continuos lighting

[MikeNeufeld]

just need a quick reference as to what kinda continuos lighting setups are recommended for under 2k.. just need some advice on brand/qaulity and consistency...

any help would be great so that I may reference the links for research

[steveathome]

just need a quick reference as to what kinda continuos lighting setups are recommended for under 2k.. just need some advice on brand/qaulity and consistency...

any help would be great so that I may reference the links for research

Firstly, I must admit to only having experience with one continuous light set up, so I would not be able to advise what kit would be best.

The reason for my reply is to ask, why is your preference for continuous lighting rather than flash?

I was thinking if you have a budget of 2K, you could get yourself a great flash kit for that - but then you may have good reason for your preference.

Just interested.

[MikeNeufeld]

i guess simply, is fear and noob learning curve... You get what you see with continuous as opposed to strobes.. I know strobes have great benefits so i guess i wanna take the easy way instead...lol... strobes def will be better for me, it's my impatience thats all...

[steveathome]

Well I tried Continuous, and to be honest, it wasn't long before I gave them away and went for a budget entry level 2 flash kit.

Continuous may suit some, but for portraiture I say they are a no no. Far too hot for the sitter, and its not long before the beads of sweat have to be wiped away - from both photographer and sitter. They other thing is two 500W lamps look really bright, but what they actually give out in real terms isn't that much. To obtain an aperture of any use I was having to shoot into iso's of around 1200+. I'm not saying you cant get good results, but IMHO its far easier with flash.

You mentioned a budget of below 2K, I don't know if thats £ or $ but either way that money would get you a decent entry level kit. Regarding the what you see is what you get, well studio flash also has modelling lights - not as bright as the continuous floods, but enough to show whats going on regarding where shadows fall etc.

For the 2K budget, you will also be able to afford a decent light meter, and still have change.

Just my opinions, so don't be swayed by me alone, do a search on continuous lighting and wait for other responses, I'm sure most will agree.


Good luck with your final choice.

1/125 f7.1 iso 1600 55mm lens on a 350D with 2 continuous lights

[steveathome]

ps
I based my answer on tungsten photo floods, regarding the heat and low light problems.

[fotofitness]

Mike,
If you are planning to spend $2k, you are wasting your money on continuous lighting unless you have a SPECIFIC need for that. You genuinely will kick yourself in the butt later on for wasting your money.

I think you are underestimating the amount of heat output that hot lights put out. Unless you are shooting in a large studio, any room will get very hot very quickly.

My advice: Spend $1500 on flash tubes and a couple of pocket wizards.
Take the other $500 and take a lighting class.

[FlashZebra]

just need a quick reference as to what kinda continuos lighting setups are recommended for under 2k.. just need some advice on brand/qaulity and consistency...

any help would be great so that I may reference the links for research
What are the underlying conditions?

Is this for a fixed studio. Ad hoc studio. Small items. Large groups.

Still photography and video possibly.

Is portability important? etc. etc. ect.

There are all sort of continuous lighting solutions, but just knowing that you want to spend $2000.00 does not focus the field in a very precise manner.

But as most others have mentioned, unless you have some sort of compelling need for continuous lighting, flash is almost always a better choice for still photography.

Enjoy! Lon

[cameraman51]

Here's one for continuos lighting: if you add video to your repetoire you've got a ready made light kit. I shoot video and stills and have hot lights and strobes. I.ll often use the hot lights in the studio for table top. I use Lowels and like them alot. If you're looking for top of the line than you'll want Arri's. Lowel gear is plentiful on ebay and modestly priced.

[bullet33912]

OK, here's one for continuous lighting.

My real job is that of being a TV production manager. I have used continuous lights for 30+ years (after all it is video and flash doesn't work real well for that). After burning myself out in the film, I started looking at continuous lighting for my digital stuff when I got back into still work. I have found it works just fine.

I like continous light for a couple of reasons. First, it lets you see the full effect of the lighting and it lets you make corrections easier and faster. Second, the subjects get adjusted to the lights quickly and (particularly for those who are not models) get more relaxed in front of the camera instead of jumping when that "explosion" (a customer's words -- not mine) goes off. Third, with the new fluorescents, there is no heat, the power consumption is low, and the lamps last forever. And the new fixtures are very cost effective.

That being said, please understand that I see nothing wrong with flash/strobe lighting. After all, I have three flash units and the remote triggers that I use on location (beaches, etc.) all the time. It really depends on what you're doing where you're doing it more than anything.

If the location and job allows, my fluorescents and their light boxes are my first choice.

[PhotosGuy]

So, Mike, maybe it's time to tell us just what you want the lights for?
Halogen (Quartz) light notes (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=270177)

[Aaagogo]

try looking at www.fjwestcott.com

[sesshin]

I just recently purchased a continuous fluorescent setup for under $2,000 from Flolight

http://www.flolight.com/

I use it for product photography and art reproduction in the studio using dslrs and scanning backs, so ymmv. Like others have said its a specific lighting for a specific purpose.

[cameraman51]

I have tried continuos lighting for portraits but I find it a little inhibiting as my sittings can get dynamic with the right subject often resulting in a little motion blur.

[g-money]

I have to jump in here for a sec. First I know very little about lighting. That being said

I attended Ed Pieces seminar in Dallas. The lighting he demonistrated and used in his videos was the new Spiderlight TD5 and TD3 from Westcott. There were videos of other pros who all were using continus lighting. Now I am sure since Westcott was a tour sponsor he gives them a little pub. But he spoke highly of them saying he very rarely ever used flash anymore and watching the other pros work in there studio and seeing their results was impressive.

Anyway, that being said I was really looking into get a set of the Westcotts. It would seem the learning curve would be easier since it is a WYSIWYG lighting. Why does it seem most don't like the continus lighting??

[echo]

I'm saving up for some new continuous lights. My pair of 500w lights aren't flexible enough and on a shoot recently borrowed a set of 3 Dedo Lights. They're only 150w each but with the optics on the front they look twice as bright and they are very flexible. They come with continuously variable dimmers and can switch temperatures. The barn doors are perfect and there is a slot built in for gels etc. I was very impressed and the results I got were good.

I'm sure they are available your side of the pond but a link to what I'm talking about is here: http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=356

Downsides: As others have noted, you will still need to use higher ISO's but with my IDmkIII I was getting good results, creating a 'mood' was easy. I also shoot videos and I need a set up that covers both and these, to me, seem the best for the money.

Hope that helps!

:)

Mike

An example using these lights - Sorry about the choice of pic, subject wanted to look moody!
http://recordproduction.smugmug.com/photos/247532257-XL.jpg

[c71clark]

With the advances in fluorescent lighting these days, I don't see many compelling reasons to use hot lights any more. Color balanced, low voltage, cool, and a built in diffuser! I am looking to get a 2 light kit with an equivalent of about 1k watts light output. Each of the 10 24/30 watt lights put out 1,500 lumens. I have a basic 2 light flash kit, and have used it pretty well I think, but I want to try continuous lights and see if it's going to be as cool as I think. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500422-REG/Interfit_Paterson_INT117_Super_Cool_lite_5_Two.htm l