Jinx - Tungsten is the term used to describe incandescent electric lights; like the light bulbs in your house. In photographic lighting, it's usually used to describe lights that hold a specific color temperature (most often balanced at 3200K or 3400K - my set of lights are 3400K). Good photography lights do not fluctuate the temperature the way ordinary household bulbs do. Of course, if you're just shooting B&W you don't really care; which is why you can use inexpensive halogen worklights if you're just shooting B&W. Studio strobes are usually daylight balanced, around 5200K to 6000K range with 5200K-5600K being the norm. So, when I say for many things I like the warmth of tungsten over strobes, that's what I mean. The cooler color temperature of tungsten generates a more yellow/orange light that comes across as a warmer light. Make sense? -=>Donald

Sure it makes sense. Today I want to go out and look at a light set up.Saw a unit that has a bulb that will act as a slave.Bulbs are around $50,and the umbrella and stand I think are around 200. I do have halogen lights like the construction lamps in the heavy duty cases.Always forget to try them out.The sure get hot though.

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."

Yea. Construction/home tungsten is all about the light and not comfort. Construction can get pretty bright which is what you need. A 100W or 200W bulb might seem bright to us, but for photography that's really low. My smallest light is a 650W one that I use for hair/rim lighting. My main lights go up to 1000W. Tungstens made for studio are designed to be a bit cooler (both in front of the light and the housing itself). Want really cool, you'll need to spend a few grand on an HMI system. Strobes can get expensive, that's for sure. Over a couple of years, I put together a 5-light Broncolor set. Replacement strobe bulbs are $200+ a piece for them. Luckily, I have 3 extras on hand. I'll probably sell the set after I lose a 2nd bulb. :) -=>Donald

Thx so much for the infos here Donald!! I had no idea what those numbers meant in my programme when I was doing a color balance but now I do, thx to u my dear, u rock! :)