small home studio set ups

Retrophonica said:
but I actually got far better results using a Sigma Speedlight and a couple of reflectors
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This kind of made me laugh a little... Because it makes sense. I imagine the speedlight is lighting from a more frontal direction as a hard light and the reflectors are bouncing in some softer fill at a much lower ratio... pretty much what we were trying to get to with the softbox/snoot.
Retrophonica said:
Pretty fed up how this turned out but have enjoyed all the tutorials and support
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Sorry you couldn't get to a suitable solution with the Portas... but kudos to you for sticking with it and giving it an honest go.
I can't really suggest lights for UK as I'm in the US... my understanding is that Lencarta is a very good choice for budget *with* good customer support/service.
 
sk66 said:
This kind of made me laugh a little... Because it makes sense. I imagine the speedlight is lighting from a more frontal direction as a hard light and the reflectors are bouncing in some softer fill at a much lower ratio... pretty much what we were trying to get to with the softbox/snoot.

Sorry you couldn't get to a suitable solution with the Portas... but kudos to you for sticking with it and giving it an honest go.
I can't really suggest lights for UK as I'm in the US... my understanding is that Lencarta is a very good choice for budget *with* good customer support/service.
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Thanks for the positive comments - I really did try to make it work

It's so annoying - I knew the lights were bad - but for what I've needed over the years 'they've done' but now I'm trying to take some serious product shots - especially as they want the white on white look, they are just not up to scratch and I was getting inconsistent results and some with a blueish tint and although I'm pretty happy at Photoshop, I wanted to get the best pre-photoshop shot as possible

...and two of the lights popped and I was reluctant to throw more money at them

Also don't want to let anyone down re timescales which is why I had to throw the towel is (reluctantly) and try plan B - So far Speedlights are working ok but I'm just not feeling the control ... but I have listened to you guys and I'm building up the light (just not quite as easy with SL's)

The Lencarta option is looking promising - Just need to raid that emergency fund

Thanks for the support - you guys have been brilliant

Andy
 
No
 
Retrophonica said:
especially as they want the white on white look
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TBH, for the white on white product type shot you might actually be better off shooting on black/grey...
The black provides "negative lighting" (helps hold/define edges of anything white/reflective) when the shot is taken, and the contrast makes cutting the subject out in post a very simple task. You'll just have to fake a shadow/reflection in post if desired (it's usually pretty obvious if you pay attention, it also doesn't really matter).

Having looked at the 3 light Lencarta kit I would suggest calling and customizing it. I would replace the umbrella and one softbox with a larger softbox and a strip box. Or just ditch the umbrella and get some honeycombs for the reflector and maybe a snoot... you can always add larger softboxes/strip boxes later if you find the need.
An umbrella can be perfectly fine in some instances, but it's not really at all suitable for what you're doing.
 
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sk66 said:
TBH, for the white on white product type shot you might actually be better off shooting on black/grey...
The black provides "negative lighting" (helps hold/define edges of anything white/reflective) when the shot is taken, and the contrast makes cutting the subject out in post a very simple task. You'll just have to fake a shadow/reflection in post if desired (it's usually pretty obvious if you pay attention, it also doesn't really matter).

Having looked at the 3 light Lencarta kit I would suggest calling and customizing it. I would replace the umbrella and one softbox with a larger softbox and a strip box. Or just ditch the umbrella and get some honeycombs for the reflector and maybe a snoot... you can always add larger softboxes/strip boxes later if you find the need.
An umbrella can be perfectly fine in some instances, but it's not really at all suitable for what you're doing.
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That's really useful - thank you
I have tried cutting out and adding a little drop shadow - I quite liked the effect but the feedback was it looked too floaty - but I didn't think of doing it on black - That's a really good idea

As for my shopping list - I too, have just been looking at the 3 head setup and I was wondering the same ideal configuration!!

Why would you avoid the umbrella? too harsh?
 
