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View Full Version : 600w or 300w lights??



~Raven~
10-06-2009, 2:32pm
This may seem like a stupid question but what is the difference with regards to a portrait between the two. I am looking at some lights but can't decide which ones.

Help!!!!:o

JM Tran
10-06-2009, 2:38pm
-more power
-more reach
-better coverage of large subjects such as group shots or composition
-faster recycling time (depends)

are u talking about studio strobe lights or a constant source of lighting? As I am thinking u are referring to strobe lighting

TOM
10-06-2009, 4:40pm
if you are talking 600ws strobes, then the 600's are definately the way to go. you will soon outgrow the 300's.

~Raven~
10-06-2009, 7:13pm
talking strobes...thankyou for your advise

JM Tran
10-06-2009, 7:26pm
regarding portrait, it doesnt matter how powerful it is as you can always adjust the power settings of the strobes

my Bowens Esprit are 500w heads, I have never ever shot at max power at 500w before, esp when shooting portraits in studio or on location

BUT, I need more power at or close to 500w whenever I am shooting from afar or when I have a shoot through brolly on, instead of a reflector

hoffy
10-06-2009, 7:29pm
How big is your studio?

For most home studio's 300w is more then you will ever need. I use 600w and where they are set up is on the small side of ideal. I am finding that I am on the lowest settings and at times I wish I could go lower.

Sammi
10-06-2009, 8:10pm
My strobes consist of 1x 250w and 2 180w, with my single portraits ive been doing i have never moved the lights past there minimal setting, and i still get over exposures with them.

Lani
10-06-2009, 8:46pm
How big is your studio?

For most home studio's 300w is more then you will ever need. I use 600w and where they are set up is on the small side of ideal. I am finding that I am on the lowest settings and at times I wish I could go lower.

I have 400w elinchroms and find the same thing....working in a fairly small space. I am just going to get some more diffusion fabric to use when I need to drop the output more.

oldfart
11-06-2009, 5:14pm
I use a pair of "300w" Ebay specials which shocked me by using only 75w Halogen inserts !!

That said I use them mostly at their very lowest output levels anyway due to space limitations.

Sammi
12-06-2009, 1:57pm
My strobes consist of 1x 250w and 2 180w, with my single portraits ive been doing i have never moved the lights past there minimal setting, and i still get over exposures with them.

I should have mentioned in my last post im shooting with them in a 10mt X 5mt area and there still on lowest setting

ehor
13-06-2009, 9:37am
I'd go the 600's because you'll hardly ever shoot 1/1 and at lower settings the recycle times should be faster than a 300 on similar light output.

~Raven~
14-06-2009, 5:05pm
Thankyou everyone for your input....I won't be doing anything about the strobes til after tax time so I have some time for more research.

ehor
14-06-2009, 6:06pm
Thankyou everyone for your input....I won't be doing anything about the strobes til after tax time so I have some time for more research.
Let us know how you go.

Oh you're from Deloraine! I dropped in there on my way to Cradle Mountain last year :)

NGP
19-06-2009, 3:05pm
I'd personally go for the 600ws.. 300ws might be ok close up and in "darkness" but if you have a lot of ambient or even direct sun light to fight against they will become under powered.. same if you need to light up a larger area.. I shoot with 3ks heads (3000ws) and have never gone under 400ws for main or fill to shoot and that's what you would be using them for I would assume. the 300ws would be ok for product shoots but pushing the limits for portraits especially when shooting with umbrella, softboxes or other light modifiers