Portable Studio Equipment

[BalSanghera]

Have given up on the idea of having dedicated studio at home as just dont have the space I need. So will look into investing into some portable studio equipment and hiring locations as and when required.

Can anyone recommend a portable studio set that can be set up and packed away neatly and fit in a car.

I found this http://www.stevesphotoshop.co.uk/digital_portrait_studio_kit_200cm.html

but would this really do a decent job?

 

[Kris]

Portable as in small?

Or portable as in location, ie battery powered?

 

[BalSanghera]

Portable as in small and that can be setup indoors.

 

[david1701]

no it looks like *****

what looks do you want?

I'm assuming you rent big spaces so its 3+ decent studio lights I'd be looking at elemental/lencarta units at least one model up from the base (as the base units from every entry level brand are a bit ****) so genesis or trinity lights (I use old elemental M series lights) and then a decent background support system and either paper or vinyl again depending on what you want to shoot (personally I'd take white paper and a big space and its got sooooo much mileage)

think about the floor and think about what you want to shoot.

 

[Mahoneyd187]

I use a lastolite hilite and vinyl train. Other options are seamless paper or vinyl on a background support.

That cube thing is awful on so many levels sorry, I don't recommend wasting your money on that

 

[BalSanghera]

I wont be parting with any cash until my enquires come back, the main thing I am looking for is lighting I can take with me on my travels (mobile photography). Backgrounds dont really matter for now, but was looking at something like Bowens Gemini 400/400 Twin Head Studio Kit (with Radio Trigger) but as I have never done anything with this sorted of lighting I need to make sure I make the right choice.

 

[Mahoneyd187]

Bowens and Elinchrom are great. Better build quality than cheaper manufacturers.

I will recommend elinchrom as its what I use, and I love their modifiers.

 

[BalSanghera]

Bowens and Elinchrom are great. Better build quality than cheaper manufacturers.

I will recommend elinchrom as its what I use, and I love their modifiers.

Any links and recommended retailers, think I need to invest in flash system to move forward.

 

[itsdavedotnet]

you need three lights for white seamless for any amount of people or professional use, a dual set of bowens won't do it...

 

[JonathanRyan]

I found this http://www.stevesphotoshop.co.uk/digital_portrait_studio_kit_200cm.html

but would this really do a decent job?

No. Or rather you may possibly be able to do a decent job with it but it doesn't look great. For example, I'd start by throwing away the big tent

Portable as in small and that can be setup indoors.

Most kit's fairly small. It's the mods that add the size. I've never really seen a decent mains powered mono head that was much different in size from another. A head needs stuff in it to be any good. So as another sweeping generalisation - unless small = expensive, small = poor.

was looking at something like Bowens Gemini 400/400 Twin Head Studio Kit (with Radio Trigger) but as I have never done anything with this sorted of lighting I need to make sure I make the right choice.

Bowens have a great reputation. I've used plenty of other people's but never owned any of my own. Good solid make though IMO a little pricey compared to some of the quality budget kit around.

I've owned Elys and liked them - especially because they are very light for travel. Modifiers are good but tend to be on the pricey side due to fewer 3rd party manufacturers.

Right now I use Lencarta Elite Pros and they seem very good indeed (though see my sig...). Somebody will be along in a minute to recommend another make....

 

[Sylvester XxX]

Ellincrom. Great build and features and very nice modifiers. Check out the flash centre.

 

[EdMoss]

Depends in your budget, I use a mixture of Bowens 400 travelpac , Bowens 500s and quantum qflash.

All are built really well and get hammered most days out in the field.
My quantums get the most use as they are easy to set up and carry around.
Lighting is a buy once item, you should never need to replace it, so don't cut corners on quality.

 

[cambsno]

Cannot fault lencarta. Value for money cannot b beaten. 3 head setups are ideal but I often find that getting 2 or even 1 light in peoples houses tough, and there are not many shoots I could have used 3 on.

Strongly recommend a lencarta setup.