Researching a studio set up

[Donnie]

Right, already have a couple of budget hot shoe flashes and the ability to use off camera, as well as a softbox for speedlite use plus an omni bounce.

However, after a play with a "Photo Light 125" setup last night that my brother lent me I think I'd like to have a small studio set up mainly for portrait type work.

The problem with the photo light setup is that, while it's sturdy, the power out put setting is either full or half, no adjustment other than that and while yes I could move the lights, Im doing this in a dining room and just don't have the room to move the lights back far enough to get the effects I want.

So, after reading a couple of the threads up top and following links to several tutorials it seems that the best setup is something with either stepped / infinite adjustment for flash power and something with S-Fit erm fittings as this allows the greatest number of accessories?

I only want a 2 light set up, 1 if Im truly honest to begin with, but just wondered what people would suggest here?

I want to keep the budget low to be honest and that means sub a couple of hundred if possible and have no problem with second or even third hand

 

[Garry Edwards]

You're thinking along the right lines - more or less. You definitely need a flash head with a proper range of adjustment, because although you can reduce the effective power of the light by moving it closer or further away, doing so also alters the size of the light source (relative to the subject) which completely changes the quality of the light as well as the quantity; and changing the distance also affects the way in which the light falls off from the part of the subject nearest the light to the part furthest from the light, so using distance to adjust power is a very bad idea. You need adjustment.

Your budget isn't enough, although you may just about get away with £200 if the second hand stuff is old, but that may in itself be a bad idea.

My suggestion is to buy either new or 'new' second hand, and to buy just one light to start with, one is plenty for a lot of shots, very often knowledge and care is a very good substitute for equipment. Manufacturers like us sell kits because people want to buy them, but that doesn't mean that a kit is the only option.

For example (there are other makes you could choose instead) this ElitePro 300 flash head has a full 5 stops of adjustment, all the power you need etc. Add a light stand and a standard reflector and that's your £200 accounted for.

What can you do with that lighting gear?
Well, just by using the standard reflector and positioning the flash head at different angles, different heights and different distances, you can get at least 45 distinctly different types of lighting.

If that isn't enough for you, spend about £15 more on a white umbrella, this will improve the versatility no end. A softbox would cost more but would add to your choices. If you do get one, don't get a very big one unless you have a large space with a high ceiling.

Adding a 5 in 1 reflector won't just add to your options, it will multiply them! Reflectors are every bit as useful as extra lights, they can't produce as much power as a light but they don't normally need to.

I could carry on, but I'm sure you get the idea - and my food is ready

 

[Donnie]

Cheers Garry for the advice At least I know I was sort of on the right track.

The setup I was playing with only had umbrellas and a couple of standard reflectors as modifiers but when I did a couple of local courses at our college last year that made me get the bug / interest we had softboxes which I much prefer to use as feel the light can be better controlled. At least I seemed to be able to get to grips with them better if you see what I mean.