Simple Lencarta question...

Audrey_D

Audrey_D

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Audrey
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... will two Smartflash heads produce enough power to light a Lastolite Hilite (6x7) or would I need to look for something with more power?

Please no arguments between Lencarta and other makes, my heads nipping from reading thread after thread that heads way off course in regards to the OP :bang:

Open to suggestions on other makes but please don't confuse my little head further! :lol:

Cheers!
 
Esay. You'll blitz it at quarter power. Hilites are very efficient :thumbs:
 
Perfect... ta! :)

I had looked at supports, backgrounds etc but if i'm honest, all seems a bit much for something that is purely a hobby at the moment :)
 
Cheers Mark!

Quite excited about having a play and learning what works and what doesn't. I started reading about it all today. So many people suggesting different things but I think it's all going to be personal preference and trial and error. Bring on the challenge! :)
 
Actually that's not as simple a question as it sounds. Almost any light will "fill" a hilite - I often light one with one or two speedlights. It's going to depend on what aperture you shoot at, where you position the lights and what you plan to use for front lights.

The short answer is "yes". The long answer is "probably". ;)

How are you going to light the subject?
 
obviously as it's only a hobby I would prefer to only use one light (less expense) but from what I read one light results in uneven lit background and more editing in Photoshop. I had a wee search on here but could t find examples of it lit with just one light.

lighting my subject was my next research point. lol
 
Audrey_D said:
I had a wee search on here but could t find examples of it lit with just one light.
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It's certainly harder to get an evenly lit background with one light. Two will be much more enjoyable ;)

Audrey_D said:
lighting my subject was my next research point. lol
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Cool ;) Just as long as you research them both before buying. 3 identical lights will do the job. 4 will give you more options. But as mentioned in another thread today if money is tight then get 3 decent heads and a nice modifier rather than 4 and cutting corners. It's cheaper to add another later than upgrade ones you've already bought. Personally I'd get a 60:40 ratio oblong softbox but other people prefer other stuff.

I would strongly recommend using reflectors on the heads inside the hilite (ones like these - http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-store/light-shapers/light-shapers-1/standard-reflector)

Are there any local beginner's lighting courses near you? That would give you a chance to get some hands on before you invested. I'd love Lencarta to fly me up to the Kingdom for a tour but can't see it happening :(
 
After researching cost etc, I've decided just to have a go with the lights first then hint to Santa for the hilite.

So currently now looking at the Smartflash to get me started, and to see if i enjoy the whole studio photography malarky :)
 
Audrey_D said:
So currently now looking at the Smartflash to get me started, and to see if i enjoy the whole studio photography malarky :)
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As a new Lencarta customer (in fact I'm waiting for my order to be delivered - hint Garry ;)), I went with the 300W ProElite. Why? Two reasons: proportional modelling lights (so you can see the effects of the flashes as you set them up) and the ability to switch the beep off. Was going to get 2x 300s and 1x 200 but decided to push the boat out for 3 x 300s. I'm hoping that I'll only need to buy 1 set of lights....
 
I have seen so many different comments on the modelling lights but I'm not sure if this would be much of a disadvantage as I'm just starting out.
 
Audrey_D said:
I have seen so many different comments on the modelling lights but I'm not sure if this would be much of a disadvantage as I'm just starting out.
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No, I agree, but I paid the extra now so if I needed them in the future, I wouldn't need to change the lights. Saving the £60/light may be more important to you though. Also, don't forget that the flashes come without any reflector (which adds £10/light to the price)
 
Oh I read it as it was only the softboxes that dont come with the reflectors?

I'm not disputing the extra money, just more curious as to the difference they would make :)
 
Ability to get an idea of the shadows once the flash actually fires. Say you set one flash to full power and the other to 1/16th power, the proportional lighting will give you an idea of how the two lights affect the photo. Without proportional lights, you won't see the effect of the proportion of the light used until you take the photo.

If you buy a Lencarta kit, you will probably find they are included depending on the kit. It does say. The heads on their own definitely don't come with a reflector. Sorry for any confusion.
 
arad85 said:
Ability to get an idea of the shadows once the flash actually fires. Say you set one flash to full power and the other to 1/16th power, the proportional lighting will give you an idea of how the two lights affect the photo. Without proportional lights, you won't see the effect of the proportion of the light used until you take the photo.

If you buy a Lencarta kit, you will probably find they are included depending on the kit. It does say. The heads on their own definitely don't come with a reflector. Sorry for any confusion.
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If you're shooting in total darkness, yes.
But with room lights on/daylight coming through the window etc the modelling lamps at low power won't show anything - so it all really depends on environment as well as on individual preferences.

If you buy a Lencarta kit you get reflectors if they are needed, e.g. if the kit includes umbrellas - but if the kit includes a softbox then a reflector isn't needed for that head so isn't included, to keep costs down.

Heads sold on their own don't include the reflectors because a lot of people don't want them, for example they want to use it with a beauty dish, softbox or whatever
 
Garry a wee side question for yourself, if I was ordering tonight would I expect delivery on friday? It's just so i know what address to put with the order :)

I'm swaying towards the smartflash, one umbrella and one softbox. Think it'd be more than enough for what I will be needing it for at the moment.
 
Audrey, I ordered a single Smartflash and Profold Softbox last week and after several hours "play" at the weekend can whole-heartedly recommend one. A doddle to set-up, you'll be shooting in no time. A single light would be a good start unless of course you need the additional light(s) immediately.

If memory serves, I ordered early Wednesday morning and it arrived Friday before noon.

Here's an example (cropped) I took of my youngest with it:-

HarrySmartflashTP.jpg
 
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lovely picture :)

ive been lucky enough in that the shoots I've done have been outside or sports based where no flash/lights are used so this whole lighting malarky is new to me... but I'm eager to learn :)

had my first shot of my new umbrella/sb600 set up tonight and I already see how a more powerful source and additional background lights would improve images. I can see this being a long, slow learning curve :)

is that image only taken with the smartflash or did you use any other lighting? :)
 
Thanks. Single Smartflash and 70x100 profold softbox. I did have a couple of speedlites on the background but i had problems triggering them. Start with one light and progress frim there, you'll get the hang of it i'm sure.
 
Audrey_D said:
Garry a wee side question for yourself, if I was ordering tonight would I expect delivery on friday? It's just so i know what address to put with the order :)

I'm swaying towards the smartflash, one umbrella and one softbox. Think it'd be more than enough for what I will be needing it for at the moment.
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Yes
 
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