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tomqh

tomqh

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Hi, I'm looking to get a home studio setup (both in my small flat and also to take to friends' houses) for babies / portraits / family of 4 shots. I currently only have a Canon 430 EXII and Yongnuo RF-602 trigger/reciever.

After lots and lots of research (it's the way I do things), I've decided that I would like to go for a 2 light setup and have got it down to:

Lencarta @ £255.26 for 200w smartflash (but this isn't available)
http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-store/lighting-kits/kits/kit-builder-2-head-mains
- ElitePro 300w (£143.96)
- upgraded to air cushioned stands (£20.42)
- Umbrella
- 120cm Octabox (£50.96)
- Transmitter/reciever
Total £469.62 (incl free delivery)

Elemental Genesis MKII @ £336, 250w
http://www.studio-flash.com/studio-lighting-kits/genesis.html
- upgraded to air cushioned stands and separate bag (£61.28)
- Umbrella
- 90cm Octabox (£40.85)
- 80cm reflector
- Transmitter/reciever
Total £463.95 (incl £13.20 delivery)

A few questions:
1) I've seen Genesis MKII quoted between £329 and £350 for the equivalent above, has there been a recent price hike?
2) Is it worth waiting for the Lencarta 200w to come in stock instead for much cheaper?
3) Can you recommend a background and support? Looking at white high key shots. Have read about Lastolite Hilites, which look perfect, but not keen on having to get yet another two lights to properly light it. I don't mind pp, as I won't be doing that many studio shots, mostly for family and friends. The many options of muslin/paper/vinyl are driving me nuts.
4) Any top tips / considerations you care to share from your past buying experience starting out?

I've read lots of posts, but promise I'll write a review after I'm done to help others deciding (just as these other posts have helped me so far!)

Thanks so much in advance!

Tom
 
I'm in exactly the same situation as you. Waiting for the lencarta kits to come back into stock
 
tomqh said:
A few questions:
1) I've seen Genesis MKII quoted between £329 and £350 for the equivalent above, has there been a recent price hike?
Click to expand...

It cost me £350 for my Genesis lights but that's because I opted to change the umbrella for a large softbox.(review here).


tomqh said:
2) Is it worth waiting for the Lencarta 200w to come in stock instead for much cheaper?
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Wouldn't know - I've never used them as my Genesis and Trinity lights work perfectly so no need to change brands. Looking at your kit bag you don't appear to be one who goes for the cheaper deal though so your question surprised me lol

tomqh said:
3) Can you recommend a background and support? Looking at white high key shots. Have read about Lastolite Hilites, which look perfect, but not keen on having to get yet another two lights to properly light it. I don't mind pp, as I won't be doing that many studio shots, mostly for family and friends. The many options of muslin/paper/vinyl are driving me nuts.
Click to expand...

I've got the 7x6 Hilite and it can be used with one light for the background and just one light as a key. It's not ideal as you'll have a touch more PP to do but if you are good on the computer then it's not a problem. It would be better to have three lights though (still only using one for the background). Four isn't necessary to be honest in my opinion as you don't need two lights to light it, it just makes post processing a few seconds faster.

Despite being slightly more tricky with regards to contrast than a normal muslin background, the Hilite is very clean, convenient and takes literally a few minutes to setup. If you are going mobile a lot then it's probably the best solution. The vinyl train is a must.


tomqh said:
4) Any top tips / considerations you care to share from your past buying experience starting out?

I've read lots of posts, but promise I'll write a review after I'm done to help others deciding (just as these other posts have helped me so far!)

Thanks so much in advance!

Tom
Click to expand...

This place is fantastic for information but I'd also research other forums and also independent reviews when it comes to larger purchases. For me the warranty is crucial when buying and is just as important as the quality of the kit. Judging what extra kit you may require in a year or two will also help with decision making so that upgrading is affordable and smooth :thumbs:
 
I went with Lencarta based on a lot of happy people on here, did look elsewhere but not much could compete on price (that was any good). Very glad I did as the product is very good and service excellent.

I have the Smartflash and would say that is ideal for most situations. I shoot babies/kids in homes and find recycle times fine. Certainly worth saving £150 or so by waiting. Of course, the elites will be better, but do you need the power and the small things like variable modelling lamp. Cant remember what Octobox I have, think it may be 95cm and that is big enough!!! Bigger may be an issue in some locations.

