Lighting Equipment

Hi ladies & gents,

Another new topic for your advise.

I want to purchase lighting equipment for portrait work as my hobby; would like to know what would be the appropriate soft box [SIZE] and number; flash light - with or without wireless; backdrop / stand; whatever would be be basic requirement to begin from home and would still be a worthy investment.

Thanks in advance.

Simple question with a big long complicated answer, so to make it easier for us to make recommendations that are not just generic, how about starting off by telling what exactly you plan on shooting. How many subjects? How large is the space? Will the gear stay in one place or does it need to move around and go on location? Will you be shooting static subjects/objects or will there be movement and action? Kids? Adults?

The answers to those questions will give us an idea of how to better assist you.

Static subjects, gear will be moved around a bit; rarely though.

Subjects - single, occasionally may be double; kids & adults.

And subsequently include glamour photogrpahy as well.

Would I need a 'Light Meter'.

Will work initially from my studio apartment [Area for photography - 3m x 4.5m]

Well, you've got two threads going here for the same subject/question. You might want to delete one of them.
3m x 4.5m is going to be really tight for anything other than head/shoulders portraits I would think. I'd probably try for one off camera strobe in an umbrella or small softbox and a reflector. Yes, a light meter is worthwhile....probably even 'necessary' in my opinion. Considering your space limitations, I'd start small and see where you go with it before buying a lot of stuff.

You don't mention a budget but one thing to put on your list is a decent light meter, like a Sekonic L-358.

And the 70-200/2.8 IS - how good is it? About as good as it gets IMO. A great portrait lens too, just heavy.

The next thread I looked at today - https://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php​?t=726495

and you always need a light meter.

Hey Canonites,

Looks like the 'Lighting Sector' is least visited. 2 days and no posts.

The thread on the Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM helped me take a decsion in just 2 days - this evening I went and bought the lens.

Looking forward to see some more posts on lighting equipment.

Thanks

What is your budget Yonder?

I would check out alienbees, profoto, elinchrom websites and browse through their offerings.........and then let us know which interest you the most.

Don't forget to look at the Genesis lights from Calumet too. It used to be suggested that you start with one light and perhaps a reflector and build from there. More often than not I see folks buying 3 or 4 lights at one time and then struggling with using them all.

And this from an AB user.....?

Titus213 wrote in post #8337381
Don't forget to look at the Genesis lights from Calumet too. It used to be suggested that you start with one light and perhaps a reflector and build from there. More often than not I see folks buying 3 or 4 lights at one time and then struggling with using them all.

And this from an AB user.....?

It is better to buy a 2 lights kit. Why ? Because it is much cheaper that way and it is unlikely that one light will be enough after initial experiments.

By the way. I had Alien Bees then switched to Genesis. Now I am going back to AB - with more appreciation: The Genesises were killing me with their slow recycle time.

I guess I can tolerate the biggest disadvantage of the Alien Bees - too talkative owner of the company

can you explain to me what recycle time is? I assume its the amount of time it takes to fire again but not sure....

I'm also interested in backdrop info. I've looked at muslin's and muslin stands on ebay and they seem to be reasonably priced. I know some people strongly recommended that I stay away from ebay lighting kits which seems pretty reasonable but I can't see what difference a more expensive stand would make since all its going to be doing is holding up a backdrop. And what should i look for in a quality muslin?

I'd say get two Strobes, learn about modifiers, learn aboutlighting techniques and then move ahead with more lights.

BigWebb83 wrote in post #8339008
I'm also interested in backdrop info. I've looked at muslin's and muslin stands on ebay and they seem to be reasonably priced. I know some people strongly recommended that I stay away from ebay lighting kits which seems pretty reasonable but I can't see what difference a more expensive stand would make since all its going to be doing is holding up a backdrop. And what should i look for in a quality muslin?

Some of the cheaper stands will not hold up a heavy canvas or paper, and you dont want your crossbar bending while shooting. With that said most background stands available will work fine. Just find one that you think will work for you.

roanjohn wrote in post #8337292
What is your budget Yonder?

I would check out alienbees, profoto, elinchrom websites and browse through their offerings.........and then let us know which interest you the most.

Budget... not set; from what I guess, I'll need 2 soft boxes, a spot [Snoot?] or whatever it is called. The flash lights should be with wireless and exposure compensation, backdrop stand [called?].

Do not want highly pro stuff as I will not be recovering costs in the near future.

If you'll guys can recommend what size soft boxes, type of lights, umbrella? [Benefit?], spot light [called what? snoot?] , which wireless trigger [Would the Canon Wireless Transmitter ST-E2 do the job?] then I guess I should get started.

Want to start my training on friends [that's what everyone does, right? ].

Thanks.