Lighting kit help
Tmetroff
Registered Users Posts: 92 Big grins
So I am wanting to purchase a lighting kit for a little studio in my dorm room, and would like to also be able to use it outdoors as well (obviously buying a power source as well). I have done a little research, alot of reading on the strobists website. And I have still came to the same conclusion.. I have no idea whether I want hot lights or strobes. I have come to find that lighting is everything, even just having my SB-600 has made a huge difference in the quality of my photos.
Any help on this would be much appreciated
P.S I would also like to keep this within the $2000 range
Any help on this would be much appreciated
P.S I would also like to keep this within the $2000 range
0
Comments
I don't recommend either "hot" lights or fluorescent lights for critical color work.
While tungsten lights are more color accurate hot lights, they complicate outdoor shoots, require a lot of power for the amount of light output, and they are dangerous in use (they get very hot in operation). They can also color clip unless you really watch the dynamic range of the scene. (They will not deliver the dynamic range of flash, for instance.)
Fluorescent lights are not a continuous spectrum of light and some/most subjects with delicate color, like skin tones, don't respond as well as flash.
Both Alien Bee and Adorama Flashpoint brands have monolights that operate off either mains/AC power or battery power. Alternately you can purchase more universal storage battery powered true/pure sine wave power supplies that seem to work with many analog controlled monolights.
Monolights tend to have more total output per dollar of cost, but automated speedlights/speedlites sometimes have the advantage of FP/HSS mode which allows higher shutter speeds as appropriate. Speedlights/speedlites are also more compact for travel, if that's important.
Monolights generally have modeling lights which offer better positioning preview.
My suggestion is to purchase a couple of speedlights/speedlites now, along with the necessary light stands and some large convertible umbrellas and umbrella brackets. Add some monolights later for the indoor studio application, or go for very powerful monolights if you need to overpower the sunlight.
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For use in your dorm room, it is not really the flash that is going to be a problem but the light stands.....but if you can buy the [power source then studio flash units are by far the more powerful for outdoor use, unless you buy a few Sunpak super Pro 622 handle mount flashes or one of the Metz 65CT's or something similar, but then when shooting with any flash recycle times are very important......so if going the studio flash route I would suggest Alien Bees by Paul C Buff and I would recommend, if you can afford it the 1600's and Pauls new light weight Lithium battery pack for location work.
I was going to move to only speedlights but at nearly $500 per pop for Nikon's SB900's that decision maybe going to the way side and I may be re-looking at the flashes I used over 2o yrs ago for location work....again SunPak super Pro 622's.....extremely powerful and rugged and adding to my collection of Quantum Batteries to power them....Quantum Batteries are easily found on Ebay, just make sure thay come with a working charger.......I have 2 Quantum QB1+'s that I have used over 20yrs, they have had the cells replaced several times, but they still work fantastic....I use a local Battery company to do my rebuilding as they use the same cells as Interstate or any other chain batter company and they have rebuilt my QB1+ for under $20 the last ime....so save some money and buy used..........
Congrats on having a nice budget!
Sb's! That SB600 has helped and another one or two can help more.
I would tend to think the lack of room in a dorm room would be a large issue to contend with. Light stands and modifiers (umbrellas) can take up lots of room.
With the Sb600,800,900's you can use smaller modifiers and position them even by themselves bouncing them off of walls and ceilings to change your light.
Hot lights: hot, and require A/c power
The Strobes, such as Alien-Bees, are great and can trigger off of your flash too, but they require light stands for the most part and larger modifiers, and in a smallish room, can be too much light. Yes, you can stop down your lens, or use an ND filter. But overall, for the versatility, Sb's.
x2 on the Hot Shoe diaries!
@angevin1 . Luckily over the summer I have 3 jobs which pretty much all goes into photography gear with just enough to get me by in college :].
This is my new set up.... and in your price range. It kicks butt!! Alien Bees B1600, Vagabond Mini, 64" PLM, 22" Mola Demi beauty dish, and stands. You can have the same set up for your price range and it beats any speedlight set up.... badly. I HIGHLY recommend it. The B1600 may be a little too powerful for your "little studio" though.
Obviously, this set up mainly covers your outdoor needs. The PLM is probably too big for your studio but the beauty dish would work nicely. I say go all out if you have the budget. You can always buy 3-4 Yongnuo YN 460 II flashes for $30-40 each too. I have a bunch of them along with SB600's/900's. They are great manual flashes for the money!
*Edit* Since I first made this post, I purchased a Paul Buff Einstein... which kicks major butt... and can now cover your indoor needs as well! I received it within 21 hours of ordering. It has the same power as the B1600 BUT you can dial it down to use indoors(or for wide open shooting)... even in a tiny small studio if needed. You can't do that with the B1600. Plus, it has a much faster flash duration for freezing action and many more benefits. It's a very very versatile light and WELL WORTH the price difference from the B1600. Highly recommended to everyone! It's perfect for small studios AND overpowering the sun. I absolutely love it.