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lights

K

KSource

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 31, 2004
35
0
Getting into the digital photography field. I will be purchasing a 20D shortly with a few assorted lenses. I'm not totally new to the field, however since I am on a short term budget I'm not sure what type of lighting I should go for.

I will be doing mostly studio potrait or indoor type shots, it will mainly be portraiture either indoor or outdoor.

At first I was looking at a rather cheap studio light setup, two heads, battery etc. However, I will be using another photographers studio for a bit and he has a pretty good setup already. So I figured I might just get a standard flash that can either be used on the hotshoe or used wireless through a pocket wizard. However it will lack the power of a studio setup, but I guess outdoors I would be looking to just fill light anyways right? If I do night shots would the standard (higher end) flash really be able to work? or should I do studio lighting.

What should I start with? I think the strobe kit was like 1.3k vs a decent flash going for 400-500?
 
E

efoto

macrumors 68030
Nov 16, 2004
2,624
0
Cloud 9 (-6)
I have a 580EX w/ a LSIIPJ and it's a pretty good setup for outdoor work in low to no light (ie nighttime). I'd prefer to have strobes for outdoor too, but it's just not practical for me financially so I just have to do with what I have.

I really like the LS though, very neat product and a good buy especially at its cost. I would recommend it, worked great at my cousin's wedding recently.
 
Clix Pix

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
Oct 9, 2005
20,728
45,945
8 miles from the Apple Store at Tysons (VA)
For studio lighting, I know that many people like the Alien Bees lights, which are fairly inexpensive. They come in various kits which you can configure to your specific needs and budget. I don't have a URL handy but if you google Alien Bees that should bring up the manufacturer's website.

Edited to add: just went ahead and googled it myself: it's http://www.alienbees.com
 
rjphoto

rjphoto

macrumors 6502a
Mar 7, 2005
822
0
Norman makes a portable flash that uses a monster battery pack, but it can be used in the studio as a Mono-light or with multiple heads via a wireless trigger.

http://www.photo-control.com/battery_systems_compkits.asp

I haven't found the pricing yet.

Edit: found the price...MSRP $1173.00. Yikes, I only paid $2000 for my Dyna Lights...but that was 12 years ago (but they still crank out the light.)

Check out Novatran, too. That was the first set I bought back in 1982. Nice little set. Perfect for the beginner.

http://www.novatron.com/ns/product.php

MSRP $996.80

I'm sure you can find something used a lot cheaper.
 
Chip NoVaMac

Chip NoVaMac

macrumors G3
Dec 25, 2003
8,888
31
Northern Virginia
Depending on how quick of a recycling time you want, and ease of use - look at wireless flash systems for your Canon (or for you Nikon users).

IMO TTL flash makes life easier for flash work. One great resource for inspiration is the Nikon: The Speed of Light DVD (http://www.penncamera.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=6345). Sure it is based on the Nikon wireless TTL system, but the techniques can be applied to the Canon system of the ST-E2 wireless transmitter and the 400/500 series EX flashes.

Studio flashes (like the AlienBees, Profoto, Elinchrome) offer some great light modifying options - like softboxes, grids, and the such. But in the right hands, and the more limited tools that "shoe-mounted" flashes for modifying the light - the results can be there IMO.
 
K

KSource

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 31, 2004
35
0
yea actually I've read a bit on the alien bee ones and some other ones. The kit I was actually looking at was a dyna light since they have a student program that I can cash in on. However, I think I will stick with a strobe setup since I have a feeling I'm going to be doing more indoor type shots. If I really need to do outdoor...I'll just drive into a good unit later for that.

I was leaning towards either the kit for the dyna light or getting a used Norman powerpack with a two heads and softboxes. However, the portable Norman looks pretty appealing.


Neways, thanks for the suggestions. :)
 
K

kd5boc

macrumors newbie
May 3, 2006
7
0
2 Work lights (w/ clamp) from Walmart with those new GE Truelight 100W bulbs. $15
1 Old TV Tray $5
Black poster board $3
WB setting on digital Camera

139294480_b939b6c180.jpg

Worked out nicely for this. My Main light is 45* on right side about 4 feet away. My fill is behind the camera about 8 feet.

139312487_b969ce03f9.jpg

I has a flourescant shop light on the table facing up for this one.

Give it a shot and see how it works for cheaper before you buy the full set. You might be amazed on what you can learn by using stuff around the house. LOL
 
K

KSource

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 31, 2004
35
0
looks great, but how would it work for a potrait of sort.

I guess I could use some sort of tungsten light unit. Cheaper but no flash.
 
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