What Is the Difference Between Speedlights, Monolights, and Packs and Heads?

When it comes to lighting, the three main types you can choose from are speedlights, monolights, and packs and heads. These three all have their own merits and drawbacks, and if you are thinking about investing in your own lighting system, it is important to know which is best suited for your work. This excellent video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of all three options and help you decide which to choose. 

Coming to you from John Gress, this great video tutorial discusses the differences between speedlights, monolights, and pack and head systems. The two most fundamental distinctions of these three options are form factor and power. Speedlights are the most portable and generally the cheapest. Monolights sit in the middle and offer significantly more power but at a higher price. They are also bigger and require dedicated stands, though they contain integrated battery packs. Pack and head systems sit at the very top. They separate the light from the battery pack, which has the advantage of keeping most of the weight on the ground, plus they tend to offer the most power, though they are often the most expensive. There are other pros and cons as well, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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