home portrait lighting

ian barsby

ian barsby

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Ian
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Can anybody advise me about home portrait lighting. I'm looking to buying a 2 or 3 light kit with flash heads and stands,umbrella and softbox. But there are so many different types and wattages out there. I know about Bowens and Elinchrom but they're quite pricey. But I'm at a loss about what power output I need. Advice please!
 
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While others will no doubt have their own preferences - I use an Elinchrom D-Lite2 kit. Two x 200 watt heads with softboxes or standard reflectors depending on what I am trying to achieve. I also use Lastolite reflectors.

I can easily shoot at f8 or f11.

Ideally I would like another head when shooting HiKey and some modelling kit - perhaps a snoot and some grids.

You're right Elinchrom and Bowens are expensive but I always try to buy the 'best' I can afford. Again others will disagree:thumbs:
 
Power is close to irrelevant with modern digital cameras, but either 200 or 300Ws will be fine.

As for the brand, get any decent brand and you'll be fine
This thread may help you
And this one may too
 
Thanks for the quick replies and Gary, your second link is brilliant. Sound advice-very helpful.
Chris,you mention the Interfit kit. I had a look at these and they get some good reviews. The kit comes with sync leads...can I use a radio trigger/receiver instead? Which brings me to another question! You see the last time I did any studio work,I was at school-26 years ago so it's all a bit different now with remote triggers and the like.
Am I right in that a radio trigger sits on the hotshoe of my camera,a receiver plugs into each flash head?:thinking:
 
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I recommend the D-lite 4 it kit (2 heads). I use two kits (4 heads) all the time and the built in wireless receivers are a great addition IMO. You can have a two light kit with all the bits you need all for £500

Alternatively you could just use a flash gun off camera and maybe a softbox for some pretty nice creative shots.
 
ian barsby said:
Thanks for the quick replies and Gary, your second link is brilliant. Sound advice-very helpful.
Chris,you mention the Interfit kit. I had a look at these and they get some good reviews. The kit comes with sync leads...can I use a radio trigger/receiver instead?
Click to expand...

Hey Ian, the interfit can be used with the sync lead to one unit, then the other light will trigger from the first flash. You can also use a radio trigger on the camera hotshoe, with the other end plugged into one, or both lights to trigger them wireless. Theres also the option to use an Infra red transmitter on the camera hotshoe that will trigger the heads too. For the cash the interfit 150s can't be beat imo!

I forgot to add, the pop up flash will also trigger the heads if you wanted to just use that as a fill for triggering them.
 
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