Studio equipment help please

amumonamission

amumonamission

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Hi,

I am stepping into the world of studio photography. At the moment I know very little about lighting etc etc, but I am hoping that will soon change.

I want to get myself some kit so that I can start practicing and wondered if you could give me your opinion on this kit please.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=Pk9gUP1P5dvRBbq6gLAJ&ved=0CFkQ8wIwADgo

My budget is £300 - £350 at the moment.

I was also going to get this book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-It-Sh...TF8&colid=11BKT1V6NJF48&coliid=I3OF3FV29FQ5ST

Opinions would be much appreciated please. I would at first be using the kit to learn mainly portrait style studio photography and then moving on to maybe charging for photoshoots using this kit so I want to get the best that my budget can stretch to :)

If not this kit then maybe someone could recommend something else?
 
amumonamission said:
Hi,

I am stepping into the world of studio photography. At the moment I know very little about lighting etc etc, but I am hoping that will soon change.

I want to get myself some kit so that I can start practicing and wondered if you could give me your opinion on this kit please.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=Pk9gUP1P5dvRBbq6gLAJ&ved=0CFkQ8wIwADgo

My budget is £300 - £350 at the moment.

I was also going to get this book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-It-Sh...TF8&colid=11BKT1V6NJF48&coliid=I3OF3FV29FQ5ST

Opinions would be much appreciated please. I would at first be using the kit to learn mainly portrait style studio photography and then moving on to maybe charging for photoshoots using this kit so I want to get the best that my budget can stretch to :)

If not this kit then maybe someone could recommend something else?
Click to expand...

No, don't get that. TBH the spec isn't at all comprehensively stated but the recycle time, 5-7 seconds, is completely hopeless. Shooting kids for example, things can happen very quickly indeed and you often only get one go at it before the shoot goes off. You need 1-2 secs max, and even shooting at that rate every picture will be different. When you see 'the shot' coming, coax it along by shooting anyway, then when it arrives hammer hard.

I suggest newcomers start with just one light, with a decent softbox and a reflector. Less is more with lighting and you can do an enormous amount with that. Even now, probably more than half of my portraits are done with just one light. Maybe two if the background needs something, perhaps a third hair light, but each light has a specific task and should not overwhelm or conflict with the main keylight that always does the lion's share of the work. A white/silver reflector is like having a second light.

Learn how to use that lot first, then add more lights when you know what's what, bearing in mind that the light modifier (softbox, whatever) has a far greater effect on the result than any fancy flash head. With a good lighting system, perhaps 50% of the budget might go on modifiers.

At the budget end, look at Lencarta, particularly the Smatflash for a bit over £100. If you can't leave everything set up between shoots, you'll learn to love the fast put-up of their ProFold softboxes, well worth the extra.

I've not got that book, but the preview pages look promising and Scott Kelby is very good with an easy style. I'd take a confident punt that it's excellent and just what you're after.

Finally, it's the subject that makes the shot. The equipment and the photographer just brings out the best in them ;)

BTW, you're holding the camera wrong. It won't be stable as in your avatar and you can't adjust the controls. Your left hand always takes all the weight, cupped under the lens, while the right hand balances/steadies and operates the camera.

Edit: suggest you get this thead moved to the lighting section :)
 
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Lencarta is excellent stuff and many people on here highly recommend them. Garry is very helpful so post this in the lighting section and I am sure he would help.
 
HoppyUK said:
No, don't get that. TBH the spec isn't at all comprehensively stated but the recycle time, 5-7 seconds, is completely hopeless. Shooting kids for example, things can happen very quickly indeed and you often only get one go at it before the shoot goes off. You need 1-2 secs max, and even shooting at that rate every picture will be different. When you see 'the shot' coming, coax it along by shooting anyway, then when it arrives hammer hard.

I suggest newcomers start with just one light, with a decent softbox and a reflector. Less is more with lighting and you can do an enormous amount with that. Even now, probably more than half of my portraits are done with just one light. Maybe two if the background needs something, perhaps a third hair light, but each light has a specific task and should not overwhelm or conflict with the main keylight that always does the lion's share of the work. A white/silver reflector is like having a second light.

Learn how to use that lot first, then add more lights when you know what's what, bearing in mind that the light modifier (softbox, whatever) has a far greater effect on the result than any fancy flash head. With a good lighting system, perhaps 50% of the budget might go on modifiers.

At the budget end, look at Lencarta, particularly the Smatflash for a bit over £100. If you can't leave everything set up between shoots, you'll learn to love the fast put-up of their ProFold softboxes, well worth the extra.

I've not got that book, but the preview pages look promising and Scott Kelby is very good with an easy style. I'd take a confident punt that it's excellent and just what you're after.

Finally, it's the subject that makes the shot. The equipment and the photographer just brings out the best in them ;)

BTW, you're holding the camera wrong. It won't be stable as in your avatar and you can't adjust the controls. Your left hand always takes all the weight, cupped under the lens, while the right hand balances/steadies and operates the camera.

Edit: suggest you get this thead moved to the lighting section :)
Click to expand...

Yes you're right I hadn't taken that into consideration about the recycle time, I would find 5-7 frustrating to say the least!

