Tokina studio strobes?

[marxz]

Seen a cheep pair of Tokina SLS-3001ML's, pretty much as new, only 100WS and GN 30, but I'm not a pro and not setting up some huge loft studio (just a corner of a small spare room)

anybody have any experience with the Tokinas in general regarding reliability?

[dang]

There's the old saying, "You get what you pay for"...
but there's also the saying, "There's good, and good enough."

This is something you'll need to decide for yourself. I think it should depend on what you'll be using it for, and if you can get by with up to a six second recycle time. For the small amount of use I'd personally get from a set, it would be fine. I'm not sure how well they do for model photography, but for table top they'd be okay, especially with some added accessories they have available: http://www.tokina.com.hk/products01-5m.htm

You might "google" and try to find a review, or two... unless someone has a set and can give you more information.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out if you wouldn't mind.

[marxz]

yeh I found their webside and we do have a local retailer so accessories are not a problem (though I have a set of _ old _ lowel tota-lights) so I already have stands, and brollys so that saves some money and just need some soft boxes)

googling reviews didn't come up with anything, I get the feeling looking at their website that they're more of an OEM manufacturer (manufacturing for other brands and companies).

and yeh it's basically for mostly for some object/table top and light tent work - currently I'm using a weird set up were I set my two Apple Studio displays background to 100 white and (because they on individual double articulated arms) position them and use them as make shift softboxes.

Requires exposures of 8 to 30 seconds at 100 ISO though. Weird? yes, but necessity is the mother of invention.

[dang]

Marxz,
There's other solutions besides light boxes, such as using a tent instead. If you're shooting "Table Top" your main goal (if doing product shots) is to get as little glare as possible. For more creative things, barn doors and snouts would probably be more to your taste though. Also, a constant light source should work fine, and save the expense of buying strobes, which means you'd probably want a flash meter too.

Tents (like everything) can cost as much, or as little as your budget allows or can be home made. Below is an article about their use, and some relevant links to show prices, and a Pbase Supporter with a "how to" on making one very reasonable. He also has some excellent results in his galleries you can view:

Instructions for general use;
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/19002.html
Bills' Galleries showing how he made his;
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent
Some mid priced set ups;
http://www.ezauctiontools.com/store/car ... t_list&c=1
And less expensive products;
http://www.amazon.com/XPRO-Studio-Photo ... B000BFYXGG

This may not be something you'd like, but worth a look if you're enjoy shooting "Still Life".

[marxz]

Marxz,
There's other solutions besides light boxes, such as using a tent instead.

Actually already have a smallish light tent... is nice but a bit restricting..

maybe it's just me suffering from gas (gear acquisition syndrome) ..."ohhhh look at the pretty strobe's, must buy strobes"

actually given their output and recycle time is pretty much the same as the Canon EX550 (and with a battery pack the EX550 has a faster recycle time)
so I've been thinking I might end up buying another EX550 or a ST-E2 through ebay. That's probably a bit more versitile than studio strobes and also going through "the strobist" website makes me interested in trying some of their ideas

[dang]

Marxz wrote:

I might end up buying another EX550 or a ST-E2

Yeah, that's a good call for versatility and accessories I need to get too. Especially since the 550 works on automatic, and once you get a set "off camera" it opens up a lot of possibilities. I think I'd probably go with the newer model flashes (if possible) since the metering is improved. I think even the 430 would do a fair job.

Marx wrote:

maybe it's just me suffering from gas (gear acquisition syndrome)

I think most of us do since there's always new situations coming along.