Flexible Kit Based on SmartFlash 2

MFlip

MFlip

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Mark
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Hi

After some advice please. Having spent a couple of weeks browsing through this section of the forum I quite like the idea of ordering a basic studiolight system. In particular I like the idea of having the modeling lamps to help me learn.

For me photography is a hobby so I'd prefer a kit with some flexability so that I can play around and experiment a bit. I want to start with some head and shoulders portraits. Hopefully in the not too distant future some family/maternity/children (possibly newborn if this isn't a bad idea). Maybe some small product/still life type shots (nothing particular in mind).

In terms of the flash heads I think I've settled on one of the Lencarta Smartflash 2 2 head kits.

This will be used at home and I don't have a dedicated space so I'll need to pack up when I've finished. Although they appear good quality the Lencarta Chiaro Softboxes look a bit of a faff to put up and take down. The Profold units look really good but are a bit more than I would like to spend, especially if you add grids.

The two questions I'm currently pondering are:

1. If I go for the Smartflash 2 kit with two umbrellas are there any non-softbox modifiers I can swap out one or both of the umbrellas for? Honeycombes to fit on the standard reflectors for example? I'm not sure about umbrellas in a small space due to light spill? Or should I stick with umbrellas?

2. In terms of softboxes would you recomend any particular sizes or shapes as a starting point. Octobox, square, strip? My house has standard 2.4m ish ceilings so I think anything big is out. I've seen a couple of 'ok' comments about the Bessel softboxes with 4cm grids. Are these a safe bet or am I better looking elsewhere?

I'm hoping I'll be able to pick up some discounts at the Photography show in a couple of weeks time.

Any help appreciated.
 
For a home studio, I wouldn't advise anything larger than either this 95cm Octa or this 70 x 100, both are Profold,and I say this because the obvious and natural place for light to come from is above, so for most shots the softbox needs to come from higher than the subject, which means that a low ceiling limits the choice of size. T he shape is neither here nor there, there are no good or bad shapes, just get the shape that produces the shape of catchlights that you like the most.

Reflective umbrellas do bounce light around a bit more than softboxes, but they're not terrible, especially when used close to the subject so that the fall off of light is pretty sudden. Just avoid the shoot through ones, they really do bounce the light around everywhere.
Barn doors are really of limited value, honeycombs on standard reflectors are great for some uses but they're not a routine tool.

Personally, for your purpose I'd just go for the kit with 1 softbox and 1 umbrella, and I think you might be happier if you swapped the white reflective kit umbrella for the silver reflective one - more versatile and no difference in cost. If the money isn't a problem, then one of the softboxes I linked to instead of the kit softbox, each costs £75 more. They are a bit fiddly to put up and take down, but the kit softbox is only 60x60cm so maybe it could be left assembled and just stored somewhere? Cheaper ones are available but with softboxes its very much a case of you get what you pay for, and no more - there are no bargains among the cheapies and I saw some very cheaply made ones advertised today at a ridiculously high price, which is a good reason to stick to a known brand. There are plenty of discounts at the photography show, but very few of them are genuine.
 
Thanks for the comprehensive response Garry.

Garry Edwards said:
you might be happier if you swapped the white reflective kit umbrella for the silver reflective one - more versatile and no difference in cost
Click to expand...

Is this because it's not as soft as the white and therefore further away from the effect of the softbox?

Garry Edwards said:
They are a bit fiddly to put up and take down, but the kit softbox is only 60x60cm so maybe it could be left assembled and just stored somewhere?
Click to expand...

Storage space is already a bit tight and it's probably only going to get worse so I'm really going to need to collapse it and store it in a cupboard. Unfortunately your Profold boxes are a bit out of my budget so I realise I'm going to need to compromise on quality. (having said that I do have another 2 weeks to convince myself I 'need' to spend the extra :whistle:)
 
MFlip said:
Thanks for the comprehensive response Garry.



Is this because it's not as soft as the white and therefore further away from the effect of the softbox?
Click to expand...
Basically, yes. The silvered surface sends light off in different directions, and is pretty uneven when fully erected, which produces a more contrasty, specular light, therefore very different from the softbox. And if you invest in another hi tech bit of equipment - a clothes peg - you can use the umbrella partially closed, for another and different effect (just put the clothes peg on the shaft to stop the umbrella closing too far)



MFlip said:
Storage space is already a bit tight and it's probably only going to get worse so I'm really going to need to collapse it and store it in a cupboard. Unfortunately your Profold boxes are a bit out of my budget so I realise I'm going to need to compromise on quality. (having said that I do have another 2 weeks to convince myself I 'need' to spend the extra :whistle:)
Click to expand...
Well, your choice but if budget is limited it's not a good idea to buy cheap and buy twice.
 
MFlip said:
Storage space is already a bit tight and it's probably only going to get worse so I'm really going to need to collapse it and store it in a cupboard. Unfortunately your Profold boxes are a bit out of my budget so I realise I'm going to need to compromise on quality. (having said that I do have another 2 weeks to convince myself I 'need' to spend the extra :whistle:)
Click to expand...

