What's the lighting set up for under £1,000 for portrait photos?

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JayEssKay

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I need a lighting set up to start me off photographing clothing on a mannequin portrait style.

I've been having a good read through the website and also at some online reviews and have come to this rather like this set up:

Lastolite Lumen8 400w 3 Head Flash Kit

Lastolite Hilite Background 5 x 7 Feet

I think they're quite resonable prices and are within my limit.

What do you guys think of the quality?

I'm open to other suggestions.
 
£616 for a kit that doesn't even include a radio trigger, has slow recycling (not important until you photograph people instead of mannequins :), that has an inadequate modelling lamps and no cooling fan?
I've no idea about the quality, which could be excellent, but you might want to keep looking because IMO you should be getting better specs for that money.
 
Garry Edwards said:
£616 for a kit that doesn't even include a radio trigger, has slow recycling (not important until you photograph people instead of mannequins :), that has an inadequate modelling lamps and no cooling fan?
I've no idea about the quality, which could be excellent, but you might want to keep looking because IMO you should be getting better specs for that money.
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Do you have any suggestions?

I basically just need 3 decent lights and a lightbox as the accessories ect are easily bought and I've got my heart set on the Lastolite Hilite background.
 
I HaVe the very same set up, but use a 3 m white paper backdrop witht the wall support and find this a very good set up...but i did get the trigger, i bought mine just over a year ago...didnt apy that for it though, it was about £500 all in then plust the wall bracket and backdrop
 
jimjam said:
I HaVe the very same set up, but use a 3 m white paper backdrop witht the wall support and find this a very good set up...
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Thanks for letting me know.

Do you have any photos of the set up or of the results?
 
JayEssKay said:
Do you have any suggestions?

I basically just need 3 decent lights and a lightbox as the accessories ect are easily bought and I've got my heart set on the Lastolite Hilite background.
Click to expand...

The HiLite background is probably a good choice for your needs. If you really feel that you need 3 lights for the front, then take a look at this Lencarta kit and simply add another light + stand to the order
 
Garry Edwards said:
The HiLite background is probably a good choice for your needs. If you really feel that you need 3 lights for the front, then take a look at this Lencarta kit and simply add another light + stand to the order
Click to expand...

Well I'll need two lights to light up the background although I could possibly get away with just the one but the lighting may not be that even. Then I would only need one softbox at the front as I'll only be lighting up either the top half or the bottom half of the mannequin.

A spare light would always come in handy just incase.
 
Ah yes, you'll need 2 lights for the HiLite - although any flash heads will do for that.

I think that paying that much for a second hand kit with no warranty is... risky.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Ah yes, you'll need 2 lights for the HiLite - although any flash heads will do for that.

I think that paying that much for a second hand kit with no warranty is... risky.
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Well I'm trying to get the price down to around the £800 mark.

I'll hopefully pick the item up from him and check it myself before paying.
 
Double post - it's TP's software gremlins doing whatever they do at 4am :)
 
You seem to know what's what JSK. Sounds fine to me. The quality brands that get used around here are Lencarta, Bowens and Elinchrom. They all make good gear, and all three have their advocates. TBH, I don't think there's much to choose between them.

Garry works for Lencarta and is a bit coy about pushing them too hard, but he shouldn't be. They are particularly good value as they sell direct. Check out the cost of reflectors which can make a big difference - I really like Elinchrom D-Lites as they are well specced and very small and light, but you can add £200-300 on top for one of their (superb) Rotalux softboxes. Cheap ones are a faff to put up and down though.

Don't forget a flash meter - Sekonic 308S for £120.
 
JayEssKay said:
I need a lighting set up to start me off photographing clothing on a mannequin portrait style.

I've been having a good read through the website and also at some online reviews and have come to this rather like this set up:

Lastolite Lumen8 400w 3 Head Flash Kit

Lastolite Hilite Background 5 x 7 Feet

I think they're quite resonable prices and are within my limit.

What do you guys think of the quality?

I'm open to other suggestions.
Click to expand...

Hi I use the Lastolite 7 x 5 with 2 lights and 2 soft boxes to the front. After much searching, I chose 2 x Lencarta starter kits. The lights are very well made and deliver the goods, but the biggest plus for me is if I am having problem, I pick up the phone to Gary, and the customer support is exceptional. Re: folding the Lastolite, be patient and it folds away quickly, I watched the youtube video, many, many times...and now packs away in less than a minute..:thumbs:
 
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