novice studio setup

Your first thought is correct, it's light bulbs on stands. I'd argue it's not a bargain - it's a rip off.
 
I bought a cheap eBay lighting setup and it's served me well, however it is a better lighting system than this. I bought it quite a while ago so I don't have a link but it consisted of three light heads and stands, and accessories such as a soft box and different umbrellas, all in a cricket type looking bag.

The light heads are cheap but are proper strobe type (I think that's right). It will be frowned upon by lots of people on this forum but it was an entry into studio lighting for me with the idea of, if I like it I'll replace it with better gear when it breaks.... But it's lasted a long time and never failed me yet.

As for a background, I went for the more expensive option of a lastolite hi-lite background with super black 'bottletop'.

I'm really happy with my setup and it was the limit of low price I was willing to drop to. I don't regret it.

I don't think the backdrop is as essential as the lighting. I did a shoot recently with a blanket over a maiden as the background and it looks pretty good.
 
hmm two totally different opinions.. thanks :)

honestly i know it sounds like "its for a mate" but really its not me.. I do outdoor action ..indoor flash is the opposite and why I know nothing.. but family member wants advice :(

so novice studio setup... reccomendations ? what price is he looking at ?
 
Actually I dont think they are differing Tony, if I am reading correctly that is, phall82 is saying his are cheap but are strobes, as in flash heads, not continuous light as the ones you have linked to seem to be.

I certainly wouldn't recommend the continuous light version in the link, having helped a friend work out the best way of using hers, they can be used but are frankly painful and require ISO through the roof to get half decent exposures, they simply don't have the power output. You friend might as well stick umbrellas infront of desklamps.


Another option to consider - does your friend already have flash guns? Yes, they won't put out the power of flash studio heads [though even a cheap gun will put out more than those bulbs on stands], but if he/she already has some, the cheap addition of some triggers and stands/brollys/sofboxes/etc could be a way to start with how to use and shape light without spending a small fortune.
 
Yv said:
Actually I dont think they are differing Tony, if I am reading correctly that is, phall82 is saying his are cheap but are strobes, as in flash heads, not continuous light as the ones you have linked to seem to be.

I certainly wouldn't recommend the continuous light version in the link, having helped a friend work out the best way of using hers, they can be used but are frankly painful and require ISO through the roof to get half decent exposures, they simply don't have the power output. You friend might as well stick umbrellas infront of desklamps.

Another option to consider - does your friend already have flash guns? Yes, they won't put out the power of flash studio heads [though even a cheap gun will put out more than those bulbs on stands], but if he/she already has some, the cheap addition of some triggers and stands/brollys/sofboxes/etc could be a way to start with how to use and shape light without spending a small fortune.
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That's right, the ones I have aren't a continuous light source, they are strobe. I typed "studio lighting" in amazon on my phone and the top result is pretty much my setup (without the separate background equipment) and cost £169.99.

For a startup kit I would recommend it to see if it's right for them rather than spend 3 times the amount for very good quality that, although better, may be a mistake. That amazon one is a full kit. Apart from backdrops which you might not need or could improvise with.
 
Phall82 said:
That's right, the ones I have aren't a continuous light source, they are strobe. I typed "studio lighting" in amazon on my phone and the top result is pretty much my setup (without the separate background equipment) and cost £169.99.

For a startup kit I would recommend it to see if it's right for them rather than spend 3 times the amount for very good quality that, although better, may be a mistake. That amazon one is a full kit. Apart from backdrops which you might not need or could improvise with.
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Thats what I thought :thumbs:
 
Watch Garry for dissing this, but you can use the cheap ebay strobes, they're just not very good for:

Colour consistency
Recycle time
Power control
fitting modifiers

Which are all much worse than an interfit or Lencarta starter kit. So recieved wisdom says, buy a 1 light kit from one of the better brands because 1 good light will get you further than 3 crap ones.

Speedlights are usable, but I actually think they're better for people who already know what they're doing. experimenting without any previous knowledge and with no modelling lamps is haphazard, whereas, a lighting expert could get you close to perfect with just speedlights and good modifiers.
 
Phil V said:
Watch Garry for dissing this, but you can use the cheap ebay strobes, they're just not very good for:

Colour consistency
Recycle time
Power control
fitting modifiers

Which are all much worse than an interfit or Lencarta starter kit. So recieved wisdom says, buy a 1 light kit from one of the better brands because 1 good light will get you further than 3 crap ones.

Speedlights are usable, but I actually think they're better for people who already know what they're doing. experimenting without any previous knowledge and with no modelling lamps is haphazard, whereas, a lighting expert could get you close to perfect with just speedlights and good modifiers.
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I am going to get Marcel to change my user title to 'expert' :D :lol:


Seriously though, Phils points are all valid and it will very much depend on how much they are prepared to spend [cheap v expensive], practice [speedlights] and post process [cheap heads]
 
I started out a few months ago by buying a couple of soft boxes that were quite cheap on Amazon. As Yv says the power output simply isn't enough for portraits and trying to get a decent shot with them was frustrating and disappointing.

