GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

My speedlights failed me during my last photo shoot and I’m ready to trade them in and get strobes. I have a SB900 that was inside an Apollo 43” soft box. I also had a Yongnuo flash used with a shoot through umbrella and an SB500 that I used as a rim light or a background light. I triggered them with the SU800 in Manual. I also have the WR10 for the D500. The other option would be to get the SB5000 and sell the SB900.

ProFoto has the A1 & B1 that will work with their new Nikon remote control.

I have also looked at Elinchrom, Paul C Bluff and others. The more I look, the more confused I get.

Suggestions are all welcome!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

43” softbox is pushing it for the SB900.
Have you looked into Godox?
ProPhoto makes nice stuff, if you have the money, but Godox keeps coming out with new interesting lights, all of which can be controlled with their radio remote.
http://www.godox.com/EN/
I have an AD200, not much bigger than a Speedlight but about the same power of three SB900’s.
http://flashhavoc.com/godox-ad200-witstro-announced/
Comes with a bare-bulb and fresnel head and works with several camera systems, you just need the camera-specific transmitter. Looking at maybe getting an AD600 soon.
Comparison to the Profoto B1 here:


https://fstoppers.com/originals/profoto-b1-vs-godox-ad600-flash-photography-155679

Godox is labeled Flashpoint on Adorama’s website.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

How about a combination of both. Check out the Flashpoint Streaklight 360. I use mine for sports, and portrait work. I got almost 1800 flashes at a rodeo recently on 1/4 power before I had to change a battery. They can be off camera or mounted on a stand or fixed object.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have several of the White Lightning x1600 and Einstein units from Paul C Buff. I bought the White Lightning for location work because I figured if one fell into a stream during a shoot it wouldn't cost as much as better brands to replace. I abuse my lights during location work, stands get knocked over and one time a light fell onto a concrete floor and it continued to work (no umbrella or soft box was attached, it made a hard hit on the floor) Twice I have sent in one of the lights for repair and it cost right at $50.00 both times even though one was out of the warrantee period. (Try getting that with another brand).
I began with Photogenic lights and replaced them with Paul Buff. Buff is not the best quality, but for the past ten years or so they haven't failed me, they get the job done, and the warrantee service is great.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GG, there's one important point you didn't mention, where are you gonna use the light? Studio or on location outside?
I've been through quite a hodgepodge of lights, I currently have settled on 4 Photogenic 1500(600ws). They are old and heavy but the are pretty bullet proof and cheap to buy used.
BUT lately I too have been looking at lights, sometimes on locations I use 3 Canon 600rt lights and Canon radio trigger.
Here's what I think.
If one is gonna use speedlights, they should be bare without modifiers and carefully controlled with power output and zoom angles. Speedlights in large modifiers might produce a nice light but even a small breeze makes them very unwieldy.
IF you're gonna use modifiers put a real strobe in them and weight them down outdoors. And yes, nothing can match the look of a modifier.
I would be partial to the Buff Einsteins. In all tests they are almost as good as the Profotos at 1/4 the price.
I would use collapsible modifiers like the Westcott Rapid boxes for ease of transport and storage. Also the Buff lights hold extremely high resale and sell easily.
I will say I've looked at the Godox AD600 for ease of location shoots. Those new battery lights are pretty nice!
There are a lot of options, It's very confusing! Good luck
SS

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I don't think that's what I need for studio portraits; but thanks for the suggestion. as far as a combination, I may still use the speed lights to light the background or maybe as a rim light.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

So far, I've mostly done inside shoots with lights. I want to see the light and you can't do that with speed lights. Outside, I may only need a diffusor or a small flash as fill light. Even though I will be using them indoors, the battery-powered is nice so that I can easily move the lights and not worry about tripping on cords (clients as well as myself!). I usually have two or three backdrops set up for ease of switching things up. This is all as a temporary setup. After the shoot, everything gets put away and my "studio" becomes a dining room again.

The Godox AD600 do look nice don't they? Also, I don't want to underbuy, so the low watts or ones without a modeling light are out. There's a Buff Einstein e400 for sale on eBay for $400. You can get a new Alien Bees B400 for $225 or a B1600 for $360! I also saw a B1600 for $279 on eBay... still cheaper new! How are the Einsteins different than the Alien Bees? What about the Neewer brand? Yes, it is VERY confusing; but, that's why I asked all of you fine people on the hog!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

How exactly did they fail?

They wouldn't go off?

They were underpowered?

Define: failed.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I purchased 5 Alien Bees 9 yrs ago in that time I replace one flash tube, and had a B1600 fail P.C.Buff repaired the 1600 no chg and converted it to a B800 for me ( I discovered I didn't need 2 1600's)
I use all Buff accessories. Including the older remote trigger. I would buy them again if I needed.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

I personally like the portability of speed lights. To over come issues with power, recharge ect. I will use 2 to 3 Canon EX 4030 III's per box. I have 6 total that run at 1/25th the power or less usually ... It costs more for that many speed lights but running them at such a reduced capacity can give you a full days shoot in any location.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

To me one of the biggest issues is how you want to control the settings and firing, especially when you mix strobes and Speedlites. Many brands have controls that work great with their stuff but don’t play that well with others. Try controlling a Speedlite with a Profoto controller on your camera for example...

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

There is a hole for an umbrella shaft on the Godox.
It’s underneath and a bit off of center.
There is a special reflector for that.
https://www.fomito.shop/products/godox-standard-reflector-bowens-mount-with-umbrella-hole?variant=1726378967084


You can get receivers for your Nikon flashes and use them remotely.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I’ve used lots of studio gear from Norman, Photogenic, Dynalite, Buff, and Novatron. Quantum makes real pro “Speedlites”. Each of the others has advantages and disadvantages. I prefer Buff and Norman.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

I have 3 Einstein's that I use with remote Buff triggers that work really well. I also have 2 of the small Buff battery pack/inverters . They work great for studio and event work.
But it is a lot of gear to carry.
I also have a couple of Ex-600 Canon flashes for occasions where I have to walk the floor of an event or don't want to pack all the Buff gear.