Continuous lights

[macandal]

I'm looking to get maybe a kit but definitely a big softbox (60") and light, however everywhere I look all I see are strobes. I don't want strobes, I want to buy continuous lights. Alien Bees had been recommended to me at some point, but they are only strobes, right?

Which brands make continuous lights/kits?

Thanks.

[Peter De Smidt]

Arri, Lowell, Smith Victor, Mole Rchardson...

[vinny]

Not sure where you're looking but b&h and ebay have TONS of them.

Bardwell mcalister
Pro Can
ETC
Strand
MacTech
Light Panels
Kino Flo
LTM
Aadyntech

I wouldn't buy anything with the name Lowell on it. Cheapest lights on the planet.

[macandal]

I wouldn't buy anything with the name Lowell on it. Cheapest lights on the planet.

Good thing you told me. Affordability is an issue. At least, I want to get a big Octagon Softbox. I saw some Fotodiox softboxes for around $40-$50 (no lights of course). So besides the speedring that these are designed for, are there softboxes for strobes and continuous lights or can you use them for both?

Thanks Peter and Vinny.

[AtlantaTerry]

I wouldn't buy anything with the name Lowell on it. Cheapest lights on the planet.

Neither would I. But I do own products made by Lowel.
http://lowel.tiffen.com/

[John Kasaian]

I had a pair of medium Photoflex soft boxes, a gold/silver reflector and a back drop stand.
It did everything I wanted for portraits & tabletop. I wish I still had it. I still have one small Mole Richardson (works great for warming tortillas!)
I notice a lot of guys like Lowels.
The big thing about hot lights is make sure you've got the amps for them. Blacking out your building ain't a way to make friends.

[djdister]

No one's mentioned Westcott yet - good continuous lights.

[vinny]

There have been so many advancements in LED's in the last couple years but most people rule them out when referring to "hot lights". The single Led fixtures and led banks have very hight output and use only a small percentage of the juice. Same goes for flourescents, they don't have to be HOT to be continuous!

Cheap soft boxes can/will melt or catch on fire if you use quartz globed lights in them. Westcott makes some decent soft boxes and fixtures to go in them. I said decent, Chimera makes the best but cost $$$$$$$. Chimera makes a reasonably pricedfixture called the TRIOLET that may interest you.

You didn't say what you'll be shooting. People move, still life doesn't

[macandal]

You didn't say what you'll be shooting. People move, still life doesn't

Mostly people, but I don't rule out objects/still life.

[jp]

I use aluminum work/brooding lights for hot lights. No softbox option, but it's good for photographing individuals. Even the made for photo/video products tend to have affordable options compared to strobe (but much less powerful) If you use fast film like iso 400, sometimes the modeling lights of strobes is adequate.