Kit Question

[Baadil]

Hi,

I am looking at one of the lighting kits for my home studio. Here is what I am thinking of.


http://cgi.ebay.com/3-STROBES-LIGHTI...QQcmdZViewItem

Coul all you experts out there please look at this and let me know if this is any good or not? This will be used mainly for family portraits etc. I know everyone suggests go for more branded stuff etc but I have to look at my budget etc. Plus right now I am trying to save for a DSLR. Also, do you guys know if I can use this kit with my current camera or not? I have Canon Powershot Pro 1.

Thank you for all the help.

[tim]

Read the FAQ.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...d.php?t=113639

[Titus213]

There are lots of cheap lighting setups available, especially on eBay. When you consider the AlienBees being very economical and the cheapest single light kit you can get from them is over $300 it should put your find into perspective. You do get what you pay for. If you're careful.

[Baadil]

Thank you Tim/Titus.
You are correct in saying that you get what you paid for but with having under $400 budget and only a non-paying hobby, I am not sure how I can justify a bigger budget to my finance minister (Wife, you know). I was thinking more than a single light, perhaps 2-3 light kit with unbrellas etc for some soft portraits. I am not sure how much I can accompliosh with a single light. Even though I spend hours and hours reading about lighting etc I am still less than 5% comfortable with lighting. Also, I can't even tell what will work with my Powershot Pro 1 and what will not when it comes to flash style lighting.

Thank you.

[Titus213]

I've read several threads here in the past that contain some good advice about lighting - start with a single, learn how to use it, then slowly add to it. That's what I'm doing right now. I am finding that learning to balance multiple lights is really tough. From hands-on personal experience with the Alien Bees that's where I would probably go for the money you are talking about.

I'm not familiar with the Pro 1, but if it has a hotshoe mount for an external flash you can hook a PC cable to it for a studio flash I believe. Just watch the trigger voltage - the Bees should be safe to use, others might not be.