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Strobes.

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grantwhitty
Posts: 854 - Karma: 9,380
Long term looking at getting a strobe.

Anyone have/use strobes for ski photography?

If so what, do you suggest.

I have played around with some Einstein's, pretty nice stuff.

I know I will at least have to get a strobe(s), transceiver, receiver, battery, and stand.

Will also be using for weddings in the summer.
Apr 13 2017 9:31AM
2 0
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eheath
Posts: 61588 - Karma: 122,918
@jamiewalter
Apr 13 2017 1:48PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
eheath@jamiewalter


Truuu, he knows more than I do, but I'll chime in to say that if you're going to buy strobes, don't cheap out. My setup is so shoestring that I don't bring it most places, making it not really worth having most of the time.

2 einsteins + pocket wizards is probably a good start. I know things have been developing rather quickly in the strobe world, so there may be newer alternatives, but it seems like the einstein may still be the best bang for your buck.
Apr 13 2017 6:09PM
1 0
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Get Einstein(s) and the more basic pocketwizards. Nothing more is necessary before you're doing this professionally and you're on jobs you can't fuck up, and anything less will piss you off and be a distraction to learning. The new lightweight battery packs are awesome. I don't like the Paul C Buff remotes, although the whole control console thing is pretty nice. I haven't played with it personally.

Also - the number one thing you can do to protect your investment is getting good, stable light stands. Usually snow doesn't bust blown over strobes, but it's good to not have to worry about it. They don't need to be super heavy, and they don't need to be air cushioned or anything, but just make sure they have a good wide spread in the legs. The Paul C Buff ones are OK - good not great. Probably fine for you, and it'll save you on shipping if you just buy from them when you get the strobes.

Make sure you get some long-throw reflectors while you're at it for action, and if you do anything at all besides action you'll want some softboxes (or a softbox at least), get a big one, at least 36 inches. Beauty dishes are nice to have as well.
Apr 27 2017 1:08PM
0 0
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grantwhitty
Posts: 854 - Karma: 9,380
TWoodsGet Einstein(s) and the more basic pocketwizards. Nothing more is necessary before you're doing this professionally and you're on jobs you can't fuck up, and anything less will piss you off and be a distraction to learning. The new lightweight battery packs are awesome. I don't like the Paul C Buff remotes, although the whole control console thing is pretty nice. I haven't played with it personally.

Also - the number one thing you can do to protect your investment is getting good, stable light stands. Usually snow doesn't bust blown over strobes, but it's good to not have to worry about it. They don't need to be super heavy, and they don't need to be air cushioned or anything, but just make sure they have a good wide spread in the legs. The Paul C Buff ones are OK - good not great. Probably fine for you, and it'll save you on shipping if you just buy from them when you get the strobes.

Make sure you get some long-throw reflectors while you're at it for action, and if you do anything at all besides action you'll want some softboxes (or a softbox at least), get a big one, at least 36 inches. Beauty dishes are nice to have as well.


Thanks man! I really appreciate it!
Apr 28 2017 6:55AM
0 0
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
grantwhittyThanks man! I really appreciate it!


No problem! Feel free to PM or hit me up via email if you want any more advice:

twoods@on3pskis.com
May 11 2017 12:39PM
0 0
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1337
Posts: 31053 - Karma: 29,224
TWoodsGet Einstein(s) and the more basic pocketwizards. Nothing more is necessary before you're doing this professionally and you're on jobs you can't fuck up, and anything less will piss you off and be a distraction to learning. The new lightweight battery packs are awesome. I don't like the Paul C Buff remotes, although the whole control console thing is pretty nice. I haven't played with it personally.

Also - the number one thing you can do to protect your investment is getting good, stable light stands. Usually snow doesn't bust blown over strobes, but it's good to not have to worry about it. They don't need to be super heavy, and they don't need to be air cushioned or anything, but just make sure they have a good wide spread in the legs. The Paul C Buff ones are OK - good not great. Probably fine for you, and it'll save you on shipping if you just buy from them when you get the strobes.

Make sure you get some long-throw reflectors while you're at it for action, and if you do anything at all besides action you'll want some softboxes (or a softbox at least), get a big one, at least 36 inches. Beauty dishes are nice to have as well.


Pretty much exactly what I was going to suggest. The Einsteins are a great starting point, cheap, and while they can be fragile (like most strobes), they are cheap to replace. I might have an extra unit I could sell you if you're interested.

I'd get some Pocket Wizard Plus X's (10 channel basic pocket wizard radio), a long throw 11" reflector along with a stock 7" reflector, and like TWoods suggested, a softbox if you want to do non-action photography.
May 12 2017 1:21PM
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