB]

Thanks Dan, Tom & Nathan! I had never really researched the Einsteins until the other day! Had heard from a vendor that the AlienBees might not hold up in the long run/not as durable, so just assumed that since the Einsteins were made by the same manufacturer - might not be durable as well. I want something that will resell down the road; that I can add to; fast recycling time for high speed sync; quality/consistant color temp and the abiltiy to accept other manufacturer's light modifiers such as Larson softboxes (ok is that asking too much). I've worked with Profoto at Texas School - do you feel like the Einsteins produce as good /quality of color and are the units made well. Do you like Einsteins light modifiers? I'll take a look at the Elinchrom again! This will be used in the studio only - I use a quantum for on location/outdoor portraiture. Thanks again for your help!

[Tom]

fast recycling time for high speed sync; quality/consistant color temp

Well, you get one or the other with Einsteins. Seriously. You pick which one you want.

the abiltiy to accept other manufacturer's light modifiers such as Larson softboxes (ok is that asking too much).

I think most will allow you to do that.

I've worked with Profoto at Texas School - do you feel like the Einsteins produce as good /quality of color and are the units made well. Do you like Einsteins light modifiers?

They seem fairly well made, but personally, I would prefer to go with a brand I can grow with. That's why I went with the cheap Elinchrom D-Lite 4 set over the Alienbees. The light is amazing and the modifiers are MUCH better from Elinchrom than Paul C Buff (though I do still use PCB grids because they are cheap.)

This will be used in the studio only - I use a quantum for on location/outdoor portraiture.

Well, then don't get the Quadra. It shines as a strobe on location. Much better ways to spend money for a studio.

Here is how I built my studio for $2k, including backdrops and stands.
Whole studio setup on a budget of $2000.

The difference when I bought my setup and now is the new D-Lite 4 set has the wireless receivers built into the lights and the transmitter comes with the 2-light pack, so no need to buy those items. Getting the equivalent Alienbees stuff was going to cost $320 MORE than the Elinchrom stuff I got and it was more powerful and has better light. And the modifiers are ridiculously better. Take out that I no longer need to get a transmitter and receivers and (I paid $210) and it would not be $530 cheaper to go with Elinchrom over Alienbee. Now the Einsteins are better than the B800, but they are also $500 each rather than $280 each like the B800.

The build of the D-Lite 4 is going to be similar to the Alienbee. You said you had reservations about that. It is plastic. BUT it does have a really convenient handle built in. I feel like bees are kinda hard to handle without one. The build quality will be roughly the same, but the D-Lite has that Elinchrom flash tube that is so yummy.


Also, David Hobby of Strobist fame did a search for big lights and narrowed it down to Profoto, Alienbees and Elinchrom. He went with the Profotos.

Followup:
Strobist: Follow Up: Choosing Big Lights

David Hobby's Elinchrom Article:
Strobist: Choosing Big Lights: Elinchrom

David Hobby's Profoto Article:
Strobist: Choosing Big Lights: Profoto

David Hobby's Alienbee's article:
Strobist: Choosing Big Lights: AlienBees

Intro Article on the need for big lights:
Strobist: Mono Monday: Choosing the Right Big Lights

One thing he said in his intro that stood out to me:

And this kind of long-term thinking is very important, IMO, when considering a big lights purchase. It's a marriage, really -- or a very expensive fling if you screw it up. So you want to look at long-term costs, value and capabilities of several different systems before choosing.

There you go!
Have fun shopping!

[nameBrandon]

Originally Posted by RLBB

Thanks Dan, Tom & Nathan! I had never really researched the Einsteins until the other day! Had heard from a vendor that the AlienBees might not hold up in the long run/not as durable, so just assumed that since the Einsteins were made by the same manufacturer - might not be durable as well. I want something that will resell down the road; that I can add to; fast recycling time for high speed sync; quality/consistant color temp and the abiltiy to accept other manufacturer's light modifiers such as Larson softboxes (ok is that asking too much). I've worked with Profoto at Texas School - do you feel like the Einsteins produce as good /quality of color and are the units made well. Do you like Einsteins light modifiers? I'll take a look at the Elinchrom again! This will be used in the studio only - I use a quantum for on location/outdoor portraiture. Thanks again for your help!

