I imagine this has been asked a million times :)

aguycalledpaul

aguycalledpaul

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Hi talkphotography regulars.

Ive read through some similar posts to mine but still not getting my head around things and after some advice.

After going on a portrait and lighting course and watching some presentations at the Photography Show at the weekend I'm interested in starting to shoot portraits. So (baby steps here) can somebody kindly explain to my brain which is steadfastly refusing to let a lot of this in exactly what I need and budget/entry level costs?

I shoot on a Canon 70d so figure I need to start out with a flash trigger that's compatible? Just initially looking at a one or two light setup so need a sync system and softbox? Money as always rears its ugly head but could I get something OK to start with for £200-£300?
 
There's no simple answer to this, as much will depend on the amount of space you have available, the amount of ceiling height, whether you want to shoot against a white background and so on, ad nauseum...

But a good starting point is a twin head kit with 1 softbox and 1 umbrella, this is far more versatile than a kit with 2 identical modifiers and far simpler to use than a 3 or 4 head kit.

IMO this Lencarta SmartFlash kit is ideal, and at the moment an extra gold umbrella is bundled free with it - be aware though that I'm biased and other kits are available from other sellers.

Triggers/full remote control included. All triggers are compatible with your camera.
 
By 'Studio' gear most people simply mean 'Lighting' that happens to be based on flash

Unless you really do want to run a studio at some point, then Slimbert's right - cheap (yet powerful) manual flashguns are the way to go for total flexibility and for you to join the 'Strobist' community, meaning you can take them outdoors too and flash in public :D

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the iTTL / eTTL ones as I prefer the consistency that manual flash gives. You can get 3 Yongnuos and a variable power trigger for about £200 now. Source your own stands and modifiers from fleabay or some such :)

If you really do mean for inside only, or you don't need oodles of power for over-powering the Sun, then yep - let Garry sort you out - he knows his flash (that's his flash as opposed to he's flash lol)

Dave
 
Slimbert said:
Yongnuo 603 triggers, cheap Yongnuo flash, cheap stand and a cheap softbox and away you goooooooooooo.......!!
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Except that although hotshoe flashes will get you started in the sense that you'll be able to create enough quantity of light to produce well exposed shots, they have severe limitations.

Leaving aside lack of power, the problems you'll have are
No modelling lamp (the modelling lamp doesn't affect the shot but does show you where the shadows will fall, which is very important)
Very slow recycling. This will drive you mad, because with any decent studio flash, recycling is almost instant and hotshoe flashes are very slow. When you're shooting portraits, the best expression is always there as soon as you've taken the shot, not seconds later.
Hotshoe flashes can't fill a large softbox evenly, and so you'll be limited to small softboxes and umbrellas. Lighting isn't about getting enough light, it's about creating light, and this relies on using the right modifiers for the job, which brings you back to studio flash, which as a pretty limitless range of modifiers available.
 
Garry Edwards said:
There's no simple answer to this, as much will depend on the amount of space you have available, the amount of ceiling height, whether you want to shoot against a white background and so on, ad nauseum...

But a good starting point is a twin head kit with 1 softbox and 1 umbrella, this is far more versatile than a kit with 2 identical modifiers and far simpler to use than a 3 or 4 head kit.

IMO this Lencarta SmartFlash kit is ideal, and at the moment an extra gold umbrella is bundled free with it - be aware though that I'm biased and other kits are available from other sellers.

Triggers/full remote control included. All triggers are compatible with your camera.
Click to expand...

Sorry if this is a little bit of a thread hijack, but i'm really interested in the same info as the OP and that kit looks great, just a couple of quick questions.

If I wanted to use a white background am I right in thinking I'd need another light for that? And also any recommended backgrounds and stands etc to go with the smart flash kit you linked to?
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys. So with the Lencarta I can build up from that as and when needed?
 
mjScall said:
Sorry if this is a little bit of a thread hijack, but i'm really interested in the same info as the OP and that kit looks great, just a couple of quick questions.

If I wanted to use a white background am I right in thinking I'd need another light for that? And also any recommended backgrounds and stands etc to go with the smart flash kit you linked to?
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If you want to light a white background then yes, it's a separate subject that needs to be lit separately. Some people are happy with the results from one light on the background, but I view 2 as a minimum (for high end fashion shots I usually use 4 on the background). 2 will normally provide the necessary even lighting, unless it's a very large set.

As for choice of background, paper is my personal preference, but a lot of people use vinyl because it lasts a lot longer. Decent quality vinyl though is extremely heavy, so you'll need a really heavy duty support stand for it - avoid the cheap fleabay tat, for safety reasons.
aguycalledpaul said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys. So with the Lencarta I can build up from that as and when needed?
Click to expand...
Yes, it is infinitely expandable.
 
mjScall said:
Sorry if this is a little bit of a thread hijack, but i'm really interested in the same info as the OP and that kit looks great, just a couple of quick questions.

If I wanted to use a white background am I right in thinking I'd need another light for that? And also any recommended backgrounds and stands etc to go with the smart flash kit you linked to?
Click to expand...