I've since bought a speedlight which I'm experimenting with off camera in conjunction with an umbrella. Even after just a few shots the results are a big improvement on what I tried before.
 
Phil V said:
Watch Garry for dissing this, but you can use the cheap ebay strobes, they're just not very good for:

Colour consistency
Recycle time
Power control
fitting modifiers

Which are all much worse than an interfit or Lencarta starter kit. So recieved wisdom says, buy a 1 light kit from one of the better brands because 1 good light will get you further than 3 crap ones.

Speedlights are usable, but I actually think they're better for people who already know what they're doing. experimenting without any previous knowledge and with no modelling lamps is haphazard, whereas, a lighting expert could get you close to perfect with just speedlights and good modifiers.
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I'm not going to diss anything, people have different needs, different budgets, different expectations.

I had a long, personal conversation with a friend last night, told him a bit about my life history, when I lost just about everything I owned and somehow had to pick up the pieces and carry on. All that I could manage at that time was some second hand and totally horrible photoflood lamps, I also picked up some old hotshoe flashguns from car boot sales.

And I managed. I managed to do everything I had to do, and used profits to buy what I really needed.

But, at the risk of sounding boastful, I have a LOT of knowledge and a LOT of experience. The better the equipment, the easier it gets.

Back to the subject - yes, those continuous lights are just junk. I had an email about them only yesterday from the Chinese factory that makes them - US$47 for a 2 head kit, complete with everything including bag...
 
All replies and help appreciated... howver Links and prices would be helpfull... he isnt going to understand 90% of what your all writing.. I know that because I dont understand half of it :)
 
sorry suz... posted before seeing your reply.. ta :)
 
KIPAX said:
All replies and help appreciated... howver Links and prices would be helpfull... he isnt going to understand 90% of what your all writing.. I know that because I dont understand half of it :)
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In that case, can I make a genuinely honest comment - before he splashes out on anything, he needs to learn the 'jargon' and what type of available equipment type does/how it works, before he randomly wastes several hundred quid with no knowledge whatsoever. Whether its grabbing a book, watching youtube tutorials, or attending a course. There is nothing too technical in this thread...yet.... so if this is whooshing over heads, then some learning before spending might be in order ;)
 
Garry Edwards said:
I'm not going to diss anything, people have different needs, different budgets, different expectations.
...
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I bought some of the cheap ebay heads without reading up on them. They work, but replacing them is on my 'to do' list. I have one of them bodged converted to S fit for a beauty dish.

That's a real bargain TBH as when I bought them I dropped one within weeks and smashed the flash tube. I asked the dealer for a replacement tube and there were none available. But the nice man sent me a new light FoC (not bad considering it was all my fault).

Anyway a couple of months ago I found a replacement tube, and bought an S fit converter. The converter was too small for the outside of the flash, but when I took it apart to replace the tube, I managed to fit it into the inside of the case. :thumbs:

That said, they get used about 4 times a year at present, and that doesn't justify the investment in replacements. The only way I'd get enough use out of them would be to get Safari's, back to the piggy bank then.
 
Yv said:
In that case, can I make a genuinely honest comment - before he splashes out on anything, he needs to learn the 'jargon' and what type of available equipment type does/how it works, before he randomly wastes several hundred quid with no knowledge whatsoever. Whether its grabbing a book, watching youtube tutorials, or attending a course. There is nothing too technical in this thread...yet.... so if this is whooshing over heads, then some learning before spending might be in order ;)
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OH Believe me I have tried that route.. hes 20.. in a rush.. wants some advice and not other.. family member so trying my best :) he doesnt want to be a photogrpaher.. he wants to shoot some portraits to go along wiht other stuff for portfoilios.. I think... sorry i dont know the full story... but as usual.. I have a camera so ask me :)

pointing him to this thread later today...
 
KIPAX said:
OH Believe me I have tried that route.. hes 20.. in a rush.. wants some advice and not other.. family member so trying my best :) he doesnt want to be a photogrpaher.. he wants to shoot some portraits to go along wiht other stuff for portfoilios.. I think... sorry i dont know the full story... but as usual.. I have a camera so ask me :)

pointing him to this thread later today...
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aahhh.... nuff said :thumbs:




Phil - thats pretty much me atm too - I bought one of the original cheap 3 head Lencarta kits, which was actually pretty damn good compared to some that are available, though modifiers were a problem as it was pre-s-fit. However over the years I almost completely stopped using them. Eventually, I lent them to Marcel so he can learn about lighting from them and use speedlights, which with 3 and several modifiers, do most of what I need [including mini studio shoots/pop up studios]. The next step would be Safaris, quadras, or similar but the bank balance has to be able to justify it as well as being able to justify it to myself when the speedlights are serving me so well. :|
 
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