I really like a White Lightning X1600 that I got recently. Its made by Paul Buff also (maker of Alien Bees), but they are higher end units. I think they are worth the extra $$. The main reason is that with the X1600 unit, you can turn down the power to 1/128th, which is absolutely wonderful if you want to shoot wide open (for less DOF in portraits) with today's digital cameras, which have very high starting ISO's like 200 for the *D series. The upcoming K10D should have a setting of 100, which will give one more stop of flexibility. Otherwise what ends up happening is that you are forced to shoot everything at very small fstops, like f8 or higher. And although you can use neutral density filters to help open up the lens a little, they can alter the color temp, introduce glare, or other optical problems. A bonus of operating at 1/128 is the recharge time is instantaneous, although I cant complain with these units even at full power they recycle really fast.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I am hoping sometime in the new year, to pick up some sort of starter > studio kit, like an umbrella or two etc. > > I'd like to walk into the store and not look like a complete dolt, > just a moderate one<g> so i;'m looking for some advise. > > Whats the best thing to pick up. Should i get a couple of alein bees, > or umbrellas and add some flashes, like Scott is thinking. > > Would it be best to buy something like a transmitter for the camera or > is wired just as good. > > > Space would be small at best. One thing i'm thinking of is shooting in > a small pet store kind of thing. > > Any input or links would be helpfull. Looking for both my systems if > that matters. > > Dave > > Equine Photography in York Region > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
