I have the cash for either of these....just wanted your thoughts on which is the better deal
Overkill? No. Outdoors lighting has to be very powerfull. You are competing with the sun. When the main light is the sun and you want to be one stop below that the light must be half as bright as sunlight. You can see why people who shoot outdoors like fast sync speeds, A one stop faster sync means you can use a flash that is half as powerful.
I got a better deal but I was lucky. I found a studio power pack system being sold used. These are MUCH more "industrial" build quality. The AB and Lightening brands have kind of a "value" build quality compared to the big guys like Speedotron and Broncolor and Norman. Mine is a Norman three head setup. It's anything but light weight.
Calumet is selling a nice high-end system made by Bowens cheap right now. Take a look
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CE2940KU/?t=CM01&a=CM01
The power pack will power more lampheads if you want. My guess is that a 3000WS setup like this would allow you to shoot a group shot at ISO 100 and f/16 even with softboxes over the lamps.
Whatever you do buy make sure the lamp heads have fans. The model lights will heat up a softbox and start a fire without the fans running.
Buying a lighting system is like buying an SLR. You will become committed to that system.
I prefer the power pack system because all the controls can be possitioned right at the tripod in one place.
