Lights for new studio.

wcavanagh

wcavanagh

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So I will have my studio ready to start kitting out in the next few weeks. So need to start thinking about lighting etc.

Been looking at Lencarta ElitePro's, but looking for some suggestions. I think I will need 4 heads, going to have a 3m wide by 3m high by 3m depth setup.

Was thinking about wall mounting these on sizzer things.

What's everyone's thoughts and advice, this is my 1st studio setup, I will be doing portraits, and pet photography.

Open to all ideas, the studio space is 6m x 6m

Was thinking rectangle soft boxes for lighting the background one each side.

Then two more, with boxes and umbrellas, depending on what I am doing.

All thoughts and pointers welcome. I am not looking to spend a fortune but dont want a cheap eBay kit. :)
 
wcavanagh said:
So I will have my studio ready to start kitting out in the next few weeks. So need to start thinking about lighting etc.

Been looking at Lencarta ElitePro's, but looking for some suggestions. I think I will need 4 heads, going to have a 3m wide by 3m high by 3m depth setup.

Was thinking about wall mounting these on sizzer things.
What's everyone's thoughts and advice, this is my 1st studio setup, I will be doing portraits, and pet photography.

Open to all ideas, the studio space is 6m x 6m

Was thinking rectangle soft boxes for lighting the background one each side.
Then two more, with boxes and umbrellas, depending on what I am doing.

All thoughts and pointers welcome. I am not looking to spend a fortune but dont want a cheap eBay kit. :)
Click to expand...

Wall mounting your lights will save you space, but severely restrict your ability to adjust lighting positions - lighting is about placing lights where they produce the effect you want, not having them in some kind of 'standard' place.

Softboxes will do fine for lighting a background evenly - but so will white reflective umbrellas, and for a fraction of the cost
 
Cheers,

How about ceiling rail systems? I am very open to all ideas, im not against stands either. Just thinking of ideas before I burn the credit card big time with 1k worth of goodies.
 
I have a couple of arms across the roof trusses but do find that they are not necessarily in the right position. They are ideal for lighting my backdrop but that it just where they happen to be in my studio. I really do like the ElitePro lights :thumbs:
 
Cool, how about wall mounts with 2m up and down movement, and 1.4m back and forward movement, just for lighting the background.

Then air damped stands for the main two lights?

The ElitePro's look pretty nice, and will more than likely be what I go for :)
 
wcavanagh said:
Cool, how about wall mounts with 2m up and down movement, and 1.4m back and forward movement, just for lighting the background.

Then air damped stands for the main two lights?

The ElitePro's look pretty nice, and will more than likely be what I go for :)
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Garry is the expert, I really am new to this VERY new but I would suggest a couple of poles across your studio at nearly roof height would be better than on the walls. If I had the space to spare I wouldn't bother with my roof track (truss plus manfrotto arm/clamp) but would stick to stands. You are more likely to get the location spot on if you are not restricted with your location. My cross truss is just ideal in front of the wall my backdrop is on.
 
Look at all the reflectors/modifiers that you might ever want, and choose a manufacturer who has everything on your wish list in their range even if you cannot afford to buy it all at once (who can?).

All my lights are Bowens, so every accessory will fit every light.

Not sure what make you can get to equip an entire studio with 1k though.

Buy once.... buy right :)
 
chip said:
Look at all the reflectors/modifiers that you might ever want, and choose a manufacturer who has everything on your wish list in their range even if you cannot afford to buy it all at once (who can?).

All my lights are Bowens, so every accessory will fit every light.

Not sure what make you can get to equip an entire studio with 1k though.

Buy once.... buy right :)
Click to expand...

I would personally disagree. Just make sure that all the accessories are available in YOUR fit. The most popular fit appears to be "Bowens S fit" so that would mean ANY Bowens accessories using their own S fit also fit all the Lencarta range plus other manufacturers.
 
Cheers, the 1k is just for the 4 lights and stands. That is not for soft boxes, etc. Maybe I will be better having 4 stands, this is exactly why im asking here, I don't mind learning the hard way but when it costs me lots of £'s im not so keep for the sake of a few questions here :)
 
wcavanagh said:
Cheers, the 1k is just for the 4 lights and stands. That is not for soft boxes, etc. Maybe I will be better having 4 stands, this is exactly why im asking here, I don't mind learning the hard way but when it costs me lots of £'s im not so keep for the sake of a few questions here :)
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You are better off buying it all in one go if you can as Lencarta do deals on whole packages which include what you'll need. There is currently a 600w Elitepro light in the For Sale section plus you could then get a 3x300w Lencarta light setup giving you one brighter light just in case it is required for a particular task. Ask Garry about the specifics but you can pick any 3 light set and swap and change soft boxes etc. I really like the octo softboxes due to the more pleasing catch lights personally.
 
