Beginner kits?

I've been playing with one speedlite for a while now and I'm pretty confident in how to use it and I'm planning on adding another one soon.

Wo what I'm looking at is a kit to get me stared in a studio style set up, soft boxes and the likes. Is there anything out there that isn't hugely expensive that I could buy as a bulk package but is still good value for money? I don't want to buy something cheap that isn't worth it but at the same time I don't have a huge budget.

It's pretty much going to be used for portrait work indoors to be gin with, but then moving outdoors once I'm confident in using more than one light.

So is there anything out there to consider? Anything to ignore? Or anything that I can buy separately to make a better package?

Thanks!

Are you looking for more speedlights or monolights? What kind of budget are you roughly looking for? You can indeed get a nice setup without breaking the bank, but still maintaining quality

Used Alien Bee 800's sell around $200 each, stands can be bought for $35 and umbrella's for as little as $10 each. Two AB800's, 2 umbrellas, 3 stands and your existing speedlight with a bracket to use as a hair light or background light, and a pair of Yongnuo RF-603's will give you a lot to get started with for around $600.

BrickR wrote in post #16902793
Are you looking for more speedlights or monolights? What kind of budget are you roughly looking for? You can indeed get a nice setup without breaking the bank, but still maintaining quality

I'd not actually thought about moonlights to be honest, if they're affordable then I'd definitely consider it. If not I'll stick with speedlites.

I'd probably say no more than about £500 maximum!

collapsible Reflector (*)
umbrella (*)
collapsible softbox
diy for panel and beauty dish
3 speedlight
If possible given a priority at system that give you remote control at these flash.

*: white/silver and eventually black

I am a beginner too. I started with a YN 560II, added an umbrella and stand, radio triggers (YN622C) and a collapsible 5 in 1 reflector. It was a good setup to learn with as the flash was fully manual. It got really fun when I added a YN 568 EX. Now I have ettl flash, hi speed sync etc. and I can use the original flash as a hair/rim light. For another $59 I can add another YN560. I'll be doing so soon.

I'm into this setup for around $500. Good value, good fun.

For your budget I would probably forget about monolights. The low end stuff, especially the stuff you find in kit form is questionable quality.

You could probably buy a whole 'kit' but like gonzogolf said, the quality wouldn't be there. All the holders would be plastic and eventually break,stand tips over and your smash an umbrella/flash, etc...

My biggest thing is picking a high quality stand, because if you think of it, if you put $100+ worth of gear on top of a stand and the stand is $10, when that thing tips over, what part is going to get damaged?

Plus it's better the piece your 'light kit' in little chunks, because some of the larger kits might have things you'll never use, and that's just wasted money and time.

I am a beginner too, Started with 430EX II, YN 560 II a pair of YN 603 C3 and umbrella kits I had those for a while but never really use it until last week I got a pretty good deal with Sekonic L358 and I felt it's time to get serious well with my stuff not really serious but having fun and learn more...I just added a monolight and softbox.

midwest photo exchange has quite a few beginner kits. these can be customized as well.

here's a 2-light setup (umbrella, holder, stand). http://mpex.com …starving-2-light-kit.html

you can add shoot through, reflective, light boxes, etc.

Everyone should note the OP Is in the UK so alien bees and midwest photo exchange are probably not solutions.

This is what I'm currently in the process of getting.

Yongnuo Professional Flash Speedlight YN 560 III - $75
Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter - $34
Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand - $50
Westcott 2011 43-Inch Optical White Satin Collapsible - $30
Yongnuo RF-603 Wirless Triggers - $33
Cold Shoe - $5

oh didn't see that you were in the uk. i'm sure there are stores similar to mpex, adorama, etc.

the contents of the kit are still relevant though.

an excellent starter kit would consist of a stand, holder, umbrella. then you go from there (lightbox, snoots, grids, etc).

BobDawg wrote in post #16908460
This is what I'm currently in the process of getting.

Yongnuo Professional Flash Speedlight YN 560 III - $75

If you use Canon or Nikon could be a better choice another YN unit with TTL support.

alessandro2009 wrote in post #16908583
If you use Canon or Nikon could be a better choice another YN unit with TTL support.

For your first flash ETTL is important. But for building a portrait kit its far from necessary.