Studio Lighting Kits

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danfell555

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Hey,

I'm looking for studio lights, as I definitely need and upgrade from my flashguns and dodgy continuous lights I currently own.

I'm looking at kits but I'm a bit new to the whole studio lighting-buying thing and wanted to get some opinions. Some things look great to me but I may be missing something.

I'm currently considering the Bowens 400 kit: http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/BW4717UK/

I'd also like to know how good the Interfit ones are:
http://www.hawksphotovideo.co.uk/in...n_Head_Softbox_Umbrella_Kit_400w_Flash_INT491

The interfit ones are around £200 cheaper so I'm assuming there's a quality reason for this. Would anyone like to enlighten me? (sorry)

Also if there's anything else suitable that I should consider? I'm planning on taking these babies out and about on locations with a generator too, and would be interested to hear if anyone has any advice with that? To be honest I will hopefully be using them on location and sets more than plain studio environments (planning on going into fashion, wish me luck.) so manoeuvrability is also an issue.

Feel like I'm jumping in deep here, wanna check I'm not wasting my money!

Thank you :D
 
danielfellowes said:
Hey,

I'm looking for studio lights, as I definitely need and upgrade from my flashguns and dodgy continuous lights I currently own.

I'm looking at kits but I'm a bit new to the whole studio lighting-buying thing and wanted to get some opinions. Some things look great to me but I may be missing something.

I'm currently considering the Bowens 400 kit: http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/BW4717UK/

I'd also like to know how good the Interfit ones are:
http://www.hawksphotovideo.co.uk/in...n_Head_Softbox_Umbrella_Kit_400w_Flash_INT491

The interfit ones are around £200 cheaper so I'm assuming there's a quality reason for this. Would anyone like to enlighten me? (sorry)

Also if there's anything else suitable that I should consider? I'm planning on taking these babies out and about on locations with a generator too, and would be interested to hear if anyone has any advice with that? To be honest I will hopefully be using them on location and sets more than plain studio environments (planning on going into fashion, wish me luck.) so manoeuvrability is also an issue.

Feel like I'm jumping in deep here, wanna check I'm not wasting my money!

Thank you :D
Click to expand...

Loads and loads of options mate.

Difference between price in Bowens and interfit will relate to build quality, but also light consistency, recycle time, flash duration and more.

How much are you happy to spend?

You'll get people pretty much recommending whatever they use personally, I for one have used Lencarta, Bowens and Elinchrom, and based on that my preference is Elinchrom. Build quality is fantastic and the modifiers are extremely good.

Have a look on www.theflashcentre.co.uk the d-lite range is the entry level kit, and it now has some very handy features, like built in skyport receivers, meaning the head can be triggered remotely without any other purchases (it comes with the transmitter for your camera hot shoe), and also with this generation you can adjust the power from the camera mounted transmitter :thumbs:
 
No remote power control with the D-Lites I'm afraid, just simple triggering.
 
Thanks very much for the information, I'm looking to spend a maximum of around £600. £500 would be preferable though. I'm also hoping to buy something that I won't have to replace in a year or two's time when I'm hopefully going to be further along in my career...

As I said I have no clue when it comes to this, so just out of interest what would be the best of the best to have for what I'm looking to do?
 
Stick with any of the big brands and you wont go far wrong. I prefer Elinchrom, but I'd be perfectly happy with Bowens.

They will hold their value excellently as well if you ever come to upgrade.

If you are going on location, then your best bet would be the newer Bowens. They are all AC/DC compatible with the travelpak (many location lights are DC only), and have an excellent reputation.

That gemini kit you linked looks ideal if you can afford it.
 
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Okay thanks, that was my first choice as I've heard good things about them from others in the past. I'll have to sell a couple of lesser-used lenses but I should be able to get my hands on them somehow or other.

Thanks very much for the help :)
 
Start with one light and build a system methodically.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Is that an RX only ting Kris?
Click to expand...

BXRi and above.

And quadras etc.

Better than the Bowens as it works on the transmitter radio, rather than the separate infra red remote control.

Don't disparage the D-Lites though, they are excellent lights with built in free radio receivers but are simple 'fire now' only. Cant lose them either, or leave them behind. Checked out the cost of the bowens pulsar radio card/modules lately?
 
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Ive just got 2x bowens Gemini 400 kits, they are brilliant, would recommend them.
Also they had a free radio trigger on warehouse express.

Previously had interfit lights = rubbish - buy cheap buy twice
 
I bought the d lite it 2/4 and 4 kits and although a complete novice with lighting I have found them quite easy to use and the results are superb
 
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