Beginning Studio Lighting

[erbson]

I am an hobby photographer that got my start in action shooting and due to numerous requests, have now moved to portraits. Here is my problem. I have googled everything I can on beginning studio lighting and can't seem to get the "easy" answer. It is not so much about money for me as it is simplicity and versitility. I am willing to invest (within reason) into a good starter system. I need to be able to relocate the equipment easily for memory mates and location shooting since I don't have a studio and I don't really want one at this time. Please, will someone give me the name of a kit or something comprehensive enough to get me started that isn't junk or unable to upgrade.

[Longwatcher]

Three options:
1. Light and highly portable:
- Get two Canon 580EX EX flashes and either a third one or a ST-E2 to control them and then add a reflector and stand. You already have 2 lights that will work, so just need one more.
The advantage to this set up is very portable, the disadvantage is slightly less control over the light and slower recharge times (and changing batteries)

2. Medium and portable:
- Get an Alien Bee kit and possibly the Vagabond battery to go along with it. Start with maybe the Digi-Bee (2 lights) and then add more as needed. I personally started with a Busy Bee set, raido remote and Vagabond CU-300. Have since added 2 more lights and some more accessories as needed.
The advantages are relatively excellent lights for the price, not as portable as using camera flashes on stands, but you can get all the features of the next level up for considerable less and they are fairly light weight (the battery isn't). There are alternatives to the Alien Bee, but I know and trust them.

3. Heavy Duty
- Look up Elinchrom studio lights at BHphotovideo.com and get what you need. Start with two lights, softboxes and maybe Pocket Wizards. Not sure on portable power, but I know there are several options.
Advantages - I can think of overall no better studio lights, Disadvantages - Price and weight. If I didn't have ABs I would have Elinchroms and may still get them some day.

[In2Photos]

Welcome to the forum. Check out Alien Bees (http://www.alienbees.com). Under the FAQ section (http://www.alienbees.com/beginnerbee.html)they have some helpful links to articles. You can also get a free catalog from them. Mine arrived in less than a week. Lots of people here use them with great results.

[jtmorales]

Honestly there is no easy answer. There are a lot of questions to ask, like will you be shooting mainly indoors? Groups or individuals? Power concerns, adapters, ect.

I'm going to suggest you look at the Patterson Interfit line as well as the AlienBees. Both are good lights that are reasonable in price. I chose the Pattersons as they were a bit cheaper and offered mostly the same features as the comparable AB's, also they took a more standard fitting for add ons. Ton's of people swear by the AB's so they have established themselves as a good brand.

As far as portability goes, they should all be portable enough as long as you aren't intending to tote around a ton of lights.

Also check out FredMiranda.com in the lighting section there is a 200+ page thread on studio setups that may help answer a few questions you might have.

[FlashZebra]

Honestly there is no easy answer. There are a lot of questions to ask, like will you be shooting mainly indoors? Groups or individuals? Power concerns, adapters, ect.

I'm going to suggest you look at the Patterson Interfit line as well as the AlienBees. Both are good lights that are reasonable in price. I chose the Pattersons as they were a bit cheaper and offered mostly the same features as the comparable AB's, also they took a more standard fitting for add ons. Ton's of people swear by the AB's so they have established themselves as a good brand.

As far as portability goes, they should all be portable enough as long as you aren't intending to tote around a ton of lights.

Also check out FredMiranda.com in the lighting section there is a 200+ page thread on studio setups that may help answer a few questions you might have.
Are the Patterson units as light as the Alien Bee's?

The Alien Bee units have a unique power supply design that removes the very heavy power transformer. This lightness makes them especially desirable for ad hoc studio work (easy to carry).

In addition, it makes them less top heavy on lightstands (which mitigates one of the inherent drawbacks of monolights).

Enjoy! Lon

[erbson]

Thank you for the response. I attended a wedding yesterday where they put one flash on a monopod and used the other off camera to handle their lighting. Since I already own that equipment, I am anxious to give it a shot (no pun intented).