QUESTIONS on a setup

Hello, i have an XTI with a 430ex flash, im trying to make a studio setup in my room. I need some advice pertaining Lights-which kind- soft box kits single umbrella kits strobe kits???, backgrounds, or any advice you have.

I have a little bit of money i wanted to keep it at about $300-$500, lights and backgrounds.

Im going to be using it for portraits.

PLEASE HELP ME, i didnt want to spend money on something i wasnt sure of, research can only do so much. So i wanted the advice for reassurance, thank you

If you're looking for strobes in that price range, your best bet would be Alien Bees. Your $300-$500 budget should be able to get you the "Beginner Bee" package and maybe a backdrop stand and background. However, you should also invest in a light meter. You would be able to get by without one, but it's a reall pain to adjust lights with trial and error.

Hope this helps you out some, and welcome to POTN!

- Tom

yes it does, strobe kits are the ones im least familiar with, id rather work with constant light, but anything helps PLEASE MORE INFO

To be honest with you, when I first started, I used two halogen shop lights that I bought at Lowe's real cheap. Not the best, but they worked for constant light until I bought my strobes. If you're looking for something to learn with, that may not be a bad idea.

I got a couple of lights w/stands and softboxes on ebay from amvona.com, I love them so far, quality/price is great!

Thanks I think im going to get soft box kits, Do you need metering ?

If you're using constant lighting, you can get away with using the meter that's built into the camera.