New to lighting...are these any good?

[shuedini]

Until recently I've been doing the majority of my photography outdoors. The only indoor photography I've done has been with my 580exII or available window lighting. I'm looking to get some lights for an indoor "studio." Nothing super serious but I will need something that will work for the winter time when we can't really do a whole lot of outdoor stuff.

I've been doing a lot of reading here and I know what people recommend. The only problem is I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on lights and accessories. So that leads me to my questions:

Would this kit be sufficient for a non-pro shooting some photos in an extra room in his house? (I'm looking at the Strobelite 3-Lite Educational Kit)

http://www.fjwestcott.com/promos/strobelite/index.html

Also, what would I need in addition to this kit to get it up and working? I plan on getting a muslin kit off of ebay. One that comes with a black, white and a gray backdrop.

Any advise is appreciated!

[Zansho]

Doesn't say the power output, but I've never used these. /shrugs.

[shuedini]

Just contacted Robert's of Indy. The heads are 150ws.

[hawkeye60]

I'd say they'd be okay for home use. Head and shoulders portraits should be fine, for groups or full length shots the 150 watt power will be limiting. Just remember they are not fan cooled so heavy extended use might result in overheating.

[lyonsdennn]

why would you get these when for the same price you could get what pros use....everyone swears by alienbees, they are not off brands and are so good its nearly impossible to find used ones because they are so nice. not to mention typically when they do come on ebay they sell for 40 bucks less than they would new. AKA if you change your mind they will have great resale value and you will not lose your investment...

honestly just get the digi bee package its 600 bucks if u upgrade like im going to its 750.. for much better equipment, ps: if they give u free stuff its usually built crappy...and just a ploy to get you to believe YOU are the one getting the deal. just like all those crappy lighting off brand kits on ebay people cuss, swear, and stop their feet about after purchasing them...
read some reviews on the company first...
even if ur not gona go pro...for the same price u could have what the pros have...so to me this is a no brainer...hopefully u see the logic.

[isoMorphic]

for the same price u could have what the pros have...so to me this is a no brainer...hopefully u see the logic.

Pro's may use WL but you wont find them using Bee's unless they are doing charity work.

[Zansho]

Pro's may use WL but you wont find them using Bee's unless they are doing charity work.

Pros use Alien Bees 1600's - there's nothing wrong with them for portraiture and location work. Please don't presume to know what ALL professionals use and don't use. David Hobby uses Speedlights - just because he's not using your conceived notion of lighting doesn't make him any less of a professional.

It's about skill and know how to use the equipment you have, not how much x dollars you've spent on top of the line stuff. I've seen folks with profoto lights and 5D Mark II's who can't use them to save their lives, and I've seen amazing shots done with just a bag of speedlights.

[Zansho]

There are plenty of other options out there for the beginner too.

Calumet Genesis, Elinchrom D-Lites, just to rattle off a couple. Both are good options and a good setup can be had for under $600.00 as well.

[Titus213]

Pro's may use WL but you wont find them using Bee's unless they are doing charity work.

Does that mean I have to sell my Bees and give back the money I made with them?:rolleyes:

[DC Fan]

The Westcott lighting kit should be more than enough for what you'll need.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/0105a0164.jpg

This group image was illuminated with two 30-inch Westcott umbrellas and two Sunpak 383 shoe-mount flashes. The light sources were smaller and less powerful than the small monolights in the Westcott kit under consideration, yet they worked just fine.

Even when using 320ws monolights under similar circumstances, the monolights worked just fine at half power, roughly the same power output offered by the Westcott kit.

[Titus213]

I think the photo is pretty good. At least the lighting works and looks to have been very basic. I will admit it got me wondering what in the world those folks were doing.:lol:

[bps]

Lighting Gurus,

I'm also looking at one of the three kits that Westcott is offering and it looks like a really good deal. But let me preface that with stating my experience with lighting, which is nearly zero.

Here's a quick overview of my background and where I'm headed. I'd love to hear more opinions on whether or not one of these kits would be right for me.

1) About 9 months ago, I started working as a second shooter for a local wedding pro. I've been bouncing my 580 EX II for flash. I've quickly fallen in love with weddings and want to become more and more involved in my learning journey.

2) I don't know if studio shooting is for me, but there's no way to know until you try it out. I also enrolled in NYIP and will be hitting the portraiture lessons in about 2-3 months. I'm trying to milk everything I can from this course, so having my own lighting would be beneficial to me.

3) I will not be opening up a studio or become a primary wedding photographer in the next year. I still have a lot to learn and firmly believe in becoming highly proficient before making that move. And even though I'm eager and highly-motivated, I still don't know if weddings and studio work are for me...but time will tell... (passion is what drives me)

4) My budget is not limited, but I don't want to be wasteful either. However, I prefer to do it right the first time around versus getting something cheap and then being dissatisfied a couple of months down the road.

With that being said, I would really appreciate your thoughts on the kits being offered in the OP's original post. It seems like the basic educational material and the price (for what you get) is really good. But that is where your opinions come in...and they are very important to me.

Thanks!
Bryan

[bps]

Anyone?

I would love some help/opinions from my fellow POTN members...

Thanks,
Bryan