Advice regarding upgrade from speedlite to mains lighting

Marcus Geezer

Marcus Geezer

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After completing a fund raising pre-school leavers shoot, I think it has dawned on me that although a speedlite based studio is great, I think it's about time to invest in a mains powered lighting system.

Last week I had 30 kids each with 6 poses and 10 staff, using my 580EXII as key at 1/1 and went through 4 sets of eneloops just to keep the recycle times fast enough. With the group shots I just couldnt throw enough light and had to raise the ISO to 400, which I'm not comfortable with (speedlites throwing out about 40-60 w/s?).

So, mains powered lighting seems the next step forward. I've looked at what seems to be the three popular brands, and it would seem as I profess to sell myself as a photographer that I need to be buying the 'pro' end of the range, probably looking at something like 2 x 600 w/s and 1 x 300 w/s heads. I don't do the blown white background shots so a three head kit should be fine.

Can anyone offer any advice as to whether I'm looking at about the right level of kit for the kind of work I do, being portaits and some commercial work? Please have a look at my website if you want to see examples of the kind of work I've completed and the kind of lighting I've used so far.
 
You'll probably be okay with one 600 and two 300's, mate. Lencarta gear is great value.
 
You'll just find they limit you quickly.
 
The23rdman said:
You'll just find they limit you quickly.
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Thats the exact advice I needed. Thanks Dean and AWP.

Now to get a price and work out which body part to ebay.
 
I'm getting some of them as well in a couple of weeks. Been using a friends and they rock.
 
The23rdman said:
I'm getting some of them as well in a couple of weeks. Been using a friends and they rock.
Click to expand...

It would seem that after my pre-school shoot that a small local little school is interested in having their own students taken by me, which would justify the need to invest, but if it doesnt pan out then it is something on my wish list. Bottom line is I need to justify the spend on potential for return, which with my normal type of work I can't as my speedlites do the job.

To cut to the chase, Dean, your a lucky cheesy wotsit.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
It would seem that after my pre-school shoot that a small local little school is interested in having their own students taken by me, which would justify the need to invest, but if it doesnt pan out then it is something on my wish list. Bottom line is I need to justify the spend on potential for return, which with my normal type of work I can't as my speedlites do the job.

To cut to the chase, Dean, your a lucky cheesy wotsit.
Click to expand...

Same here, mate. I've basically invested every red cent I've earned in my first year back so far...and I don't own a camera!
 
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