Einstein is made by Paul C Buff, who makes Alien Bees (low-end), and White Lightning (high-end). Einstein is a product on it's own, it's their only digital strobe at this point.

Personally, I stick with White Lightning, but I've heard nothing but great reviews with the Einstein. All Paul C Buff products use the Balcar mount, so the modifiers are interchangeable.

Another great thing about PCB is their new solution for portable / outdoor shooting, the Vagabond Mini Lithium. It weighs ~3-4lbs and will easily give my WL X1600 (~640 w/s) 300-400 pops at full power. It has interchangeable batteries as well, so I have a spare for when one battery is empty, and I just pop the next one in. I've run my WL X3200 (1,320 w/s) + WL X1600 off of it and it works fine.. Recycle time can be slow, but it's a battery, you live with it.

Elinchrom Quadra is a great portable solution too, but for the power / weight / value, I'd take an Einstein + Vagabond Mini combo over Elinchrom Quadra every time.

[Tom]

Elinchrom Quadra is a great portable solution too, but for the power / weight / value, I'd take an Einstein + Vagabond Mini combo over Elinchrom Quadra every time.

Not a chance. One of the great things about the Quadra is how light the head is. The head is smaller than a 580EX. It weighs 8 ounces. That's less than a good cheeseburger.

I can fit a Quadra pack, extra battery, two heads, two cords and transmitter in a Think Tank Retrospective 20 bag. You probably can't fit the Einstein in there by itself. And the weight would be over double what a Quadra would be. Just the Einstein head would

And you also aren't going to put an Einstein on pole like Joe McNally did with the Quadra.

Five-Minute Sunset Shoot with the Elinchrom Quadra - YouTube

Five-Minute Sunset Shoot with the Elinchrom Quadra - YouTube

[nameBrandon]

Originally Posted by Tom

Not a chance. One of the great things about the Quadra is how light the head is. The head is smaller than a 580EX. It weighs 8 ounces. That's less than a good cheeseburger.

I can fit a Quadra pack, extra battery, two heads, two cords and transmitter in a Think Tank Retrospective 20 bag. You probably can't fit the Einstein in there by itself. And the weight would be over double what a Quadra would be. Just the Einstein head would

And you also aren't going to put an Einstein on pole like Joe McNally did with the Quadra.

Don't get me started on McNally... ;)

I checked into it, and they're much closer in weight than I thought. I do agree from just a head perspective the Quadra is lighter, but if you compare the entire setup, head, pack, batter, trigger, cable, etc.. it's close to 8lbs, which is what the Einstein + vagabond mini ends up being.

You're not going to get a Quadra setup for $750 though, which is what an Einstein + VML would cost! :)

[peeker]

She says they are for studio only... I went with Profoto D1 500Airs a few years ago and never looked back. If you use their remote, then you can change the light readings from the camera position and never have to reach for the back of the light again. I then started investing in Creative light softboxes.

At Texas School this year, I took advantage of buying another set of 500's so now I have four matching lights for my studio setup. Yes, it's a lot of money, but also won't have to worry about upgrading anytime in the near future.

[Texcam]

If you haven't purchased lights yet look into DynaLite great light for the money and light weight if you decide to travel.

We have ProPhoto in the studio which replaced White Lightning setups and Elichrom Rangers for field work. I still love the simplicity and and the portability of the DynaLite units.

James

[texxter]

Einstein units offer great performance for the money, just check their specs. The tipping point for me is PCB's legendary customer service. I recently moved from Alien Bees, which by the way have been totally reliable for five years, to Einsteins and I couldn't be happier. The CyberCommander remote is amazing and affordable. And the portable battery packs are fantastic as well if you ever need to use the equipment without A/C.

If you are looking for the best value for your dollar, made in the good old US of A and with exemplary customer service, Einsteins are the studio lights to have. Don't take my word for it, do your research.

Btw, I use Photoflex soft modifiers plus the PCB 8.5" reflectors, grids, and beauty dish. Totally happy with all of this. The only other modifier I wish I could mount on an Einstein is a fresnel lens.

[fredkiana1972]

I love my einsteins. I have 2 of them and one alien bees. I am looking to get one more einstein. The reason is that it will cost me 530 with a receiver and about 450 for the other einstein. I'll spend the extra 70 bucks to have digital.

[PhotoByLeal]

very good information posted here by Pixtus members, great links & video Tom!!!

later.....