Help - About to invest in some studio lighting...

[jkhosking]

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum, and a complete beginner when it comes to studio lighting, and would really appreciate some advice before I invest some of my (and my wife's) hard earned savings in studio equipment.....

I have recently started doing weddings, and although my pricing has been very reasonable, I have begun thinking that with some perserverance, hard work and a little luck, this might be a "get out of jail" opportunity for me - as I can't stand my 9 to 5 office job!

I want to purchase a set of lights for:
- family shots in peoples homes (Im planning to advertise locally)
- wedding photographs (in bad weather)

I have a budget of around £1000, and after a fair amount of research and thought decided that I want to buy the most reliable & powerful lights that I can get for my money. (Also, I want to make sure that once I am comfortable using the equipment, I dont want to be in a position where I have to lay out further £ in order to buy essential equipment)

So, I was hoping you might provide your thoughts on the choices I have set out below - please let me know if you think Im going wrong......

OPTION A
Lencarta - ElitePro Professional Portrait Kit with Background system £970
http://www.lencarta.com/elitepro-ma...portrait-kit-with-background-system/index.php

OR:

OPTION B
Interfit INT448 Stellar X 600 watt 3 Head Kit £880 (I would also need to buy a background)
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-interfit-int448-stellar-x-600-watt-3-head-kit/p1027312

Option B comes with 3 x 600J lights (vs Option A has 1 x 600J & 2 x 300J). Option B also has other extras such as barn doors & snood.

Any advice is welcome. Lencarta or Interfit? 1x600J + 2x300J or 3x600J?

Help...................

Thank you

Justin

 

[david1701]

lencarta have a better rep, you might want to put aside some money for the mods you will find yourself needing. Also have you considered that if you want it for weddings/location stuff a battery set up might be a better bet though v dear

 

[Garry Edwards]

As you're new to the forum I need to point out that I have a vested interest because I'm the techie and customer support muppet for Lencarta.

Lencarta are more expensive for a reason. Take a look at 'Build quality' and 'Why choose Lencarta' on the Lencarta website, it goes into a lot of detail about the things that matter.

I agree with David that
1. You should also consider the Lencarta Safari battery powered flash. You'll be able to use it at wedding (or anywhere else where there is no mains power available) and the ringflash is THE perfect fill flash for wedding photogaphy - powerful enough for groups. Also very portable for taking around to people's homes. The only downside is that the modelling lamps are very dim, because powerful modelling lamps would drain the battery very quickly.
2. As your knowledge and skills increase you will want to consider getting some of the more creative lighting tools. Lighting is about controlling and shaping the light, not just about having enough of it to light the subject. Please see this article on how to choose studio lighting and this one, which is the first in a series on light shaping tools.

 

[jkhosking]

Thank you both for your responses.

So Garry, if I go for the Lencarta light kit, what other "essential" kit should I buy to get me started?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Thank you both for your responses.

So Garry, if I go for the Lencarta light kit, what other "essential" kit should I buy to get me started?

A flash meter. Possibly folding softboxes (for portability) but they are a luxury rather than a necessity. More creative tools can come later, once you have the experience and have developed/want to develop your own style.

 

[neo2810]

I agree with Garry, the Lencarta kit is a fair bit better than the Interfit, despite the extra power (which arguably you probably wont need for smallish indoor venue's). Learn to use the lights indoor first before you venture into studio lit outdoor portraiture as it's a whole different ball game with changing light conditions.

A little off topic, I had a look at your site, and I'd be very careful with your pricing if I were you looking to make a go of this full time. Your prices are extremely low and will probably not even cover your costs, let alone make you a living if you have no other income.

Standard Package £150

· A pre-wedding meeting to discuss your big day,and take a few photographs
· 4 hours of unlimited photographs taken on the day (from bride getting ready to start of reception)
· All images digitally enhanced
· A DVD of all photographs at high resolution and ready to print in a presentation case

You're talking about £400-600 there minimum to make it worthwhile. Just be careful not to set a precedence where you're going to find it hard increase your price when you pack in your day job.