Beginner Lighting Kits

[epeace]

I am a studio lighting newb . .

Thats right I said it . .

Anyway, I will be buying some studio lighting equipment in the next couple months and I have been looking at the Novatron and Speedotron 2 and 3 head systems with AC power. Them mostly because they are in my price range for a starter kit.

I dont really want to commit to an elaborate system until I get a better idea of the direction I want to take with my photography. But I do want to have something to play with in the home studio I am working on in my apartment.

Can anyone tell me anything about either of these brands? I dont even know if I am looking at the right stuff. Maybe I should be looking into self powered heads? Get one or two of those?

In any event I would like to have an IR trigger for whatever I get.


Any experienced insight is welcome . . . . . thanks

[CaseyScofield]

I need answers for this too!

I have been looking into the following...
Lighting Kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=Bt2nUhjK7Z!1741788807?O=Recommend&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=298604&is=REG)

But being new to this gig as well...I'm sure that this kit is all wrong and I should be looking at something else! :confused:

any knowledge anyone can share would be awesome!

[epeace]

thanks for the reply . . it really helps to hear from someone who has actually used them . . .

i was looking at a kit someone had posted recently here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54634) . . this is the kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Recommend&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=298604&is=REG)

it looks like you just plug them into the wall .. . .is that right? or woul i need to get a power supply . . also . . if they do plug into the wall . . im guessing that they are an "always on" deal? no triggering?

I really hate asking so many questions . . can someone point me in the right direction as far as good learning resources on the topic of studio lighting with regard to what equipment is used for what situations and such?

Any info is much appreciated . .. :)

[jimsolt]

it looks like you just plug them into the wall .. . .is that right?
With the caveat that a 15 amp circuit will hold only 1800 watts and this kit delivers 1250, considered by many to be minimal for a 3 light kit.

[epeace]

ok . . so ive reached a new dilemma in my search for my first light kit . . .

in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54758) johnEbongo tips me off to alienbees digibee light kit (http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html) as an affordable alternative. i like the look of that kit very much and will most likely buy them depending . .

the dilemma is this: if you go on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3868943602&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcN__Stores) you can find a seemingly comparable two light kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3868943602&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcN__Stores)for half the price . .

now assuming the seller is on the up and up . . my question is does the "you-get-what-you-pay-for" rule apply to studio lighting?

[jimsolt]

When I look at the 2 ads I think the digibee kit consists of strobes and the "seemingly comparable" kit consists of "permanently on" or hot lights. That would be, to me, the difference.
Jim

[epeace]

ah . . i see . . hot lamps are definitely not what i want . . . good tip thanks!

[BoySpot]

With regard to the power ratings above, is that a continous demand for the constant lights or is it the instantaneous output of the flashes. If it's the latter, won't the power demand from the sockets be a lot less since they are charging up over a longer time period. As you will guess, i don't have any of this stuff but I am interested in what there is and how to use it.

[jimsolt]

If you're referring to my post, I can't speak for any electrical appliance that does not come with a rating of what power it consumes. Ohms law can get confusing, but my numbers are standard for US household current -- that is 120volt AC (actually it isn't 120 V, but that rating is usually used and safely so), and standard US circuits are either 15 or 20 amps. It is to be assumed that more than one outlet is normally on every circuit and the total number of appliances must be considered. There are dedicated one outlet circuits, but these are not the norm. AND if you're really new to this stuff, please DO NOT insert a higher rated fuse, or God forbid, the proverbial penny. Your new studio might burn down.

[BoySpot]

Now I see the kit he was referring to was permenant lighting rather than flash. The sort of thing for video rather than still, I would assume. That will certainly suck up the juice. Flash work, on the other hand, shouldn't really tax the household supply too much. Constant lighting for evaluation etc and then a charge to the circuits for the flash illumination.