I have been using lots of gear over the past few years. Lord knows I have bought just about everything and sold it just as fast. I have also done the "ask the experts" route. The best response was B&H whose answer to the purchase of any monolight that costs under $750 is that "it is a horrible flash and if you are a professional you couldn't possibly do your work with it." So I am going to give the budget-minded photographer and run down on what I have learned. Some real answers on why you do or don't want some of the flashes out there. First, let us look at what you need to consider for a flash. POWER, RECYCLE TIME, MODELING LAMP, BUILD, COMPATIBILITY, RELIABILITY. I would add in CONSISTENCY in color tempurature and power output, but that variable in the sub-$300 flashes are so close to each other, that it is hardly worth mentioning. ALIEN BEES I won't slam Alien Bees. They are a good flash, with a variable 5-f/stop range for power, and a very fast recycle time. The 100 watt modeling lamp is weak, but not as whimpy as other strobe units in the price range. They are well built and compatible with lots of third party brands for softboxes and extras. Good reliable lights-- but the problem with Alien Bees is the great white hype. So many people worship these lights over all others, and that is a shame, because it causes people to pay more than they need to for other flashes that work just as well (and sometimes better). FLASHPOINT This East German flash has come to the USA under different names. I bought mine when they were B.Osh. For $50 less than the 160 ws Alien Bee you can buy a 600 ws Flashpoint II. It has a 250 watt modeling light, with an incredibly sturdy build and the same 5-f/stop variable power range. Incredbily consistant lighting. So why isn't this flash THE flash to get? Well, first, bad marketing. YOu can only buy the flash from Adorama anymore. Second, they are tanks. You will not be throwing these flashes in the bag to lug about at 6lbs each. Finally, the recycle time is about 3 seconds at full power. But if you are moving the flashes about and aren't into rapid shootings, you really should look into these strobes. PATERSON INTERFIT COLORFLASH AND STELLAR You may not know Paterson here in the states, but they are big in their home in the UK. But you have to know what you are buying. The INTERFIT COLOR FLASH is not the same flash as the STELLAR. First, the COLORFLASH is a totally different design. The attachments are proprietary to Paterson, whil ethe STELLAR are actually built off the bowens flash design. The COLORFLASH is also a much poorer design. It has a 4-f/stop variable range, 60 watt modeling light and although it has an average recycle time of 1.4 seconds listed, it is actually more like 3 seconds at full power. But most of all, the flashes are as sturdy as JTLs, which isn't at all. The store I checked them out at, kept talking about how they kept popping and smoking on clients. (Not an endorsement). Meanwhile, the Stellar lights are exactly the opposite. Metal instead of plastic. Rubberized case. The 300 ws flash is the same as the 160ws Alien Bee with a comperable recycle time (well 1 second versus 1/2 second). The 150watt modeling light is halogen instead of the other modeling lamps which are incandescent (which means more lumens). Unlike the other strobes, they have a optical AND an IR slave built in. JTL MOBILIGHT 300 Ok. On the surface, all fo the JTL lights look like the best deal going. Not only are they AC/DC so you can use a battery system, but they are inexpensive, and portable. But that is where the good times end. IF I thought the Paterson COLORFLASH was highly breakable, the JTLs threaten to explode if you look at them too hard. They also have an incredibly slow recycle time, but who cares when chances are the first time your flash touches the ground it will explode like a Ford Pinto. I haven't had any first hand experience with other sub-$300 flashes or I would write more. When I get a chance to play with the Photogenic Studiomax lights I will add on to this thread.
But for what it is worth, my assesment seems to fall down to Alien Bees being good flashes with good reps, but the best value goes to the Paterson Stellar lights.
October 07, 2005
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