The colour of your background is determined by how much light you allow to reach it.

Place your subject directly by the background and assuming the subject is well lit the background will look much as it does to your naked eye but if you move your subject away from the wall and don't let the light reach it you'll end up with a black background regardless of its colour or go the other way and have separate lights on your background and you can end up with a pure white background.

With the right space and configuration you can pretty much do whatever you want.
 
Whilst flashguns will get you something, they're a bit more difficult to work with than proper flash heads. When you see stuff like the Strobist blog, they make it look easy, but it's a bit more complicated than they like to say .And in truth, aren't really that cheap an option either by the time you've added brackets and triggers.

The Lencarta kit is great value, other kits are available too.
If you can afford it, upgrade the 2 head kit to the Profold softbox. It's a pain in the arse when your first hour of learning to use 'this complicated new lighting gear' is taken up wrestling with a traditional softbox.
 
Thanks Phil I'll have a look. Funny how I never thought I'd be too interested in doing portraits but its really appealing to me now. Lighting fascinates me too, Im an artist and very interested in how small changes can affect the look of an image.
 
aguycalledpaul said:
Thanks Phil I'll have a look. Funny how I never thought I'd be too interested in doing portraits but its really appealing to me now. Lighting fascinates me too, Im an artist and very interested in how small changes can affect the look of an image.
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It'll get expensive once you go down that route...

Flash heads are cheap(ish), but think of them like camera bodies, the 'look' of your image is created by the lens, in the same way, the modifiers are much more important than the light source. So you'll soon be discussing the importance of the grid pocket size on your softboxes, reflector brackets, whether a white or silver beauty dish is the right option and whether you really need one of those fancy rippled ones.
 
Phil V said:
It'll get expensive once you go down that route...

Flash heads are cheap(ish), but think of them like camera bodies, the 'look' of your image is created by the lens, in the same way, the modifiers are much more important than the light source. So you'll soon be discussing the importance of the grid pocket size on your softboxes, reflector brackets, whether a white or silver beauty dish is the right option and whether you really need one of those fancy rippled ones.
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Give him 6 months and he'll be wanting to shoot portraits with flash outdoors - then he'll be cursing everyone who didn't say get speedlights :D

But yes - it can easily get a bit addictive, expensive and 'silly' too when the accessories fest kicks in lol

Having owned and shot with studio lighting for several years I sold it all and moved on to speedlights - now I shoot bare bulb a lot, my BD as my 2nd choice and a softbox that rarely comes out - but it folds and THAT is a bonus :)

Dave
 
DG Phototraining said:
Give him 6 months and he'll be wanting to shoot portraits with flash outdoors - then he'll be cursing everyone who didn't say get speedlights :D

But yes - it can easily get a bit addictive, expensive and 'silly' too when the accessories fest kicks in lol

Having owned and shot with studio lighting for several years I sold it all and moved on to speedlights - now I shoot bare bulb a lot, my BD as my 2nd choice and a softbox that rarely comes out - but it folds and THAT is a bonus :)

Dave
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Outdoors you say - you know the answer is a Safari.

I left studio stuff years ago (sold my old studio heads in about 2000), and I'm just dipping my toes back in after starting with OCF, have to say, I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would.
 
Phil V said:
Outdoors you say - you know the answer is a Safari.

I left studio stuff years ago (sold my old studio heads in about 2000), and I'm just dipping my toes back in after starting with OCF, have to say, I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Click to expand...

Safari and its ilk defo if you have the funds, but I've had some success with a simple SB800 on the sunniest of days too - there's a few examples here I did for this lass (not a model) who's into 50s styling, it's Facebook so you might have to be on FB to see it https://www.facebook.com/davegoodier/media_set?set=a.10204583551054627.1073741854.1409694925&type=3

I ditched my studio heads around 2000 as well !!! Must have been a good year for it :D

Should we organise a South Yorks OCF shoot sometime ??? :)

Sorry for highjacking the OP's thread but if he's anywhere near he's welcome to join in

Dave
 
DG Phototraining said:
Safari and its ilk defo if you have the funds, but I've had some success with a simple SB800 on the sunniest of days too - there's a few examples here I did for this lass (not a model) who's into 50s styling, it's Facebook so you might have to be on FB to see it https://www.facebook.com/davegoodier/media_set?set=a.10204583551054627.1073741854.1409694925&type=3

I ditched my studio heads around 2000 as well !!! Must have been a good year for it :D

Should we organise a South Yorks OCF shoot sometime ??? :)

Sorry for highjacking the OP's thread but if he's anywhere near he's welcome to join in

Dave
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I can't see it cos you're not my friend :(
That might be fun. I've no idea what the South Yorks TP contingent looks like though (I mean the size not the facial ticks).
 
Like 'em, I've only had the Safari out a handful of times and still 'finding my feet' my favourite was a shoot in York in the summer, but the couple are a bit reticent about posting loads of images :(
 
Curse you all! Im only just getting interested in this and your throwing next level stuff around. Now I'll want to know all about that!!!
 
aguycalledpaul said:
Curse you all! Im only just getting interested in this and your throwing next level stuff around. Now I'll want to know all about that!!!
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Just don't go beyond post12 which is in response to your 'personality disorder'.
 
