Backdrops & Light Setup (home studio)

[SuperDan]

I am taking the plunges into portraits and shoots and want to get a nice setup with backdrops and the light kits...
Ive looked on amazon and have found a few, but wanted to know everyones opinion on here..

My budget is under $300 shipped

Would like two lights, at least one of those being soft boxes...
I'd prefer wireless ... I have a D40 currently

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by SuperDan

I am taking the plunges into portraits and shoots and want to get a nice setup with backdrops and the light kits...
Ive looked on amazon and have found a few, but wanted to know everyones opinion on here..

My budget is under $300 shipped

Would like two lights, at least one of those being soft boxes...
I'd prefer wireless ... I have a D40 currently

My backdrop holder was almost $200. Thats just the framing and doesn't actually include any backdrops. A nice muslin BG will run you $150-ish. You can get some Flashpoints 320's for pretty cheap but 2 of them will be almost $300. I guess I'm trying to say, you aren't going to get everything you need for under $300.

[Jim Poor]

Don't listen to those who say it can't be done for under $300. It can, and it has. In fact, my first several professional sittings were done with well under that amount of $ tied up in lighting gear.

That said, you'll eventually want to graduate to something better.
Muslin can be purchased at a local crafts store and dyed any color you need.
Backdrop stands can be constructed out of wood, PVC or any number of other materials.
In the learning phase, even shop lites will do in a pinch.

My advice, if you can, is to stretch your budget just a little bit and go for some Alien Bee AB400s, and then come up with backgrounds and stands some other way.

Of course, with the new Einsteins coming out, there are some Alien Bees to be had for a slightly (the hold their value pretty well) reduced price on the used market.

[SuperDan]

yes to both.. i want to upgrade later... but... the budgets tight (a father of two kids under 5) and no income yet from photography...

but yes, i want to do a continous lighting kit i think instead of the strobe kit...

[wmh318]

Originally Posted by SuperDan

I am taking the plunges into portraits and shoots and want to get a nice setup with backdrops and the light kits...
Ive looked on amazon and have found a few, but wanted to know everyones opinion on here..

My budget is under $300 shipped

Would like two lights, at least one of those being soft boxes...
I'd prefer wireless ... I have a D40 currently

I recently purchased a florecent light kit from amazon that came with two umbrellas, stands and lights in a case for about $100. These lights seem to work better for me than the more expensive lights I brought off ebay. They don't get hot, but they offer a more cooler image that can be fixed easily in post processing. You can use flat sheets (king size) most of which you can find at thrift stores or at a Marshalls or TJMax. For the background set up, I would definately invest in that and you can find one reasonably priced on ebay (I think the store I ordered from was Steve Kaseler). Once you start generating some cash, I would invest in the paper backdrops as you don't have to fool around with ironing/steaming the material if you intend to travel with your equimpent. Adorama has some great selections in all colors and two sizes.

I hope this helps. I attached an image I took of my son with the light kit.

[Niresangwa]

My experience has been that if you go cheap, eventually it will cost more in the long run when either something gives out, or you want better quality equipment for more advanced techniques.

It's a shame you have already decided against the strobist option, as not only will that be a cheaper option as regards comparative quality, but will give you the flexibility to be portable. I was forced to go wireless and strobe for one shoot, and converted immediately. Doubt I'll ever use my AC set up again.

Having said that there are plenty of DIY budget how-to's for the kind of set up you're looking at creating, both here in DPS and on the wider web. There are also plenty of kits from reputable companies on eBay.

[Jim Poor]

The Strobist option is certainly not less expensive. I do a lot of portable work and my set up for that is all SB800&900s. An SB900 is several times more expensive than even a mid-range strobe.

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

My experience has been that if you go cheap, eventually it will cost more in the long run when either something gives out, or you want better quality equipment for more advanced techniques.

It's a shame you have already decided against the strobist option, as not only will that be a cheaper option as regards comparative quality, but will give you the flexibility to be portable. I was forced to go wireless and strobe for one shoot, and converted immediately. Doubt I'll ever use my AC set up again.

Having said that there are plenty of DIY budget how-to's for the kind of set up you're looking at creating, both here in DPS and on the wider web. There are also plenty of kits from reputable companies on eBay.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by wmh318

I recently purchased a florecent light kit from amazon that came with two umbrellas, stands and lights in a case for about $100. These lights seem to work better for me than the more expensive lights I brought off ebay. They don't get hot, but they offer a more cooler image that can be fixed easily in post processing. You can use flat sheets (king size) most of which you can find at thrift stores or at a Marshalls or TJMax. For the background set up, I would definately invest in that and you can find one reasonably priced on ebay (I think the store I ordered from was Steve Kaseler). Once you start generating some cash, I would invest in the paper backdrops as you don't have to fool around with ironing/steaming the material if you intend to travel with your equimpent. Adorama has some great selections in all colors and two sizes.

I hope this helps. I attached an image I took of my son with the light kit.

Your picture of Dante is quite nice, but a little soft. I imagine it is either a very large aperture or slow shutter speed (judging by the DOF, aperture). That was my experience with the CFL kits, and the only ones I have seen that provide enough light to take a portrait with a reasonable shutter speed, ISO & aperture are the 6 light units with softboxes, and they cost more than the budget he is working with.

I tried the CFL routine, and had to admit defeat and purchase stobes. Because of portability I use speedlights, but the problem there is they chew batteries, and you need a few test shots as there aren't any modeling lights. Besides that, they do a great job.

You could always get a couple stands, some used flashes and a set of wireless triggers in your budget range, then do the backdrop as someone else has posted.

[Jim Poor]

Which speedlights do you use? Mine have a modeling light function.

[private]

Originally Posted by SuperDan

I am taking the plunges into portraits and shoots and want to get a nice setup with backdrops and the light kits...
Ive looked on amazon and have found a few, but wanted to know everyones opinion on here..

My budget is under $300 shipped

Would like two lights, at least one of those being soft boxes...
I'd prefer wireless ... I have a D40 currently

What kind of portraits are you planning on doing? All require a different light set up. But to start one strobe with a huge softbox and a reflector will be fine. Look at RuthieMae's, or Susan Harrington's pics - most if not all are done with that set-up. I use two lights - one key light and one fill. Mainly b/c I just could not do it as well as those two... The Alien Bees are a great option.