$500 budgeted - Help me spend it.

Alright guys. So basically, I have $500 (maximum) budget to spend on lighting for this coming year. Total, I have about $1,700, but I'm putting $1200 toward a 70-200 f/2.8 IS (the first model), so I've budgeted $500 maximum toward lighting.

Bottom line is, this coming Spring and Summer, I'm taking to the streets with my equipment. I'll be finding a public outlet, and setting up base camp there with lighting equipment, my laptop, my cell phone, and a tripod. I'll be catching the impulse spenders who wouldn't mind paying $10 for a nice looking photo and will email it to them at the end of the day--so I just need some rugged crap.

Beyond that, I just need a strobe that I can play around with for fun and build up my lighting knowledge and skills with.

Here's what's on my list so far--these are definite:

This second list is a list of things that I may not *need*, per se, but need some advisement on whether or not it would be worth it.

Halp?

Just a couple thoughts...

A public outlet is someone else's electricity. Translated: If you plug into someone else's outlet, specifically one for a business or private individual, they are likely to be unhappy with you. While you might find something in a park where the electricity *is* for public use, you might not want to count on having access to it. Rethink the public outlet and consider spending $240 for the Paul Buff Vagabond Mini.

Being a street vendor, which is what you're doing, may require a license. I've seen street vendors in DC get packed up by the police for not having the right permits. Check with the police, or risk losing your equipment.

Now, on the equipment, I'd go with a C-Stand, or a century stand. You'll also need sandbags for it. Yes, they're more expensive. If you're outside, you probably need it. Check videos on YouTube for info about setup.

You'll want small light modifiers for the AB800 if you're outside. Even with a sandbagged c-stand, it's going to be top heavy. A nice little gust of wind can easily and quickly be the end of your light.

Good luck! It's an interesting idea that could benefit from some refinement.

Your priorities are reversed. Don't blow $1200 on a 70-200. Based on your signature, your camera / lens situation is more than adequate. f/2.8 is totally unnecessary for flash work.

For $1700 you could get a sweet battery generator on the used market.

Here's a Hensel Porty for $1200 and a Hensel lamphead for probably around $500.

Here's a Profoto AcuteB you could probably snag for less than $1700. Great deals on amazing used gear come up all the time, you just need to be a little patient.

Packs w/ lampheads are so much easier to use on location than monolights, especially if you plan on booming them. If I were you I'd forget about the AlienBees, they are minor league.

As for modifiers, you only need one. Either:

22" Kacey Beauty Dish
+ Lighter, more durable, and way cheaper than Mola
+ Easier to set up than softbox
+ Wind resistant
- Doesn't fold down for transport

Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa
+ Softer light than beauty dish
+ Coverage for 2 people
+ Can simulate dish or softbox based on inner baffle placement
- Pain in the b**** to set up
- Acts as a sail in the wind

If I were you I'd keep an eye on the used market. Hensel Porty's, Elinchrom Quadra's, and Profoto AcuteB's (and sometimes 7B's) can routinely be found w/ a lamphead for under $1700.

mathogre wrote in post #16486971
Just a couple thoughts...

A public outlet is someone else's electricity. Translated: If you plug into someone else's outlet, specifically one for a business or private individual, they are likely to be unhappy with you. While you might find something in a park where the electricity *is* for public use, you might not want to count on having access to it. Rethink the public outlet and consider spending $240 for the Paul Buff Vagabond Mini.

Being a street vendor, which is what you're doing, may require a license. I've seen street vendors in DC get packed up by the police for not having the right permits. Check with the police, or risk losing your equipment.

Mathogre,

The legalities and issues with electricity are things I've definitely taken into account and researched. As far as vending goes, according to the city ordinances, it shouldn't be a problem as long as I'm not obstructing vehicular traffic. I've also verified this through the City of Indianapolis' vending page. (http://www.indy.gov …raffic/Pages/ve​nding.aspx)

Electricity is something I'll have to figure out.

I figured they'd be relatively expensive, so that's an extra $150 right there. What brand would you suggest?

The winds are pretty docile here I've noticed during the summer, but the weather shifts twice a day here, so you never know. Modifier-wise, again, budgeting is an issue. Are there lighting modifiers I could use that are better for all-around shooting?

LostArk wrote in post #16486991
Your priorities are reversed. Don't blow $1200 on a 70-200. Based on your signature, your camera / lens situation is more than adequate. f/2.8 is totally unnecessary for flash work.

For $1700 you could get a sweet battery generator on the used market.

