Professional Lights Battery or Source Continuous Strobe Recycle Rate economical beginner home
When shopping for good lighting kits, today's market feels infinitely abundant with options for every need. It can be hard to find the best fit, even if you are a professional photographer with decades of experience. We have reviewed some of the best flash and continuous lighting kits on the market to highlight several options worth your consideration.
Flash Lighting
Flash lighting, also known as strobe lighting, is a keystone of good photography. Strobes provide plenty of power and are available in many sizes. With the advent of built-in radio receivers, among a variety of alternate sync methods, these lights are especially flexible in a multi-light setup. Keeping this in mind, there are plenty of variables to guide your decision, including recycle time, battery versus AC power, accessories, wireless system, and power. We have considered all these factors in our choices below.
1. Bolt VB-11 Bare-Bulb Flash and Accessory Kit
A versatile and user-friendly light like the Bolt VB-11 Bare-Bulb Flash is a great place to start. With the ability to mount directly on your camera, this strobe is a bare bulb, meaning that it can provide a comparable look to classic strobes. With 360° coverage and high power at 180Ws, the Bolt VB-11 potential expands with its subsequent accessories to modify the light, as well as the option to either put it on a light stand or keep it snugly in the hot shoe of your camera. If you are looking for something a bit less involved, consider the Bolt VD-420 Manual Flash instead.
2. Godox AD200Pro TTL Pocket Flash Kit
In a similar vein, the Godox AD200Pro TTL Pocket Flash Kit resembles and produces a modifiable speedlight flash. What makes this product unique is its swappable bare-bulb inclusion, which enables its user to toggle between two distinct qualities of light. This is an affordable and portable strobe with a robust 200Ws of power, not including the companion Li-ion rechargeable battery that tacks on an additional 500 full-power flashes when completely charged. The AD200Pro also sports a built-in X Wireless System Receiver to control and trigger the flash remotely. Overall, this is a solid, convenient, and highly versatile lighting choice.
3. Profoto B10 Off-Camera Flash Duo Kit
As Profoto pushes the range of its off-camera flash, or OCF, the B10 is a stand-out option. Available in a two-light kit with carrying case, this ultra-compact light is battery powered and easily portable. The B10 boasts admirable specs with a 10-stop variable power range and 250Ws rating. When you factor in its other attributes, like the 0.05-2.2 second recycle time, freeze mode with a 1/50,000-second T0.5 flash duration, and AirTTL support, you are working with a flash that is seriously good. Setting up the kit itself is a breeze, with lightweight and easily adjustable wireless accessories. This iteration includes a firmware update with the companion iOS app, which enables users to control all lighting settings precisely. All you need to complete the setup are any of Profoto's highly regarded OCF Light Shaping Tools and a Profoto Connect for wireless TTL.
4. Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 Softbox To Go Kit
The D-Lite RX 4/4 Softbox To Go Kit from Elinchrom closely resembles what comes to mind when you imagine an advanced, conventional lighting kit. This kit includes monolights with stands, softboxes, a radio transmitter, and two powerful strobes offering 400Ws each. Like the Profoto B10, this kit is compact and easily portable in two small bags for on-location and studio shooting. Both strobes run on standard AC power and are capable of recycling between 0.35 and 1.6 seconds. The included EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus, when paired with the built-in receiver, is also intuitive and very easy to use.
It is worth noting that the D-Lite RX 4 uses heavy-duty plastic over a hardy material better suited for traveling, which can make transportation tricky. However, handling the gear gently to avoid tears is well worth it, especially considering this kit's reasonable price. Overall, this set guarantees quality lighting on its own, and is flexible enough to be built upon if you already have gear.
5. Broncolor Siros L 800Ws 2-Light Outdoor Kit 2
Broncolor is another reputable name brand in league with Elinchrom and Profoto. The Siros L 800Ws Battery-Powered Monolight, which we recommend in the 2-Light Outdoor Kit 2, is among the most powerful, battery-powered strobe lighting available, with an 800Ws rating. These lights are especially appealing to professionals with Enhanced Color Temperature Control, a feature that ensures consistent color with repeated shots.
