Studio equipment

[jeromego]

im not sure if this is the right forum to ask this, but i thought since it involves lighting and flash photography so id post this here. anyway, ive always wanted to start doing off camera flash photography and been thinking about buying some equipment and saw this on craigslist, http://orlando.craigslist.org/pho/851411600.html
i would appreciate it very much if someone would be able to tell me if this is a good deal for these items this guy is selling. dont really know much about some of the stuff especially the strobes that he;s selling. thanks.

[jeromego]

anyone? i need help before deciding to buy this. thanks.

[eduardofrances]

im not sure if this is the right forum to ask this, but i thought since it involves lighting and flash photography so id post this here. anyway, ive always wanted to start doing off camera flash photography and been thinking about buying some equipment and saw this on craigslist, http://orlando.craigslist.org/pho/851411600.html
i would appreciate it very much if someone would be able to tell me if this is a good deal for these items this guy is selling. dont really know much about some of the stuff especially the strobes that he;s selling. thanks.
you can compare the prices of the stuff he is selling
Here:
http://www.white-lightning.com/flash2.html
http://www.white-lightning.com/battery.html
http://www.white-lightning.com/stands.html

[jeromego]

you can compare the prices of the stuff he is selling
Here:
http://www.white-lightning.com/flash2.html
http://www.white-lightning.com/battery.html
http://www.white-lightning.com/stands.html

thanks. appreciate it.

[bad karma]

You can buy a new vagabond for 300 I believe, he's ripping you off for 150

http://www.alienbees.com/battery.html

[bad karma]

Plus if you're shooting in a studio with electrical outlets you can shoot through the sockets, I doubt you even need a portable power supply.

[jeromego]

thanks bad karma.

[slivr]

Hey, Jeromego -
If you have absolutely NOTHING to start with, an all-inclusive package like what he's providing would certainly give you the ability to hit the ground running with everything he's listed. I won't warn you away but it seems like a lot of money for a lot of miscellaneous items to go with that 3-generations old camera.

Don't get me wrong - I've got the 10D, 30D, and now a 1D-Mark III and like 'em all ... but I think you could do better for yourself just by purchasing a new 40D Canon (great camera from all the reviews) and an Alien Bee starter package or Genesis 200 Kit without all the stuff sitting around the back of his closet that he wants to clean out. Just my opinion and it's worth a total of two-cents, but I'd encourage you to go online and look up some new gear or kit pricing as comparisan.

[slivr]

This isn't necessarily the grouping I'd recommend, but for a reasonable package that would provide many lighting options for you as well as the ability to expand, consider:

$629 - Canon 40D
$355 - Canon 85mm f2.8 lens
$599 - AlienBee DigiBee Package (2-AB800's, 2-stands, 2-umbrellas)
$150 - Manfrotto TriPod (for steady portraiture)
$160 - 30x60 AlienBee folding Softbox
--------

That only comes up to about $1,900 then a couple of memory cards and you're shooting like crazy for ummmm ... 1/2 the price he wants for his "take all or forget it" package and it's all new gear for you! If you decide that's not professional enough lighting equipment for your new studio then step up to a Canon 5D and Elinchrom RX lights instead. They're top performers, capable of handling active-studio volume ... and you're STILL below his package with new stuff. Don't let him bowl you over with a listing that includes dozens of items, if those items aren't what you need or can be improved upon for the same amount or less (unless it's a friend and you want to help him unload the stuff).

[jeromego]

This isn't necessarily the grouping I'd recommend, but for a reasonable package that would provide many lighting options for you as well as the ability to expand, consider:

$629 - Canon 40D
$355 - Canon 85mm f2.8 lens
$599 - AlienBee DigiBee Package (2-AB800's, 2-stands, 2-umbrellas)
$150 - Manfrotto TriPod (for steady portraiture)
$160 - 30x60 AlienBee folding Softbox
--------

That only comes up to about $1,900 then a couple of memory cards and you're shooting like crazy for ummmm ... 1/2 the price he wants for his "take all or forget it" package and it's all new gear for you! If you decide that's not professional enough lighting equipment for your new studio then step up to a Canon 5D and Elinchrom RX lights instead. They're top performers, capable of handling active-studio volume ... and you're STILL below his package with new stuff. Don't let him bowl you over with a listing that includes dozens of items, if those items aren't what you need or can be improved upon for the same amount or less (unless it's a friend and you want to help him unload the stuff).

thanks slivr. i have the 40d right and would really want to start doing photography using lights or strobes. i guess i'll just have to pass on that deal. for someone who wants to start doing off camera flash photography, what would you recommend doing as a first step with regards to buying some gear (i.e. umbrellas, strobes, wireless trigger, etc...)? i was actually thinking of getting the cybersync wireless triggers and the photoflex lite dome kit and start from there since i already have the 580exii.

