newbie... thinking about purchasing this kit...

[Fabian9931]

hello everyone... as you can see i am new to this forum. and i love the info here... I am an amature in photography but i got the basics down already. I wanted to do some glamour shots and some good potriats using a little set up in my living room and then when im done shooting i will take it apart and stick it in the closet. i am thinking about going with this lighting kit http://www.adorama.com/LTBSBK13.html but i wanted to know what you guys/gals thought. I dont want to go crazy high in price but i also wanted to get good shots with some good lighting.... also what do you recommend as far as holding my backdrop? can someone lead me to a link with a backdrop holder of some sort or even a link with the cloths and all... thank you... take care


fabian

[onedownfiveup]

I'm no expert, but I'd almost recommend the Impact Stand/Umbrella/Flash Bracket kit for $99 on B&H and two Vivitar 285hv's. It'd run you around $300 + shipping.

[slimninj4]

This set does not look worth it. If price is a main factor get the Vivitar 285HVs and stands and umbrellas. Check http://www.strobist.com to get all the good details.

I built a kit like strobist but with different gear. I do portraits of my wife and kid and the come out great. Right now I only use 1 light though.

[Fabian9931]

thanks guys for the replies, but these vivitar 285hv's are flashes.... obviously.... are they on constant or just shoot when i shoot? im new to this sorry if this sounds like a stupid question... thanks.

[elwood58]

They are flashes, so firing when you release your shutter. The kit you linked works the same way. Instead of umbrellas, it uses small soft boxes.

The issue I see with the kit you linked is light stand height. It may just be the perspective of the photo for the ad, but the light stands look very short.

[wonton]

I am also thinking about getting a starter kit. Ritz Camera has a flash kit with 2 stands, 2 150W flashes, 1 softbox, 1 umbrella for $299. I looked up the Impact stuff as well as the Vivitar 285hv like recommended and I had some questions. The cost for the setup I am thinking with shipping would run me $400.

Two 8' stands, 2 brackets, 1 softbox, 1 umbrella, 2 vivitar 285 flashes.

1. How does the softbox attach to the Vivitar? It says it has an adapter ring for the Impact and Bowens monolights but will it fit the Vivitar?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423638-REG/Impact_SB6080_Softbox_24x32_.html

2. Do I need to purchase something additional to trigger the flashes to go off? Sorry I don't know the technical terms.

3. How much is a replacement bulb? Also, can you turn the wattage down if needed?

4. Is there anything else I would need? The bracket fits both the umbrella and flash correct?

[GRODY]

im also looking for a light kit.. but so far i been seeing prices in the $1000 or just over

[Consensus Trance]

Lighting is the most important thing a photographer can buy. Probably even more important than the camera and lenses. Cuz I could shoot professional work with a rebel and a kit lens but couldn't get away with anything less than alien bees for lighting....and alien bees are filled with problems too but they're at least useable. I know it sucks...and it hurts when you're starting....but if you're serious about photography then invest in good lights at first. DOn't buy something cheap and think you'll move up, it almost never happens like that. If you're serious, it's best to save and start right. The lighting kits listed on this thread really are pure crap. Sorry to say that cuz I know how hard it is to get started. I was in the same position back in the day.

[Wilt]

Adorama Budget Studio Monolight
Description
· The unit mounts onto any standard lightstand with a 5/8" or smaller mounting stud. It has a circular flash tube that is daylight balanced at 5600 deg. K, a guide number of 90 at ISO 100 and a recycling time of 5-7 seconds. It also comes with a 60 watt removable modeling lamp. The Budget Studio monolight Flash can be triggered through the camera with its included 12' sync cord, by another flash being fired and activating the built-in Photo-Slave, or through its open-flash test button. It's a compact 7.0" long with a diameter of 3-3/4" and weighs only 15 ounces.

Features
Built in 10' AC Power Cord.
Built-in Mounting Bracket Accepts Lightstands up to 5/8".
Specifications
Power (Watt Seconds) 100 Watt Seconds
Guide Number 90
Recycling Time 5-7 s
Modeling Lamp 60W
Built-In Slave Yes
Dimensions 6-1/2" long with a diameter of 3-1/2"
Weight 15 oz.

The stand in the ad is a 7' stand

A flash tube is 'instantaneous' light, but a modelling light is a 'constant' source of light. Major advantage of this kit over ANY SPEEDLIGHT (Vivitar 285) is that you can SEE INSTANTLY what your light placement does, and you don't have to GUESS and then wait until you transfer a photo to a reasonable size monitor to assess what you got!