If you value speed over color control, Speed Mode can be enabled to prioritize flash duration and recycle speed instead. By forgoing color control, flash duration becomes fast enough for stop-action applications. All these effects can be configured and tweaked using the bronControl app, compatible with your tablet and smartphone. Use caution, though; while this lighting kit is excellent for outdoor photography, the flash tubes can be very fragile. We suggest padding your rolling case compartments for protection while on the move, and to pay extra attention when assembling, adjusting, and breaking down the set.
6. Nanlite Forza 60B Bi-Color LED Monolight Kit
Like Broncolor, Nanlite is a well-regarded industry brand, with its Forza 60B strobe being no exception. Available as a Monolight Kit, the Forza 60B builds upon the same intuitive and high-quality performance of the 60 with a breadth of color temperatures, controllable light intensity, and precise color rendering. Unlike most budget-friendly options, this kit is unobtrusive and blends nicely with other gear, making it an appropriate companion as an ambient light source or filler to round out your interview kit. For such a compact kit, the output is shockingly powerful, while the whole package is professional and lightweight enough to take anywhere. This one is essentially a no-brainer.
7. Profoto Pro-11
A power pack is the ultimate companion to work in tandem with your speedlights or monolights. Of the power packs available today, Profoto's Pro-11 is a monster machine designed to elevate your shoots significantly. With two outlets delivering 2400Ws, this pack recycles in 0.02 to 0.7 seconds and boasts flash durations as short as 1/80,000-second. It is a beast of a power pack, weighing just under 30 lb. This is a noteworthy caveat because its heft restricts its use outside of a fixed studio space.
The Pro-11 is unparalleled in action-stopping photography, with practical applications for particularly motion-heavy subjects ranging from athletes and models, to capturing breath-taking splash shots. It features AirTTL and the new AirX technology for seamless, integrated use. AirX enables its users to control the pack through their smartphone, meaning shoots equipped with the new pack will not be limited by remotes. While B&H doesn't offer pre-built kits for the Pro-11, our ProHead Plus Flash Heads are worth considering as an addition.
Continuous Lighting
Videography requires continuous light instead of flash light. While some strobes are equipped with LEDs that suffice as your video source, such as the Profoto B10, we have highlighted some additional and noteworthy continuous lighting options, as well.
8. Luxli Viola² LED Light Kit
Luxli, a relative newcomer on the scene, offers the Viola² 5" On-Camera RGBAW LED Light, a compact and powerful on-camera LED with outstanding controls for exceptionally versatile application. The unit itself enables both brightness and color tuning, both of which can be adjusted via two clickable and rotating knobs housed on the panel. The result is a near-infinite spectrum of light, a function that is often limited by preset buttons in other LED panels. These knobs also serve as a quick-switching tool, allowing the user to toggle seamlessly between their chosen settings. The LED itself is capable of becoming very bright, making the kit with a softbox and diffusion filter a choice option for diffusing light in closer shoots. Overall, this light envelops multiple functions traditionally designated for other accessories and is incredibly easy to use. It is a great way to cut down on bulk for on-the-go shooting, and intuitive enough to be picked up by beginners.
9. Litepanels Astra 3X Bi-Color LED Panel
When LEDs first made inroads in photographic and cinematic lighting, Litepanels was at the scene with the now-ubiquitous 1 x 1' LED panel. Its refreshed iteration, the Astra Bi-Color LED Panel, boasts significant technological advancement over its predecessor, with 3x the brightness, while still being lightweight and low heat. It is equipped to produce a soft output and can run on battery power for on-the-go shooting. Because of this, the Astra Bi-Color has distinguished itself as an excellent light for on-location news reporting, as well as a solid key light for interviewing. For these applications, the kit version, with an included rolling case, makes moving around and setting up a breeze.
