berchman Loc: South Central PA

I have two Honey Badgers. They are solidly built, easy to operate and have very powerful modeling lights. There is a new model of Honey Badger which works on a built-in rechargeable battery. It’s more expensive but you won’t have to rely on plugging it in to an outlet like the cheaper models.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

Paul Buff has a student discount program. Or at least they did when my daughter bought me some Alien Bees (cough cough) back when she was in college.

I have mostly retired the Alien Bees in favor of Yongnuo speedlights for my light stand/umbrella lighting needs. They are powerful enough for my purposes, and smaller/lighter to transport, not needing reflectors and extension cords and multi-taps. A few dozen rechargeable batteries take almost no space. If I needed more power in a single umbrella there are brackets that will take two speedlights. (You can also get softboxes with speedlight brackets, but I don't know if they make any for dual speedlights.) With the appropriate Yongnuo radio controller on the camera I can adjust the zoom and power level of three different light sources independently and wirelessly, without regard to maintaining line of sight between the controller and a sensor on the flash body. Multiple units set to the same control channel will fire simultaneously.

Yongnuo units are cheap and of variable quality. I have four units now, but it took looking at 6 units to find the four that worked reliably. B&H was fabulous to deal with in this respect, taking back the bad ones without a hint of a quibble - and some of them were bought used (I'm old and cheap.) But I now have three units (and a spare) for less than I would have paid for a single Nikon Speedlight. I don't have TTL control, but I have never even thought about using that feature in the decades I've been shooting with umbrellas on stands.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

FYI
These are the specifications for the battery operated "Badger Unleadhed" as per the importer and distributer.

The Badger Unleashed is a fearless shooting companion like its predecessor, but this time with a battery-powered 250Ws strobe and HSS/TTL capabilities for the ultimate on-the-go flash head!

Product Highlights:
2900mAh Li-Ion Battery - Offers up a whopping 430 full-power flashe
This is the specifications for the battery operated model the "Badger Umleadhed" as published by the importer.

The Badger Unleashed is a direct response to customer requests for a light with the compact form factor of the Honey Badger and the mobility and high-tech functionality of the S1. We packed 250Ws of power, a 15W LED modeling lamp, and an in-line b

The namesake feature of the Badger Unleashed is an entirely DC powered system, offering full portability in a compact body with 250Ws of light in up to 430 full-power flashes. Out of juice? The Badger Unleashed can recharge its battery to full in just 90 minutes, and extra battery packs can be swapped mid-shoot so you'll never miss that golden hour at the end of your shoot again

The ability to travel with lighting is crucial for a mobile photographer, and size and weight matter. The Badger Unleashed weighs less than 5lbs, measures 5” wide (6” including the outer ring), and 7” deep from the back panel to the edge of the protective cap, making it one of the most compact self-contained studio flash heads on the market. The robust and compact housing paired with it's on-board battery power make the Badger Unleashed the ideal solution for photographers on the move.

Extended Power Range:

The Badger Unleashed has an incredible 9-stop power range, two more stops than our Honey Badger sister strobe, and four more than traditional studio flash heads. Power can be adjusted from 250Ws down to 1Ws in 1/10th of a stop increments for precise exposure.

Best-In-Class Recycle Time:

At full power, the Badger Unleashed recycles in an impressive 1.5 seconds at full power. Plus, recycle times only get shorter and shorter as you decrease the flash power!

High Speed Sync & Through-The-Lens Metering Modes:

Short flash durations give us the ability to freeze motion beyond the capabilities of our shutter sync speed. In HSS mode, the Badger Unleashed has a t.1 flash duration of 1/8000th of a second. With TTL metering, the new Badger is even capable of automatically adjusting flash power for you with +/- 3 stops of exposure compensation as the lighting around your subject changes from shot to shot - simply keep shooting with your viewfinder and the Badger Unleashed takes care of the rest!

