BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

J. L. White		studio light, just for fun Was looking into getting some studio lights, just to play with, so you can imagine that I'm looking to spend a whole lot of money. Can someone please explain a few things. I think that "strobe" refers to a "flash" type of light. But for the life of me I can figure out what "monolight" means. I understand the different temperatures, but I have no earthly idea about power, how much is necessary to just have fun with? Also I looked at a set of lights that had some type of transformer box or something in it, what's that all about? Is electricity required for all or just some? You can tell I'm terribly confused:) I have a Nikon D100, and a SB-800 off camera flash, as of right now. Thanks for any help offered:) J. White To love this question, log in above January 10, 2005

Michael H. Cothran		I think I can help shed some light on your questions. First, you are correct - a 'strobe' light is a 'flash'. Strobes/flashes can be categorized into two groups in two ways - whether they run on battery power or AC current, and whether they are portable or studio dependent. 1. Portable flash units run off batteries (hence, 'portable'), and 2. Studio flash/strobe units require an electrical outlet. And... 3. There are some that can run on either battery or AC. No flash can work without electricity - it's just a matter of whether the power comes from a battery or an AC outlet on the wall. Small strobes, like the Nikon SB-80 you mention run on small batteries like AA's. Larger portable strobes, like most professional wedding photographers would use (Quantum, Metz, Norman, etc.) run off larger battery packs that are carried by a shoulder strap or belt strap. On these you would have a cable to connect the flash to the battery. Finally, you have the Studio strobes - those which need to be plugged into a wall outlet. These come in two flavors - 1. Those that have a separate power pack and flash heads, such as Novatron, Speedotron, Norman, etc., and 2.Those whose power pack and head are combined into one unit. These latter are called 'Monolights', as you asked about earlier. Popular brands of monolights include Paul C. Buff, Alien Bees, and lots of other inexpensive brands you can look into (many advertise monthly in Shutterbug magazine). A monolight is one unit, having the strobe or 'head' and power device all in one neat package which sits on top of your lightstand, and plugs into the wall. Monolights have gained much popularity over the past couple of decades, and are probably the most popular form of studio strobes today - especially in new budget-minded start-up studios. With separate power packs and heads (the strobe or flash part is called the 'head'), you would plug the pack into the wall, and plug your strobe(s) into the pack. Power packs can usually accept as many as four separate flash heads. There is no 'standard' way of measuring a strobe's power, but normally, a small portable flash is measured in Guide Numbers, while studio strobes are measured in Watt Seconds. The best way to measure is to check the manufacturer's specs. Check Novatron's site - they sell both monolights and separate pack & head units. They are good about giving specs - on their site they show you what f-stop you can shoot with each power pack watt second rating @ ten feet. That should get you started. Please feel free to email me if you have further questions, or if I have somehow made the water even muddier than what it was! Michael H. Cothran To love this comment, log in above January 11, 2005

J. L. White		Michael, Thank you so much, you did not muddy the water at all, in fact it is all much clearer now:) Thank you for taking the time to explain to a newbie, confused hobbiest:) Now if I can just figure out how to get some really nice, dramatically lit portraits I'll be a happy camper. Thank you! J. White To love this comment, log in above January 11, 2005

Bonita L. Roberts		J, Just wondering what you ended up with? I want to set up a small studio in my office on the "just for fun" budget. Any idea's or tips would be GREAT! To love this comment, log in above February 28, 2008

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here Report this Thread