CLUELESS

I want to set up an indoor studio using my daughter's bedroom, it is about 10 foot by 12 foot. I have a budget of around $450.00 to start with for lights and a backdrop stand, any suggestions would be helpful, I don't even know where to start. Thanks!

For $450? Hang a sheet, or get a small roll of paper, a couple of hooks in the wall and a pole would be good too. A pair of Yongnou 460 flash units and some cheap e-bay soft boxes. Probably be out close to $400-$450. 10'X12' is pretty small, you going to be shooting headshots? Or small children?

Mostly kids and newborns. I hope to do outdoor shoots for families.

In that price range, take a look at the Calumet Genesis strobe kits.

Dave Jr wrote in post #12207923
In that price range, take a look at the Calumet Genesis strobe kits.

...... and if your not in a terrible hurry you can wait for one of their many sales on the kits. When they're on sale, it's a steal!

Robert, do you know generally when that would be?

Start watching the Calumet site around October. They are usually on sale between October and December. Grab them as soon as they go on sale or you may be waiting for a back order.

Unless I've really lost track of time I seem to recall several sales per year and it's been a while since the last one.

Just check in on the site once a week.

TMR Design wrote in post #12207957
...... and if your not in a terrible hurry you can wait for one of their many sales on the kits. When they're on sale, it's a steal!

Very true. This 2-light 400 kit is $599 plus shipping now, if I recall it was like $340 with free shipping when I was looking at them in November. And I believe the 200 kit was $299.00.

I seem to recall them going on sale in late May in 2009, I would guess they have a twice yearly sale.

An AB800 through a 64" PLM would be a bit of overkill in the space you've described, for what you want to generally want to shoot. For children and babies, you want a softer light, generally a more narrow depth of focus, which will be hard to get with a 320 w/s B800 and a PLM. If you really want a bee, B400 is the way to go. I agree with the poster about a smaller speedlight, should be plenty, and a lot easier to place in a small room than a monolight.

Play nice people.

huh?

He just took out the maybe or maybe not obscenity. I think everyone is playing nice, except the OP who took exception to waiting until October.

Start with THIS light: $149
Add a 2nd Light: $114
THIS portable battery pack: $125
You're at $389 for a 2 light set with a portable battery pack for locations shooting.

Buy a gallon of paint and paint the walls for now. Depending on your camera, you can get a Sync cord or a wireless trigger pretty cheap, and you're ready to go. There are a lot of accessories for these lights, as well as more powerful lights that will work with the same battery pack.

sorry mod~ the 'maybe or maybe not obscenity' is a popular internet phrase for expressing frustration. haha It wasn't directed at anyone, but if anyone took offense to it, I apologize.

Darn. I'd like to save $$$ on my monolight, but waiting until October is not worth it.
It's especially hard because I live in the Chicagoland area and could go pick things up at the store directly.

I think I'm going to go with the AB800 w/ 64" silver reflective PLM as my first real strobe, but everyone must love theirs cuz I don't see many for sale on the used forum. I'll probably have to buy the vaga mini lithium new since it's brand new to the market.