Monolight kit/Softbox Kit?

I wanna do indoor portraits in my apartment, and want to buy a decently priced lighting kit (continuous light)

Any recommendations on an Affordable lighting kit something i can easily store?

Links would help as well. I'm new to this whoel lighting stuff...

I've been extremely satisfied with my Genesis 200 - 2 light kit that includes stands, umbrellas, reflectors, all cords, modeling lamps, and lights for a single, affordable price of $320 here: Calumet Genesis 200 Kit. This gives you everything necessary for quality portraiture in a single purchase and allows you to hone your skills while not breaking the bank! Then pick up an inexpensive softbox for an alternate to the included umbrella on your main light and you're good to go. You mention continuous lights, but I'm a fan of studio flash with modeling lamps. Hope this is the info you're seeking.

Alien Bees also have a solid reputation with numerous users throughout the forum too. I've used them and think they're great as well, but they aren't quite as strong as the Genesis, and for $309 from the manufacturer: Alienbees.com Beginner Package you only get ONE light, stand and umbrella so it's not as cost effective.

Here's two example portraits done with Genesis 200's in my first attempt using them. Lyndsey was shot with two Genesis 200's on her, with addt'l pair of Genesis lights on background. Devin was shot with same two Genesis 200's positioned differently about 15 minutes later in the same session, but without background lights. Sorry they're so large - no time to resize.

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Wow, definitely sold on the genesis....

thanks for replying and posting samples....

As Jason said, stay away from continuous lighting - not the best for portraits IMO. The Genesis kits are a really great way to start off, and they're good enough that you won't feel like you have to replace them as soon as you can afford it. You didn't really specify a budget, so I will also suggest the Elinchrom D-Lite 2 kit. They're pricier, but you do get two softboxes instead of umbrellas (my preference), they provide the same quality of light as the higher end Elinchrom units, and pack away nicely when you're done. But... they do cost more!

My Budget is around 300 - 500.....

I need something that's fool proof... i'm new to lighting!

Would these work for Indoor Protrait/Glamour?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …fit_2_Floodligh​t_Kit.html

i like the price. lol

In a short answer - Yes they can. Just understand you're buying hot tungsten lights here that are on continuously (like floodlights) so the room is going to seem very bright to your eyes, but not so much to the camera ... and heat will begin building up fairly quickly so the room's going to get warm. Additionally - since these lights are tungsten, you'll need to change your White Balance in the camera to match their color temperature ... either by choosing a preset in your camera's white balance options, or by taking a picture in that light then setting your camera's "CUSTOM" white balance to measure and use that color tone. That's not a big deal though since most of us do it for our flash studio lights as well each time.

It's a really nice kit for the money and includes air-cushioned stands so it's certainly do-able. I think for the additional $115 you'll soon wish you'd have bought a Genesis studio kit instead - but these can certainly work too. Absolutely.

I prefer the cool and the action-stopping properties of strobes. You can also get much more powerful strobes than you can hot lights, mostly because they call them hot lights for a reason... there are limits to what you would want to put in your living room!

But you have to get a strobe meter as well don't you?

Light meters save time, requires less test shots, and basically simplify the photog's life a great deal ... but a fair number of camera men still work without them. It just takes longer to hone in the exact exposure you want, but over time you learn your light power settings and distances so that eventually you already have a general feel for what your exposure is going to be (close, anyway) before you ever pull your meter out.

For what it's worth - I strongly agree with Rudi's comment above. There's a dozen reasons I think studio strobes win hands-down over hot lights but my answer stands that those Interfits would, indeed, work for portraits if purchased. There's better choices, but that really wasn't your question. Hope that doesn't sound snooty or elitist of me. It's certainly not meant to be.

I applaud you for doing some legwork, looking up various options, asking round, and considering the best way for YOU to accomplish what you want. Those Interfits would be one method if your budget is limited and you're willing to put up with the frustrations of hot-lights.

slivr wrote in post #6097218
Those Interfits would be one method if your budget is limited and you're willing to put up with the frustrations of hot-lights.

I agree with Jason. Like him, I'm just presenting my opinion, since it was formed by making many mistakes in the past! (Don't tell anyone! LOL). Hot lights are another option, but IMO they're inferior to strobes. That is not elitist, that is experience.

Don't forget that the price for the Interfit hot light does NOT include the bulbs... so if you decide to go that way, don't forget to order some at the same time.

I'd say for the price to go with the Genesis kits. Seems like people are happy. If you have just a bit more, I'd say the Elinchrom D2 kit. I have the D4 kit and love them so much I bought TMR's D2s he had for sale.

Hey Hawk..

It's TMR, not TRM... details, details..

TMR Design wrote in post #6099069
Hey Hawk..

It's TMR, not TRM... details, details..

and I had that- AND CHANGED IT. Doh!!! sorry Robert

No Problem Hawk. Just messing with you. Happens all the time.

UPS tracking shows the D-Lite's in IL right now and are on time for delivery tomorrow.