Reply To: Opinions on Monolight Kit

[cameraclicker]

Sorry, haven’t used that kit.  I have two sets similar to this kit:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/849140-REG/Bowens_BW_4805TXUSDA_Gemini_500R_2_Light.html

So, I have two radios and 4 lamps.  I have a softbox on one lamp and umbrellas on the others.  You can get adapters so you don’t have to use Bowens light shapers.  Bowens can also be configured to fire when they see a first, second, third, or fourth flash, which means you can skip using the radios and fire them from a speedlite, either in manual mode – first flash, or ETTL mode – second flash.

Small flash can use radio, or light triggers.  Some systems require a cord to the camera, which you can trip over and it limits your distance to at least one flash.

Since you put up a link to B&H, I’m assuming you are in the USA?  So, you might want to have a peek at Alien Bees and/or Einstein:  http://www.paulcbuff.com/  I haven’t used them, in Canada the regulations are different and they don’t seem to have a CSA certification.  Here the Bowens are individually inspected and get an orange sticker approving connection to the power grid.

The other lamps you might consider are continuous lamps like:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=westcott+spiderlite&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ta

Personally, I find continuous light too bright for the model and not bright enough for the camera, but if you can ask your model to freeze for an instant, and they don’t mind brightness, it is easier to use continuous lights because you can see the shadows more easily than with modeling lights from strobes, and small flash don’t really have viable modeling lights.

And, speedlites/speedlights, for which you can get modifiers like:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/820996-REG/Westcott_2336_Apollo_Orb_36_91_4.html

If you are going to be in a studio or near connections to power, studio lights just plug in.  If you are going to be traveling or working away from power, outdoors, then a bag full of small flash and some modifiers might meet your needs and they are lighter to carry, but no cheaper to purchase.