Questions about Monolights:

[shutterdown]

Yes, I have two of them and I think they are fantastic. You can get a lot of pops out of a single charge and at 1/2 power and below the recycle times are excellent.

I wish I could plug a Speedlite into one.

Thanks, Mark. Based on your experience, I ordered one (for now) and an extra battery. I'm really pumped to try this!

My next question is to Sean. Sean, it looks as if you've done a lot of outdoor portraiture. You said you use 2-3 monolights per shoot. I have used a Speedlite for fill flash, but what would you recommend for a single mono light, as an alternative to multiple lights? A beauty dish, as Bob is suggesting? A small soft box? I would like to stick to one light, just to use as a fill flash, to remove shadows and give a little catch-light in the eyes. I have several Pocket Wizards (ETTL types). I would use those to trigger the light. Thanks a lot.

[Sean Setters]

Thanks, Mark. Based on your experience, I ordered one (for now) and an extra battery. I'm really pumped to try this!

My next question is to Sean. Sean, it looks as if you've done a lot of outdoor portraiture. You said you use 2-3 monolights per shoot. I have used a Speedlite for fill flash, but what would you recommend for a single mono light, as an alternative to multiple lights? A beauty dish, as Bob is suggesting? A small soft box? I would like to stick to one light, just to use as a fill flash, to remove shadows and give a little catch-light in the eyes. I have several Pocket Wizards (ETTL types). I would use those to trigger the light. Thanks a lot.

Hmm...if I had to pick one modifier, eh? That's actually kind of tough. However, if you're indeed just wanting to fill in shadows (and you're only using one monolight), I'd suggest an extreme silver 63" PLM (for its effiency) coupled with the front diffusion cover. That is a fantastic modifier for a very reasonable price. The only problem is you'll want some sandbags to weigh it down as it will become a wind sail under relaitvely light winds.

And when you need more pop than the PLM with the diffusion cover can give you, you can take the cover off and use the PLM bare. However, I'd suggest investing in some gels to warm up the light just a bit as (personally speaking) I'm not a fan of the cool color-toned light coming from an unmodified Extreme Silver plm.

I have a very large softbox that rarely gets used because I purchased the 63" Extreme Silver PLM with a diffusion cover. It's easy to set up, is quite efficient, and just provides great results.