Kit for location shoots

Jeff.B

Jeff.B

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Planning on launching into portrait photography in people's homes, I already do some studio work in hired studios but it is not always convenient for families to travel.

What would be an ideal lighting kit to do this. I already have speedlights but think using proper studio lights would look a bit more professional (and help justify a decent price band). Don't mind spending a few £££'s but not going mad. Also would a hi-lite be a worthwhile investment, if so which size would be the most versatile. And would soft boxes or umbrellas be the most useful.

Thanks

jeff
 
There's quite a few full kits for sale on here at the moment.
I've heard nothing but good things about the hi-lite.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I had the money spare.
 
Jeff.B said:
Thanks for the link Michael, I had already looked at that but feel it is a tad expensive, looking more toward mains studio lighting for use indoors.

jeff
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Micheal, just looked at your website, very convincing argument for protable flash, possible for the future though.

jeff
 
The Safari Li-on can be used both when you do and you don't have mains power, but as you will (usually) have it I think the obvious choice is either the Lencarta SmartFlash or the ElitePro, both of which are mains powered.

The SmartFlash are cheaper, the ElitePro 300 have more features and half a stop more power. Either will do the job.

As for whether you should get umbrellas or softboxes, my usual advice is to get a kit with 2 umbrellas but add a softbox too. Umbrellas have their uses - reflective as a keylight or a hairlight, shoot through as a fill light - but the light is fairly uncontrolled and this can be a problem in a small shooting space. Softboxes produce far more controlled light but cost a lot more. For your needs, the obvious choice is a folding softbox, the light quality is the same as the non folding ones but they're much easier and quicker to set up.

As for the Hi-lite, I'm not a great fan of the results that many people get from them but they are extremely useful in small spaces. The larger one is obviously more versatile than the smaller one but needs a degree in physics to fold it up, instead of the A level needed for the smaller one:)

Whichever one you get, you'll need 2 flash heads to light it well.
 
Ben: said:
There's quite a few full kits for sale on here at the moment.
I've heard nothing but good things about the hi-lite.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I had the money spare.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ben, will keep my eye on the classified.

jeff
 
Jeff.B said:
Thanks Gary, appreciate the advice, perhaps the Smartflash or ElitePro to start then a upgrade as and when, plenty to think about.

jeff
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Jeff, if you can stretch, I'd go for the EP300, as you can always turn them down if needs be, but you can't turn the smartflash up beyond the 200ws if you need more oomph!
Excellent heads, I have four in my studios, along with EP600s
 
Depends how rich the clients are. For small homes I'd use speedlights.
 
I always wonder if joe public looks at my setup with speedlights and wonders if it looks less than professional? So far, no-one has offered a negative response, so I guess not and they are great for peoples homes who generally have limited space.

If you have speedlites why not go with them? Ok, there are positives and negatives against mains powered lights, but they do the job, which is the main thing.

Mains powered lights for me is on the wish list, but until they are a direct, regular requirement, I'm keeping with my speedlites.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
I always wonder if joe public looks at my setup with speedlights and wonders if it looks less than professional?
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Why would anyone think that?
I bet you don't judge your car mechanic or plumber etc by the tools you see them use, you just judge them by the quality of their work.

I can think of a few good reasons to use studio flash, but customer perception isn't one of them:)
 
Garry Edwards said:
Why would anyone think that?
I bet you don't judge your car mechanic or plumber etc by the tools you see them use, you just judge them by the quality of their work.

I can think of a few good reasons to use studio flash, but customer perception isn't one of them:)
Click to expand...

The reason I reflected this thought was becuase of the OP's opening post which contained...

Jeff.B said:
I already have speedlights but think using proper studio lights would look a bit more professional (and help justify a decent price band).
jeff
Click to expand...

I think a speedlite setup can, and is, perceived a pro setup IMO. It's very versatile but can be limited for some applications where lots of power or continued fast refresh is required, but no cables and quick to setup. It's a winner for my requirements which include home photshoots.
 
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Marcus Geezer said:
The reason I reflected this thought was becuase of the OP's opening post which contained...
Click to expand...


I think a speedlite setup can, and is, perceived a pro setup IMO. It's very versatile but can be limited for some applications where lots of power or continued fast refresh is required, but no cables and quick to setup. It's a winner for my requirements which include home photshoots.
Click to expand...
And I accept that some people do believe this - or maybe in some cases they want to believe it to rationalise a buying decision - but it doesn't make it right.

Yes, the slow recycling and lack of power is a bit of a drawback with hotshoe flashes, but I see the bigger problems as being lack of modelling lights and lack of proper light modifiers, which tempts people to be lazy and just create simple, flat lighting that doesn't do justice to the subjects
 
Garry Edwards said:
And I accept that some people do believe this - or maybe in some cases they want to believe it to rationalise a buying decision - but it doesn't make it right.

Yes, the slow recycling and lack of power is a bit of a drawback with hotshoe flashes, but I see the bigger problems as being lack of modelling lights and lack of proper light modifiers, which tempts people to be lazy and just create simple, flat lighting that doesn't do justice to the subjects
Click to expand...

Agree. Yet another self justification to one day get a mains lighting setup!

Sorry for threadjacking a little Jeff.

:thumbs:
 
Marcus Geezer said:
I always wonder if joe public looks at my setup with speedlights and wonders if it looks less than professional? So far, no-one has offered a negative response, so I guess not and they are great for peoples homes who generally have limited space.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing Joe Public hasn't a clue what the difference between a speedlight and a powered head is.

I'd go so far as to say that if you put a goat holding a speedlight inside an umbrella they wouldn't think it less professional once the pics you provided them with were good
 
I have the 6x7 hilite which I use with an Elemental kit I bought lst year. The studio lights are 250w a piece and I use one poking through the side of the hilite with the other OCL.

Here's one from today's shoot:

The clients always seem to be impressed with the set up :)

6182458477_8a667c7f64_b.jpg
 
I used speedlights. A couple of sb900's and some sb28's and they where a great little setup. Ive since bought 4 Lencarta smartflashes and haven't looked back...

The build quality is great, the recycle speed is so so much better, the modelling light simply rocks... I was so happy... Until I played with some bowens 500r's in the studio I hire. But they are serious money
 
Thanks fr all the helpful comments. I have used the speedlights a couple of times but they are a little limited. If asked to do a shoot in someones home you often don't know until you get there what will be required. For head and shoulders, waist up or even some floor shots then OK, but if full length or group shots are required then the speedlights could prove inadequate. The last thing you want to do is make excuses for your equipement.

jeff
 
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