Backdrop wise, I use vinyl which I like best and also a pop up fabric one, which is bigger and quicker to put up. You say you have a small flat. This will be your problem. My house has lots of rooms but fairly small rooms and with plenty of big furniture. I struggle big time here, if I use vinyl in my lounge (on stands), I am probably around 6ft from subject (and also have a light and stand balanced on sofa!). In your average 4 bed house it is ok, but stands do take up more space than you think. In this case a highlight or small (1.5- 1.8m) pop up with no train and a stand will be your best bet.
 
I bought the Smartflash 200 3 head kit. Found it to be very reliable and consistent. I use them in a small studio and still don't need full power.
I would wait if I were in your position.

Kev.
 
Reliability and servicing say a great deal about Lencarta products and most reports on TP are very positive about them. Suggest you go with them.

As an example, just take a look at the thread below - Lencarta Safari Problem ...................... dealt with most professionally by Garry Edwards of Lencarta..................... you may not get such good service elsewhere and it's important!
 
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I purchased EP300 heads a couple of years ago now, I'll be absolutely honest, when I pulled them out of the box I had an instant dislike as I expected better build quality (I had only just really gotten into photography at it was my first strobe kit, so naivity too...). I used them faultlessly for a few months and then bought Elinchrom Style 300S heads to replace them.

I will add another suggestion to the already confusing mix...and recommend D Lites from Elinchrom, they are great little lights, and the Elinchrom modifiers are absolutely fantastic.

Whatever you get don't sweat it too much, just buy something and shoot the s*** out of it :D

And I also have a Lastolite Hi-Lite, and yes they are awesome. If you have enough lights to blow out a 3x3m white backdrop, you definately have enough to stick one either side of a HiLite. I use it on location portraiture, and it's a massive time saver, both on location and in post. I light it successfully with 2x Nikon SB600s
 
i think it Lencarta win :) lol..... very tempted to find an extra 130 quid to buy the Elite Pros :)
 
you may not get such good service elsewhere and it's important!
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Customer service from elemental is great, if needed. The heads have a *very* well built feel to them, and never seen anyone argue otherwise.

The radio triggers supplied by neither elemental nor lencarta will be compatible with your existing rf602 - take the ones out of the package deals (if the supplier allows that) and just buy another rf602 receiver off ebay.

Don't know about the lencarta backdrop stand, but the elemental one is very sturdy, and built well, well above its price point. I wouldn't want to hang vinyl on it, but then I use a backdrop stand that cost around £200 to do that... anything else and it is more than capable though, very well built and comes with its own great bag too.

get paper backdrops, by far the nicest looking. 4 rolls for £125 delivered from some place online iirc.
I only use vinyl for white seamless for event work, where heavy duty vinyl was the only real cost effective option.
 
I took delivery of the Genesis 2 MKII set up last week along with a 6x7 hilite and am very very happy with the results so far.

I bought mine direct from their ebay site - I got the 2 lamps, air cushioned stands, brolly, octabox, reflector, transmitters, bag etc all in incl delivery for £362 - which is cheaper than direct from their website.

I too know very little about portraiture & studio lighting, but through reading up and watching video's I am finding my way round...

5321453675_54a931065c.jpg
 
Thanks all for your comments, really appreciated. I am a bit miffed that the price has been hiked on the Elemental, and that the Lencarta's aren't in stock - making the Elinchrom D-Lites not such a bad option at £499.99 (200w) and £559 (400w) sets attractive.

gman - you're right, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like overpaying for things, but at the same time, don't like having to keep upgrading - would rather get things right first time! I guess that's most people tbh.
 
mjcombe, can I ask how many lights you used for that photo, and if you also have a train? Fantastic photo, exactly what I'm after. Gutted about the eBay deal
 
tomqh said:
mjcombe, can I ask how many lights you used for that photo, and if you also have a train? Fantastic photo, exactly what I'm after. Gutted about the eBay deal
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Thanks,

I had one light stuck in the side of the hilite on half power, the other camera right with the octabox / softbox stuck on (can't remember power setting).

I did have to up the shutter speed a bit as I was picking up some ambient light, but it's still early days, so hopefully I will learn more as I progress.

I got the vinyl train with the lastolite, but apart from taking it put of the tube I haven't used it. I may try with some white sheets first and see how they go - if they're any good I'll sell the train on.
 
tomqh said:
gman - you're right, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like overpaying for things
Click to expand...

Apologies, I wasn't meaning that by having good kit it meant you liked to overpay but simply that you obviously prefer to go for top stuff rather than trying to save a few bucks. As people on here keep saying, you get what you pay for ;)

mjcombe, very nice photo. The tones are excellent!
 
alexam said:
Reliability and servicing say a great deal about Lencarta products and most reports on TP are very positive about them. Suggest you go with them.