[tjongkristian]

Based on my experience, I wish I had bought a portable strobe. You can use it in the studio or outside when you need it. Better than buying one for studio and another for outdoor. Just my opinion...

[jeromego]

Based on my experience, I wish I had bought a portable strobe. You can use it in the studio or outside when you need it. Better than buying one for studio and another for outdoor. Just my opinion...

what do you mean by portable stobe? im sorry but im a newbie in flash photography. what i have right now is just a 580exii.

[jeromego]

is this a good one to get if i wanna start doing off camera flash photography? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425220-REG/Impact_DFUMK_Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html#

or do you guys have any other recommendations for a starter kit. or should i get a softbox like this http://www.photoflex.com/Photoflex_Products/Small_LiteDome_Kit_with_Swivel_and_Stand/index.html

thanks.

[slivr]

Well if you were willing to spend around $4k for that Craigslist package ... but you've already got a 40D camera (presumably a lens as well) and a 580exII - you can obtain a full studio worth of gear -AND- outdoor portable lighting setups for less than that and have the best of both worlds.

The benefit to studio lights is modeling lamps and the light output they produce. Modeling lamps allow you to "see" where the light is falling ... difference between your main light and fill light ... etc. With flash strobes such as the 580ex you don't get that benefit and have to know where your light's hitting which creates some 'hit-n-miss' results. For a portable strobe solution the umbrella kit you noted in your post above is not a bad option. It gives you two stands and umbrellas that can be shot through or reflected off of, and the adapters to mount your strobe(s) to. Purchase a second strobe that includes a slave capability (or a couple wireless transceivers) and you're in business for location/outdoor use.

Another option is to purchase studio lights such as AlienBees, Genesis, or D-Lites in a kit (which means they include stands and umbrellas or softboxes) and then couple them with a portable power supply such as AlienBees Vagabond-II battery. Now you can power them outdoors on location ... get the benefit of modeling lamps ... and have strong lights at lower pricing.

[jeromego]

Well if you were willing to spend around $4k for that Craigslist package ... but you've already got a 40D camera (presumably a lens as well) and a 580exII - you can obtain a full studio worth of gear -AND- outdoor portable lighting setups for less than that and have the best of both worlds.

The benefit to studio lights is modeling lamps and the light output they produce. Modeling lamps allow you to "see" where the light is falling ... difference between your main light and fill light ... etc. With flash strobes such as the 580ex you don't get that benefit and have to know where your light's hitting which creates some 'hit-n-miss' results. For a portable strobe solution the umbrella kit you noted in your post above is not a bad option. It gives you two stands and umbrellas that can be shot through or reflected off of, and the adapters to mount your strobe(s) to. Purchase a second strobe that includes a slave capability (or a couple wireless transceivers) and you're in business for location/outdoor use.

Another option is to purchase studio lights such as AlienBees, Genesis, or D-Lites in a kit (which means they include stands and umbrellas or softboxes) and then couple them with a portable power supply such as AlienBees Vagabond-II battery. Now you can power them outdoors on location ... get the benefit of modeling lamps ... and have strong lights at lower pricing.

what would be the best lens to use for portrait photography?

[hawk911]

This isn't necessarily the grouping I'd recommend, but for a reasonable package that would provide many lighting options for you as well as the ability to expand, consider:

$629 - Canon 40D
$355 - Canon 85mm f2.8 lens
$599 - AlienBee DigiBee Package (2-AB800's, 2-stands, 2-umbrellas)
$150 - Manfrotto TriPod (for steady portraiture)
$160 - 30x60 AlienBee folding Softbox
--------

That only comes up to about $1,900 then a couple of memory cards and you're shooting like crazy for ummmm ... 1/2 the price he wants for his "take all or forget it" package and it's all new gear for you! If you decide that's not professional enough lighting equipment for your new studio then step up to a Canon 5D and Elinchrom RX lights instead. They're top performers, capable of handling active-studio volume ... and you're STILL below his package with new stuff. Don't let him bowl you over with a listing that includes dozens of items, if those items aren't what you need or can be improved upon for the same amount or less (unless it's a friend and you want to help him unload the stuff).

and where do you find the 40Ds for $629? That's a heck of a deal!

[jeromego]

and where do you find the 40Ds for $629? That's a heck of a deal!

lol! i didnt even notice that. but someone in the sell forum is selling a 40D kit with 28-135 for 850. so if the lens is around 250 then the body would be 600. thats even cheaper. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=573685

[2112]

what would be the best lens to use for portrait photography?


