Are you a strobist

[lynweber]

So I have been doing a lot of researching and was wonder what you have in your studio for lighting. Are you a complete strobist or do you opt for the lighting system of your choice.

I am starting out and I keep going back and forth on getting a stand and umbrealla and using my sb600 or if i should get a tungsten to learn from first or something else so I figured it would be helpful to see what others are using and their reasoning. I love DIY too...

[Murtasma]

I've used hot lights, studio strobes and hot shoe mounted flashes. I would just get yourself a light stand and umbrella and wireless trigger set. If you purchase hot lights it will help you to learn lighting by giving you the ability to see what the light will look like before you press the shutter. Eventually however you will find hot lights don't produce enough light and will limit what aperture you can shoot with. Down the road you will want to end up going with hot shoe strobes or studio strobes anyways.

Best not to waste the money on a hot light kit that you will probably out grown quickly. Since hot lights are so hot it will also limit what light modifiers you can use. They are also more uncomfortable for clients / models due to the heat.

[lynweber]

so how many hot shoe flashes do i need to start with? and secondly since i have a sb600 what type of other flashes would be a cheaper investment with it? or is there?

[Murtasma]

You can do a lot with just one strobe by using reflectors and gobos. A vivitar 285HV would be a good strobe to consider they are pretty inexpensive as well.

[Heaterguy]

If you are not already aware of it here is a great site to get a lot of information for strobes: Strobist

[bhursey]

Im a pure strobist and proud of it!!!

Here is my gear.

Did I go crazy? Am I a lighting addict?

[natek313]

I use my Speedlite 430EX II, and that is it...for now. I'll probably pop for another strobe down the road.

[lynweber]

bhursey

thanks I'm totally think this is the way to go!

[Michel.Paez]

In my main camera bag, I have two SB-600s and wireless triggers.

When I do a full setup, I have my studio strobes ( 3 x 160W, 2 x 400W).

I like the flexibility of shooting off-camera flash with my SB-600s and plan on getting one more to round out my set.

[SusanH1970]

For studio work, I use an Alien Bee 400 with a 40x60 reflector. I also have a 580EX II (fairly recent purchase) - I've used it in conjuction with the AB, but also on its own when I haven't been able to bring my AB along, and also for fill flash as needed on outdoor shoots.