Sometimes it is better to wait and buy the right thing, buying twice is always more expensive, I would, really really would follow Garrys advive

Mike
 
mike weeks said:
Sometimes it is better to wait and buy the right thing, buying twice is always more expensive, I would, really really would follow Garrys advive
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike I appreciate that, if anything I normally end-up significantly overspending in an attempt to make sure I don't buy rubbish. I'm just at one of those stages where I feel like I need to be a bit more careful.... although like you say if I have to buy twice....
 
From what I saw of the standard softboxes - they didn't look THAT bad to put up/down.
As soon as I'm back from Skye and have things paid off I'm going to be investing in this exact kit (two SFs, one softbox and an umbrella or two - may get a white & silver). Really impressed with the Lencarta stuff, having got my eyes/mittens on it in person :)

That said, the profold softboxes looked VERY nice.
 
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Garry Edwards said:
For a home studio, I wouldn't advise anything larger than either this 95cm Octa or this 70 x 100, both are Profold,and I say this because the obvious and natural place for light to come from is above, so for most shots the softbox needs to come from higher than the subject, which means that a low ceiling limits the choice of size. T he shape is neither here nor there, there are no good or bad shapes, just get the shape that produces the shape of catchlights that you like the most.

Reflective umbrellas do bounce light around a bit more than softboxes, but they're not terrible, especially when used close to the subject so that the fall off of light is pretty sudden. Just avoid the shoot through ones, they really do bounce the light around everywhere.
Barn doors are really of limited value, honeycombs on standard reflectors are great for some uses but they're not a routine tool.

Personally, for your purpose I'd just go for the kit with 1 softbox and 1 umbrella, and I think you might be happier if you swapped the white reflective kit umbrella for the silver reflective one - more versatile and no difference in cost. If the money isn't a problem, then one of the softboxes I linked to instead of the kit softbox, each costs £75 more. They are a bit fiddly to put up and take down, but the kit softbox is only 60x60cm so maybe it could be left assembled and just stored somewhere? Cheaper ones are available but with softboxes its very much a case of you get what you pay for, and no more - there are no bargains among the cheapies and I saw some very cheaply made ones advertised today at a ridiculously high price, which is a good reason to stick to a known brand. There are plenty of discounts at the photography show, but very few of them are genuine.
Click to expand...

Would the Octa or the 70x100 have any particular advantages / disadvantages over each other?

I've been playing with my cheapo godox softbox and YN speedlights and enjoying that side of things more than I thought I would, which is pushing me towards spending money on some proper heads and modifiers.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
Would the Octa or the 70x100 have any particular advantages / disadvantages over each other?

I've been playing with my cheapo godox softbox and YN speedlights and enjoying that side of things more than I thought I would, which is pushing me towards spending money on some proper heads and modifiers.
Click to expand...
Nothing obvious, it's mainly personal preference, whether you prefer octagtonal or rectangular catchlights.
Obviously, any shape of softbox can be changed into any other shape, simply by masking the front with something like Cinefoil, although of course it makes it smaller too.

One real limitation of octa softboxes is that they can't really be used to create a graduated background, unless of course you want to create light of that shape on the background - which I suppose you might.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
Would the Octa or the 70x100 have any particular advantages / disadvantages over each other?

I've been playing with my cheapo godox softbox and YN speedlights and enjoying that side of things more than I thought I would, which is pushing me towards spending money on some proper heads and modifiers.
Click to expand...

If you're largely shooting people, the catch lights from an octa can be more attractive, I'd like a 70x120 softbox but not particularly for shooting people.

It depends on budget and requirements, but I'm glad I got an octa first.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Nothing obvious, it's mainly personal preference, whether you prefer octagtonal or rectangular catchlights.
Obviously, any shape of softbox can be changed into any other shape, simply by masking the front with something like Cinefoil, although of course it makes it smaller too.

One real limitation of octa softboxes is that they can't really be used to create a graduated background, unless of course you want to create light of that shape on the background - which I suppose you might.
Click to expand...

Phil V said:
If you're largely shooting people, the catch lights from an octa can be more attractive, I'd like a 70x120 softbox but not particularly for shooting people.

It depends on budget and requirements, but I'm glad I got an octa first.
Click to expand...

Thanks both.

Yep, I think Octobox for my first one then. This is from my current setup - https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/playing-with-lighting.616233/

Biggest thing I found was a PITA was the slow recharge on the YN, especially as my little'n finds it hard to stand still for more than 3 seconds.. But reasonably happy with the outcome
 
Think I've settled on the Umbrella and a Profold Octabox/Softbox.

I'm currently also edging toward the 95cm Octa on the basis I will probably use it most for portraits. Not sure I need one at the moment but is there a grid option for this, I can only see a 90cm grid on the Lencarta Website?

I may opt for some strip boxes at some point. These would most likely be for occasional use though so I would have to compromise on these.
 
The website needs updating, the 90cm honeycombs are in fact 95cm, so much to do :(
As from Monday there will be a 15% discount on all products, there is now a coupon code on the website - I've been telling people who phoned today not to place their orders until Monday, but I can shut up now that the info is public...

