First Studio Setup-Been Offered This..Any good??

[Drpepper99uk]

Hi,

At my local camera club I have been offered a complete setup(minus a backdrop) which comprises:

2 Stands
Sync Cable
Umbrella
Softbox
Portaflash 368
Interfit 600
Two reflectors
Courtenay Flash Meter

Advertised for £220, I know that there is a wave of kits about for sale new that are the same price as that as seen here:

http://www.studio-flash.com/b-series/b-series-mega-studio-2-p-275.html

Any idea's? I don't want to buy something that will only end up being replaced in 6 months time due to it being inadaquate for my needs(I'm looking at doing some family group portraits sometime and I'd like something reasonably priced and that's upto the job and fairly easy to setup as I don't have garage in where I could have a permanent setup(I'm hoping to move house in a few years and buy somewhere that has a largish garage/outbuilding.

Mike.

 

[psenior1]

I can't comment on the kit offered at you camera club but I started with the B-Series Elemental gear and found it great value for money. I only upgraded as I needed more power...

 

[Garry Edwards]

Basically, you can only expect to get what you pay for.
The Portaflash is about as basic as you can get and the range of modifiers you can get for it (the most important part of any flash system) is limited to say the least.
The interfit 600 is far more powerful and takes a different accessory fitting.
The Courtenay flash meter will probably give OK results, but is pretty old now and basic, All in all, I don't think that kit offers great value.

I feel that the Elemental is possibly better value, but is again very basic, based on the very limited info/pictures on the website it seems to be another 'universal fitting' type that only has a very limited range of accessories, which means that you're likely to outgrow very quickly, also the recycling is slow and the modelling lamp isn't bright enough. There's no info that I can see on colour temperature consistency and on the number of capacitors included and both of these things are very important.
Another £100 or so will get you a Lencarta SmartFlash 200 kit, complete with radio trigger, which I believe is in a different class entirely.

I don't know whether that's in your budget or not but if it is you may want to consider it (or another make of similar quality such as Bowens) because
1. You can add to the system if the bug bites you, you won't be left with the problem of having to sell an unbranded flash for a low price before you can get something more suitable to your own needs
2. Adding to the system simply means getting light shaping tools that add to your creativity and allow you to learn - this means getting lights that take the popular S-fit range of accessories - there are plenty available from various sellers, at reasonable prices
3. You won't be left with the problem of trying to get consistent results from equipment that's aimed firmly at the budget end of the market