question about studio lights setup

kwaichi

I am thinking about getting a decent set of studio lights. My budget is about $600. Any suggestions? I mainly use it for fashion and family shoots. Thanks.

Ed:dunno

Cameron

kwaichi wrote:

I am thinking about getting a decent set of studio lights. My budget is about $600. Any suggestions? I mainly use it for fashion and family shoots. Thanks.

Ed

Does this budget include backdrops and other accessories? I own and can recommend Alien Bees. The quality is excellent and they are reasonably priced. For $600 you can get their "DigiBee" package:
http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

That would be a great way to get started - 2 lights, light stands, shoot-through umbrella, regular umbrella

Now, many would argue that you should start with 1 light and learn how to use it well and then add lights as your comfort level increases. There is some merit to this if you're new to studio lighting.

You can see other packages they have here:
http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html

I don't work for AB, I'm just a satisfied customer.

For a simple home setup the AB400's would probably be sufficient. I own two AB800's (twice the power) and have yet to use them at full power. Anyway, give us some more info on what you're hoping to do and I'm sure you'll get additional advice from others here too.

Shane422

I was listening to a podcast today that spoke highly of a Photobasics Strobelight kit. It is a 3 light kit for about $650. Here is the link to the review.

ziggy53

I am rather pleased with the performance of the Flashpoint monolights from Adorama. (I believe Pathfinder is also using them.)

You can get the Flashpoint 620A Portrait Wedding Monolight Kit, with Two 620 Monolights, Stands, Umbrellas & Case for $550USD. The umbrellas are convertible from shoot-through to reflective and 40" which is enough for serious work except large group. I do recommend an additional 60" umbrella for even more diffuse light when needed.

http://www.adorama.com/FP620APWK.html?sid=1216381862826753
http://www.adorama.com/POECP60.html?searchinfo=60

Understand that when you buy a monolight you are buying into a system. The Flashpoint system is not vast but it does have the basic components for most shooting situations and the components are quite satisfactory:

User replaceable flash tube and modelling light (very important)
Barndoor
Snoot
Softboxes
Standard mount for light stands and umbrellas.

P.S. I think the following adapter allows you to use Photoflex softboxes on most monolight heads:

http://www.adorama.com/PF9060SPR.html

You will also want (eventually) to light the back ground and possibly have rim and/or hair lights. You can often use battery powered flash for these purposes as long as they have variable manual power and some method of slave trigger (optical, radio, etc.).

See the Strobist site for more ideas on using simple battery powered electronic flash and DIY modifiers to do just about anything with lighting.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

kwaichi

Thanks for the suggestions. Lately I've been working with a lot of babies and models, so I am looking for something with a decent recycle speed.

Pittspilot

I'll second the ABs, service form the company is outstanding too.

Cheers

CSwinton wrote:

Does this budget include backdrops and other accessories? I own and can recommend Alien Bees. The quality is excellent and they are reasonably priced. For $600 you can get their "DigiBee" package:
http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

That would be a great way to get started - 2 lights, light stands, shoot-through umbrella, regular umbrella

Now, many would argue that you should start with 1 light and learn how to use it well and then add lights as your comfort level increases. There is some merit to this if you're new to studio lighting.

You can see other packages they have here:
http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html

I don't work for AB, I'm just a satisfied customer.

For a simple home setup the AB400's would probably be sufficient. I own two AB800's (twice the power) and have yet to use them at full power. Anyway, give us some more info on what you're hoping to do and I'm sure you'll get additional advice from others here too.