2 or 3 light flash setup ?

[FetchMeMyTools]

Hello all,

I have decided on a starter kit for studio flash where i am converting my garage into a place where i can take photos and generally play about with stuff.

I was looking at loads of threads and advice from people, but there are a couple of things that not answered.

Is there a huge benefit of 3 lights over 2 ?

In most kits they dont come with background (aprt from the EX150 which is grey patterned), so is it best to buy that separately?

Edit. Also, the EX150 comes with a softbox so why is that cheap than the Lencarta ElitePro kit which only has 2 lights and 2 umbrellas ? Is the Lencarta kit worth getting then adding too ?
Im only going to be shooting once or twice a week maximum, so is the Interfit EX150 the way to go for now ?


Ta for any help.

 

[Garry Edwards]

How many lights you need depends on your style of photography and on the type of shots you want to take. Many good portrait photographers (for example) never use more than 2 and normally use one. Commercial still life photographers may use 20 in a shot.
It's good to have 'spares' but it's important to always use one light to get the effect you want and then add other lights or reflectors only if they are needed.

Same thing goes for backgrounds. Some people love 'em, some hate 'em. Personally I don't see the point of getting a 'studio background' when you can use much more interesting (and real) backgrounds, but I do have a range of backgrounds in case I every want to use them.

As I'm techie for Lencarta I'm not going to make comments about relative value/build quality etc, that's something you'll have to judge for yourself. Take a look at this guide on how to choose studio lights

 

[FetchMeMyTools]

How many lights you need depends on your style of photography and on the type of shots you want to take. Many good portrait photographers (for example) never use more than 2 and normally use one. Commercial still life photographers may use 20 in a shot.
It's good to have 'spares' but it's important to always use one light to get the effect you want and then add other lights or reflectors only if they are needed.

Same thing goes for backgrounds. Some people love 'em, some hate 'em. Personally I don't see the point of getting a 'studio background' when you can use much more interesting (and real) backgrounds, but I do have a range of backgrounds in case I every want to use them.

As I'm techie for Lencarta I'm not going to make comments about relative value/build quality etc, that's something you'll have to judge for yourself. Take a look at this guide on how to choose studio lights

Cheers for that. Ive just been reading up and watching up (!!!) on YouTube, its not the same Garry Edwards teaching about lighting techniques is it?
If so, im honoured by the reply.

I think what im going to do is get the better quality Lencarta and if needs be add to it. Im pretty sure i dont "need" a 3rd light as its only going to be a small
setup, and i want to grow into it rather than always catching up.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Cheers for that. Ive just been reading up and watching up (!!!) on YouTube, its not the same Garry Edwards teaching about lighting techniques is it?

Guilty as charged

 

[FetchMeMyTools]

Soafter reading and umming and arring and changing my mind for the best aprt of today im looking at this popular setup :

http://lencarta.com/flash-kits/fep300kt-elitepro-starter-kit/index.php

But again the difference with the interfit is that there is no softbox or no background (will buy one aswell for £60), but it does come with remotes, which i like the idea of.

I think im going for the Lencarta and if needs be get a softbox at a later stage along with an extra light (though probably not needed). I want something to add too and not have to sell and replace if i get more use out of it.

 

[FetchMeMyTools]

Also...

Im after a shoot through umbrella, but they dont sell them on that site, is there a reason why its only stuff for sale on the one site?

I dont know if half of me is swaying toward a product that is widely available for a few reasons (availability, accessories, support).

 

[Garry Edwards]

Also...

Im after a shoot through umbrella, but they dont sell them on that site, is there a reason why its only stuff for sale on the one site?

I dont know if half of me is swaying toward a product that is widely available for a few reasons (availability, accessories, support).

If you're talking about the Lencarta site, the reason they're not there is that the site only shows items that are actually in stock and available for immediate delivery. A new delivery of shoot throughs is on the way.

 

[FetchMeMyTools]

If you're talking about the Lencarta site, the reason they're not there is that the site only shows items that are actually in stock and available for immediate delivery. A new delivery of shoot throughs is on the way.

Copy that.
Might wait for delivery of them and just make an order on mass.