There are some fairly inexpensive focus lights ("fisheye mini led" to name one) that lets you use the light to focus and then automatically switch off when it senses the strobe light. this way the focus light does not impact your final image.
Hi Wetpixel members, replying to this post to both introduce myself (I've been out there lurking for a while) and to get input as I had newbie questions on this subject as well. In regards to focus lights like the type quoted above: how does the photographer compensate to ensure correct exposure? Won't the camera be metering on an area that is artifically lit by the focus light?