Flash output question

[Norm Buchanan]

It means than what the people told you was basically wrong... How did you come to the 50% bigger figure?

I talked with people who use digital or 35mm where f/11 is sufficient. To be sure I could stop down enough for LF and so that I could do macro work (not neccessarily with LF) I went with more power. Plus for the cost difference I figured a little headroom wouldn't hurt.

Norm

[Ron Marshall]

What is the output in watt/seconds (joules) of your strobes?

[Richard Kelham]

Buy a flash meter and stop messing about.



Richard

[Norm Buchanan]

What is the output in watt/seconds (joules) of your strobes?

I got 3 750 W.s strobes.

[Norm Buchanan]

Buy a flash meter and stop messing about.



Richard

I don't see the need. I only care about the final result and this works for for me. If I were a pro and had models sitting around being annoyed at my messing about I'd consider it.

Norm

[Ron Marshall]

I got 3 750 W.s strobes.

That's a reasonable output for 4x5. Three is enough to permit some very interesting lighting designs.

What sort of modifiers do you have?

[Norm Buchanan]

That's a reasonable output for 4x5. Three is enough to permit some very interesting lighting designs.

What sort of modifiers do you have?

A softbox (24"x32"), and a couple of reflective umbrellas. It is all new for me, and I must admit, a ton of fun. I am hoping to expand my horizons. I have to get past the feeling that I am cheating though.

Norm.

[Ron Marshall]

A softbox (24"x32"), and a couple of reflective umbrellas. It is all new for me, and I must admit, a ton of fun. I am hoping to expand my horizons. I have to get past the feeling that I am cheating though.

Norm.

By cheating do you mean not using natural light?

Since your units are 750ws I guess you have Calumet monolights?

What f-stop light output do you get from the softbox?

Soon I will be getting a couple of monolights and a softbox. Also some foamcore to use as fill. It is less than $10 for about a 4' by 8' sheet.

[Norm Buchanan]

By cheating do you mean not using natural light?

Since your units are 750ws I guess you have Calumet monolights?

What f-stop light output do you get from the softbox?

Soon I will be getting a couple of monolights and a softbox. Also some foamcore to use as fill. It is less than $10 for about a 4' by 8' sheet.

Hi Ron,

Yes, it seemed most economical to go with a kit.

I am not sure how to determine the f-stop light output. I don't have a flash meter. Is there a typical distance from the flash you would make this measurement?

Great idea on the foamcore. That reminds me of something I have been trying to track down with little success. I have been looking for shiny or refelective black acrylic to set objects on - maybe 1/2" thick. I went to local hardware stores and they had nothing like this and looked confused when I asked. They did have some plexiglass, although it wasn't black and they would only sell 4'x8' sheets for about $150.

Norm

[Norm Buchanan]

By cheating do you mean not using natural light?
.

Yes, I am used to waiting around for the perfect light and feeling incredibly fortunate when I get shots that come close to what I was hoping for. With a studio setup you can play and play until you get what you wanted. It feels a bit like cheating, but it forces me to dig deep creatively - my tabletop is static so it's all up to me. I am hoping to use it to improve my compositional sense.