Studio lighting

[Andy.]

I am thinking of buying some studio flashes to have a play with but know very little about them. I know there are a couple of people on here who do studio work and was hoping for some advice.

I'd be buying second hand kit as the market is fairly good here and you can buy stuff and sell it again without loosing any money.

• What are the well respected brands?
• Can the cheaper stuff do as good a job?
• What wattage is needed? I have seen them from 150 to 600+. I'd be using it for shooting people indoors, but wouldn't mind having a play with some location shoots of cars etc.
• How many lights are really needed? Most of the kits I have seen for sale are with two flashes, but some have 3 or 4.
• What accessories are needed? Snoots, grids, reflectors, softboxes???
• Any thing else I should know or look out for?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Tigger]

I'm with you on this boat - I'll grab a paddle!

 

[Cup_Phil]

If you're just starting out have you considered a strobist setup?

A speedlite, umbrella soft box and light stand can be had for a fraction of the cost of studio lighting
There are some cracking "cheap" remote triggers available as well that I use

And the advantage is it all runs on batteries and you can take it anywhere

My mate did a lovely write up about it all here -> http://ricknunn.com/strobist-startup-kit/

 

[vibrio]

portable lights are not the cheapest around £300 a pop for a cheap set of portable lights

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-interfit-int474-stellar-xtreme-300w-kit/p1027333

 

[Andy.]

The portability side of it is more than a nice to have than an essential. I have a speedlight and cheap wireless triggers too.

I just fancied trying something a bit different, and spending 5-600 for a while is okay, as I can sell it all off again if I get bored. I have also been asked to do some work for somebody (indoor portrait work) that would require them in a couple of months time, and the pay should more than cover the costs... I just want to know what I should be looking at buying. I had thought of using a couple of flashes but don't think it would look professional and a full day of shooting may give a speedlight problems from what I have read.

Thanks for the info so far.

 

[Sym0n]

My mate did a lovely write up about it all here -> h**p://ricknunn.com/strobist-startup-kit/

Yeah "lovely"

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:headno:

 

[planetx]

just bagged myself two Gemini 500w + a travel pack, will let you know how I get on.
(no one loves a show off)

 

[vibrio]

got the same too with avast

Yeah "lovely"



:headno:

 

[vibrio]

go spend a couple of hours in a studio and see what youthink

The portability side of it is more than a nice to have than an essential. I have a speedlight and cheap wireless triggers too.

I just fancied trying something a bit different, and spending 5-600 for a while is okay, as I can sell it all off again if I get bored. I have also been asked to do some work for somebody (indoor portrait work) that would require them in a couple of months time, and the pay should more than cover the costs... I just want to know what I should be looking at buying. I had thought of using a couple of flashes but don't think it would look professional and a full day of shooting may give a speedlight problems from what I have read.

Thanks for the info so far.

 

[Andy.]

Probably a good idea. It is over 10 years since I used proper lights so I could do with a refresher really.

Planetx, I look forward to seeing your shots!!

 

[Tigger]

Just got myself a SB-900 to go along with my D90 and SB-600 that I already have

What's the best way to use those for some portrait shots?

 

[planetx]

^^^ How long is a piece of string?

just play, experiment.

 

[Tigger]

The piece I have at the minute is 90cm if it makes any difference :rasp:

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

just bagged myself two Gemini 500w + a travel pack, will let you know how I get on.
(no one loves a show off)

Damn you! I am looking at those at the minute. I dont think my cheapo Walimex lights will last much longer

Let us know how they perform

 

[planetx]

^^^^ you can use them when your back.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Cool, I'll give you a bell soon.

What are you triggering them with out of curiosity?

 

[planetx]

PW's

 

[vibrio]

you might want to consider the lencarta safari range - bit cheaper than the bowens units

 

[Andy.]

I've found an amazing set with Elinchrom fx400s x3 + battery pack, light meter, back drops etc. It is at a bargain price for what it is.

Do you guys use a light meter or just a bit of trial and error with the histogram?

I've put a cheeky offer on it and will see what comes back.

 

[vibrio]

I use a meter in the studio but out in the field so to speak I just wing it lol

 

[Andy.]

LOL. I was also going to wing it but as this set comes with one, I guess I'll use it. The guy has accepted my offer so I'll be heading to the other side of holland to pick up my new studio this week. Looking forward to having a play!!

 

[Andy.]

Oops. Out of my depth much....

I managed to pick up over 3Ks worth of kit for just over 1K. The whole kit has only been used twice and came with a power pack, backdrops with stands, wall mounts, light meter and instruction DVDs (will be very useful).

I have a lot to play with and learn over the coming weeks!!!

 

[mas]

Thats awesome mate, well played!

 

[Andy.]

I'm chuffed to bits!!

 

[riz]

What are the studio light kits like of ebay? I just wanted to take my portraits up a level!!

 

[Andy.]

Junglejim or bluepete from here had some Blazzeo lights from eBay and got on well with them. I read a lot of bad reviews of the various cheap Chinese lights with regards to overheating, differing Whitebalance per light and they don't hold up to much abuse (screw threads strip, cracked plastic etc).

Most of the lighting experts on POTN say it's a case of you get what you pay for.

 

[riz]

oh yeah i kinda figured that. Im sure i saw a post somewhere of a decent set up!!