Lighting equipment

[matiscro]

I am an amatuer photographer, and have been using available light up until now, but I would like to broaden my range to using lights. Does anyone have any suggestions for good lighting kits that won't kill my wallet? I guess I'm clueless as to brand name and wattage, etc. I shoot with a Canon Eos Elan 7 SLR 35mm and an Olympus point and shoot digital.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for homemade kits, as far as using lights from around the house, household materials, etc? (as you can tell I really don't have a whole lot of cash laying around to buy this stuff).

Thanks

[w10d]

A lot depends on where you are - low budget lighting is usually sold in a particular region or country. Consider 2nd hand, but watch out for trashed pro gear! (Especially flash). Tungsten lights are a bit more robust.

Domestic lighting doesn't usually have a lot of power - fittings aren't designed to take the heat of high wattage lamps, so becareful to avoid overheating...

Kino Flo lighting can look really beautiful, and is made up of strips of flourescent tubes - possible to fabricate something like that, but it isn't very bright (compared to flash packs/monos).