Powering multiple speedlites with a single external source?

[curtscamera]

I just got a look at the FourSquare Softbox today, http://www.lightwaredirect.com/ and it is really going to be a game changer when I can finally afford the whole setup. I was wondering though, is there a way of powering multiple speedlites with a single external source?

[davemphoto]

I don't think there is anything to power multiple speedlites at the present time. Not sure that I would want to go the 4 square route. Let's look at the cost & power you'd get w/4 speedlites.

4 - 430EXII @$250 = $1000
4 - 580EXII @ $400 = $1600

4 speedlites only gets you 2 extra stops (maybe 300 watts?)

1 Alien Bee 1600 (640 watts) + Vagabond II Battery = $700
I'm not exactly sure but I think this setup will give you 4 extra stops.
I've seen images by Zack Arias shot outdoors in the middle of the day and just about over powering the sun.
If you've got $1600 you could outfit yourself with a couple Alien Bees and an extra battery back for redundancy.
Lights are not heavy, battery is (20lbs), but you get more watts for your money.

The other option is to go with an Elinchrom Quadra Ranger for $1400. It's one light but packs in 400 watts in a small compact size (3lbs total).
If I had this kind of money, I'd go with this setup. It's small enough to fit in my camera case. Of course, everything I shoot would be with one light.

I've got 3 speedlites (580EXII, 430EXII &430EX), but I wish I'd saved up and gone with a different setup. Still love the flexibility of having 3 speedlites, just not going to get the power that I'd like to shoot in the midday sun. Although shooting in HSS helps a little. The Elinchrom is on my wish list and would open up so many opportunities to shoot during the day.

[curtscamera]

Can any of the mentioned alternatives give me shutter speeds over 250? I didn't think they could. I want to be able to shoot wide open at f/2.8. How can you accomplish that without HSS?

[davemphoto]

You won't be able to use shutter speeds over 1/250 but you can shoot wide open at f/2.8. The Quadra has a 6 stop range, which means you can bring down the power to the range of a speedlite. Same with an AB1600, but since a more powerful light you won't be able to go as low as the Quadra. AB's Paul Buff just came out with the Einstien, 9 f/stop Power Variability.

From what I've read, a 580EXII at full power gives 70WS
So if you're going to use 4 will get you 280WS and an additional 2stops.

Elinchrom Quadra - 6 stops
400 - 200 - 100 - 50 - 25 - 12.5 - 6.25 (WS)

Alien Bee 1600 - 6 stops
640 - 320 - 180 - 90 - 45 - 22.5 - 11.25 (WS)

Einstein - 9 stops
640 - 320 - 180 - 90 - 45 - 22.5 - 11.25 - 5.635 - 2.8125 (WS)

Of course shooting at low power and shutter speeds of 1/250 or less won't let you underexpose the ambient too much. So HSS would be the best route to control the ambient and get shallow depth of field.

[davemphoto]

Just read this article. Shooting HSS with studio strobes. I don't own a studio light, so I can't say that I've tried it. I will have to test this out with my buddy's AB1600. If this works, it might be the answer you're looking for.

http://cameradojo.com/2010/06/03/poc...tudio-strobes/