Lights for product photography

I have to take some product pictures for my company. Technically, I have some ideas on how to do it as I took a course on the topic. I just need to make a basic setup. That's why I need to buy some lights. I'm thinking of 2 lights but I have no idea which one I should buy.

It will not be to use every day, more likely once a month or so.

It has to be cheap as I know that my boss won't be ready to give me a budget of 500$... In fact, I don't even know if I'll be able to buy anything, but I want to present him some options...

Thanks for your help

PS: yes, I've done a search, but couldn't find an answer although I'm sure there are already 1000 threads on the topic

Are you thinking strobes or continuous lighting?

For product photography, I'm thinking continuous lighting.

There is a whole range of kits similar to this one (http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …gsten_Floodligh​t_Kit.html) for just under 100$ at B&H, I wonder if it's good.

I've also seen this (http://www.profotshop.​ch …/minilite-kit-e20653.html) for 350$ in a local shop. But then I would need to add stands ans it's really a bit expensive for me (though I know it's not so expensive compared to other solutions)

Should be fine... you can always make some diffusers yourself If you're not shooting anything moving, you can always use long shutter speeds

Check the DIY Projects links above (Sticky), and you'll see a couple of links to "light box". For myself I use a set of 100w white fluorescent spiral light bulbs. Plenty of continuous light and you don't sweat.

Thanks Soo

I've already looked at the sticky and DIV light boxes. I have plenty of ideas on how to do this part. What I'm looking for is really which light to use. Do you use bulbs specially designed for photography or just a lamp from your local furniture store?

DDA wrote in post #5299667
Thanks Soo

I've already looked at the sticky and DIV light boxes. I have plenty of ideas on how to do this part. What I'm looking for is really which light to use. Do you use bulbs specially designed for photography or just a lamp from your local furniture store?

I bought a set of three 100w spiral fluorscent light bulbs for something like $8.99 at Lowe's and three of clamp light dish or whatever you call them, as seen here:

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theusername wrote in post #5300037
First of all...before anything else

what products are you shooting?

Electronics, medical implants (small), ... I use mostly my nifty with or without tubes...

Well, you could go this way, which I prefer as I want to put the reflections I get where I want them to be. Look at the knife & Browning threads here:
FAQ - Studio Lighting

Or this way, which is pretty much "cook book" photography & generally works fairly well:
Another DIY light box, with build and test pics

Didier, check out this video on Strobist - http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …ch-to-cheap-lighting.html

Very simple, cheap, effective product lighting.

Thanks PhotosGuy. These are some interesting read that I had already read. However, my question doesn't relate to the setup. I just want to know if there is any special light source I should buy. The choice seems so vast...

Thanks Minion, it was very interesting

I bought an elinchrom dlite 4 kit and it has served me well in product and studio lighting, for product shooting I use a 1mx1mx1m light tent.

Thanks for the info Borderfox

Two 150W halogen worklights and an 80cm eBay light tent here. Note that I've positioned the tent/cube closer to one light than the other, thus creating an uneven ratio in the lighting to create a bit more shape....

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