10. GVM SD300D Bi-Color LED Video Spotlight Kit with Stand and Softboxes
GVM's SD300D Bi-Color LED Video Spotlight is another exemplary Bi-Color LED with different practical application to the Astra panel. As a budget-friendly studio light, the SD300D eliminates the need to gel your light when adding warmth to your photos or videos. It is available from 200W-600W with a wide variable color spectrum from 2700 to 7500K―an especially impressive amount of power and range for a bi-color light. Its kit option is of exceptional quality and includes a reflector, mini diffuser, and carrying bag to expand its versatility. The light itself additionally features natural-looking programmed effects including fireworks, television, and flickering candle settings, all of which are easily adjustable on the fixture itself, as well as via a smartphone app.
11. Lowel TotalLED Daylight LED 1-Light Kit
While hot lights made Lowel popular initially, the company introduced its own LED that garnered well-deserved attention as a replacement and upgrade for traditional Tota lights. This LED produces an output equivalent to a 750W tungsten bulb and throws light akin to its predecessor. Unlike its predecessor, the TotaLED features native 5600K color temperature and remains cool during extended use. It runs quietly on batteries or AC power and is available in two-light and three-light kits. It is worth noting that, for its upgrades, the TotaLED is on the heavier side. We suggest, especially if you plan on traveling with these guys, packing them in a sturdy rolling case like those offered by Pelican.
12. Light & Motion Stella CL 2000 / CLx8 2-Light Portrait Kit
As a waterproof and highly capable light, the Light & Motion Stella CL 2000 / CLx8 2-Light Portrait Kit is a personal favorite. Light & Motion, as a company, is one of very few that manufactures completely waterproof lights—as in, this kit is ready to go diving into depths up to 328'. Even if you don't have an underwater shoot on the docket, the Stella 2000 5600K LED Light and subsequent kit inclusions are ideal for location shooting as an uncompromising option that is rugged and weatherproof. The light itself is daylight balanced and uses a high-output COB LED, making it more efficient while also reducing its size. The unit can be battery or AC powered, and supports multiple voltages, meaning this kit can travel with you around the world. It is portable, tough, and no fuss, with a variety of accessories designed to enhance the lights' flexibility.
13. Westcott Flex Cine Bi-Color 1-Light Gear Kit
Like the Stella kit, the Westcott Flex Cine Bi-Color Kit is also built for travel. With its star product, the Bi-Color Mat, along with other essential accessories neatly contained in a lightweight carrying bag, Westcott has created a nearly limitless, albeit abstract, lighting product. The Bi-Color Mat is a completely flexible LED panel producing 2200 lux of daylight-balanced light. Its practical application requires a bit of finessing―with magnetic corners and built-in grommets, the mat can be suspended, tucked, and folded to direct light in unique ways. It is also mountable on the included traditional flex yoke or frame and is modifiable using kit attachments, just like standard LEDs. This kit is well-suited for headshots and product photography, because its modifiable design is conducive for organically molding light around the curvature of a face, a product, or a tight space. If you frequently find yourself feeling constrained by stationary or otherwise more traditional strobes, this product is worth your consideration.
14. HIVE LIGHTING Hornet 200-C PAR Spot LED 2-Light Kit
Rounding out the worthy travel companion corner is the Hornet 200-C PAR Spot LED 2-Light Kit, from HIVE LIGHTING. This lightweight kit features two Hornet 200-C PAR Spot LED lights, each with an adjustable yoke, a Superspot reflector, barndoor set, multi-voltage power supply, and a light stand. This assemblage also includes its own hard rolling case but is compatible with most Pelican cases, as well. The lights themselves offer superb color saturation with precise color controls and versatile applications. Tack on a softbox and the spotlights can become a perfect key or fill light in any interview environment. Overall, the spot LEDs contain impressive range without getting hot or being bulky, while the kit itself includes the garnishes for a quality stand-alone setup.
What are some of your favorite lights? As LEDs become more dominant, do you find yourself missing the classic tungsten, HMI, or fluorescent lighting? We would like to hear your thoughts in the Comments section, below.
Source: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/recommended-lighting-kits-for-photography
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