Best and cheapest studio kit for beginner?

I'm a fairly skilled photographer, but I want to start my way into studio work, I have a room for it but I'm a little lost on materials, I know ill need a backdrop, and a few lights whether its softboxes, umbrellas or both i haven't decided yet, Other than lights and white and black back drop im not sure what else I need, I've seen all this studio kits with lights and backdrops and a backdrops stand for like $150 but I feel those are extremely low/bad quality, Let me know what the best and cheapest stuff is, looking to keep in relatively cheap, and if theres anything else i need other than backdrops and lights let me know! thanks!

Elinchrom d lite 2 or 4 to go kit I would imagine is a great starter set in regards to lights.

dbeugel wrote in post #16321874
Elinchrom d lite 2 or 4 to go kit I would imagine is a great starter set in regards to lights.

is 4 the more expensive/better version?

Just beware of the ultra cheap stuff as its often so inferior as to be not particularly useful. It might be helpful if you could give us a proposed budget because as cheap as possible leads us to speculate or perhaps suggest things that might be less expensive in the short term but limiting in the long run. Dont think in terms of kits, as they are generally crap. But look at monolights so you can scale up as you need to over time. I think the alien bees from Paul Buff are a good base to start with, calumet genesis or adorama flashpoint are also good lights to consider.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16321894
Just beware of the ultra cheap stuff as its often so inferior as to be not particularly useful. It might be helpful if you could give us a proposed budget because as cheap as possible leads us to speculate or perhaps suggest things that might be less expensive in the short term but limiting in the long run. Dont think in terms of kits, as they are generally crap. But look at monolights so you can scale up as you need to over time. I think the alien bees from Paul Buff are a good base to start with, calumet genesis or adorama flashpoint are also good lights to consider.

since lm just starting studio work I'm not sure if ill be sticking with it so I don't wanna blow too much money, I'd like to keep it preferably $350-400 at most I don't know how good/bad stuff I can get but like I said I've never done studio work and don't know I ill stick with it I also have to buy a macro lens

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16321898
since lm just starting studio work I'm not sure if ill be sticking with it so I don't wanna blow too much money, I'd like to keep it preferably $350-400 at most I don't know how good/bad stuff I can get but like I said I've never done studio work and don't know I ill stick with it I also have to buy a macro lens

You cant really do a studio with quality gear for that price. You would be better off getting a couple of cheap YN speedlights and triggers.

Is that what you'd reccomend?

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16322014
Is that what you'd reccomend?

There are two possible ways to go with that budget. A couple of YN 560's, stands umbrellas, and brackets, and a backdrop with stands is within that budget. The second would be to buy one good monolight and a modifier, then when you get some more money buy a second etc. It all comes down to how serious you want to get, what your desired outcomes are etc. The speedlite option gets you started right now, but will show its limits in the long run. The monolight option is delayed gratification but will allow you more power, access to a wider range of modifiers, and ultimately more control.

I recently a small, mobile "studio" kit for around $400. It's cheap stuff that I will upgrade as necessary. I have a tendency to lose interest in hobbies so if that happens I wont be heartbroken after I've spend thousands on real lights.

My setup consists of:
Yongnuo speelites x2
YN622 transcievers
Cowboy Studio backdrop-
http://www.amazon.com …UTF8&qid=138005​2978&sr=8-
2&keywords=cowboy+stud​io+backdrop

Cowboy Studio reflector holder-
http://www.amazon.com …y+studio+reflec​tor+holder

Polaroid (don't laugh) umbrella and light stand kit-
http://www.amazon.com …eywords=polaroi​d+umbrella

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16321879
is 4 the more expensive/better version?

Hey the 2 is 200 watt and 4 .... 400 watt!! The set comes with in built radio receivers and the sky port transmitter, soft boxes, stands and carry cases. Elinchrom gear is very well made and the d lite kit is their best selling units here in the UK with good resale interest too.

Wrench wrote in post #16322071
I recently a small, mobile "studio" kit for around $400. It's cheap stuff that I will upgrade as necessary. I have a tendency to lose interest in hobbies so if that happens I wont be heartbroken after I've spend thousands on real lights.

My setup consists of:
Yongnuo speelites x2
YN622 transcievers
Cowboy Studio backdrop-
http://www.amazon.com …UTF8&qid=138005​2978&sr=8-
2&keywords=cowboy+stud​io+backdrop

Cowboy Studio reflector holder-
http://www.amazon.com …y+studio+reflec​tor+holder

Polaroid (don't laugh) umbrella and light stand kit-
http://www.amazon.com …eywords=polaroi​d+umbrella

awesome looking stuff, looks pretty sturdy and well built

dbeugel wrote in post #16322126
Hey the 2 is 200 watt and 4 .... 400 watt!! The set comes with in built radio receivers and the sky port transmitter, soft boxes, stands and carry cases. Elinchrom gear is very well made and the d lite kit is their best selling units here in the UK with good resale interest too.

oh okay awesome! can the 400 watt be dimmed to 200 if needed?

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16322178
oh okay awesome! can the 400 watt be dimmed to 200 if needed?

Just to be clear, flash is measured in watt seconds, continuous light in watts. Make sure you use the right terms.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16322191
Just to be clear, flash is measured in watt seconds, continuous light in watts. Make sure you use the right terms.

Right, sorry this is all brand new to me I don't know anything about studio lighting, would a flash on the camera it self, like a speedlite be nessecary?

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16322176
awesome looking stuff, looks pretty sturdy and well built

Surprisingly, it's not bad! I was expecting pure garbage. Now if I were using it every day or in front of clients I'd be inclined to spend the extra money on good equipment. But for a hobby this will fit the bill for a while.