When you say start with one light do you mean one that gives continuous light or one that operates like a flash, strobe I think is the technical term? Or just my preferred choice?

After you recommended the smartflash range by lencarta I have started looking at something more like this??

http://www.123photosupply.co.uk/lencarta-smartflash-200ws-flash-head-419-p.asp

With the soft boxes, will any softbox be compatible or does it have to be lencarta?

Yes I am holding the camera rather awkwardly aren't I :lol: I posed for this shot. It was at the end of a long day shooting Motocross and my arms felt like they didn't belong to me, so I was trying to balance the weight out differently to ease my aching arms!! :lol:

Just one more thing, how do I move this to another section?
 
I'll try to answer some of your questions.

amumonamission said:
When you say start with one light do you mean one that gives continuous light or one that operates like a flash, strobe I think is the technical term?
Click to expand...

Not continuous light, a flash (studio-flash, strobe, many different terms for the same thing).

After you recommended the smartflash range by lencarta I have started looking at something more like this??

http://www.123photosupply.co.uk/lencarta-smartflash-200ws-flash-head-419-p.asp
Click to expand...

That is the Lencarta Smartflash, their entry level flash. See also their own website at http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-store/flash-heads

With the soft boxes, will any softbox be compatible or does it have to be lencarta?
Click to expand...

Lencarta heads use the S-fit for attaching modifiers. This is one in the industry standard fittings, so you'll find softboxes from many different manufacturers supporting this fitting.

Just one more thing, how do I move this to another section?
Click to expand...

Message a moderator...they'll do it for you.

I have just 1 studioflash, the Lencarta UltraPro300. It's best to get used to using just one head before investing in more.

And no, this isn't an advert for Lencarta, it's just that I bought one some months ago and it's the only one I have any knowledge of....;)
 
Drop Garry Edwards a PM, tell him what you want to do, and budget, and he'll spec something up for you.

If you go for a two/three head kit, and get a small discount, one of the best things about Lencarta is you can upgrade and swap in/out modifiers without losing the package deal.
 
amumonamission said:
I was also going to get this book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-It-Sh...TF8&colid=11BKT1V6NJF48&coliid=I3OF3FV29FQ5ST
Click to expand...
No doubt many people will be along to suggest light kits for you and I would agree with the options I imagine most on here will say... Lencarta, I own some lencarta lighting and most if not all of their kit does represent good value from what I can tell.
On the book front and to be clear from the start I've not read the book you have linked in particular, but I have however read numerous others, but have picked up more tips and tricks and techniques from sites Ive linked below, I would say start with these and if they are not floating your boat then buy books :thinking:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.co.uk/
http://strobox.com/photos
http://lightenupandshoot.com/ (I think the Vbook here is great)
http://smokingstrobes.com/ (not work safe)
http://fstoppers.com/
http://www.petapixel.com/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scott+kelby+tutorial+flash&oq=scott+kelby+tutorial+flash&gs_l=youtube.3...5885.6880.0.7557.6.6.0.0.0.0.64.309.6.6.0...0.0...1ac.1.ShMclsxp96U
 
HoppyUK said:
Drop Garry Edwards a PM, tell him what you want to do, and budget, and he'll spec something up for you.

If you go for a two/three head kit, and get a small discount, one of the best things about Lencarta is you can upgrade and swap in/out modifiers without losing the package deal.
Click to expand...


Thanks I will try and get hold of him. :)
 
alsos said:
No doubt many people will be along to suggest light kits for you and I would agree with the options I imagine most on here will say... Lencarta, I own some lencarta lighting and most if not all of their kit does represent good value from what I can tell.
On the book front and to be clear from the start I've not read the book you have linked in particular, but I have however read numerous others, but have picked up more tips and tricks and techniques from sites Ive linked below, I would say start with these and if they are not floating your boat then buy books :thinking:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.co.uk/
http://strobox.com/photos
http://lightenupandshoot.com/ (I think the Vbook here is great)
http://smokingstrobes.com/ (not work safe)
http://fstoppers.com/
http://www.petapixel.com/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scott+kelby+tutorial+flash&oq=scott+kelby+tutorial+flash&gs_l=youtube.3...5885.6880.0.7557.6.6.0.0.0.0.64.309.6.6.0...0.0...1ac.1.ShMclsxp96U
Click to expand...

Brilliant thanks I will take a look at those before I invest in the book :)
 
domino1999 said:
I'll try to answer some of your questions.



Not continuous light, a flash (studio-flash, strobe, many different terms for the same thing).



That is the Lencarta Smartflash, their entry level flash. See also their own website at http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-store/flash-heads



Lencarta heads use the S-fit for attaching modifiers. This is one in the industry standard fittings, so you'll find softboxes from many different manufacturers supporting this fitting.



Message a moderator...they'll do it for you.

I have just 1 studioflash, the Lencarta UltraPro300. It's best to get used to using just one head before investing in more.

And no, this isn't an advert for Lencarta, it's just that I bought one some months ago and it's the only one I have any knowledge of....;)
Click to expand...

That great, thank you for your help :)
 
They do, but they look incomplete to me, or at least some of them do. I have already advised the OP to stay clear of them.
 
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