Decisions "lights or lightmeter"

kiteninja

kiteninja

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Morgan Lee
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Trying to make the decision on wether to spend some spare cash on a couple more Smartflash 200s :) as they are on special with either a Octabox or Strip softbox as i've been playing with my currents and would like to try some of the white background shots & 2 more flashes would help.

Or carry on with my 2 lights as there is still alot!! of stuff i need to learn with just 2 and spend the money on a lightmeter[was going to put on xmas list].

& point in the right direction would be much appreciated

Little backgroun.
Am leaning towards portrait shots more & more now that i have spent more time at home [in make shift studio] then i have doing any other photography & want to expand on this.
 
If it HAS to be either/or then it would make sense to get the SmartFlash while you can, at the special offer price but...
A flashmeter is a great learning tool as well as a tool that will really help you to nail correct exposure so that should really be next on your shopping list, and hope that the special offer price is still available when you're ready to buy them.

Or maybe you could manage both - a second hand entry level meter will measure the light just as well as an expensive new one...
 
If you're trying to do the pure white background look and setting up four lights, you will have a heck of a job without a flash meter.

It could be done, but you would have to know what you're doing and work with the LDC and histogram, plus over-exposure warning enabled (blinkies), plus lots of trial and error. Basically, if you have the knowledge it can be done and, once it's done, if you always use the same basic set up you shouldn't need to change it.

White backgrounds are particularly difficult. You have to get the background lights absolutely as even as possible, and then balance them very carefully with the front main key light. It can be quite tricky, but not impossible.
 
well thats that problem solved :) 2 birds with one Piece of plastic :).

Lights on order :).

Thank you for the reply hoppy :) i've chucked a lightmeter in the shopping basket depending on Onestop digitals postage should have that this week :D
 
It's ages before Xmas... ;)
 
Blimey they are cheap..... you should not really go for anything under a 400 head.

you will come a time when you need more to light a larger area. 200 is ok if you intend just doing head n shoulders.

A few mates bought these and they are on their 3rd set as they cant seem to take lots of work...... 1 head blew twice the other fell apart......

He may of been unlucky..

The 3 makes I would recomend are Bowens/Elinchrome and Broncolor. More pricey but won't let you down.

Mates went and splashed out for one of the above and glad they did.
 
Daryl said:
Blimey they are cheap..... you should not really go for anything under a 400 head.

you will come a time when you need more to light a larger area. 200 is ok if you intend just doing head n shoulders.

A few mates bought these and they are on their 3rd set as they cant seem to take lots of work...... 1 head blew twice the other fell apart......

He may of been unlucky..

The 3 makes I would recomend are Bowens/Elinchrome and Broncolor. More pricey but won't let you down.

Mates went and splashed out for one of the above and glad they did.
Click to expand...

Blimey they are cheap..... you should not really go for anything under a 400 head.
Click to expand...
That's a difference of just one stop...

A few mates bought these and they are on their 3rd set as they cant seem to take lots of work...... 1 head blew twice the other fell apart......
Click to expand...
Total rubbish. None have failed and as they're a new product relatively few have been sold. Some customers have come back for a second set, but not to replace ones that failed. I think you must be talking about another make.
 
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