Looking for a Strobe Recommendation for Photos

(swami) · (swami) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 04-21-2006, 3:00 PM

I was wondering if somone had a recommendation for strobe lights? I'm looking to pick up a pair to do some low light shooting and maybe use them in a studio setting too. I was planning on using pocketwizards on em.

I'm using a Canon 20D btw.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Swami

(xcharrier) · (xcharrier) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 04-23-2006, 12:21 AM

When you say low light, do you mean for wakeboarding?

This is not really a recommendation rather what I personally use and my opinions. I personally use Profoto strobes and packs and I love them... the great thing is, most of the current models have the pocket wizards built right in... so you only need a pocket wizard on the camera. However, these are fairly expensive and I doubt I'd want to take them on the boat. They are great for the studio though. I've also got three Alien Bee strobes that are perfect for location and I plan to use these when I'm doing my wakeboard shooting this year. They can also take advantage of the pocket wizards as long as you have one for the camera and one for a strobe.

Hope this helps... if you have anything specific let me know.

(swami) · (swami) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 04-24-2006, 11:37 AM

Thanks Russell,
I was thinking mainly putting them on the bank or on a platform/stationary boat for certain shots... but I also want them to pull double duty in a studio as well.

My main worry (other than I've never bought strobes before) is that I'll buy some that are not powerful enough or just plain junk.

I don't mind paying good $$ for good equipment.

Thanks!
-Swami

(xcharrier) · (xcharrier) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 04-24-2006, 4:00 PM

Well... with that being said... I would take a look at the alien bees (http://alienbees.com/). They are easily portable but also do great in the studio. I personally have 2 1600's and 1 800 and I've never come close to using them full power in the studio. They also offer the vagabond battery packs on the alien bee site that makes the strobes completely portable... no power source is needed. This is what I will be using on the boat myself.

On a side note... the only way I figured out how to connect my pocket wizards to the alien bee strobes was with a microphone to sync cord plug that I found on bhphoto.com

Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.