Oh and you seriously want to look at taking up the reduced price offer on one of the Lencarta training days. The training is as important as the kit !! I bet that someone with a 3 light studio imaging £200 kit would get better results than a rank novice with a £1000 Lencarta set and no idea how to use it! (I have no idea what your level of knowledge is re studio photography - This is just a general addition, I have been on one training day and have two more booked :))
 
wcavanagh said:
So I will have my studio ready to start kitting out in the next few weeks. So need to start thinking about lighting etc.

Been looking at Lencarta ElitePro's, but looking for some suggestions. I think I will need 4 heads, going to have a 3m wide by 3m high by 3m depth setup.

Was thinking about wall mounting these on sizzer things.

What's everyone's thoughts and advice, this is my 1st studio setup, I will be doing portraits, and pet photography.

Open to all ideas, the studio space is 6m x 6m

Was thinking rectangle soft boxes for lighting the background one each side.

Then two more, with boxes and umbrellas, depending on what I am doing.

All thoughts and pointers welcome. I am not looking to spend a fortune but dont want a cheap eBay kit. :)
Click to expand...



I can't give you any thought's on how you set the studio up, but I do know someone with the Elite Pro 330 kit in their studio. With just two heads she is doing some fab portraits... If you fancy meeting up ;et me know.. I am not far away... Would be nice to meet a local tog from here too...
 
cowasaki said:
You are better off buying it all in one go if you can as Lencarta do deals on whole packages which include what you'll need. There is currently a 600w Elitepro light in the For Sale section plus you could then get a 3x300w Lencarta light setup giving you one brighter light just in case it is required for a particular task. Ask Garry about the specifics but you can pick any 3 light set and swap and change soft boxes etc. I really like the octo softboxes due to the more pleasing catch lights personally.
Click to expand...

I have no problems in doing the lot in one go. The problem I do have is what to take, lol.

Look like the Elitepro is taken in the sale section, dam shame, put in a 2nd dibs if it falls thu :)
 
cowasaki said:
I would personally disagree. Just make sure that all the accessories are available in YOUR fit. The most popular fit appears to be "Bowens S fit" so that would mean ANY Bowens accessories using their own S fit also fit all the Lencarta range plus other manufacturers.
Click to expand...

Fair point. I just had a look at Lencarta and that might be the way to go to keep in budget as I recently forked out £1250 for a 2-head (inc Travelpack) Bowens kit! Great lights though :D
 
cowasaki said:
Oh and you seriously want to look at taking up the reduced price offer on one of the Lencarta training days. The training is as important as the kit !! I bet that someone with a 3 light studio imaging £200 kit would get better results than a rank novice with a £1000 Lencarta set and no idea how to use it! (I have no idea what your level of knowledge is re studio photography - This is just a general addition, I have been on one training day and have two more booked :))
Click to expand...

I think that is a great idea. Will look into this too for sure. Once I got the kit setup, then I can come back and play with and test out what I have learned. :)
 
chip said:
Fair point. I just had a look at Lencarta and that might be the way to go to keep in budget as I recently forked out £1250 for a 2-head (inc Travelpack) Bowens kit! Great lights though :D
Click to expand...

I just cant bring myself to buy Browens at the start of this business :)
 
Can I just ask what you need FOUR lights for? Three is normally enough for most tasks and would leave more for modifiers which are just as important as the lights. I have 5 lights but one is a cheap 180w light, 2 are Lencarta Safari lights and 2 are ElitePros. I use one Safari as a studio light with the 2 Lencartas giving me three lights at a time.
 
Rough Edges said:
I can't give you any thought's on how you set the studio up, but I do know someone with the Elite Pro 330 kit in their studio. With just two heads she is doing some fab portraits... If you fancy meeting up ;et me know.. I am not far away... Would be nice to meet a local tog from here too...
Click to expand...

Always welcome another local tog to throw ideas around, and test out the studio, will be up for that once built and ready.
 
cowasaki said:
Can I just ask what you need FOUR lights for? Three is normally enough for most tasks and would leave more for modifiers which are just as important as the lights. I have 5 lights but one is a cheap 180w light, 2 are Lencarta Safari lights and 2 are ElitePros. I use one Safari as a studio light with the 2 Lencartas giving me three lights at a time.
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Just to allow for the the unforeseen. No particular reason.

I have about a further £500 for soft boxes, and stuff

Sorry should have said, looking around the £1500 - £1800 spend on kit, excluding background as I have that sorted already :)
 
wcavanagh said:
I just cant bring myself to buy Browens at the start of this business :)
Click to expand...

Having spent three months planning and then buying my Lencarta kit I know what you mean. If I were going for a 3 light setup from scratch I would look at this:

ElitePro Professional Portrait Kit Price including VAT: £879.95

2 x ElitePro 300(300Ws) Flash Heads (FLA001)
1 x ElitePro 600 (600Ws) Flash Head (FLA002)
3 x Light Stands (STA002)
2 x Standard Reflectors (MOD021)
1 x White shoot through Umbrella (UMB004)
1 x 95cm Octa Softbox SOF008
1 x 4 channel radio trigger (TRI008)
1 x 5-in-1 reflector kit (REF001)

Each flash head also includes:
1 x protective head cap
1 x 250 watt modelling lamp
1 x mains lead (with UK plug)
1 x synch cable

The saving is £160 approx so worth getting the kit.