Here's a Hensel Porty for $1200 and a Hensel lamphead for probably around $500.

Here's a Profoto AcuteB you could probably snag for less than $1700. Great deals on amazing used gear come up all the time, you just need to be a little patient.

Packs w/ lampheads are so much easier to use on location than monolights, especially if you plan on booming them. If I were you I'd forget about the AlienBees, they are minor league.

As for modifiers, you only need one. Either:

22" Kacey Beauty Dish
+ Lighter, more durable, and way cheaper than Mola
+ Easier to set up than softbox
+ Wind resistant
- Doesn't fold down for transport

Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa
+ Softer light than beauty dish
+ Coverage for 2 people
+ Can simulate dish or softbox based on inner baffle placement
- Pain in the b**** to set up
- Acts as a sail in the wind

If I were you I'd keep an eye on the used market. Hensel Porty's, Elinchrom Quadra's, and Profoto AcuteB's (and sometimes 7B's) can routinely be found w/ a lamphead for under $1700.

I have other uses for the 70-200 than what I'm posting here. Again, this isn't exactly a 100% business expense. My equipment doubles as hobby equipment as well--at least up until I can have enough financial momentum to afford that. The AB800 may not be the *best* light in the world, but here's the thing--it's small, it's good, and it works. I've heard and seen it, and that's why I chose it.

But my eyes are definitely glued on the used market. Extra money is always nice.

As far as the lighting modifiers, I may at times be dealing with more than one person. But again, like you noted, wind is an issue. Blah. But that's why I'm looking at multiple. Versatility is key, for me.

quadwing wrote in post #16487010
Mathogre,

The legalities and issues with electricity are things I've definitely taken into account and researched. As far as vending goes, according to the city ordinances, it shouldn't be a problem as long as I'm not obstructing vehicular traffic. I've also verified this through the City of Indianapolis' vending page. (http://www.indy.gov …raffic/Pages/ve​nding.aspx)

Excellent!

Good luck!

I have only regular light stands, though have done some initial work searching for c-stands. Avenger brand seems a respected brand. For your research, that might be a starting point from which to judge.

Most of the lighting I do is studio lighting. I've used AB800s with umbrellas, softboxes, and beauty dishes. Lately I stick with Canon Speedlites, 580s and a 430, using umbrellas and Gary Fong modifiers.

For outside with an AB, I'd stick with a small softbox or a small beauty dish. You simply don't want the wind catching it on the one rare time you're not expecting it. You also need to protect against someone accidentally running into it and knocking it over.

An alternative would be to look at small flashes. If you're outside and are at risk of any wind or klutzes, off-brand flashes might be an answer, especially as regards cost. Again, for modifiers, you're looking at a small softbox or a small beauty dish, depending on how you're trying to shoot. If someone hits the stand, you don't have this large mass at the top of it going immediately off balance and on its way to the ground.

You've got time. Good luck figuring out what you need.

AB800
22in beauty dish
Vagabond mini
Strong stand with sandbag

What do you need a 70-200 for?

I use an 85 and 135, could probably snag the 135L and 85 1.8 for around $1000

Overall versatility. After the 70-200, I'll be focused on getting ahold of prime lenses a bit more--I just need to fill that range.

Pick up an AB
Pick up these: http://www.amazon.com …ds=ravelli+back​drop+stand
Pick up a BD

i use PCB stands and those Ravelli's for the large softbox. Massive stands

all that is $500.

Talley wrote in post #16490175
Pick up an AB
Pick up these: http://www.amazon.com …ds=ravelli+back​drop+stand
Pick up a BD

i use PCB stands and those Ravelli's for the large softbox. Massive stands

all that is $500.

That Ravelli kit is nice, mine had a few issues (just got it 2 weeks ago) but for what it does it's working out great.

I'm kinda worried. I bought a Wescott umbrella kit about 2 years ago, and the stand is just a POS. I seriously feel like one of my microphone stands would work better half the time.

quadwing wrote in post #16490464
I'm kinda worried. I bought a Wescott umbrella kit about 2 years ago, and the stand is just a POS. I seriously feel like one of my microphone stands would work better half the time.

Sounds like your getting some good use out of your Wescott, wish I had this problem.

Elaborate?

quadwing wrote in post #16490474
Elaborate?

your using them vs just having them sitting in the closet.

jkdjedi wrote in post #16490488
your using them vs just having them sitting in the closet.

Yeah, I've opened and closed the umbrella so many times that it's become somewhat misshaped now haha.