Home Studio Lighting Kit On a Budget

[Pirate!]

I'm looking at the cheapo Chinese multi re-branded 750w 3 light strobe kit with backdrops from evilBay. See item: 220834838292

Essentially it's for very infrequent family portraits and maybe some product shots, but it seems like a great bang for buck buy specially as I don't have a huge space or a big budget and really don't think a higher priced set-up would be warranted.

If anyone has one of these kits (any wattage version with/without backdrops), could you share your views of it especially if you've used it for a while and could offer any pointers? I use the Sony system so will either have to use my Yongnuo adapter for the transmitter or get a dedicated version as the supplied one is for the likes of Canon/Nikon/Olympus.

I read this article: http://www.louish.com/2011/02/What_kind_of_studio_photography_lights_should_I_buy/ and noted the comments about the 300DI which is the same kit (less backdrops) as I'm considering, and it would seem that it's perfectly OK for what it is and the intended purpose. As you'll see, there are comments about various other set-up's. Would 'those in the know' concur with the article in general?

TIA.

 

[mikeplow1961]

I bought one of these kits just a couple of weeks ago. A set of 3x 300w Neewar brandeds, tripods, white brolly, silver and black brolly, two lightboxes, honeycomb filter, gels and remote trigger and receiver at, from memory, 209 quid incl delivery. Arrived the next day. The lamps in the link you posted are exactly the same as mine, just without the Neewar branding.

I know many posters who have better kit are a bit dismissive about these kits but as a first foray into using strobes I think they represent good value for money and a cheap way to begin experimenting.

Everything packs into the very good quality holdall and I'm very happy with it. Yes, if you are a jobbing photographer I'm sure you need more expensive and durable kit but if, like me, you are just wanting to use at home they are fine.

I've yet to get the third lamp out in anger as just haven't had a lot of time to play around but I can have two strobes unpacked and set up with softboxes in 5 mins. The softboxes are a bit of a faff first time you assemble them but once you've mastered it, it's easy.

I already had a couple of those 'non woven material' type backdrops so just bought the lighting kit. Don't be put off, it's a great way to venture into lighting without spending a fortune.

 

[Pirate!]

I bought one of these kits just a couple of weeks ago. A set of 3x 300w Neewar brandeds, tripods, white brolly, silver and black brolly, two lightboxes, honeycomb filter, gels and remote trigger and receiver at, from memory, 209 quid incl delivery. Arrived the next day. The lamps in the link you posted are exactly the same as mine, just without the Neewar branding.

I know many posters who have better kit are a bit dismissive about these kits but as a first foray into using strobes I think they represent good value for money and a cheap way to begin experimenting.

Everything packs into the very good quality holdall and I'm very happy with it. Yes, if you are a jobbing photographer I'm sure you need more expensive and durable kit but if, like me, you are just wanting to use at home they are fine.

I've yet to get the third lamp out in anger as just haven't had a lot of time to play around but I can have two strobes unpacked and set up with softboxes in 5 mins. The softboxes are a bit of a faff first time you assemble them but once you've mastered it, it's easy.

I already had a couple of those 'non woven material' type backdrops so just bought the lighting kit. Don't be put off, it's a great way to venture into lighting without spending a fortune.

Thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for. Seems like it's a perfect solution for a first timer for home use. I just need to hope that my adapter will work with the standard transmitter, else I'll have to buy a dedicated version (not all vendors offer the option for the different mounts), so it'll be another £10.00+ for a 4 channel transmitter/receiver.

Anyway, it now gives me greater confidence knowing that it's not a hunk of junk and that the observations of both yourself and the reviewer in the URL provided are the same. Not having any experience with lighting, it's a foray into the unknown, but hopefully the backdrops will be of an acceptable quality as well.