For portrait lighting, should I add a second speedlite or move to a monolight?
Asked 10/4/2011
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I shoot portraits as a hobby with a Canon 600D, a 50mm f/1.8, an 18-135mm, and one Canon 430EX II used off-camera with modifiers. I’d like to add a second light to improve my portrait setup. Would it make more sense to buy another flashgun/speedlite or start using a monolight? I’m mainly trying to understand which is the better next step and why.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Either way you're getting more lights, so you'll be adding some additional tools to sculpt your light either way.
So what to get depends on how you want to use it.
I say get the monolight(s) if:
- You want or need more power
- You want or need faster recycle times
- The important one: you have consistent and easy access to power outlets (like, you're always in a studio)
Get the second battery-powered strobe if you won't consistently have access to a power outlet for the monolight (like, you're shooting on location with no access to an outlet) and you can live with the lower power, reliance on batteries, and longer recycle times.
Strobist has many articles on what to consider if you're stepping up to big lights and specifically has a lengthy look at doing it (relatively) cheaply with the AlienBees line of lights if you want some additional reading.
Originally by user6268. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6268
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—adding a second light can give you more control over portrait lighting, whether as fill, hair, background, or rim light. The best choice depends on how and where you shoot.
Choose a second speedlite if you want portability, battery power, small size, lower cost, and the ability to shoot on location without power outlets. It also builds on the gear and workflow you already know.
Choose a monolight if you need more power, faster recycle times, and more consistent studio use where AC power is easy to access. Monolights are generally better when you’re working indoors in a fixed setup and want stronger output through larger modifiers.
So the practical rule is:
- mostly on location or limited space -> second speedlite
- mostly studio/home setup with power available -> monolight
Either path is valid; the decision is less about “next level” in general and more about matching the light to your shooting conditions.
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