Light Kit

[mikolaj]

I am looking for some really good lights. My work is usually outside, or with an addition of reflector(s), so I'm new to this.

Now I want to get into studio production-- does anyone have suggestions for a good start-up Light kit? I've seen Profoto, Lowel, etc. For a starter like me on this, I have no idea what to choose.

(It doesn't necesarily need to be portable battery-powered, but within the range of $1000. $1500 would be a stretch, but worth it if the deal's good.)

what do you suggest?

[PhotosGuy]

Now I want to get into studio production-- To do what kind of pics for what end use? In what size studio? etc...

[mikolaj]

For model photography / Portraits. I don't have an official studio, but like a room in the house, and I cover the windows. Really simple.
I was thinking of 2 lights with umbrellas, but again I'm the noob here.

[mgbeach]

For model photography / Portraits. I don't have an official studio, but like a room in the house, and I cover the windows. Really simple.
I was thinking of 2 lights with umbrellas, but again I'm the noob here.
I say take the covers off the windows and use that light with some reflectors. The sun is one of the most affordable light kits around. Or start off with one strobe and master using it by itself first. Then add more lights as you realize you can't do what you want to without them. Just a thought to help out the burden on your wallet.

[Phil V]

Just a thought to help out the burden on your wallet.

More than that, if you start complicated, you'll create lots of shadows and it'll be difficult to decide how to improve the lighting. by starting out simple, it's easy to work out what to add as you aim towards your goal.
In photography, light is the equivalent to seasoning in cooking. You can add more, but it's impossible to reduce it. Also you can create 'something' just by having plenty (light or seasoning), but it won't necessarily have been worth the bother.

[mikolaj]

I've been using reflectors for a long time. I do appreciate your thoughts as well-- Lighting is definitely very tough as I've been finding!

I don't really want to mess with an assistant and depend on the weather conditions (It's usally rainy here on this side of the island.)
Money is an issue, yes, but I think the Lights will be justified in the end; a worthy investment. I'll never know unless I try.

Here is a website (http://www.worldtalenthawaii.com/) containing photos I did with a reflector.

[PhotosGuy]

Nice shots in your gallery. Have you looked at the "sticky" in the lighting section? I used to, & still use a couple 283's for location work. 40 years old & still "kicking"! I prefer quartz for inside studio work though.

[wolf]

I have a couple Alien Bees AB800's (http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html) and love them for all types of studio work. They can be operated with a power pac (http://www.alienbees.com/battery.html) also if need be.

[mikolaj]

I am a member of the Student Photographic Society, so I get the PPMag. I see a lot of ads for lights, but of course I can't decide squarely on that. I've encountered reviews / tips for lighting, but nothing for beginners like me.

OK, it looks like what I'm aiming for is a "Strobe Light Kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=2250)." There are some appealing ones (Like Alien Bees) or DynaLite (http://www.dynalite.com/fpackage_wedding.html). It's hard to decide.

Is Quartz different than Flourescent or Tungsten?
Again, thanks for all your help with this.

[mgbeach]

I think it might be best to answer the question of what you need/like to work with BEFORE buying expensive equipment. You may spend 1000 dollars plus on a strobe kit only to find that you prefer to work with continuous lighting. For the maybe 100 dollars for a lighting workshop you answer some questions for yourself and also get some valuable education.

[PhotosGuy]

Is Quartz different than Flourescent or Tungsten? Quartz Iodide is tungsten, but hotter, brighter, with very little color temp variation. 3200 K.

[mikolaj]

I think it might be best to answer the question of what you need/like to work with BEFORE buying expensive equipment.

I would like to start of with something very general for now. I have a 20D and an on-camera flash, and the flash is not very flattering. Something on a higher level, that fills in the light in a more eye-pleasing way. One light source with a softbox, maybe?

(If I could find some photo classes here, I would sign up right away. I live on hawai'i--can't drive off to a workshop in texas.)

Quartz Iodide is tungsten, but hotter, brighter, with very little color temp variation. 3200 K.

What would the different watts/volts on the lights have, besides the obvious?

[PhotosGuy]

What would the different watts/volts on the lights have, besides the obvious? Not sure what you're asking? Video lights can be 50-100 watts. Small studio lamps average 500 - 650 watts. Big instruments can go up to 50,000 watts. Some cars have QH headlights.

[davepgh1]

I have the AB800, IMHO you would have to be pretty specialized to need more in a light than those. However, I would think about trying to get the softbox from another source, I got the 30 by 60 and it is not the same as some of the others I've used. I've worked with some of their other modifiers as well and they also seem to be of lower quality than the lights they sell. Get the AB's and use the money you save to get better light modifiers.

PS don't forget to buy the speed rings to attach the softbox when you buy the lights.

[smittymike19]

I have the AB800, IMHO you would have to be pretty specialized to need more in a light than those. However, I would think about trying to get the softbox from another source, I got the 30 by 60 and it is not the same as some of the others I've used. I've worked with some of their other modifiers as well and they also seem to be of lower quality than the lights they sell. Get the AB's and use the money you save to get better light modifiers.

PS don't forget to buy the speed rings to attach the softbox when you buy the lights.

what sotbox would you recommend then?

[davepgh1]

"what sotbox would you recommend then?"

I have three different cheap ones, and the one that I bought with the AB’s is the worse, however I'm not sure any of mine would make the "recommended list". I have a couple JTL/USA boxes, not the ones on the internet, and they are better than the other ones. I'm sure for more money you can find better I just don't own any of them. Let me qualify "worse" they are the hardest to set up, smaller bands of Velcro and the shell is harder to align, remember I have the 30X60 box and that may be part of the problem. The pocket in the cloth that you insert the wire frame into is shorter than I have found on the other makes. If you don't plan on breaking them down and setting them up a lot, as I do, then you can get by with almost any of them.

I got a couple of the Brolly Boxes with the AB's and the ribs are very fragile. I opened one when it came just to look at it, and again to use it but the ribs broke.

If you are doing this as a hobby used monthly or less, okay, if your a startup doing location work and need something to start, okay, they will work until you develop a cash flow to justify an upgrade. If money is not a problem go for the gold. I'm retired, use them weekly and treat them gently until I save some gold.