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Choosing An
Electronic Flash System
A Decision Of Necessity Blended With ConvenienceThere are dozens of strobe manufacturers, hundreds of light units and thousands of accessories. What can you really base your purchase decision on other than personal experience, a sales pitch, a seminar demonstration or a friend's recommendation? While these inputs can be helpful, they may not necessarily be accurate nor always guide you to the best value - equipment that satisfies your current needs and what you will need in the future, at a price you can afford. A search for an electronic flash system generally blends the primary elements of necessity with specific features for convenience. Each manufacturer's equipment should be carefully compared by the specific features, quality, performance and reliability. Having the right equipment will give you the ability and confidence to do most any assignment. Since lighting has no foolproof formulas or steadfast rules, it is important to carefully examine your business, creative style and lighting needs before going into the dealer's store. All systems will create light from a stored energy source, but it is up to you, and only you, to select the proper tools that are suited to the way you work. A long list of features in a flash system does not necessarily mean that it is the best in your specific situation. You don't need a lot of features if what you select has the right ones for you. The following three steps may be helpful in gathering the information that you need to evaluate flash equipment for your studio. 1) Analyze your work.a) What could be done better or faster with additional equipment or accessories? Keeping a diary over a period of time could reveal common needs or wants. b) Know what you are shooting and what you would like to shoot more of in the future. If it's people, location, fashion, industrial or still life work, determine what percentage of each you do and what equipment features would apply to that specialty. 2) Determine your basic needs. a) Number of lampheads required and the function of each. b) Total amount of power in watts-seconds for each lamphead and total power needed. c) Type of reflectors for each lamphead. 3) Establish your budget. a) What unit fall into your price range? Look for the best overall value. b) Can rental of incidental needs enable you to upgrade to major elements? c) Should you buy, lease or rent? Look for the system that you can grow with. Buy or lease the pieces of equipment that will work best with the majority (70-80%) of your work. Rent accessories and extra pieces that would only be needed occasionally. If all of the equipment seems to look alike and the difference between the models is vague, it may be a sign that you are not getting sufficient information or that you may need to take a more serious look into your business and equipment needs. When you begin to see the uniqueness of the products on the market clearly, you will find the decision on what will be best for you is much easier to make. Courtesy of Norman Enterprises, Inc. |
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