Starter studio lighting??? What to get first.

[melissaandkris]

I have been doing shoots for family and friends and have someone purchasing a good deal of photos soon. I would like to take this money and put it into lighting. Right now all I have is a 430EX. I would like a soft box but Im not sure what to get. Any tips on what to buy and how much? I just need enough for a simple set up for 2-3 people.

[bobbyz]

Why not just get a simple umrella and try what you can do with it?

[TheHoff]

Photek Softlighter is a good choice for a first piece of kit as it gives you a shoot-through umbrella, reflective umbrella, and an octobox all in one. You'll need that, a light stand, and an umbrella mount.

http://www.adorama.com/PTSL54.html
http://www.adorama.com/GT8.html
http://www.adorama.com/PFSC.html

oh and some way to fire it like a PC cord or ST-E2 or OC-3 cord though they are pretty short

[sevillafox]

Another vote for the softlighter. I have one and it works great as a budget solution.

[KatiaShermanPhotography]

AlianBees are popular and unexpencive too.. i have 3 of them with softboxes

[jgoodstein]

I went with the interfit 150 Mark II Kit. Its low power, built in optical slaves, umbrella and softbox, and inexpensive. Will it work for a group of 15 people... probably not but for small /home studio its fantastic.

[Moofer]

I have recently agonized over the same purchase, but eventually settled for the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 Kit which contains 2 x 400 watt flash guns (with inbuild Model Lamps), 2 x Stands (very sturdy) and 2 x Softboxes (one large one small to medium size). To go with this purchase I also got a Large Heavy Duty Telescopic Background Support and a Black Plain Dyed Muslin Background Cloth from http://www.karlu.com

All of the 1st page of my portfolio images we taken at my daughters 13th Birthday party using the above kit

To see my portfolio click this link http://studio.photobiography.co.uk/

Paul Bartram

[aeast]

If you haven't already check this out
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

Midwest Photo has starter kits if you want to go the strobist route and you already have one strobe.
http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=Strobist%20Kits