I currently shoot with a Sola 1200 video light with my Rebel T2i (EOS 550D). I started with it because I could also use it for video, but find myself taking way more stills. I love the light, but there are a few considerations when thinking to forgo strobes for stills.
1. Light output. Strobes are more powerful. I am currently debating between the upcoming Sola 4000 light and a YS-250 strobe, but a strobe is certainly more powerful then a Sola 1200. That punch matters both for wide angle (getting light to the subject for color return) and macro (shooting at a deep enough f-stop to keep everything sharp). This is probably the most important consideration and the reason why pros still use strobes.
2. Creature (especially fish) behavior. Fish tend to turn away from a constant on light, so getting poses is more difficult. Of course, you have to be pretty right on with the first strobe fire or they still turn away.
3. Sync speeds. One of the great things about a constant on light is you no longer have to worry about strobe sync speeds and are free to shoot whatever shutter speeds you like.
Backscatter. It is a little easier, in my opinion, to visualize backscatter with a constant on light, but I would imagine once you have some practice with your strobe that becomes less of a problem.
By the way, I would still use a light arm even with a constant on light. being able to set the light a frame with two hand or change camera settings is invaluable. Light and Motion makes an inexpensive arm for the 1200 that runs like $89. It's what i'm using and I haven't had issues with it.
Hope this helps,
Tim Balcomb
Check out my underwater photography at
www.timbalcomb.com
