Best lighting set I can pick up for ~$300?

[gibsonla]

Looking to get my first set of continuous lights. I mostly shoot portraiture/glamor. Any recommendation for a kit to get me started that wont break the bank?

Some of the cowboy studio sets on amazon look appealing

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1259821433/ref=sr_st?keywords=kit&rs=3347871&page=1&bbn=3347871&rh=n%3A502394%2Cn%3A172435%2Cn%3A3347871%2Ck%3Akit&sort=pmrank

I'm just afraid of the "you get what you pay for" scenario haha.

[jeromego]

why would yo want to use continuous lighting system?

First, it would be so hot for the model posing under those lights.
2nd, those lights give some kind of color tint of yellow.

if I were you, i would get an alienbee or calumet's genesis system.

[gibsonla]

I thought florescent don't give off heat?

I'm still a little confused on terminology but aren't alienbees, strobes, etc. essentially higher power flashes? I'm not sure I have the budget / conceptual understanding for a strobe system (I know how noobish that must sound . . . )

I'm not really too motivated to drop more than $300 on lighting since I don't have a dedicated studio space. I would basically have to bring everything wherever I ended up shooting.

[jeromego]

I thought florescent don't give off heat?

I'm still a little confused on terminology but aren't alienbees, strobes, etc. essentially higher power flashes? I'm not sure I have the budget / conceptual understanding for a strobe system (I know how noobish that must sound . . . )

I'm not really too motivated to drop more than $300 on lighting since I don't have a dedicated studio space. I would basically have to bring everything wherever I ended up shooting.

THIS (http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/) is better than the continuous light.

EDIT: do some search on this forum and you'll see a lot of members that are happy using the genesis as well as the alienbee.

[gibsonla]

Do I need to buy some sort of additional sync cord or something of that matter to connect my XSi to the lighting system? Or is everything I need included in that kit?

[c2thew]

^

Includes:

* Two Genesis 200 Flash Units
* Two 10' Light Stands
* Two 45" White Umbrellas w/ Removable Black Covers
* Two Flash Tubes
* Two Modeling Lamps
* Two Reflectors
* Two Power Cords
* Two Sync Cords <-------------------------------------------------------------
* Two Protective Caps
* Two Spare Fuses

[gibsonla]

I tried searching this forum section so I could avoid asking so many noobie questions =)

Anyways. One of the threads mentioned that I would need to buy some sort of adapter or something since the XSi doesn't have the appropriate port on the camera? What's all this business with radio triggers etc.? Essentially what are the different options to trigger the strobes

[tnguyen600]

I bought this from Cowboy Studios last week Link (http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Studio-Monolight-Lighting/dp/B002GDV0MQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1259827698&sr=8-7-spell)

I had one little problem, but it's being fixed. For $290...I couldn't say no. I couldn't justify spending $500+ for the other name brand set-ups.

[LostShootingStar]

I bought this from Cowboy Studios last week Link (http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Studio-Monolight-Lighting/dp/B002GDV0MQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1259827698&sr=8-7-spell)

I had one little problem, but it's being fixed. For $290...I couldn't say no. I couldn't justify spending $500+ for the other name brand set-ups.

I can see why you were tempted; that's quite a bundle for $290 http://stats.fm/uploads/G/w.gifhttp://stats.fm/uploads/B/P.gif Great for people on a budget!

[k_wakasugi]

THIS (http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CF0502K1/) is better than the continuous light.

EDIT: do some search on this forum and you'll see a lot of members that are happy using the genesis as well as the alienbee.

I fall under that category. I have and love the 2 light kit he linked to. Grab them now, they're on sale!