Strip softboxes - I use them a lot, but their usefulness does depend a lot on the type of work you're doing
 
Thanks, shame Lencarta won't be at the show I was looking forward to seeing what else you had available in the flesh. I'm not complaining about the extra discount though :)
 
Mark sorry to post on you thread.

Garry,

Thanks for the head up on the discount.

Does the two umbrella kit come with the standard reflectors or is it something I need to add to the basket? or do I get exactly on the picture on the site?

I already have a few umbrella's and two light stands but buying the lights, triggers and reflectors on their own is more expensive so not sure if I should just get the kit.

Thank you for your help again.

Kev
 
sep9001 said:
Mark sorry to post on you thread.

Garry,

Thanks for the head up on the discount.

Does the two umbrella kit come with the standard reflectors or is it something I need to add to the basket? or do I get exactly on the picture on the site?

I already have a few umbrella's and two light stands but buying the lights, triggers and reflectors on their own is more expensive so not sure if I should just get the kit.

Thank you for your help again.

Kev
Click to expand...
Yes, whenever there is an umbrella in the kit, there is a standard reflector to go with it. Each product page includes a list of what's there:
What's in the box?

2 x SmartFlash2 200 Flash heads FLA015
1 x remote control/flash trigger Wavesync Commander
2 x remote control/flash triggerWavesync receivers
2 x Professional Air damped Lighting Stands STA012
2 x Umbrella reflectors MOD045
2 x 100cm Pro White reflective Umbrella UMB001
1 x FREE spare modelling lamp

It makes complete financial sense to get the kit, the light stands are the best that you can get and you can always keep your existing ones as extras, or flog them. If you already have umbrellas, why not ask us to change the umbrellas for, say, silver and/or shoot through ones?
 
Garry,

Thank you, sorry one more question. If I was to get the umbrella kit and swap one umbrella for a 95cm Profold Octa, how much extra would it cost.

Kev
 
sep9001 said:
Garry,

Thank you, sorry one more question. If I was to get the umbrella kit and swap one umbrella for a 95cm Profold Octa, how much extra would it cost.

Kev
Click to expand...
What you would need to do would be to add the 95cm Profold to the shopping basket, £119.99, leave a message at checkout saying that you don't want the umbrella, our guys then don't send the umbrella and you get an immediate refund for the cost of the umbrella, £14.99 - so the difference is £105, less the 15% discount, so about £89.
 
Thank you.
 
MFlip said:
I just started it . Same subject, makes sense.

And you've just opened up another option for me as well as saving me looking for the answer to how upgrades work if you order online. So thank you :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, I do want to get a proper kit but worried will not use it. Also have a number of lightstand and umbrellas and triggers so need to decide what to do.
 
Well in a last minute flip I opted for a 70x100 profold with a grid. Ordered yesterday with a nice 15% discount and there are now 3 boxes with Lencarta branding on them sat in Goods Inwards waiting for me :). That's lunchtime sorted then.
 
MFlip said:
Well in a last minute flip I opted for a 70x100 profold with a grid. Ordered yesterday with a nice 15% discount and there are now 3 boxes with Lencarta branding on them sat in Goods Inwards waiting for me :). That's lunchtime sorted then.
Click to expand...
That was quick. I am still undecided on just getting the one smart flash, trigger and umbrella holder or just get the who umbrella kit. Wish had the spare cash....[emoji51]
 
I think it was my unexpected annual bonus and Garry telling me about the 15% discount within a couple of hours of each other that persuaded me it was meant to be :)

Got it all out and set it up for a brief test last night, whoa that's a lot of kit for the money when you compare it to other photography stuff.

@Garry Edwards Nice to see a supplier who knows how to pack stuff to survive the British courier system. I can be a fussy b****r so although I'm not always disappointed with customer service I'm rarely actually impressed. I am impressed! Your reputation is deserved.(y)

Was hoping to take some portrait shots of my wife last night but she was too ill :(. Fair play though, she still allowed me to do some basic test shots with her sat on the sofa watching the TV on the basis they were deleted pretty quickly. Will hopefully have a proper go at the weekend.

What focal length to people tend to use on a crop for studio head shots? My 17-55mm 2.8 coped ok getting focus in the low light but was a bit wide at what seemed a comfortable distance. My Tamron 70-300 VC seemed to be struggling a bit. Wondering if it's worth looking at a longer lens with a wider aperture although I'd rather cope with what I've got. Might be ok with more ambient light in the day maybe.
 
Annual bonus... that sounds good, I'm obviously working for the wrong firm.

I can't take credit for the packing, because this is left to someone much better than me:)

Focal length - basically as long as the amount of space will allow you to use. Focussing should be fine with most lenses, provided that at least one of the flash heads has the modelling lamp switched on, and at full brightness.
 
As usual last minute.com... I have finally ordered the two umbrella kit from Lencarta....

Garry, Thank you for all you help.

Kev
 
And only just in time...
Now out of stock
 
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