Paul, I have recently gone through the same as you although I already had flashguns, I wanted something with a little more poke for home use. I listened to the advise of Phil and Garry above and got the below kit but changed the softboxes to 100x70 profold ones, also got a couple of umbrellas and reflectors + a beauty dish..all relatively inexpensive and I can whole heartedly say the advice was spot on and I am very happy with this kit.

http://www.lencarta.com/studio-ligh...martflash-studio-flash-lighting-kit_softboxes

the Lencartas are rebrands of another manufacturer which you can pick up on ebay a little less...but its not worth the small saving you would get as the support you will get with lencarta is worth it...plus you dont have to deal with Ebay or paypal which is a big bonus in my book :)
 
quango2k said:
Paul, I have recently gone through the same as you although I already had flashguns, I wanted something with a little more poke for home use. I listened to the advise of Phil and Garry above and got the below kit but changed the softboxes to 100x70 profold ones, also got a couple of umbrellas and reflectors + a beauty dish..all relatively inexpensive and I can whole heartedly say the advice was spot on and I am very happy with this kit.

http://www.lencarta.com/studio-ligh...martflash-studio-flash-lighting-kit_softboxes

the Lencartas are rebrands of another manufacturer which you can pick up on ebay a little less...but its not worth the small saving you would get as the support you will get with lencarta is worth it...plus you dont have to deal with Ebay or paypal which is a big bonus in my book :)
Click to expand...
No, the Lencarta's (apart from the Atom) are NOT rebrands, and the items you can get elsewhere that look the same or similar are in fact all different (lower) spec and lower performance. The confusion arises from the fact that tooling for the cases is very expensive, so we get our modified products put into the existing manufacturers cases
 
Garry Edwards said:
No, the Lencarta's (apart from the Atom) are NOT rebrands, and the items you can get elsewhere that look the same or similar are in fact all different (lower) spec and lower performance. The confusion arises from the fact that tooling for the cases is very expensive, so we get our modified products put into the existing manufacturers cases
Click to expand...

I stand corrected :)
 
I think the OP needs to think where he wants to use the flashes. If its inside or not remote then studio flash heads are the way to go.
If you want a cheaper alternative then camera flashes like Yongnuo with a set of triggers and some modifiers etc ( this will give you the option of external use too).
The final option is portability, use anywhere, inside or out. Here you have the options of the Lencarta Atoms (or Godox version) Lencarta Safari (very powerful) or any of the new battery version heads. Phottix Indra 500, Flashpoint Rovelight/Jinbei HD-600.
I know you have a budget but you need to give that budget serious thought, the last thing you want to do is not choose the right option and regret it.
 
I have 2 of the Atoms (Godox) and have all the different attachments including the honey comb. They don't have modelling lights but they work flawlessly.
I do like the look of the Jinbei it wasn't out when I got my Atoms, but I think I will purchase one soon to have a play
 
gary996 said:
I have 2 of the Atoms (Godox) and have all the different attachments including the honey comb. They don't have modelling lights but they work flawlessly.
I do like the look of the Jinbei it wasn't out when I got my Atoms, but I think I will purchase one soon to have a play
Click to expand...
The Jinbei ones aren't in the same class
 
gary996 said:
How about he Phottix Indra?
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Sorry, no personal experience of those.

One thing that we need to remember though... Although some manufacturers have real technological capability, and can actually engineer products that work (others just copy without understanding the technical issues) hotshoe flashguns are now regarded (at least by their makers) as consumable items that aren't intended to last long. And, the more 'clever' they are, the more likely they are to fail quickly, even if they ever work as claimed. And the harder they have to work, e.g. used at full power in an attempt to create light in bright sunlight rather than just add to the existing light, or used as studio lights, the shorter the expected life.

And that, basically, is why Lencarta doesn't sell them - we have a 3 year warranty on all products and so we can't afford to sell them.
 
Order placed.

For now Im looking at using a spare room for a mini studio and visiting people homes (if they have the space). Watching the pros shooting at the Photography Show was interesting an inspiring. Can't wait to start.
 
SmartFlash 2 400Ws Lighting kit with 1 softbox & 1 umbrella plus a honeycomb grid to get me started.
 
So my items arrived and Im setting up at home....can I get the softbox together? Can I get the umbrella on? No, no and thrice no. No help on the internet either. Can anyone advise? The speedring seemingly has only one socket to put one of the poles in. i can get that one in fine, oh yes I can! But the other three look at me like three lost duckings. The umbrella has taken to calling me a 'noob' while throwing pistachio shells at me.
 
hmm, all mine went together with no fuss...not that it helps you much :)

what softbox did you go for? just the default little one or did you swap it out?
 
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As you look at that image, if it's a rectangular softbox it's 12, 2, 6, 8

If it's square, it's 11, 2, 5, 8

I reckon.
 
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