Kit Lighting

[private]

Do you think these are worthe $250 (after shipping)

http://www.lincoinc168.com/hostlikit.html

[ttosifa]

Hi Pat --

Having recently gone down this route myself, I think you are going to be disappointed in any kit you buy in this price range. Judging from what I've seen of your work, I think we have similar interests in subjects and locations, and I am basing my recommendation on that.

Anyway, I don't think you will be happy in the long run with a low-end continuous-light system. (I understand there might be some good continuous-light systems, just at a higher price point.) To make them cheap, there have to be sacrifices. The lights are unlikely to have good color qualities -- how do they behave colorwise if you raise or lower the power? Do the fluorescents dim at all? (I have to buy special bulbs for the dimmers in my house.)

And I don't think these are really "starter" kits. The equipment is cheap. I still use the stands from my Smith-Vector kit, but just to hold my speedlights. I would not trust them with anything much heavier. The umbrellas are a joke both in size and quality. If you move up, you'll probably have to start all over again.

And the strobe kit listed above -- did you see the 5-7 second recycle time? Yikes, that's forever!

I sorta think of investing in your first lighting kit as a lot like investing in your first camera. You want to take pictures -- do you buy a cheap P&S, a cheapish DSLR, a midrange DSLR, or a high-end DSLR? If all you want is a picture, buy the cheap P&S. But if your goal is to have some flexibility in what you take pictures of and how you take them, then you need to spend a bit more money. Do you need to go high-end your first time? Probably not. It's probably better to go cheapish to middle DSLR so you can add lenses that complement your photos as you learn.

I think buying your first light kit is a lot like that. The low-end kits are like cheap P&Ss. If all you want is light, they'll give you light. But if you really want to learn lighting and use it to your advantage in your work, you probably need something a bit more expensive. I started with the P&S version of lights. I basically threw it away, and started all over with speedlights (would that be cheapish? doesn't seem like it!) Now I am learning, and am adding softboxes, beauty dishes, grids, snoots, etc., to learn more -- this is a lot like buying new lenses.

Anyway, hope this helps.

[Saralonde]

I have a light set very similar to the ones you were looking at originally. I bought them quickly (and with a certain amout of panic!) when I had to shoot a group of 10-12 people in a poor lighting situation. All I had at the time was a basic strobist style 1 light flash and that was not going to do the job in this situation. They worked for what I needed them to do and I have used them on occassion ever since. They are not great. They are hot and limited in their ability to properly light a subject. However, they will do a basic job for you. As I understand lighting better (it's a slow process for me - lots to learn) I use them less and less and desire quality versions more and more.

[trelaflip]

Another good kit to look into if you can fork up some extra cash is the Impact kits on BHphoto.com

[oldwolf]

can't remember if you already have a flash but have you thought about the starving student strobist kit from mpex?

http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,6618.html

if you have another flash already then add another receiver and you're good to go

http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11444.html

it let's you tinker with off camera flash. the cactus triggers are hit and miss though. might require some tinkering to get used to it. i've been reading up on them and most of the things people say are easily fixed/hacked. as soon as i get mine i'm adding an antennae to it to extend the range and will probably convert the receiver to use AA batteries.

[trelaflip]

That starving student kiit looks a tad expensive. Im pretty sure you can find the exact same setup for much cheaper.

I found 42" umbrellas for $13-$19 on BH. They also have Impact lightstand for about $20-$30 then the umbrella swivel for about $10-$15. If you want to save quite a bit of money you can use sync cable witch is about $5 cable.

Tonight I will take a picture of a basic setup and it will give you a good idea what would work.

[private]

Man, my head is spinning! I gotta find that book on lighting that hubby bought for me...

And trelaflip - THANKS! I would love to see a basic set-up.

[private]

Since I do not know a THING about lighting, I bought a really cheap kit and will use it to learn. I am very much a hands on type of person...

This is the one I bought it was cheap and steady light...and got pretty good reviews, I just know I have to use in a small space, which is NOT a problem

[Saralonde]

I'm sure you'll do ok with that kit. Eventually you'll outgrow it, but it will teach you some things in the meantime, plus it will give you some of the basic lighting you need for some indoor shots. Have fun!

[jdepould]

Go with strobes. Calumet has reasonably priced monolight kits, so you get modeling bulbs and everything.