I would swap the battery trigger for the mains trigger (they are the same price but the mains one never needs a battery in the receiver - The one you always forget to turn off!).

Then swap one reflector @ 19.95 for another softbox (ie you pick a softbox you want and then knock £19.95 off the price because you don't need the reflector WITH a softbox)

The 95cm octo softbox is great it is what I use as my primary modifier (although your studio is bigger so you might want to pay the difference for a bigger one). I did buy one of Lencarta's strip boxes but that was because I wanted one for a particular effect. A normal square or rectangular one would still be of use.

If you put together an idea for what you want then ask Garry he will be able to advise though.
 
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Rough Edges said:
Cool.. If you fancy a coffee anytime somewhere let me know.. Are you in Windsor Maidenhead?
Your location here is Windsor but your site says Maidenhead..
I am just up the road in Marlow...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am in Maidenhead, just down by boulters lock
 
cowasaki said:
Having spent three months planning and then buying my Lencarta kit I know what you mean. If I were going for a 3 light setup from scratch I would look at this:

ElitePro Professional Portrait Kit Price including VAT: £879.95

2 x ElitePro 300(300Ws) Flash Heads (FLA001)
1 x ElitePro 600 (600Ws) Flash Head (FLA002)
3 x Light Stands (STA002)
2 x Standard Reflectors (MOD021)
1 x White shoot through Umbrella (UMB004)
1 x 95cm Octa Softbox SOF008
1 x 4 channel radio trigger (TRI008)
1 x 5-in-1 reflector kit (REF001)

Each flash head also includes:
1 x protective head cap
1 x 250 watt modelling lamp
1 x mains lead (with UK plug)
1 x synch cable

The saving is £160 approx so worth getting the kit.

I would swap the battery trigger for the mains trigger (they are the same price but the mains one never needs a battery in the receiver - The one you always forget to turn off!).

Then swap one reflector @ 19.95 for another softbox (ie you pick a softbox you want and then knock £19.95 off the price because you don't need the reflector WITH a softbox)

The 95cm octo softbox is great it is what I use as my primary modifier (although your studio is bigger so you might want to pay the difference for a bigger one). I did buy one of Lencarta's strip boxes but that was because I wanted one for a particular effect. A normal square or rectangular one would still be of use.

If you put together an idea for what you want then ask Garry he will be able to advise though.
Click to expand...

Fantastic, that is the sort of thing I am looking for. Thank you. I will most defiantly get Garry to sort out a kit. That would be a pretty good start. Then I can buy extra as I find a need. I am not expecting to get every single thing I ever need in one hit.
 
wcavanagh said:
Fantastic, that is the sort of thing I am looking for. Thank you. I will most defiantly get Garry to sort out a kit. That would be a pretty good start. Then I can buy extra as I find a need. I am not expecting to get every single thing I ever need in one hit.
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I am not a big fan of umbrellas BUT having one umbrella and a reflector is handy. One other thing I would look at IF funds permit is the honeycomb kit for the ElitePros which are quite useful.

http://www.lencarta.com/index.php?p...ategory_id=22&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53

It is £79.95 but worth the outlay. If you can afford it I would actually buy the extra softbox without trading in the reflector.

So (rounded up the pence) £880+80+the cost of another softbox. You can always buy a fourth light later if you find you really need one but don't forget the training day at £30.

I like spending other peoples money :)
 
LOL, sweet as mate. Looks like we have a bit of a plan now. Roll on the cabin build I say. I am starting the base tomorrow :)
 
No probs, if you get the training day which you really should I will probably see you there as I have 2 booked in oct/nov :thumbs:
 
Just to throw something else into the mix. I have been sent a 20% discount code for Calumet website. They do a range of lights, etc. Anyone got any feedback on these?

Again still looking at my options.

Cheers.
 
wcavanagh said:
Just to throw something else into the mix. I have been sent a 20% discount code for Calumet website. They do a range of lights, etc. Anyone got any feedback on these?

Again still looking at my options.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

To be honest I did compare several brands when I looked and the Lencarta stuff did appear to be a good chunk under the price of the alternatives. With the kit price saving about 15% anyway I would suggest if would not save you much even if they were priced like for like.
 
There are many options open to you.

Calumet Lights are excellent, their genesis models I have a few of and am very impressed. I'm an Elinchrom boy, and they have many excellent kits available that offer more features than Lencarta but cost extra. I think I have seven Elinchrom lights at the moment, all have served me well.

Is this just for a studio, and you can never foresee going out on location? If I was starting out today, I'd be very tempted by the Bowens because of all their newer lights are AC/DC with their travel pack battery system, which is very tempting. Something like this, though Im sure you could get it cheaper...

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/BW4950UK/

Elinchrom are mostly either battery or mains, though are excellent in both. I wish Bowens did Radio remote control though.
 
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