Help with strobes

[rupypug]

I am starting to look into buying a set of strobes. I already have a wescott lighting kit. This head mounts directly on the stand and works with my current kit. Does this strobe look ok or should I be looking to go a different rout. Here is the link.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541985-REG/Westcott_200_Strobelite_Plus_Monolight_120VAC_.htm l

[brucep]

I have no experience with the Westcott flashes. Personally, I like the Alien Bees. Their B800's recycle twice as fast as the ones you linked to and for 50% more in price, you get 50% more power, and they're fan-cooled.

David Hobby (Strobist) reviewed (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/11/choosing-big-lights-profoto.html) three major brands of studio lights and chose to go with Alien Bees. I have two B800's, two B1600's, their ring flash and a bunch of their modifiers. Great gear!

Note that at the time you're buying Alien Bees flash units, you get a discount on their modifiers... more flashes = higher discounts when you purchase all at once.

Most lighting gear is designed to mount on the same light stands, etc. It's matching softboxes to various brands of flashes that can be difficult, but you should have no problem if you want to use umbrellas. I have umbrellas, but nearly always use soft boxes. The Alien Bees softboxes don't seem to be as durable as other brands (I've only had to do one minor repair... with a paper clip... in three years of owning them), but they're far faster/easier to set up and take down compared to any others I've worked with.
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I just noticed that you can rent Alien Bees (http://www.borrowlenses.com/category/white-lightning?gclid=CJrv3bfv2J4CFRXxDAodUyo6yQ) fairly inexpensively to try them out (or if you need to use a piece of gear you won't use often enough to buy). BorrowLenses.com is a reputable company in Northern California.

[rupypug]

Thanks Bruce. With a baby in the house I may have to stay as cheap as I can get right now. I know you get what you pay for but I am just learning anyway. I may see if I can get the Alien Bees if I can find a sale on them some time.