77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

Hi all need a little help. I am looking into getting some studio strobes (not off camera flash) and having a hard time with it because there are so many different ones out there. I don't want the cheapest but don't need the most high priced ones either. I am wanting control of the flash heads maybe down to 1/64th power and looking for 3 of them in a kit.

Any help will be greatful.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If I were going to do it all over again, I would seriously look a Paul Buff's offerings: http://www.paulcbuff.com/
Has several lines & models and lots of reasonably-priced accessories. I have a friend who uses them.
Made & serviced in the US ( and Canada) should you ever need it.

Studio Flash Explained...
http://www.paulcbuff.com/sfe.php

Now-it's not top of the line stuff, but in the end, no one is going to be able to tell the difference... once you learn to use it well.

Look up threads on light meters with flash capability.
You'll need one.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I use and love Adorama's Flashpoint strobes. The 320 is great. I have a 320 and a 600. If I were to do it again, I would get two 320's. They are very reasonably priced. Adjustable light output is the best feature.

I have had these for a couple of years and use them often. Have not had to replace the bulbs yet, but bought the bulbs to keep on hand, because someday I will need them and don't want to be caught without replacements in the middle of a shoot! http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=flashpoint+320

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I have a couple of 750 watt/second monolight units and I rarely use them beyond 1/2 power.
I just don't need that much power anymore.
When I was shooting film, I used 4800w/s powerpacks for large format.
Two hernias later, I use Nikon speedlights for most location shoots.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

77, Buff's, Blien Bees are small and compact if your in tight or have a small studio without using powerpacks.
If you will be lighting models in tight locations, especially where you can still use some ambient, and for informal shoots, take a good look at some of the new LCD stuff on the market. Some of the results I have seen with them are amazing.

Wendy2 Loc: California

But these aren't heavy, nor are they as powerful as what you had. But of course heavier than speedlights ;)

TimS Loc: GA

+1 for the FP strobes. I have a pair of 640Ms and love them. I want to get a pair of the 320s to add to my collection. They are very solid and quite professional looking. I also use FP's zip up soft boxes. AWESOME!

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

I got a heckuva deal on a couple of Interfit 700ws strobes years ago. Not the best, not the worst. There have since been additions to the arsenal since then, but those old Interfits just keep on working.

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Most studio strobes will only go down to 1/32 power. One exception is the Einstein by Paul Buff. They go from 640 W/s down to 2.5 W/s if I recall correctly.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Flashpoint II, Alien Bees, Einsteins, or White Lightning. The last 3 are made in the US by Paul Buff and share accessories. Flashpoint II is Adorama's house brand and the 320M is the most affordable quality studio strobe out there at $100. I would not chance going cheaper than that. If you go with Alien Bees, the resale value is high. They are also used by many professionals as well.

I think the Flashpoint II and Paul Buff products are solid without costing a fortune. I have Flashpoint II and White Lightning. I'm pleased with both.

I also have a cheap Ebay strobe that is lightweight that I got for a hair light. Unlike most in the $50 price range, it was adjustable down to 1/16 power, and had the same modeling light and sound options as my Flashpoint strobes. However, the first time I tried it, it lit the strobe tube for a nearly a second and blew its fuse. On the bright side, after I got over being afraid to use the Ebay special, it has not blown a fuse since then. It seems to work better if I run it at 1/2 power or less.

Blowing fuses is a common complaint in the reviews of Adorama's "budget" strobes. Another reason that I consider the Adorama Flashpoint II 320M the real starting point and unless you need to light up a group from a distance, you might never need to upgrade.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

http://www.elinchrom.com/product/D-Lite-it-4.html

Standardised, reliable, tough, well made in Switzerland.

barry.lapoint Loc: Colorado

I've used Photogenic and Norman monolights for over 20 years. Have not had one spec of trouble with either. They are 500s and 750 w/s. Would't purchase anything less than 500 w/s and would get units with user-changeable flash tubes and modeling lights. I like monolights because they aren't connected to a power pack. Sure, that means each light weighs more but I feel the versatility outweighs the size. It's a personal decision, on my part, one I've never regretted.

guy145 Loc: Norridge IL

look at this. window shopping does'nt hurt
http://www.cowboystudio.com/

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Interesting selection of equipment. I've been a price conscious shopper so I have a few observations on the monolights at http://www.cowboystudio.com/category_s/233.htm

The cheaper Fancier strobes closely resemble the Adorama "budget" line. The $74 model resembles my $50 Ebay special but is much more limited in it's power range and options. The strobes for < $100 there are all limited in that they have built-in reflectors and can only use "universal" mount softboxes and such.

The 400WS Mettle is a lot of WS for the $ and resembles the Adorama Flashpoint II brand but uses a Bowens mount for softboxes etc. I understand that the battery packs for Mettle and Flashpoint II strobes are interchangeable.

Wendy2 Loc: California

With the 640's, why do you want the 320's? Do the 640's put out too much, or is it the compactness of the 320's you like?

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Check out the Wescott line. They make a 2 strobe set of mono lights that are very reasonably priced and seem to be well made. I got a set last year and have no problems with them.