Continuous versus flash lighting for studio work: The 'ALZO' claim?
I found a website for "ALZO" floodlights; this company boasts a new 'cool light' that they claim is better for studio digital photography than flash. However, the prices are outrageous. A three light set up with softboxes for $2,000 to $5,000. Is there any truth to their claim, and if so, are there alternatives to THEIR products? I find it hard to believe they've developed a floodlight that is so superior to any other.
I believe the point Kevin was trying to make is that continuous lighting has to be VERY bright to enable small aperture or high shutter speed at ISO 100... And that while continuous lighting does not limit your shutter in terms of sync speed, it may limit your overall power capabilities. It is much more difficult from a technical and power standpoint to achieve a constant output level than a strobed output level. You're not going to find a cheap option to give constant light at small aperture, fast shutter, and low ISO for a large subject.
Even if you get hot lights that have the power to shoot at f/16, ISO 100, 1/100sec, your model may get a bit squinty, just as he/she would on a sunny day staring at the sun.
Kevin also seems to be referring to the fact that flash duration can be MUCH shorter than shutter duration, allowing a photographer to stop motion with the strobe light in situations in which it would be impossible to do so with the shutter. For instance, my AB1600 at full power has a flash duration of a mere 1/1800sec. Thus, I can stop motion with the flash at that speed rather than being limited by my shutter, which can be rendered almost irrelevant in this case if the flash is powerful enough relative to the ambient light.
So even though the sync limit on most cameras limits the available shutter speed, strobes often offer better motion-stopping options than hotlights.
The only proviso to what Kevin is saying is that studio strobes typically have a shorter duration at full power than at lower power-levels. This is counter-intuitive, but you can see this from the specs of many manufacturers. For instance, my AB1600's flash duration lengthens to 1/900sec at 1/32 power. Strange, but true.
Using Lastolite RayD8 Continuous Lighting by Mark Cleghorn
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Ex-Pro® Photo Professional Mini Day (Natural) 15 LED Cool Running Continuous run Light Set Mini Lighting kit for Photo Tents for White back photography with stands, True Day Light Specific 15 LED Cool 6400K GU10C bulbs included to give clean white daylight. 240v, Mini Light Kit suitable for 30cm, 40cm Tents, Cubes or Desk Top Studio Lighting boxes. Ideal for small part / Product photo's. £29.97 Lighting SetEx-Pro® 15 LED White Mini Light Set The Dichroic bulbs provide a wonderful white light for excellent colour mixing etc. No need for filters or software editing (The colour of the image closely resembles the colour of the original item - 6400K Lighting) Foldable Light Stands - Max Height: 25cm, Min Height: 25cm, Leg Spread Diameter: 15cm, Weight: 2 x 300g (including stands & bulbs) In ... |
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PhotoSEL LS21E52 Professional Softbox Studio Lighting Kit with 2x85w 5400K CRI>90 Bulbs, 40x60cm Softboxes £119.99 If you have been trying to shoot pictures with an accurate colour representation of the items you are photographing it is very likely that you have been relying on special filters and/or software editing to improve the results. With the PhotoSEL LS21E52 Professional Studio Light Set, this may well be a thing of the past. Rather than providing inferior quality 6400K bulbs (as many other sellers do)... |
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Ex-Pro Photo Professional Midi Pro Day Light Set Continuous Lighting Kit for Photo Tents for White back photography with stands. 240v, 25w TRUE WHITE 6400K Light Kit suitable for all light tents, 30cm - 75cm. Adjustable lights from 25cm through to 41cm in height. £59.97 Lighting SetProfessional Light Set The 22W (100W Equivalent)10000 hours Energy Saving 5100K 220V Perfect Daylight Bulbs provide a wonderful white light for excellent colour mixng etc. No need for filters or software editing (The colour of the image closely resembles the colour of the original item) Foldable Light Stands - Max Height: 24" (60cm); Min Height: 13" (33cm) Leg Spread Diameter: 12" (30c... |
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GreenLamp 105w CFL Photography Bulb Daylight Balanced 5500k E27 £18.99 Specification: * 105W (525W equivalent) CFL Bulb Dimensions: Length = 270mm |
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