As an example, just take a look at the thread below - Lencarta Safari Problem ...................... dealt with most professionally by Garry Edwards of Lencarta..................... you may not get such good service elsewhere and it's important!
Click to expand...

Replacing broken things like for like is not servicing them.

It concerns me when manufacturers/distributors do this. Makes me feel like they dont have servicing facilities, and just sending out a new item is easier. Of course, this is brilliant for us customers until the warranty runs out.

This isn't directed at Lencarta, just in general.
 
I contacted Studio Flash yesterday as I had an issue with the octabox shell, they sent one out last night which arrived today - free of charge.

Great service!

Michael
 
Kris said:
Replacing broken things like for like is not servicing them.

It concerns me when manufacturers/distributors do this. Makes me feel like they dont have servicing facilities, and just sending out a new item is easier. Of course, this is brilliant for us customers until the warranty runs out.

This isn't directed at Lencarta, just in general.
Click to expand...
In the case of Lencarta, that would be a wrong assumption. People who've needed help outside of the 18 month warranty or who have needed help with products they've bought secondhand can confirm that.

Lencarta tends to replace instead of repairing within the warranty period (although it doesn't have to) simply to give better service, not because it has to.
 
Theres always a lot of talk about Lencarta and Elemental kits - I bought my first studio head the other day (i'm going one at a time plus I have strobes) and went for a Calumet Genesis 400w. Already had stands, Calumet brolly and a fitp brollybox etc which seem to produce nice results. I have no complaints so far though I'm not a heavy user or that experienced.

Anyone else use Calumet heads or their kits?
 
kman said:
Theres always a lot of talk about Lencarta and Elemental kits - I bought my first studio head the other day (i'm going one at a time plus I have strobes) and went for a Calumet Genesis 400w. Already had stands, Calumet brolly and a fitp brollybox etc which seem to produce nice results. I have no complaints so far though I'm not a heavy user or that experienced.

Anyone else use Calumet heads or their kits?
Click to expand...

Yes, have all three of their offerings - the 200, 400 and 300b inc battery.

Very impressed to be honest, esp for the price.
 
I'm on hold at the moment. Mrs says I can't buy it until we get more space (i.e. buy a new house) :(

Was leaning towards Lencarta 300 and get folding softbox separately.
 
tomqh said:
I'm on hold at the moment. Mrs says I can't buy it until we get more space (i.e. buy a new house) :(

Was leaning towards Lencarta 300 and get folding softbox separately.
Click to expand...

That could end up being a very expensive flash kit:)
 
That's a b****r. I'm ready to go as soon as stock comes in, a coupe of smartflashes for me.. :)
 
stokes said:
Ive looked at them, and spoken with the company and they are very very vague about what comes in the box....... and you cant adapt packages with them either. :(
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surprised about that... photomart are one of the most knowledgable and professional companies I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with... sure Garry know's whats in those kits though.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
surprised about that... photomart are one of the most knowledgable and professional companies I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with... sure Garry know's whats in those kits though.
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Sorry but I don't that's their business.
2 points though...
1. Presumably the kit contents will be exactly what it says on their website
2. From memory, I think that their studio lighting manager may be on holiday, maybe the conversation was with someone who doesn't work in that department. It might be an idea to ring again, and ask for Juan Silver, in case he's back.
 
thanks for the input Garry and Dave.

Their pictures and product lists leave alot to be desired. take http://www.photomart.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCatalogue=FLA0013&CatID=

for example.

It shows two lights, two umbrellas, a bag, a transmitter and reciver set and a reflector....

But all the title says is: LENCARTA SMART FLASH STARTER KIT WITH 2 UMBRELLAS

and the space for product description simply has their product code in....

when i spoke with a guy on the phone he seemed very vague, and seemed just to get me to order, or get off the line... he didn't know what came with it, and didn't offer any solution to find it out....

I think i will just wait for Lencarta direct to come back in stock...
 
stokes said:
thanks for the input Garry and Dave.

Their pictures and product lists leave alot to be desired. take http://www.photomart.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCatalogue=FLA0013&CatID=

for example.

It shows two lights, two umbrellas, a bag, a transmitter and reciver set and a reflector....

But all the title says is: LENCARTA SMART FLASH STARTER KIT WITH 2 UMBRELLAS

and the space for product description simply has their product code in....

when i spoke with a guy on the phone he seemed very vague, and seemed just to get me to order, or get off the line... he didn't know what came with it, and didn't offer any solution to find it out....

I think i will just wait for Lencarta direct to come back in stock...
Click to expand...

Call them and ask for Mark...he's a good guy, posts on here.
 
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