Thats a loaded question, alot comes down to preference and what you can afford. Alot of photographers prefer prime lenses for portraits, some prefer zooms. Many, including myself have found the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 to be a fantastic portrait lens. It rivals Canon's 24-70 L in sharpness and IQ and can be had for $350, about 1/4 of what the Canon costs.

For location, such as the beach, I have found I would like a longer focal length. I would also like a nicer prime than my nifty fifty. I plan to pick up a Canon 100mm f/2.8 pretty soon for that. So it really comes down to what you like and how much you can spend.

[jeromego]

Thats a loaded question, alot comes down to preference and what you can afford. Alot of photographers prefer prime lenses for portraits, some prefer zooms. Many, including myself have found the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 to be a fantastic portrait lens. It rivals Canon's 24-70 L in sharpness and IQ and can be had for $350, about 1/4 of what the Canon costs.

For location, such as the beach, I have found I would like a longer focal length. I would also like a nicer prime than my nifty fifty. I plan to pick up a Canon 100mm f/2.8 pretty soon for that. So it really comes down to what you like and how much you can spend.

i now have the 70-200 2.8 IS, the nifty fifty and the 100 2.8. if i were to get a prime what focal length would you advise for portrait?

[2112]

i now have the 70-200 2.8 IS, the nifty fifty and the 100 2.8. if i were to get a prime what focal length would you advise for portrait?

You're 100 should be ideal for location portraits. In a studio though? Maybe Canon's 60 or 85mm primes. Both are very well reviewed.

[slivr]

A 40D for $629 ??? Sorry guys, I had just googled "Canon 40D" to build a price list and pulled figures from the first or second store listing shown. I'm sure it's one of the discount houses or grey-market products few would actually order, but it was an oversight to include that in my sample price list for Jeromego. However - I just googled a 40D again and found it advertised even cheaper. As it turns out, he already has one so we can ignore the camera issue and concentrate on the remainder of a reasonable equipment list. I priced those similarly by Googling each one and jotting down one of the first prices listed.

The point was: This seller is hoping to unload everything he ever invested into his photography hobby in one fell swoop -AND- get paid top dollar for it. The O.P. could easily build a better package for their individual needs at a much lower cost than $4,000 the Craiglist seller wants. Especially considering Jeromego is a self-admitted newbie to studio lighting / off-camera flash, and would be well served with an entry-level package of current, new equipment. He asked if it's a good deal, and I say "No" in this particular instance.

[slivr]

The Canon 40D features a sensor with lens magnification (crop) factor of 1.6x so shooting a 100mm lens is like a 160mm lens would show on film - making it a bit too long for studio work I think. But as 2112 pointed out - you COULD use that for your outdoor locations even though you'd still be a fair distance from your subject to get everything into the frame. Instead - your nice prime 50mm may work well to stay closer to your subject since it then acts as an 80mm does with film ... but I most often use my Canon 85 f1.8 for portraiture. I like its focal length ... it keeps me a comfortable distance but near my models when shooting ... and has outstanding bokeh when opened up for soft backgrounds. Another benefit is that length prevents distortion of your model's face even if its near the edge of your viewfinder when shooting.

Anyone else agree or disagree? I'm sure the O.P. would appreciate hearing from other readers as well.

[hawk911]

other than the guy with 4 posts selling a 40d for way cheap, you can't touch them for less than $800.

[Titus213]

i now have the 70-200 2.8 IS, the nifty fifty and the 100 2.8. if i were to get a prime what focal length would you advise for portrait?

That 70-200/2.8 IS is a terrific portrait lens if you have the room.

[bobbyz]

Agree with Titus213 above. If you got 70-200mm f2.8 why buy anything more if you just starting.

People get too hung up on right focal length for crop vs no crop and all that.

[Rudi]

i now have the 70-200 2.8 IS, the nifty fifty and the 100 2.8. if i were to get a prime what focal length would you advise for portrait?

You already have the 50mm (80mm on your crop body) and the 70-200L IS. For portraits you do not need anything else.

[jeromego]

You already have the 50mm (80mm on your crop body) and the 70-200L IS. For portraits you do not need anything else.

thanks rudi. i think i have everything i need now except the lights.

[Rudi]

Then THIS (http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/) is all you need. :)

[jeromego]

Then THIS (http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/) is all you need. :)

thanks, but ill probably be doing more outdoor off camera flash setup and as a beginner i dont want to invest on that yet while im still learning how off cam flsh photography. havent even done this before. hopefully thats where im heading.