Best $200 > lighting kit: Need Suggestions

[wesworks]

Okay, like the title states I'm interested in hearing what you all consider the best budget lighting kit to buy while keeping the cost in the sub $200 range.

I'm sure there are other people that are new that would like to know what the the most experienced users would suggest. I know me as a college student I'm extremely budget minded, but I'd like to purchase lighting equipment to expand my abilities in photography.


Please any help would be great!

[[godfather]]

I think genesis is 200$, not sure though.

[wesworks]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404508-REG/Impact_EX100A_2KII_Two_Monolight_Kit_.html

is this a good setup? or will the light be too weak to do much with?

[[godfather]]

What are you planning to shoot? Its very low, its only 100Ws. It would be sufficient for Product photography, but not for People/Portraits IMHO.

[wesworks]

I'm interested in doing portraiture/automotive photography. I am shooting with a speedlite bounced into a 42 in umbrella right now and looking to upgrade. but limited by budget restrictions. how many watts do i need to be looking for 200-400?

[hawk911]

you could get 1 genesis light, but no stands or modifiers. and that's just the first light.

[[godfather]]

I'm interested in doing portraiture/automotive photography. I am shooting with a speedlite bounced into a 42 in umbrella right now and looking to upgrade. but limited by budget restrictions. how many watts do i need to be looking for 200-400?
Yes. 200ws atleast. I'd say if budget is a restricted as of now, wait for sometime, save more money and then buy something which lasts as you grow.

[57hardtop]

Calumet Genesis One Light Kit (http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K/)...200ws with umbrella and stand...you can't beat it for the money...the quality is fantastic

[wesworks]

i am really liking the genesis. Kinda wish i could get 2 lights. but i dont think i would get near the quality.

[doidinho]

i am really liking the genesis. Kinda wish i could get 2 lights. but i dont think i would get near the quality.

For $200 quality isn't in the cards I'm afraid, even for just one light. I would try and buy used if possible.

[mattograph]

Does it have to be a big studio light?

And if so..... why?

[Pearlallica]

the genesis looks like great value. I wouldn't settle for less. Get a reflector/stand as 2nd light source.

[57hardtop]

For $200 quality isn't in the cards I'm afraid, even for just one light. I would try and buy used if possible.

Oh, how very wrong that statement is...for entry level (and even intermediate level) the Genesis lights are as good, or better, than the very popular Alien Bees (and there are many pros using Bees)...the only thing the Genesis lights had going against them is that accessories were somewhat limited (compared to the Bees), and the ones that were available cost a little more...that is until recently...now there are many sellers on ebay starting to sell decent quality third party accessories at very reasonable rates...finally :D

Remember, the OP is looking for the best available within his budget ;)

[wesworks]

Does it have to be a big studio light?

And if so..... why?

nope not at all. I've been strobing for about 9-10 months now with a single speedlite. My only issue is the auto-sleep feature on my flash that really interferes while shooting that i'm unable to turn off.

So I'm not opposed to using say 2 285HV's other then the fact that batteries are expensive and I have a small honda generator that i can tote with me to power studio strobes.

But if you have a suggestion by all means i'm interested in hearing all sides.

For $200 quality isn't in the cards I'm afraid, even for just one light. I would try and buy used if possible.

Oh I've been searching locally for used equipment as well as on here but just doesn't seem like anything is really available.

the genesis looks like great value. I wouldn't settle for less. Get a reflector/stand as 2nd light source.

I've actually considered this and not at all opposed to the idea. and i already have a spare stand so i'd just need the clamp.

[wesworks]

now there are many sellers on ebay starting to sell decent quality third party accessories at very reasonable rates...finally :D

Remember, the OP is looking for the best available within his budget ;)

Accessories like what? sorry i'm fairly fresh to studio strobes. well I'm fairly green altogether.

[57hardtop]

Accessories like what? sorry i'm fairly fresh to studio strobes. well I'm fairly green altogether.

softboxes, grids, snoots, gel holders, etc.

wesworks, regarding your statement about using using your generator to power strobes...don't do it...you'll blow your strobes. I'm not an expert, but there are many threads with people asking about doing just that, and it seems that the strobes need a pure sine wave converter or else they'll blow. Hopefully someone who knows more about this will post with the details...all I know is that you SHOULD NOT do that.

[doidinho]

Be sure and take look at the modifiers that are available for your lights before purchasing; they are largely expensive and a lot of them only fit specific brands of lights. Photoflex makes nice modifiers and allows you to switch out speedrings should you ever decide to switch brands. Since cost is important I suggest you take a step back and look at the total cost of everything before making your decision. A large softbox can easily set you $200-$300. A stand can set you back $70+, and triggers can. set you back at least $200 for some decent ones.

