Best strobes for around a £250-300 budget?

[Mikey.]

Hello,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

20year old, male, been around photography all my life, been actively shooting nearly 11years.

I'm looking at expanding my photography skills and taking a stab at portrait photography, just friends and family stuff, and have been looking at the set from Lencarta. I have a budget of about £250-300 maybe a max of £400 if it will really make a difference.

So my question is, what can I get on a low budget like that?
And what do you guys recomend for that kind of money?

 

[Garry Edwards]

For portrait photography, the Lencarta 2 head kit is an ideal choice. The SmartFlash kit with 1 umbrella and a 120cm octa softbox will set you back just £300.92. You won't need a bigger softbox than that for a home studio.

Of course, you can spend more - you could buy an extra head, you could buy a background system and so on but really that's all you need to get started. And, unlike computers lighting really can be upgraded and expanded, so as you gain experience you will always be able to add more creative lighting tools, more heads and so on - but don't buy them all at once, the name of the game is to buy a complete, versatile kit and then learn how to get the best from it.

 

[HoppyUK]

Welcome to TP

Bowens are good, Elinchrom are good, but you won't beat Lencarta Smartfash for entry-level value.

Edit: two heads are plenty to get started, in fact you can do a lot with one, plus a reflector. If you want the pure white background look, you'll need two heads just for the background. It's tricky though, and you can build up to that. Don't forget a reflector - essential.

 

[Mikey.]

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry i took so long to reply and i wasnt just ignoring your replies, my internet at home was being transfered from BT to Virgin and i had some downtime (never realised hoe much i rely on the internet)

I already own the Lencarta 5 in 1 reflector, ive been using it with a pair of Speedlight Ex430 II's, i just want something abit more permanent and as i understand, as the Lencartas use the Bowens standard mount so there is alot more accessories with them

Which would you recommend, the 2 umbrella, 2 softbox or one of each kit?

Thanks again for your help guys

 

[Garry Edwards]

Which would you recommend, the 2 umbrella, 2 softbox or one of each kit?

Thanks again for your help guys [/QUote
For most people in most situations, 1 softbox and 1 umbrella is a good choice

 

[hairboy]

You say you have 2 EX430s. Do you already use them off camera? If not, your shopping list should be 2 light stands, 2 brackets, 1 flash trigger/2 receivers, a few softboxes/umbrellas, and start making home made snoots/grids.

2 flashes when used well, will give you all the lighting you need for basic family portraiture. Experiment, learn how light behaves, and try to control it. To get you started, go read Strobist website avidly. It will teach you a lot - more than enough to keep you busy for a year or two of intense learning before you should NEED more gear.

When/if you decide that you need more power/speed, modelling lamp, or any other advantages that studio light offers, then go for it. If you don't know why you need the lights, you DON't need them. Spend the money on a few books (Light: Science and Magic, Hotshoe Diary and Moment it Clicks are all highly recommended, as are Strobist Seminar DVD), or basic studio photography courses nearby. It will make you hell of a lot better shooter than a set of lights for beginners.

 

[Mikey.]

You say you have 2 EX430s. Do you already use them off camera? If not, your shopping list should be 2 light stands, 2 brackets, 1 flash trigger/2 receivers, a few softboxes/umbrellas, and start making home made snoots/grids.

2 flashes when used well, will give you all the lighting you need for basic family portraiture. Experiment, learn how light behaves, and try to control it. To get you started, go read Strobist website avidly. It will teach you a lot - more than enough to keep you busy for a year or two of intense learning before you should NEED more gear.

When/if you decide that you need more power/speed, modelling lamp, or any other advantages that studio light offers, then go for it. If you don't know why you need the lights, you DON't need them. Spend the money on a few books (Light: Science and Magic, Hotshoe Diary and Moment it Clicks are all highly recommended, as are Strobist Seminar DVD), or basic studio photography courses nearby. It will make you hell of a lot better shooter than a set of lights for beginners.

Yes i do use my speedlights off to camera, the thing this they eat through batteries and im forever swapping them out (16 batterys, four in each, 8 on charge and then swapped) so ideally id like something powered by the mains.

I know there is solutions to make the speedlights run off the mains, but these are more pricey then the strobes would be so makes no sense to me.

I was looking at going to one of Garrys Lighting days, as i live in harrogate and what i hear is he does them in bradford (20minute drive)

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes i do use my speedlights off to camera, the thing this they eat through batteries and im forever swapping them out (16 batterys, four in each, 8 on charge and then swapped) so ideally id like something powered by the mains.

I know there is solutions to make the speedlights run off the mains, but these are more pricey then the strobes would be so makes no sense to me.

I was looking at going to one of Garrys Lighting days, as i live in harrogate and what i hear is he does them in bradford (20minute drive)

Well, I'm not sure about it being a 20 minute drive but you're certainly a lot closer than most of the people who come here - some have driven nearly 300 miles each way...

And the next course will be on the 8th May, best book now to be sure of a place. Well worth a day of your time and a few quid IMO

 

[Mikey.]

Well, I'm not sure about it being a 20 minute drive but you're certainly a lot closer than most of the people who come here - some have driven nearly 300 miles each way...

And the next course will be on the 8th May, best book now to be sure of a place. Well worth a day of your time and a few quid IMO

22miles from my door to yours apprently,
would we be able to purchase or order on the day?

thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

22miles from my door to yours apprently,
would we be able to purchase or order on the day?

thanks

Well, the day is all about learning, not selling but I'm sure we can sort something out.