Recommend me a Lighting Kit

whitey

whitey

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Steven
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Evening all,

Wondering if you can suggest a decent (ish) kit to get me started with portrait photography, I have a Lencarta Backdrop Stand and Backdrop to get me going there just need lighting

Guessing i will need at least the following

2 Stands
2 flash heads
2 softboxes/umbrellas
1 flash trigger
1 reflector (possibly if using umbrellas)

if there anything else i will need?

or is there a nice kit out there to get me started? whats to avoid and whats not?

Thanks all in advance
 
A little more info on what and how you intend to shoot will help give a suitable answer..
 
I will need to look into it further

plan is to so family and child portraits at either a location best for them (there place) so space maybe an issue or hire places local to them/us and go from there
 
Oh id be interested in this advice too as this is what im looking to get for those exact reasons in the new year :) although I havent got a backdrop so any advice on that too?
 
Lencarta - Great products at good prices. I do family portraits on location too. At times it is a pain, as sometimes the space is just not big enough to light b/g and subject. I have this problem at home, decent size house, just smallish rooms and furniture in the way. But, even just one light is better than using flash.

I have 2 lights, with softbox and brolly. Good light, but best of all, quick to recycle. You also get great service from them too.
 
Depends what your budget is?

I am still using Bowens lights in my studio that I must have bought at least 15 years ago, probably longer. The only tube I have replaced was because it smashed when the light fell over.

Not cheap, but I certainly recommend them!

My motto: Buy once, Buy right!

:clap:
 
I haven't put a top end onto my budget yet so open to all suggestions. at a guess though at present I wouldn't want to spend over £400

Had a look at the Lencarta website but it looks more complicated that it used to be
 
Don't Bowens do a Gemini 200 kit or something for starting up? It think it's around the £400-£500 mark.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Nah - that should do it ;)

I'll bet there's a great kit somewhere on the Lencarta site - but TBH the new site does my head in. I _think_ the main problem is that if an item's out of stock it just hides the option to buy and I THINK the Smartflash are out of stock but it's hard to say.

Don't forget to budget for some training ;) http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-st...es/portrait-lighting-workshop-20th-march-2011
Click to expand...

Yes, the SmartFlash is out of stock. The new site is supposed to be better, more efficient and more customer friendly:)
There's still a lot to do to it before it's right, but the webmaster is working his keyboard to the bone and it's getting there.

Meanwhile, there is some stock of the ElitePro heads, just click on the flash kits tab...
 
Will give you a shout Gary once I get things sorted and decide which road to go down, hearing alot of positives with lencarta so may well go for once of the "starter" kits to get me going

thinking about it more I dont want to spend £500-600 to find its something I decide i dont want to do down the line
 
whitey said:
thinking about it more I dont want to spend £500-600 to find its something I decide i dont want to do down the line
Click to expand...

There's a lot of good feedback for the Lencarta lights on here and it's worth looking into.

Also I just had a look and these appear to in stock. Good kit, I have a set myself and haven't had any problems. They are s-fit also so you can use Bowens and the more commonly available accessories. You can see my review here

Even on a budget I would keep to the more known brands. If you are worried about future proofing then do lots of research on these forums and on the internet before buying. Took me ages before I decided! lol
 
chip said:
My motto: Buy once, Buy right!

:clap:
Click to expand...
If you look at Steve's iTrader feedback and his buying and selling history you'll see that you motto and Steve's motto aren't quite aligned.

Steve, buy relatively cheap (or at least good value) so you can get to grips with portrait photography and decide if you want to spend more money on better lighting.
 
-Rob- said:
If you look at Steve's iTrader feedback and his buying and selling history you'll see that you motto and Steve's motto aren't quite aligned.
Click to expand...

:lol: I never even noticed his itrader count!!! Bloody heck!
 
-Rob- said:
If you look at Steve's iTrader feedback and his buying and selling history you'll see that you motto and Steve's motto aren't quite aligned.
Click to expand...

Cheeky git :lol:

I just like testing everything to know that I have what i want :lol:

Will give those genesis ones a look aswell, thanks Gman
 
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