Reasonably priced home studio lighting? [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

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AndrewMmc

1st of March 2009 (Sun), 17:30

Hello all... I have been an amateur photographer for around 6 years now and have enjoyed landscape and wildlife photography. I'd like to try some studio work in some spare space I have at home. I'm thinking about portraits mostly. What equipment would I need to start with, and what sort of price range should I expect as an amateur to pay?

Thanks for your help,

Andrew

Big Mike

2nd of March 2009 (Mon), 12:43

hawk911

3rd of March 2009 (Tue), 08:59

I second the Dlite recomendation. If you can't afford them, maybe a Genesis kit instead. you can buy elinchrom modifiers and reuse them if you upgrade to the Elinchrom line later on.

nrellas

3rd of March 2009 (Tue), 19:55

You can make great portraits with nothing more than window light and a reflector...or you can spend many thousands of dollars for a studio set up.

I would start looking at AlienBees (http://www.alienbees.com/) or D-Lites (http://www.elinchrom.com/).

I second the Dlite recomendation. If you can't afford them, maybe a Genesis kit instead. you can buy elinchrom modifiers and reuse them if you upgrade to the Elinchrom line later on.

x2 on both of these. Both AB's and Dlites are a great way to start off your studio. If you can afford it look at Calumet (not the best quality, but better then AB and Dlite), ProPhoto, Elinchrome, Broncolor.

As far as money, if you can expect make a return on this "investment" go for it. If it is purely for yourself, rather then as a professional money making venture, then I would stick with the lower end equipment.

rooftopsuicideclub

3rd of March 2009 (Tue), 21:21

i really can't say this enough, although i agree with what everyone here is saying:

check out the genesis 200's. i have 3 now, and i think they're a reeeeeally inexpensive solution to start studio lighting. they have more than enough power for my small studio, the elinchrome rings work with most any accessory so you can buy cheaper modifiers (amvona softboxes/octaboxes!), and they have the little bells and whistles like optical sensors for syncing your lights, and they're built really well. i've been using mine for a while now, and have gotten fantastic results with them.

check out my glamour and fine art/nudes section for examples of the results of these lights. my website is in my signature.

hawk911

4th of March 2009 (Wed), 08:28

x2 on both of these. Both AB's and Dlites are a great way to start off your studio. If you can afford it look at Calumet (not the best quality, but better then AB and Dlite), ProPhoto, Elinchrome, Broncolor.

I'm not sure the Genesis are better than a Dlite; if anything they might be equal in quality of contruction.

nrellas

4th of March 2009 (Wed), 09:20

I'm not sure the Genesis are better than a Dlite; if anything they might be equal in quality of contruction.

Agreed, both are the lower end of each manufactures product line. I was talking about the higher end equipment. With photography equipment, and strobes are no exception, you get what you pay for.

GA_Teg

4th of March 2009 (Wed), 12:15

I use the Alienbees. I have used them for magazine shoots, all day model shoots and have never had a problem with them. They may not be Broncolor but they are workhorses.

Jon Foster

5th of March 2009 (Thu), 20:27

I've got the AB's on my list of purchases...

Jon.

dsmPhotoCompany

14th of March 2009 (Sat), 10:39

Mark1

14th of March 2009 (Sat), 12:21

Another thing I recommend is join the NAPP. For many reasons, ...

I will second this one!!!! And maybe it should have its own thread. NAPP has discounts all over the place. MANY not even related to photo. Airline tickets for example. I have heard Scott Kelby (he owns the NAPP) say that he has a department ( probably 1-2 people) that all they do is talk with company's that call NAPP to offer discounts.

NewbieXT

15th of March 2009 (Sun), 23:23

I also highly recommend the Alien Bee products.

Another thing I recommend is join the NAPP. For many reasons, but I'll focus on one...

Free UPS shipping from B&H Photo. For a $99 annual membership to the NAPP...that's it. I can place orders non-stop and never pay shipping.

Many benefits to the NAPP, this is just one of many.

Nope, I don't work for 'em but I have saved hundreds of dollars in shipping - especially on seemless paper rolls.

Good point, the bulky Items like paper would be very expensive to ship.

I bought the Alien bees too. When you price a setup, you need to look at more than just the lights, you have to look at the modifiers your gonna need. How much are the speedrings, beauty dish, softboxes,barn doors...

You won't catch a guy who paid several grand for their lights talking anything but trash about bees. Fact is they work. they have a reputation for excellent customer service. Paul C. Buff claims he owns about 80 percent of the lighting market, between AB and WL Brands. That puts a whole lot of companies and brands competing for a 20 percent share.

There are several big names out there that put out a budget light to compete with Alien bees, but price their modifiers and accessories.

dsmPhotoCompany

16th of March 2009 (Mon), 09:50

I am going to start switching to another brand of modifiers though. I like the AB foldable softboxes, but they're not very compatible with other lights (should I travel and rent lights, switch to different lights, etc). Also, they're not rated for hotlights if I got some of those.

I'm looking at Photoflex as one option.

LAW2

16th of March 2009 (Mon), 13:03

Photoflex is all I've ever had and I like them. They are well made and I think they will last for many years. When put together they are taught and easy to move around. Just buy the appropriate speedring and you're good to go. I have 2lrg and 1med softbox. I recommend the 2214 LS for the large softbox.