Retrophonica said:
Why would you avoid the umbrella? too harsh?
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Too uncontrollable... In a large studio/outside you might not really care about what happens to the excess light/spill. But in a smaller studio, and especially for product work, you do... you want to avoid it as much as possible. And a bounce umbrella can't be placed really close when needed (a shoot through umbrella can be placed close, but it's much worse for spill/control).
 
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sk66 said:
Too uncontrollable... In a large studio/outside you don't really care about what happens to the excess light/spill. But in a smaller studio, and especially for product work, you do... you want to avoid it as much as possible. And a bounce umbrella can't be placed really close when needed (a shoot through umbrella can be placed close, but it's much worse for spill/control).
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Thanks Steven - Really appreciated
 
sk66 said:
TBH, for the white on white product type shot you might actually be better off shooting on black/grey...
The black provides "negative lighting" (helps hold/define edges of anything white/reflective) when the shot is taken, and the contrast makes cutting the subject out in post a very simple task. You'll just have to fake a shadow/reflection in post if desired (it's usually pretty obvious if you pay attention, it also doesn't really matter).

Having looked at the 3 light Lencarta kit I would suggest calling and customizing it. I would replace the umbrella and one softbox with a larger softbox and a strip box. Or just ditch the umbrella and get some honeycombs for the reflector and maybe a snoot... you can always add larger softboxes/strip boxes later if you find the need.
An umbrella can be perfectly fine in some instances, but it's not really at all suitable for what you're doing.
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Agreed, except that I wouldn't bother with a snoot - honeycombs do everything a snoot can do and more when fitted to a studio flash. A snoot is however the only viable option with a hotshoe flash (or a portaflash).
 
Going off topic (as usual) Lencarta had an ex demo, fairly basic focusing spot a few months ago. If they still have it then it will be quite cheap - can't ask them for you, I'm on the farm with no mobile phone signal.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Going off topic (as usual) Lencarta had an ex demo, fairly basic focusing spot a few months ago. If they still have it then it will be quite cheap - can't ask them for you, I'm on the farm with no mobile phone signal.
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Plus shipping to USA... but if it's really a bargain I would certainly be interested.
 
sk66 said:
Plus shipping to USA... but if it's really a bargain I would certainly be interested.
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You could ask them, support@lencarta.com but it's possible that nobody there knows about it. If necessary I can pop in there next week and get a definitive answer.
 
Garry Edwards said:
You could ask them, support@lencarta.com but it's possible that nobody there knows about it. If necessary I can pop in there next week and get a definitive answer.
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Thanks, E-mail sent.
I couldn't find a Lencarta product of that type. Is it the large fresnel type like the one you demo in a Lencarta video, similar to the Elincrome FS30? I need something much smaller/tighter than that.
 
No, nothing like the fresnel, much smaller and fitted with a small focusing condensor type lens.
 
Quick Update:

Garry, Steven - I have bought two Lencarta Smartflash 3 heads - 85x85 softbox with honeycomb - Reflector with 10 degree honeycomb and radio trigger

I just couldn't budget for 3 lights - but I will get the 3rd light as soon as I can find some extra cash

I'll get back in the studio ASAP with the white shoes and post some results

Andy
 
You've made the right decision. I have no doubt that you will go back for another head, but meanwhile you can manage with two, and only having two will force you to think it through much more too and will also make the learning process easier.

So yes, get stuck into it and post your results here - between us, we'll sort you out and a couple of days of practice will bring about a massive improvement to your quality.
 
Garry Edwards said:
You've made the right decision. I have no doubt that you will go back for another head, but meanwhile you can manage with two, and only having two will force you to think it through much more too and will also make the learning process easier.

So yes, get stuck into it and post your results here - between us, we'll sort you out and a couple of days of practice will bring about a massive improvement to your quality.
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Thanks Garry - Appreciated as usual
I can't wait to get started !!
 
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