studio lights -not sure where to start?

[shutterbug08]

Hello

Do lots of portraits - outdoors type ones. While I love these, I would also like a studio set up for taking to clients houses etc so in the future I can add this as an option.

I dont really know where to start though, have been looking about for months but completely undecided. Basically what I want is a portable set up, I dont really think I need anything massive especially since using in homes as I mainly photograph children/dogs...

I have been looking on lencarta website as I understand they are pretty good and one I saw on there (cant access the website at the mo!) was around £500 - think it was called something like elite pro 300 poss? But then as a background have been looking at the hi-lite as heard some good things about them.

Budget for lights is around £500 - although happy with less! and obviously then I will get the backdrop with more.

Advice much appreciated! (Have an SB-600 - although not 100% reliable and a SB-900 so not sure how these might fit in...?)

 

[Garry Edwards]

The Lencarta ElitePro Starter Kit is the basic kit of the bells & whistles model, costs £435 with free delivery.
The same kit contents in the budget SmartFlash 200 range will only cost you £270, although you might want to spend a bit more and have a softbox.

In a way, it's a good idea to have a bit more power and a bit more sophistication than you actually need - but having said that the SmartFlash will do everything you need.

Hi-lite background? Very popular, but a cloth or paper background, although needing more space, is much more versatile. Whatever type of background you go for, you will need 2 lights on it if you want it white.

Take a look at the various articles in the Lencarta Learning Centre, they may help you to decide what's best for you.

 

[shutterbug08]

Thanks Garry - great link, will have a good look through that this evening and have a think about what I need

 

[keirik]

.

In a way, it's a good idea to have a bit more power and a bit more sophistication than you actually need .

in theory agreed

in practice I find that my 300s have too much power for the space I have

the lencarta gear is great though and I can't really blame them for my temporary studio being too small!!!!!