15W LED Modeling Lamp:

The Badger Unleashed is equipped with a 15W LED modeling lamp that produces 1250 Lumens. This flicker-free LED can be used as a continuous light source for both photo and video purposes. The modeling lamp can be set to adjust proportionately to the flash power, or to full power. For the most accurate light tone portrayal, we balanced the color temperature to 5500K - giving you nice daylight balanced color tones in every scene.

Built-in Radio Receiver:

The Badger Unleashed features a built-in radio receiver that is compatible with all Interfit TTL and manual remotes. This allows full control over the light’s power range, flash mode, modeling lamp, and beep function. When using the Interfit manual remote, the Badger Unleashed can be adjusted individually via 8 different control groups (A-H), across 15 different channels (1-15). This allows for intricate multi-light setups and negates interference from neighboring photographers.

Versatile Modifier Mount:

The most unique feature of the Badger Unleashed is the versatile modifier mount. The Badger Unleashed utilizes the popular Bowens® S-Type modifier mount, making it compatible with all of the same modifiers as the S1, Honey Badger, and any other Interfit or S-Type mount light system. In addition, the Badger Unleashed features the built-in pop-up softbox ring made popular by the original Honey Badger for use with pop-up style softboxes that are popular with speedlight shooters. The idea behind this feature is to allow photographers to grow into their studio lights by allowing them to use some of the existing modifiers they may already have purchased for speedlights.

Glass Dome Diffuser:

The Badger Unleashed includes a frosted glass dome diffuser. This protects the flash tube and helps to spread light evenly throughout the modifier.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

No need to apologize.
I wasn’t singling you put specifically.
If one would read the previous posts, they would learn that the the OP was talking about strobes, not speedlights.
It was mentioned several times before you posted.
(I supplied a link to an article explaining the difference)

There is a lot of good info in this site if people would just read the responses.
Some seem to just comment with their knowledge (or lack thereof) and don't learn.
Wasted opportunity...

It frustrates me when this happens so often.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Actually, they're ALL strobes, whether they be monolights, w/powerpacks or speedlights. Just, only, a matter of semantics..... Just look up the (actual) definition of (photographic) STROBE, eh ?

uhaas2009

A mono light is a good start. Now following problem, you need a power outlet. Some work now with battery and power outlet.
If you want use mono light and Speedlights from different companies and models than the conflict is the build in remote trigger or better receiver.....In the end I put pocked wizard on each "Flash"
My first model shoot what we did outside, Three speedlight with pocked wizard in Umbrella diffused and I set all speedlight on full power because the time to adjust every single speedlight took to much time.....

I changed my system to Flashpoint, Godox......I adjust all light from the trigger on my camera, no more cables to outlets, less equipment to carry a round.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Photography has its own language, nomenclature, idioms, misnomers, and slang- it all fun and makes things interesting. Some of it comes and goes. Some of it died with the popularity of the analog/chemical darkroom. Developers were "soup" as a noun and one would "soup" the negatives or prints as a verb. We would "pull" proofs and prints- now we only pull pork- go figure. Fixer was called "Hypo" a nickname for Sodium Thiosulphate. There are loads of euphemisms too like proofs became "previews" or worse, debut images. Enlargements were BLOW-UPS!

So...Electronic Flash? I called all of it "strobes" since I was 12 years old but technically speaking, most of the ones we use in photography are not really true stroboscopic light sources. Actual stobes are rapidly repeating flash sources like at 10 to 20 flashes or more per second. They are employed in scientific experimentation, photographic motion studies and special effects, diagnosing malfunctions in rapidly moving machinery, automotive engine timing, theatrical, stage and stage (disco) lighting and you might find them atop an emergency vehicle or on road hazard signage. The flashing rate is measured in frequencies.

Nonetheless, we still say "studio strobe", "portable strobe" etc. "Speedlight" was a general term that used to apply to all electronic flash equipment because of its extremely short action freezing flash durations. Early models used smaller capacitors and extremely higher voltages to attain their watt/second power levels so durations as short as 1/100,000sec were common- that where you saw images of bullets in flight and breaking glass in midair. So...Nowadays smaller one-piece on-camera flash units are branded "Speedlights" by Canon or called speedlights as a generic term.