Studio lights are great, but you can get a lot of bang for your buck with speedlights as well. In addition the portability of speedlights is nice At times, so you will probably end up keeping them if you decide to move to studio strobes later.

Oh, and Honda generators are pretty much the industry standard for location shoots with digital lights. Just make sure it has an inverter on it.

http://************/yf6lo9w

Appears that Roger doesn't have much experience w/ lights and is regurgitating bits and pieces that he has picked up from cruising the forums out of context, so I would be warry of taking any of his advice.

[57hardtop]

Since cost is important I suggest you take a step back and look at the total cost of everything before making your decision. A large softbox can easily set you $200-$300. A stand can set you back $70+, and triggers can. set you back at least $200 for some decent ones.

Very good advice...I agree...I suggested/recommended the available options for decent modifiers for the Genesis lights...OP is obviously looking for a budget set-up, which certainly wouldn't include a $300 softbox for high end lights he may or may not buy sometime in the future...let's try to answer the OP's question without scaring the hell out of him...he wants the best quality budget studio lights he can afford...there are options out there for good quality lights for an amateur that won't break the bank.

Studio lights are great, but you can get a lot of bang for your buck with speedlights as well. In addition the portability of speedlights is nice At times, so you will probably end up keeping them if you decide to move to studio strobes later.

Once again, I agree...but OP linked to studio lights...therefore he is asking for advice about which studio lights are the best within a very specific budget...my advice is the best option (IMHO) within that budget

Oh, and Honda generators are pretty much the industry standard for location shoots with digital lights. Just make sure it has an inverter on it.

http://************/yf6lo9w

I've never heard that (but that certainly doesn't mean it isn't true)...but not once have I read that just any Honda generator is an acceptable way to do that, and I openly stated that I don't know the details about this...that "I'm not an expert", but I've read that a pure sine wave inverter is somehow needed in the equation...that I had learned this from reading threads in the forum from people wanting to use gas generators to power their lights...no deception there...just trying to prevent what could be a very expensive lesson for the OP...in the meantime, I'll wait for one of the experienced members of this forum whom I have gotten to know and trust to verify your "industry standard" statement.

The link that you provided led me to another forum where Honda generators were discussed. While it is true that those people were stating that certain specific Honda generators are safe to use with their high end lights, it also states that other Honda generators are not safe. Without knowing which Honda generator the OP has, how can you make a statement telling him that it's OK to use his generator to power studio lights. I'm curious as to why you would make such an assumption.

Appears that Roger doesn't have much experience w/ lights and is regurgitating bits and pieces that he has picked up from cruising the forums out of context, so I would be warry of taking any of his advice.

True, but I do know that the Genesis lights are a fantastic option for entry level/intermediate level lights ;)

Everybody has to start somewhere Robert, and not everyone has a ton of money to throw into a hobby. For those of us who don't, we come here to learn from the kind photographers who have experience, and want to share their knowledge...without discouraging newcomers. As far as your comment about "regurgitating bits and pieces that he has picked up from cruising the forums out of context", I'm not even going to dignify that third grade comment with a reply.

Talented and knowledgeable photographers like yourself should be encouraging newcomers and showing them ways to hone their craft within their means, not misleading them (us). Robert, my reply to your statement "For $200 quality isn't in the cards" was not an attack on you or your knowledge...but I do feel that it was irresponsible (IMHO) coming from a man of your talent. :(

hey, maybe you just had a bad day ;)

[mikaelo]

Pretty much all generators generate a pure sine wave as long as they have AC alternators on them (most efficient, cheapest design).

The only time wave form is an issue is when you go from DC to AC and have to electrically generate the wave. Generators will get a wave when the alternator spin.

Still, some new designs may differ so check it out, but in general , generators are fine but noisy.

[wesworks]

my generator is a Honda EU2000I which is very very quiet and it does generate a pure sine wave after about 30 seconds of research. I'm going to keep the Genisis in mind, if i decide to go studio strobes and unable to find some in the used market and going to see what i an get a set of 285HV's for and stand setups. as far as triggers go I'll probably go with 602's

[pilsburypie]

$200 isn't alot of money when you think of your strobes, stands, modifiers, triggers etc..... that money just gets eaten up.

I have just started out on off camera flashes - this is what I bought: (already had a 580exii)

1 Yongnuo 460 flash £40
Yongnuo rf602 triggers x 2 £40
2 shoot through umbrellas and mounting brackets £25

All from ebay and mount on my tripods..... so I have a wireless 2 flash radio setup with modifiers for £105 - about $170......

That is as cheap as your gonna do it unless you get a second hand bargain..... or have been a good boy for Santa!