help for a beginner !

[kaptainkiely]

Hi everyone,

so im just getting into photography and trying to have a dip into some different areas to see how it is and works. my father is having a 50th birthday party at a very nice function suite and i have been asked by mother if i would like to do photos of the evening. on top of that i decided maybe to have a go at doing some portraits as guest arrive (currently at around 350 people). ive got an idea of equipment i need to do this but i need some practise and decided to get some lighting kit. now as im just starting out i dont want to invest too heavy in it yet so ive been looking on ebay and come across some kits for sale. just wanted anyones feedback on if there any good and if not any ideas where i shoud begin. im not on a strict budget but i would like to keep it cheap as im only new to it all.
these are the kits i have been looking at

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/900W-Flas...uipment_RL&hash=item2a11539423#ht_5129wt_1398

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/540W-STUD...uipment_RL&hash=item41643775d2#ht_4350wt_1141

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Photograp...uipment_RL&hash=item53ec3fdfe9#ht_2099wt_1165

not sure how much watts matter or if anything here is any good at all thank in advance to those who can help me out.

Aaron

 

[tezmed]

its alot of money to spend on alot of kit- which if your new to photography you may not even use to its capacity... i'd recommend you try light reflecting discs- i got one for about 12 quid that inverts to white black translucent silver and gold, which hasnt let me down yet and has help produce some cracking shots....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/43-110cm-...graphy_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item2a1ae78880

ive also invested in a couple of these which are really handy as they are constant light as opposed to a flash so more manoveurable on seting up etc...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180685250710?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

only other thing i got which works quite well is some flash gels, but i havent mastered the art of using these yet

what lenses are you planning on using???

 

[kaptainkiely]

ah great thanks ill look into those discs i just have about £1000 to spare and wanted to invest a bit in my new hobby but maybe spending £200 kit could be saved for something else. well currently i think i will be using the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II as i got told that was a good lens to start with regarding portraits and got a good deal on buying it.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Exactly the same question was asked in this thread, the answers may help you.
Whatever you decide, please don't even think about the kit in the last link, it's total junk - makes the other stuff look good... It's just constant lighting, a couple of table lamps would produce similar results.