Is continuous lighting really that bad?

[AndyNJ]

I don't have any lighting equipment at all yet, but I keep reading that continuous lighting isn't really worth it and that you need to use strobe lighting instead. Is continuous really that bad for a beginner?

[BigVinnie]

Good quality continuous lighting is expensive. The cheap stuff is pretty inconsistent and usually not very bright.

There are some very good low end studio lights out there. One that impressed me enough to order one is the flashpoint M series from Adorama.

For $100 you can get a 150 ws 320M. Add another $100 and you can add a battery pack to go mobile.

150ws is about the same power you would get from a typical high end camera flash. With a camera flash you still have to buy an adapter to mount it on a lightstand. If you want to use a softbox you really start to have issues with a camera flash.

From what I understand Adorama is upgrading all of the flashpoints to use a battery pack. I'm calling tuesday to see if I can get the 1220 (600 ws) in the M version. Someone else stated they are shipping those but they are not listed on the website.

[mipo]

Hi,
I have just finished reading a book on lighting equipement.
"Photographic Lighting Equipement" from Kirk Tuck
He covers all aspect of photo lighting.
And lists all the + & - of all types of light.

And it all comes down to what kind of pictures are taken, where & budget.

So it did help me in planning future purchase.

[OsmosisStudios]

Depends

For people, continuous is a pain. Its not bright enough and the old/cheap stuff tends to have some weird colour.
For anything that sits still, like still life or products, continuous is often better because you can see what you're going to get before you even take the shot. Just make sure its high enough quality to get proper colours.

[zona5101]

Check out photoflex - they have some 2 different lines of continuous kits as well as strobe kits you can compare. Be sure to look at the available light modifiers to be sure what ever you choose you are able to grow into...
Photographic lighting and studio equipment for the photography, film, and video industries: Photoflex Products

[LearnMyShot]

Originally Posted by AndyNJ

I don't have any lighting equipment at all yet, but I keep reading that continuous lighting isn't really worth it and that you need to use strobe lighting instead. Is continuous really that bad for a beginner?

Hi Andy:
Here are a few video tutorials using continuous lighting (actually $7 clamp lamps)
I think it's a great way to start and learn concepts of lighting
Lighting Tutorials

Hope this helped!

[HelenOster]

Originally Posted by BigVinnie

From what I understand Adorama is upgrading all of the flashpoints to use a battery pack. I'm calling tuesday to see if I can get the 1220 (600 ws) in the M version. Someone else stated they are shipping those but they are not listed on the website.

We are not yet shipping the 1200 model as we are still in the testing mode - we have one unit on site at present for testing.

Some improvements are still required therefore we do not anticipate it being available to ship until early next year.

[bhursey]

Wow we have Adorama reps on our forum..... Hi Helen nice to see you again. I talked with you a year ago about my adorapro account.. .

I had 2 500watt and a 250 watt CLS lamps... They were under powered. Had to shoot at like 400 to 800 iso at f5.6 to get enough light. I quickly switched to speed lights.

[HelenOster]

Originally Posted by bhursey

Wow we have Adorama reps on our forum..... Hi Helen nice to see you again. I talked with you a year ago about my adorapro account.. .

Aaaah....Adorapro. Great idea that didn't quite pan out!

BTW please don't forget that we are about to hit the Autumn Holiday period. Adorama will close early today (8th September) and will re-open on Sunday 12th.

If you think you may have an urgent enquiry or order please check the website for further closure dates over the coming weeks.