Modeling lamp for use with speedlights, etc

[kartracer]

Not having the budget for a proper lighting kit I decided to make do with Speedlights, for now. Of course, its dark, and I can't see to focus. What can I use as a 'modeling light'?

 

[scoff]

what about something like http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/50189198
Would have thought any kind of lamp would do the trick!

 

[whittyp]

best to get something with a daylight bulb in it

 

[PatrickO]

Do you mean you can't see to manually focus, or that the autofucus isn't working in the dark?

 

[kartracer]

er, both

I need a light that won't mess up the white balance.

So yes, I suppose, anything with a daylight bulb...
and maybe something with a long lead, and footswitch
(IKEA springs to mind).

Edit

That said, does anyone know of a particular product?
IKEA is a good place to waste time, and they seem
to design the aisles so that people can't get out!

 

[PSILVERMAN]

AF illumination. You should have it in your speedlight.

 

[whittyp]

Generally you flash will be the brightest light so unless you are using longer exposures to mix in some ambient you should not encounter too much of an issue.

 

[HoppyUK]

Turn on the room lights?

 

[Flash In The Pan]

My patented torch?

 

[kartracer]

Some great ideas there!

 

[tdodd]

Try a test shot at 1/250, 100 ISO, f/5.6 or narrower with the curtains closed and the room lights on, BUT NO FLASH. How much of an image do you see? If it's none, or barely anything, then your white balance is unlikely to be compromised by leaving the lights on. If it's not registering then it's not registering.

I just tried it myself. The room looks pitch black. In fact even the glow on the wall above the wall light (bulb concealed from direct view) barely registers. Opening up to f/2.8, for practical purposes the room still appears dark.