Looking for a CHEAP starter strobe kit

Rhuarc · December 19, 2007

In the next few months I'm going to be looking at getting a cheap studio strobe kit. I'm only going to be using it for friends and family, and since this is my first foray into studio photography I want to keep it cheap. REALLY cheap! I have my eye on a kit like this for $250.

Now I know there will be people crying foul because of how cheap this is and saying it would be better for me to get more expensive up front. THat just isn't the route I'm looking to go. I might try this, realize that studio photography isn't for me, and that will be it! I guess I'm just wondering if anyone thinks this would work (I'm not saying be great) for a starter kit for someone like me?

Also, right now I have the Rebel XTi, and the 420EX flash. Obviously I would need some way to trigger the strobes. What would the cheapest way for me to go about doing this be?I don't mind having wires running around!

Thanks in advance for the help!

georges · December 19, 2007

The Strobist
It's hard to go wrong with the recommendations on The Strobist blog.

It sounds like you may be looking for the info in the section called Lighting 101.

GS

dangin · December 20, 2007

i agree w/ george. head on over to the strobist website and check 'em out for some lighting tips. i'd advise against kits like the one you pictured as many of them simply do not output much power at all. you'll find yourself shooting wide open just to get enough light in. many photographers, including many at the strobist go with old school vivitar 285 flash units.

of course, i'll say it: get the best gear you can get... occasionally, i've seen deals on used strobe units on ebay. do searches for used + "alien bees" "fotodiox" "calumet"

good luck!

Tango · December 20, 2007

just like you said, here i go....

i almost got the cheap system, then changed my mind and
i went with the more expensive system.

i paid four time more, but got 100 times the quality...

just my .02

Terrence · December 20, 2007

Read Strobist before spending any money. I think for the work you say you want to do you don't need to spend a lot. For less than $300 I have 2 light stands, umbrellas, gels, Cactus wireless triggers, and 2 Vivitar 285HV flash heads. My 1 580EX cost so much more than all that put together.

Take a look at the work shown in the Strobist pool on Flickr to get an idea of what's possible with very low cost gear, a lot of it DIY.

Rhuarc · December 21, 2007

Terrence wrote:

Read Strobist before spending any money. I think for the work you say you want to do you don't need to spend a lot. For less than $300 I have 2 light stands, umbrellas, gels, Cactus wireless triggers, and 2 Vivitar 285HV flash heads. My 1 580EX cost so much more than all that put together.

Take a look at the work shown in the Strobist pool on Flickr to get an idea of what's possible with very low cost gear, a lot of it DIY.

Would you mind putting where you got each piece of your kit for how much?

dangin · December 21, 2007

Rhuarc wrote:

Would you mind putting where you got each piece of your kit for how much?

midwest photo exchange has several strobist kits

Terrence · December 21, 2007

Rhuarc wrote:

Would you mind putting where you got each piece of your kit for how much?

Take a look at MPEX's Strobist Kits page.

1. I started with the "Starving Student Household Kit (SH2)", which does not come with the flash for $139
2. I bought 1 Vivitar 285HV on eBay for $65
3. I bought 1 Vivitar 285HV from a friend for $25
4. I made a second light stand out of PVC for about $5
5. I bought 1 Cactus wireless trigger transmitter and 2 receivers for $50

Total cost for equipment = $279.00 Add on shipping and all that comes to $350 at the most, so I was off on my "less than $300" claim.

Including my 580EX, I have a 3 strobe setup. Now, the sad part is I have no time to use it!!!!

ziggy53 · December 21, 2007

Great information Terrence!

Thanks for taking the time to put that list together.

Looking for a CHEAP starter strobe kit

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