7' stand is 'not bad', after all, the typical ceiling is really only 7.5' !!!

Yes, this unit is something for hobbyists and learners. AB's are 'bridge' products. And lights like Hensel, Dynalite, Bron are true pro-level products. You might not ever need to move up to AB's, but you might well be better served by buying one light now and saving your pennies for a second light, rather than buying too cheaply in the beginning!

[slimninj4]

There are many ways to go about this. First decision is do you want flash or constant light. Constant light is cheaper but hotter. Flash is was most will recommend here. You can get two stands, 2 Vivitars, a softbox (made for flashes), umbrella,

Ok a basic out of the box set.

1 Vivitars 90$ each
1 Umbrellas 25$ each
1 stands 50$ each
1 Umbrella adapter 15$ each
Hot shoe adapter $!5
adapter for camera $10
cable to connect adapters $10.

Or you can not get the cable and go wireless. More $$

If you want I can PM you the part numbers I got from BH Photo. I spend about 200$ for my kit and it works great. I am learning too. Soon I will be getting a second light to build on. I got mid range stuff and tried not to get all the cheap stuff if I could.

Or you can get a set out of the box and see if how that works. Then let everyone here know what you think of it and what is good and bad about that kit. I know I like to see reviews of something that is not what everyone else has.

Good Luck

[Wilt]

For learning, get a light that has a constant source (modelling light).

For portability, use a speedlight.

Trying to learn with speedlights is a slow trial-and-error filled process!

[wonton]

Thanks for all the information. I really don't want to spend a lot of money on lighting as I am just getting into photography. Our main purpose was to take studio-like portraits of our newborn. We have been going to Picture People and quiet frankly their setup is not all that great so we figured we can do it better and on my baby's schedule instead of waiting at the stuido.

[Wilt]

Thanks for all the information. I really don't want to spend a lot of money on lighting as I am just getting into photography. Our main purpose was to take studio-like portraits of our newborn. We have been going to Picture People and quiet frankly their setup is not all that great so we figured we can do it better and on my baby's schedule instead of waiting at the stuido.

Then ignore all the 'get an AB' (or better) comments, and what is good enough for you is good enough for you!. I could think of worse ways to get into lighting than the Adorama kit.

[Titus213]

Thanks for all the information. I really don't want to spend a lot of money on lighting as I am just getting into photography. Our main purpose was to take studio-like portraits of our newborn. We have been going to Picture People and quiet frankly their setup is not all that great so we figured we can do it better and on my baby's schedule instead of waiting at the stuido.

A good window light and a reflector would also work well. As would a simple 430EX.

[elwood58]

I bought a basic monolight kit for $400. My initial review is at the following link:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=441104

[form]

$80-$100 each - I would (did) pick sunpak 383 super flashes over the vivitar 285 on the grounds of some reliability issues with the latter that surfaced not long ago. $10 or $20 less per flash, too, plus rotating head and 1/1 thru 1/16th power settings. The rotating head has been very useful as a hair light.

I would (did) also get the 9.5' impact brand heavy duty stands for $40 each, and perhaps some impact, westcott or generic white umbrellas with removable black cover for $20-$30 each.

Then I would (did) get male to female pc sync cords (from flashzebra, $8 each), a hot shoe to pc sync adapter ($11 each) - part number #0064 (flashzebra), I believe, and one or two sonia optical slaves with extra adapter ($17 each - not from flashzebra, but from ebay). Finally, swivel brackets for each flash unit ($14-$15 each - probably from flashzebra).

The cost would be around $200 per flash including all accessories.

Finally, I bought a 40" x 60" reflector for under $35 from ebay and it works great so far. Might want a reflector yourself.

[Wilt]

The cost would be around $200 per flash including all accessories.

Finally, I bought a 40" x 60" reflector for under $35 from ebay and it works great so far. Might want a reflector yourself.

So the Adorama kit doesn't come out half bad, at under that per-unit price (60%), and that includes softboxes! The casual family photo shooter can see the effect of the lighting (modelling lights) rather than guessing. No variable power, but the other kit mentioned by elwood58 has that, and modelling lights, at about the same $200 per-unit cost as mentioned. Just not inclusive of all the other accessories.

[steveathome]

I don't know or have any experience with either kit, but it may be worth looking at this one as mentioned in another recent thread, before spending your money.

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=437877

I cant recommend either, but the spec does look better for the price.
Don't rush into buying until you spend a little time to evaluate whats available.

Good luck with your final choice.

[wonton]

I'm going to go shopping this weekend and will let you guys know what I purchased and hopefully will have a couple of pics to post.

Thanks!