Politically correct names? If you care? It's all electronic flash unless its LEDs, tungsten, fluorescent or other continuous sources.

Back in the day, STUDIO FLASH UNITS came in 3 versions: (1) a single lamp head mounted on a light stand with a power pack at the base, typically adjustable between 25 and up to 400-watt.seconds. These configurations were usually dedicated to studio use in a fixed location and required approximately 115 Volts A.C. (Household current) (2) A Central power pack feeding multiple lamp heads, usually ranging from 400 to 2500 w.s. Most of these types could be used in-studio or taken out on location. Most of these also operate on line voltage. (3) Specialized very large lamp housings with multiple or linear flash tubes- sort of giant softboxes, connected to a moderate or very high powered power pack- sometimes called Skylighters or Hazy-Lights etc. These again operate on line voltage. Most equipment in the STUDIO classification is equipped with modeling lamps. Some classic studio gear is currently manufactured by Photogenic, Speedotron, Pro-Foto, Elinchrom, and others. Most of these require manual exposure settings.

Mono-Lights- Originally called Mono-Blocks. They are hybrids in that they are practical for studio and location work. In these units, the lamp head and power supply are combined in a one-piece unit. There are dozens of makes, types and power varieties. Most have interchangeable reflectors, modeling lamps, are very compatible with a wide scope of modifiers and can be used in bare-bulb mode. There are modes that operate on AC power, external battery packs, and inverters and/or built-in batteries. There are make and models that range in adjustable output from 25 to 2,000-watt .seconds. Some current models have built-in optical or radios slave receivers, can be coordinated or interphased with certain camera command systems and/or feature TTL exposure automation.

2 Piece Portables. Nowadays, these are less popular but at one time they were the mainstay go-to types for most working press, wedding, event, and general photographers. They could be mounted on the came via a bracket or used off camera on appropriate support gear. The usually had a lamp head much larger and more efficient than a modern speedlight and usually significantly more powerful. Although there were a few one-piece units called handle mounts or "potato mashers", because of their shape, most of them required a should strap carried or belt-clip mounted power supply which contained the batteries capacitors and much of the circuitry. The power outputs range between 50 and 400-watt .seconds. They are my personal favorites for event coverage and are still manufactured by Lumadyne and Norman. Some have built-in modeling lamps, interchangeable reflectors, user replaceable flash tubes, and bare-bulb mode. They are of significantly higher output power, as compared to most speedlights which makes ts them very applicable to bounce lighting techniques and modifier usage. Of course, these are comparatively heavy and bulky, especially the older models, especially when compared to speedlights. There are straps and cables to contend with but they really pack a punch, have fast recycling times, can stand up to long duty cycles and usually can provide many flashers per battery charge.

SPEEDLIGHTS- These are the most current and popular. They have been around for a very long time but the latest models are more sophisticated than their "ancestors". Older models had Manual, Auto-Flas and some TTL features whereas later modes have more sophisticated exposure controls systems, camera-command, and multiple flash control systems built rith into their circuitry. May work well in a variety of programmed modes that can provide automated balanced flash fill. These units do not feature modeling lamps but can accept a wide variety of modifiers. They average f about 8O watt. seconds at maximum output.

Just for the record, ACOR, that was, America Speedlight Corporation, long gone, made electronic flash systems with multiple lamp heads, Pyrex flash tubes and power supplies the size of steamer trunks that were stacked together in banks. These put out tens of thousands of watt.seconds and were used to light sports areas and studios that specialized in light cars and trucks on giant cyclorama backdrops. Just imagine a 10,000 watt.second "speedlight" with a flas tube the size of a 5 gallon glass jug!

(Download)

rond-photography Loc: Connecticut

Nice! Thanks for all the info! I didn't know about the huge lights. It looks like they repurposed tool boxes or ammo boxes!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Looks more imposing than a Speedotron powerpack!