Lighting Noob

I am currently in the process of pulling the trigger on a lighting setup. I don't need the latest and greatest, but I don't want complete crap.

I would mostly be shooting portraits of people and pets, but the occasional fun shot of water droplets and smoke might be taken. Should I go with a strobe set because of this? Or maybe buy continuous and add a strobe in there?

I have been looking at the cheaper kits from Cowboy Studio. Has anyone had any experience with them? I realize the quality won't be magnificent, but it won't die on me within a couple month of use, will it?

Katie

Did you read the sticky in this forum titled "important links-studio lighting (read first)"?

A good place to start.

doidinho wrote in post #15603891
Did you read the sticky in this forum titled "important links-studio lighting (read first)"?

A good place to start.

I certainly didn't read any of that before I rented a pair of D1 airs at 1000 watts.

its not that difficult.

doidinho wrote in post #15603891
Did you read the sticky in this forum titled "important links-studio lighting (read first)"?

A good place to start.

I did read most of the links. They did clear up some confusion for me, but I am still looking to see if anyone has used some of Cowboy Studio's lower end models.

In the US its very hard to go past Alienbees if you want to go the inexpensive monolight route.

Continuous are mainly needed for video, if you don't need that the Alienbees are lot more bang for your money.

If you want to go cheaper it may be best to look to speedlites, they are very inexpensive and also completely portable.

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #15603729
I am currently in the process of pulling the trigger on a lighting setup. I don't need the latest and greatest, but I don't want complete crap.

I would mostly be shooting portraits of people and pets, but the occasional fun shot of water droplets and smoke might be taken. Should I go with a strobe set because of this? Or maybe buy continuous and add a strobe in there?

I have been looking at the cheaper kits from Cowboy Studio. Has anyone had any experience with them? I realize the quality won't be magnificent, but it won't die on me within a couple month of use, will it?

Katie

I would suggest speed lights to start off with. You will not stop a water droplet with a cheap studio strobe. If you shoot canon maybe a 430EX or similar. Speedlights have a very fast flash duration that can freeze a water droplet mid air. If you can afford a Einstein it would be the route to go for a studio strobe. Again flash duration is very fast

Try this. It even comes with a battery pack. Good enough for me,so good that I bought 3.
http://www.amazon.com …=8-1&keywords=mettle+600w

2 shots using this strobe.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ddbias/84635722​83/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ddbias/84308232​39/

alienbees

its what i started on and still use

well i use einsteins but they're the same thing

One more vote for the Alien Bees.. I am selling my 400 but going to hang onto the Einstein.

If you want to do water drops then a speedlite capable of lower power is the best choice. As they get very short durations when used at 1/125 power. However for practically every other application strobes have advantages. I like the alien bees too, good balance of features and reliability for the price.

I'm now leaning towards an AB800, a DIY backdrop stand and I will just have to purchase a light stand and umbrella or softbox. I think I can live with one strobe for now, simply because that is all I can afford and the fact that I have a large reflector I can use to light up the shadowed side of the face. Does this sound plausible?

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #15606809
I'm now leaning towards an AB800, a DIY backdrop stand and I will just have to purchase a light stand and umbrella or softbox. I think I can live with one strobe for now, simply because that is all I can afford and the fact that I have a large reflector I can use to light up the shadowed side of the face. Does this sound plausible?

Sure it does. It certainly makes more sense than the option of buying off-brand strobe kits. The AB is something to grow into. Take a look here as to what can be done with one strobe. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=969584 Although you should understand that most studio type shots depend on more than one light, in fact 3 light setups are more common than single ones.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15606823
Sure it does. It certainly makes more sense than the option of buying off-brand strobe kits. The AB is something to grow into. Take a look here as to what can be done with one strobe. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=969584 Although you should understand that most studio type shots depend on more than one light, in fact 3 light setups are more common than single ones.

I will eventually be buying more lights, but until I can get a summer job, I only have to money to spend on one strobe. I'm not well-versed in terms of lighting terms and such, but will I see that much of a difference between the AB400 and AB800 for the small amount of work I will be doing?

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #15606860
I will eventually be buying more lights, but until I can get a summer job, I only have to money to spend on one strobe. I'm not well-versed in terms of lighting terms and such, but will I see that much of a difference between the AB400 and AB800 for the small amount of work I will be doing?

The ab800 is a better deal for the money. The 400 is a nice little light and is sufficient for many jobs. But if you are going to shoot outside or use modifiers the extra power of the 800 is nice.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15606899
The ab800 is a better deal for the money. The 400 is a nice little light and is sufficient for many jobs. But if you are going to shoot outside or use modifiers the extra power of the 800 is nice.

Thank you! Now..to start saving up for a softbox