Best and cheapest studio kit for beginner?

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16324443
exactly, look at this haha http://sfbay.craigslis​t.org/eby/pho/40755793​06.html

That isn't a bad price per hour to start with. Although their lights are..... Well I'll bring my own stuff to use

Also who on earth needs 45 lights?

pyrojim wrote in post #16324980
That isn't a bad price per hour to start with. Although their lights are..... Well I'll bring my own stuff to use

Also who on earth needs 45 lights?

Give me time, i will think of something

Has anyone bought a diamond cloth backdrop?

I have some Flashpoint gear that I'll give you a good deal on. 2 620M monolights, 2 battery packs, a beauty dish, 2 universal speedrings so you can connect a variety of non-Flashpoint modifiers, and a light case. Everything is very, very, lightly used. I'm guessing less than 500 pops each on the lights and batteries.

For $370, this would be my setup:

(1) LumoPro LP180 - $200 (best manual flash on the market, 2 year warranty, super reliable).
(2) Yongnuo RF-603 Transceivers - $50
(1) 8' Impact Light Stand - $35
(1) Impact Umbrella Bracket - $15
(1) Westcott 43" Collapsible Reversible Umbrella - $20

You could get 10x Yongnuo flashes and go nuts, but I would definitely go with the LumoPro. Buy once and done. The RF-602/603 more reliable so I still trust those but with my experience with both brands, I'd suggest LP180 all the way.

The OP wants a setup where he can photograph a bike or other objects, and blow out the background to white. one flash will not accomplish that.

The offer for the flashpoint setup is out of his budgeted price range of $350-400.

Missed that part, I'm sorry I just saw on the first page when someone suggested Yongnuos.

For the costs of lumpro's you are nearly to the price of legitimate studio strobes. They make little sense fiscally.

I am really late to this discussion and went right to the last page.....I am sure someone has said look at all the for sales on the "normal" photo forums. I know I got stuff from FM and APUG and finished stuff off with one new strobe from Buff trying to get accessories at discount by purchasing with one new light.

I feel if you want to get serious, then let's get serious. It may take a few months for those good deals to show themselves, but they will show. I actually prefer purchasing used stuff from real users and generally a "pro" will be honest about use and condition......at least those I have bought from have.

May I suggest if the OP really wants good bang for buck and something that will last and might be good enought to keep even when going "real" pro.....Einstein......​I went with old Alien Bees.....they are very, very good for my work now, but I could easily have just called it quits at 4 Einsteins (OK maybe 5).

All the other major players are great too, it's just that you can certainly spend some good money on this stuff. I just tried to maximize mine with bees.....good enough now, if I need to get better in the future, so be it....

My two cents: Bees are a great starting stobe that may be good enough for the advanced hobbiest and can always be unloaded for close to purchase price even years later. They have served me well and I have much learning to do before I can even make the call for more capable equipment.

Bob E.

Safetybob wrote in post #16328302
I am really late to this discussion and went right to the last page.....I am sure someone has said look at all the for sales on the "normal" photo forums. I know I got stuff from FM and APUG and finished stuff off with one new strobe from Buff trying to get accessories at discount by purchasing with one new light.

I feel if you want to get serious, then let's get serious. It may take a few months for those good deals to show themselves, but they will show. I actually prefer purchasing used stuff from real users and generally a "pro" will be honest about use and condition......at least those I have bought from have.

May I suggest if the OP really wants good bang for buck and something that will last and might be good enought to keep even when going "real" pro.....Einstein......​I went with old Alien Bees.....they are very, very good for my work now, but I could easily have just called it quits at 4 Einsteins (OK maybe 5).

All the other major players are great too, it's just that you can certainly spend some good money on this stuff. I just tried to maximize mine with bees.....good enough now, if I need to get better in the future, so be it....

My two cents: Bees are a great starting stobe that may be good enough for the advanced hobbiest and can always be unloaded for close to purchase price even years later. They have served me well and I have much learning to do before I can even make the call for more capable equipment.

Bob E.

not sure about the alienbees are quite pricey, i can get the flash units $60 each

I just ordered all my photo studio equipment thanks for helping me select guys! Will upload pictures when everything gets here!