I need a 2-3 times per year lighting kit

I'm look to add some lighting but I'm not really sure of my needs. I do volunteer stuff for my kids' orchestra group a couple of times a year. Yea, I'm the dad with the big camera Just simple portraits with instruments in front of a black background. All onsite, normally different places.

This year the boosters asked if I'd shoot for "required donations" so I just take the picture, they handle the money, printing, delivery for the pictures. It's just a way to raise money for the group.

So what do I need:
Continuous vs strobe
How many watts
How many lights 1 or two (also using 430EX)

Questions:
I'm assuming the lights are flash triggered cuz they're cheap
What's the deal with "non user replaceable bulb" on some do you chuck 'em when they burn out?
Umbrellas or not.
Why is there a black stretchy cover over some of the umbrellas?

Budget:
I've seen a lot of 2 light kits for $100-$200 so let's go with that for now. If there's a big benefit going up to a $250 setup that's fine too.

Couple of kits:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …F_2U_Thrifty_2_​Flash.html

http://www.adorama.com​/LTBKU.html

any of these will work - i would use a hotlight mounted w/ a softbox and then use a flash bracket with your 430.

Questions:
Continuous vs strobe.
I would use strobe for people pictures. Less squinting, easier on the subject.
I'm assuming the lights are flash triggered cuz they're cheap
http://www.adorama.com …100+watt+second​+monolight
The Adorama light comes with a sync cord. Which means that you can hook a radio trigger to it or use the cord. EDIT: Both kits come with sync cords.
What's the deal with "non user replaceable bulb" on some do you chuck 'em when they burn out?
Yup.
Umbrellas or not.
Yes. It is the easiest/cheapest way to soften the light. You could maximize the power if you got a silver umbrella. You can also focus a silver umbrella to some degree to tweek exposure.
Why is there a black stretchy cover over some of the umbrellas?
To prevent light from spilling through and bouncing all over the room. It's just another control.

Are you doing only individual photos? Or photos of individuals and the group. If you're doing the group I think both of those options are going to be underpowered. If I had to pick one, I'd pick the Adorama 100ws light.

Have you looked into renting gear? You could probably get much better stuff. It might cost more than buying that stuff though...

Thanks for the replies guys. Paul, it will be single kids I think for the most part. Maybe up to a quartet here or there. Anything bigger I could probably get them on the stage with its lighting.

So a single light + the 430EX should do it? That'd be great, the 50D has a PC Sync flash terminal on the body so I'd even step up to the sync type vs. flash triggered if I only need to buy one. I'm gussing I could use that and the 430 on camera at the same time.....

This is cheap enough that I'll just buy it. I can always sell it later if I'm not using it and call the difference the rental fee.

Yeah, 1 will work. You could use the 430 as a fill, or you could just get a big piece of foam core and put it opposite the light.

Whaddaya think about this one:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …olight_Kit_.htm​l#features

+PC/sync cord (included)
+Variable output (how important is this)
+Modeling light

Regarding the softbox can I change to an umbrella using that little hole through the bracket?

Jeff,
I'd get a 580EXII and use it along with your 430EX.
That at least gives you something that you may fine useful for other applications.
Setting up a studio lighting solution using inexpensive lights that are under powered, with long recycle times will be more frustrating than anything.

Use shoot through or silver umbrellas.

If money were no object, I'd suggest some 300 to 500 ws monolights with nice modifiers. Main, fill, and accent.

Calumet Photo is on Division Street in Chicago, probably an hour from you, they have some nice inexpensive monolights, Genisus I think their called. Maybe its Gemini.

dmward wrote in post #9454168
Jeff,
Calumet Photo is on Division Street in Chicago, probably an hour from you, they have some nice inexpensive monolights, Genisus I think their called. Maybe its Gemini.

They are the Genesis series. 200ws digital monolight for $169 or the kit with stand and umbrella for $199. The 400ws unit will cost more.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com …=genesis%20%20l​ight%20kit

Call to check for availability because the last I've heard is that they're out of stock. They also ship if needed.

That impact kit is definitely nicer than the previous one. I don't have personal experience with that kit. I can recommend this one with confidence though... Problem is the word around the playground is that their sold out till march. The build quality is entry level pro. The power is 2x that look alike impact kit.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K/

If you can wait that long... definitely do.

EDIT: Damn. Beaten to the post! That's gotta count for something!

2-3 times per year sounds more like rental equipment to me. It may cost more over the year but you can get better equipment for a day or two. Hopefully you have a local camera store than has a rental department...

I would not choose continuous...

I wouldn't choose continuous lighting for people because with the exception of some rather expensive fluorescent based systems, continuous lighting has the following drawbacks:

1. It is hot and can be darned hot and sometimes dangerous.

2. Because it is hot, it is often difficult to use with light modifiers.

3. You need a lot of light in order to provide a decent shutter speed and that light is uncomfortably bright for your subjects and makes the pupils of the subject very small - often looking like a druggie.

Since you are only going to use your rig several times a year, I would not go for a very complicatedsetup.

The easiest and cheapest way to get decent lighting with a single flash is to use a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro www.dembflashproducts.​com

Using the DFD, either on camera or with the Demb Flash Bracket will provide very soft and flattering lighting. Because the flash can be bounced into the Flip-It reflector, you can also use bounce flash in areas that have no surface off which to bounce - such as outdoors.

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Adorama sells a 160ws version of their Flashpoint Budget monolight. Its 10 dollars more but has a user replaceable bulb.

http://www.adorama.com​/FPBF160.html

dmward wrote in post #9454168
Jeff,
I'd get a 580EXII and use it along with your 430EX.

Yea, I thought about that but it's just too much $$$ to have sitting around for use a couple of times of year. I'd have to buy the stand & umbrella too.

111t wrote in post #9454235
If you can wait that long... definitely do.
EDIT: Damn. Beaten to the post! That's gotta count for something!

First shoot is mid Feb. I don't want to be the guy who posts "Hey I have a shoot tomorrow....what do I need?"

ryant35 wrote in post #9454296
2Hopefully you have a local camera store than has a rental department...

Nothing local & I don't mind buying then selling if I don't use it enough or it doesn't meet my needs.

RPCrowe wrote in post #9454316
I wouldn't choose continuous lighting for people because with the exception of some rather expensive fluorescent based systems, continuous lighting has the following drawbacks:

1. It is hot and can be darned hot and sometimes dangerous.

2. Because it is hot, it is often difficult to use with light modifiers.

3. You need a lot of light in order to provide a decent shutter speed and that light is uncomfortably bright for your subjects and makes the pupils of the subject very small - often looking like a druggie.

Since you are only going to use your rig several times a year, I would not go for a very complicatedsetup.

Some very good info there. Thanks for the insight. I like simple.

rf-602s and yn-460 mark2s might fit your needs.

Something else you might want to consider is taking a class on lighting. I don't know how strong your photography community is over there, but it'd be worth doing a meet and greet with some photographers.

I hold events in California where we ask people to donate 20 bucks to the studio, and they get to play with all sorts of flash equipment from battery powered strobes and powerpacks to the more heavy duty mains plug-in stuff. We even have large modifiers similar to the Briese Focus 330 and the Broncolor Para 220.

Basically saying, if there's a local photography group, you could join in, try some equipment, then make an educated choice on what you want to rent, or perhaps even buy. Basically, something that fits your style.

One thing people don't think about much when purchasing lighting is how they're gonna use it. If you're setting it all up in a studio and leave it there, weight isn't a serious consideration.

However, if you end up needing a sherpa to schlep all your gear back and forth, and that isn't your cup of tea, you might want to reconsider your purchase plan.