HMI or strobe for wetplate/paper negs/low iso

[cdavis324]

I'm going to be working on a portrait project with film that has an effective iso around 1/2-1(so in the range of paper negs and wetplate) and wondering about using hmi's. I'd like to have a little movement posibility in the photos, but want to be able to shoot around 1/2-2 sec. I've come across some used 575 hmi par's that are relatively affordable and wondering if they'll be enough - probably shot through a piece of diffusion or two and placed as close to the subject as is safe.

Is there anyone working this way? Or is it best to give up the continuous dream, and just use strobe?

Thanks!

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[Christopher Barrett]

I used to own a couple Joker 800s. They didn't give me anywhere near the firepower of strobe.

[cdavis324]

I used to own a couple Joker 800s. They didn't give me anywhere near the firepower of strobe.

Even with an exposure of a couple seconds? And fairly close working distances?

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[Bob Salomon]

Unless you want very small pupils, sweating subjects and high electric bills from both the current draw and the air conditioning, use studio strobes. Your sitters will thank you for it.

I used Desisti and strobes. Strobes are better for portraits. HmI is nice to light a news studio for broadcast.

[jnantz]

i'd ditch the strobes get smith victor lights continuous
not as hot as hot lights used to be and use them together with
available light ... you can shoot portraits using time as your friend.
as far as i am concerned fast shutter speeds are the enemy of portraits ...
unless you are doing editorial and newspaper work.
ymmv
good luck !

[Bob Salomon]

i'd ditch the strobes get smith victor lights continuous
not as hot as hot lights used to be and use them together with
available light ... you can shoot portraits using time as your friend.
as far as i am concerned fast shutter speeds are the enemy of portraits ...
unless you are doing editorial and newspaper work.
ymmv
good luck !

Mixing daylight and hot lights of different K will lead to all kinds of problems!

[jnantz]

Mixing daylight and hot lights of different K will lead to all kinds of problems!

I have never had a problem with an excess of Blue Light

[cdavis324]

as far as i am concerned fast shutter speeds are the enemy of portraits ... !

Curious what you mean by the above quote... Especially considering most portraits use flash these days. Btw, I agree with the statement a bit, but wondering your reasoning.

What shutter speeds do you usually shoot at?

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[Bob Salomon]

i'd ditch the strobes get smith victor lights continuous
not as hot as hot lights used to be and use them together with
available light ... you can shoot portraits using time as your friend.
as far as i am concerned fast shutter speeds are the enemy of portraits ...
unless you are doing editorial and newspaper work.
ymmv
good luck !

Nonsense!
If you know what you are doing shutter speeds let you control the ratio between ambient light and whatever light you are throwing onto the scene or subject.
You need to experience what this control can do!

[cdavis324]

Nonsense!
If you know what you are doing shutter speeds let you control the ratio between ambient light and whatever light you are throwing onto the scene or subject.
You need to experience what this control can do!

I think you're talking more about the commercial world where results are all that matters - i think what he's getting at is a more philosophical approach... At least that's what I'm reading.


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