Setting up a studio.

I am posting this here because I assume that a pro has experienced many of the items out there and knows which ones are the best buy and which ones are best to stay away from. I am wanting to set up a simple studio in a room 11 feet wide for my backdrop. I will use this initially for potraits of family and friends while I learn the basics of portrait photography. I will eventually try to make some money off of it, but only after I feel very sure of what I am doing. I do not want to spend a fortune right now, but I do want to buy quality goods. If I have to buy in stages as I get the money that is ok. I would like to know/see what you guys use and roughly what it costs. Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

im not a pro, but the first thing i wondered is where you are , as this will effect the availability of some kit? I got myself a " studio " kit recently and based on the price it works out better that way than buying individual parts. I got a 2 head one. I got the Bowens 500/500 with umbrella , sofbox stands and cables and am very happy with it.

take a look at an alienbees ab800 flash, and some backdrops at Amvona.com ebay store. depending on your shooting distance, a 50mm f/1.8 would be a nice sharp cheap lens to start with. if your room is 11' deep, you may need a wider lens... the sigma 30mm 1.4 is very popular for the money.

I am in the USA. The room is 20 feet long and 11 feet wide. As far as the lens goes, I am leaning toward the 50mm f/1.4. Thanks for the suggestions, I will check them out.

being that the room is only 11' wide, you are going to be really limted to portrait and headshots at best... simply because you can't get lights far enough latterly w/ an umbrella or softbox on them.

im a fan of alienbees b800's

buy the background paper at a local store, its cheaper then paying for shipping

for light stands, go to promaster.com and find your local dealer, then go buy the LS3 stands... they are 1/3 - 1/4 the price of bogen's, they are air cusioned and have lasted nearly 2 years for me w/ no complaints.