Studo Lighting - bang for buck

[troswalt]

I want to start being able to shoot indoors with my headshot business (www.trevoroswalt.com), and I thought I check to see what people thought was the best bang for buck to set up a portraiture studio (ie. which/what lights, set up, etc). I want it to look as natural and even as possible, kind of like the work I currently do outdoors.

thanks for the input...

[deztoys]

You might want to ad the Alien Bees Lights to your list of potentials. We use these and have had very good luck and experiences so far.

Scott


::UPDATE::
Don't forget to check on costs of replacing the flash tubes, interchangability of light modifiers with other brands etc. As for kits versus component purchases. I actually recommend buying the light stands from JandK group on eBay. They have an air cushioned stand for under $38, and are resonible for umbrellas as well.

I will guarantee, that once you get started, you will be wanting to try more things than normally come as part of a kit package. So the idea of buying components vs a kit shouldn't worry you.

[mjordan]

The Excalibur SP line (SP-6400, SP-3200, SP-1600) of lights are a better bang for the buck than the Alien Bees. They are good lights that have consistant output, can take being lugged around, haave responsive customer service and cost less than the Bees. If you are getting studio lights for the first time, they also include a decent light stand and umbrella with each light, which makes them an even better deal.

Excalibur lights can be bought at B&H as well as the other major stores. I've been using mine for a couple of years now with no problems.

Mike

[mattchase]

The last time I was looking at lights, I found myself leaning towards the Alien Bees. This was mostly because they are made by the same guys that make White Lightnings, which are some awesome, time tested and proven lights. But I would not rule out the Excaliber lights either, as they are also good lights.

It really comes down to which one does what you really want it to do. Maybe one is bigger than the other, or the fan is louder, or the modeling light is brighter. Something as minor as that might sway you one way or the other. If you can, try to find a place that has them and get your hands on them.

In the end either of the above brands are a good bang for the buck, probably the best out there right now for the price.

[scottbergerphoto]

I also use a set of three Excaliburs with a large softbox attacment via a speedring on one. I bought them a B&H. I fire them with a Pocket Wizard set up. For $25 you can add a module to a Sekonic L358 Meter that will let you wirelessly fire them for metering. They give consistent results. I use them for my 10D, G2, and Nikon F5.
Scott

[hodad66]

scottbergerphoto, I don't know anything about the Excaliburs but at B&H they listed one of the sync voltages as 9v. Do you have any accessory / safe attachments when you use your 10D?

[scottbergerphoto]

hodad66 wrote:
scottbergerphoto, I don't know anything about the Excaliburs but at B&H they listed one of the sync voltages as 9v. Do you have any accessory / safe attachments when you use your 10D?
I use the Pocket Wizard wireless system. I've also used a PC cord. I don't think the sync voltage is an issue since your not using your hot shoe to trigger it.
Scott

[mjordan]

I've been using the Excalibur SP-6400, SP-3200 and SP-1600 for a couple of years. I've used them with my Rebel G, EOS 3, D30 and 10D. Before I got my Pocket Wizards this summer, I always used the PC cord to connect to them. I've never had a problem.

The one thing about the Excalibur lights, I do wish they had a brighter modeling lamp. I believe that is one area that the Bees beat them on. They don't use fans, so they are quieter and I've never had a problem with over heating, even when it was hot enough I was sweating so I almost couldn't see from it getting in my eyes. The Bees have a fan, which is probably why they can have a slightly smaller box size.

The Bees were not out when I bought my Excaliburs. I did look at the White Lightinings but they were pretty expensive considering I wasn't planning on shooting every day, day in day out. I also bought the Excaliburs when they were still realtively unknown. It was actually a year before I started seeing other people using them and they started coming out with more accessories for them. They were also the first to come out with a battery powered SP-1600, even before the Bees came out with their battery pack. I have both the 24x36 softbox and 24" Octogon EZ-up softbox that they sell under their name. I also have assorted barn doors, snoots, grids, etc.

The Bees have gotten a lot of press. They are good lights (although for some reason a lot of people have trouble with them when they plug them into a Sekonic L-358 light meter, the test button doesn't flash consistantly) and a decent price. The Excaliburs are more of a dark horse that has only recently started getting noticed and talked about more. I'm glad to see that because they are also an excellent value as well as a good light.

Mike