Portrait Lighting Kit or SB-600?

[evader]

I'm trying to decide what I should pick up between this portrait Lighting Kit HENRYS CAMERON PORTRAIT LIGHTING KIT#1 and an SB-600 flash that I can get used for about the same price as the kit.

I'm shooting with a D60 with the 18-55mm kit lens and a 35mm f1.8 lens I recently purchased.
I've just recently started trying my hand at some indoor portrait photography (mainly of my kids) using a single light and reflector I borrowed from a friend. I think I'd like to do some more portrait stuff but would like to use more than just the single light set up which is why I was looking at the lighting kit in the link above. I then came across an ad where someone is selling the SB-600 for the same price as the kit. Would the SB-600 help a lot with portrait shots?

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Is there something completely different I should look at maybe?
Thanks

[sk66]

No bulbs, no specs...I'd guess they are very weak and incandescent "hot lights". Personally I'd get the SB600 and a cheap stand/holder/umbrella ($50). I used to love "hot lights", but no-one who was sitting under them did....

[natek313]

Yep. I noticed that no bulbs were included as well.

Personally, I'd pass on this kit. Continuous lighting is nice because you can see the results before you take the shot, but they run hot and can warm up a room - and model - which can be very uncomfortable.

I'm with sk66 and his suggestion. I would go for the strobe. You can get a 10' light stand, flash bracket, and 45" convertible umbrella for about $75 (before shipping) from B&H to go with it.

[WooD]

Pretty sure the D60 doesn't have Nikons CLS.

They will need an adapter for the flash, and camera hotshoe for a sync cord if they want to use the SB600 off camera. Or buy a set of triggers, and even then they will still need a sync cord adapter for the SB600 which can be bought at FlashZebra for around $15.00.

I agree about the hot lights. I used two with 500 watt ECT bulbs for a while. They would heat a room up fast.

[evader]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I think I will go with the SB-600.

Out of curiosity what would be a good lighting setup to look into if I wanted to get some lights for doing portrait work at home. Something not too expensive but would do a decent job?

Thanks

[natek313]

Well, the more lights you have, the more control you have, but you can still get great images with one light. Search around the internet a little bit to see what people have been able to do.

I would suggest getting a reflector to go along with your SB-600, though.

And, of course, as was already mentioned, you'll need to get a light stand, flash bracket, and umbrella. Here are the ones I use from B&H:

Impact 4-Section Air Cushioned Light Stand - 10'
Impact Flash Bracket
Impact 45" Convertible Umbrella (Satin)

As far as reflectors go, you can look here. The size of the reflector will really depend on what kind of portraits you'll be doing. If you're mainly doing head shots, a 32" (or so) reflector will do the job. If you're doing full body shots, then you'll want something larger like a 36"x48" or even bigger. I would recommend getting a 5-in-1 (or something similar) reflector kit, though. It gives you a lot more options and creative freedom.

I hope this helps.

[WooD]

You can get some good light from a SB600, and a shoot thru umbrella.

According to my meter I can get a solid f/8 at full power from mine.

[evader]

Thanks so much for the help. I really appreciate it. I will be picking up the SB-600 on Thursday and will start looking for light stand, bracket, umbrella and reflector and see what I can find.

Thanks again for the help.