Lighting Equipment

Candid Arts · April 3, 2009

So I'm looking at getting some basic lighting equipment for doing weddings and portrait work. Here is a kit that I'm looking at. I wanted to get some opinions on the kit and if it's worth the money, time, and effort. On top of the kit I'll be getting this and some 10.5" generic shop lamp (flood light reflectors) from Home Depot to mount to the light socket. What do you think of this plan? Good? Bad? Don't waste the money?

Another option I found was this. It's a strobe kit versus a constant lighting kit. My only concern with this was how my camera triggered these units. Anyone got any ideas?

Another idea maybe?

Would one kit be better than the other kit?

Thanks for anyones help.

Ekaj · April 3, 2009

I don't know if you're familiar with this, but www.strobist.com has a ton of information. Check it out before buying anything. Especially the lighting 101 section. His DVD set is also incredibly informative. Btw I would go with flashes.

ziggy53 · April 3, 2009

None of the kits you linked are really suitable for wedding work and only marginal for studio type work, where you have more control over ambient lighting.

I use a pair of FlashPoint II 1820A (900ws actual, 1800ws effective) monolights and several speedlights for the formals at a wedding. I generally set the monolights up in a "wall of light" configuration so that I can adapt from group to individual quickly. The speedlights are used for background mostly and are optical slaves and in a dark brick church provide needed background illumination.

The problem with weddings is that ambient light is not often useful and you need to overpower it to gain control. Color poisoning can result from mixed lighting as well.

I prefer larger umbrellas, 45"-60", and taller light stands, 10'-12'. You need taller light stands to properly position the lights especially if the wedding party is above your position, which is usually in an aisle. The larger umbrellas will yield softer shadows especially at the distances you will typically work.

Candid Arts · April 3, 2009

ziggy53 wrote:

None of the kits you linked are really suitable for wedding work and only marginal for studio type work, where you have more control over ambient lighting.

Really? Damn. That's about my budget right now...

I use a pair of FlashPoint II 1820A (900ws actual, 1800ws effective) monolights and several speedlights for the formals at a wedding. I generally set the monolights up in a "wall of light" configuration so that I can adapt from group to individual quickly. The speedlights are used for background mostly and are optical slaves and in a dark brick church provide needed background illumination.

Your configuration makes plenty of sense, and I'm sure a great way to go, problem is...as previously mentioned...budget. Most certainly will not allow 2 $300 lights, + everything else needed.

The problem with weddings is that ambient light is not often useful and you need to overpower it to gain control. Color poisoning can result from mixed lighting as well.

This makes sense. Would it be best to just not buy anything until I can afford a set up similar to yours? And just using my 580 EXII and 420 EX as a slave?

I prefer larger umbrellas, 45"-60", and taller light stands, 10'-12'. You need taller light stands to properly position the lights especially if the wedding party is above your position, which is usually in an aisle. The larger umbrellas will yield softer shadows especially at the distances you will typically work.

Gotchya. Well I'll look for some kits maybe in that range of stands and umbrella sizes, just without the lights you mentioned. I am on a REALLY tight budget (as I'm sure most of us are these days), so I need something that won't break the bank, but is better than just an on-camera flash (however I just got a flash bracket [Stroboframe Pro-RL] but haven't figured out how to use it yet, it seems extremely awkard).

Art Scott · April 3, 2009

with a bit of creativity you can do fantastic work with a couple of Vivatar 285HV with a set up similar to the first one you linked to....which of course is just stands and umbrellas and strobe holders......As mentioned above the Strobist site will provide tons of info......

My first set up for wedding included camera, lens and Vivatar 285HV (older model)....they now have new models back out, and you still need either a safe sync or a remote wireless triggger such as this. the latter is what I use.....also if you watch ebay and the various forums you will find SunPak 622 or 522 or 555 handle mount flashes at vary reasonable prices and these flash units have enuff power and control (my sunpak 622 goes from full (1/1) power down to 1/64 power by a sliding scale....so you have control)......but it weddings can be done even with just one good flash......

As soon a I get a replacement sync cord for one of my Sunpak 622's it will be hitting the for sale forum........

One thing to remember is if your on a strict budget.....use the strobes you have....by one or 2 of the Vivatars for back lighting or just extra light and use your dedicated canon speed lights for your main lights.....you can get optical slaves for the vivatars for under $50 each (really good ones) and go from there.......shoot portraits to buy your wedding gear, start small and grow.............get a couple of 3' to 4' reflectors for extra outdoor lighting for portraits..................

Lighting Equipment

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