Lighting?

[TonyH]

I'm thinking about getting a studio lighting set up.......

Not really wanting to spend too much money if possible.

I was wondering what set ups the members have here. I'm thinking about being able to use it inside the house (without much room available) and just outside, maybe under the pergola or outside in general, still connected to mains power.

I've seen the el cheapo Shanghai studio set ups on Ebay and whilst El Cheapo in this instance suits me, I still want something that will do the job adequately.

All input appreciated.

[Yi-P]

Im interested in this as well, I'll keep my heads up

[Antsl]

Hi Tony and Yi-P

Given the chance I would recommended trying to buy Bowens units, particularly the Bowens Esprit 500. It has the advantage of having a good power range (full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32) which is really useful for shooting a range of subjects. It is also a tried and true industry standard unit that is fairly reliable. I have two of them and never really had a problem. As they say, you get what you pay for.

I have with the kit three different reflectors, one softbox and one umbrella and it provides me with most of the options that I need. I will have them with me when I talk about light on Sunday week in Melbourne so people can ask me about it then

Hope this is a help... Ants

[Yi-P]

Bowens lighting, by the name of fame sounds expensive.

How much is for just one flash strobe unit, will it come with the stands and other necessary stuffs (ok, apart from the AC adapter/plug)?

[Spooky]

I was about to ask this same question Tony. Seems to be a choice between some chinese stuff that may or may not be supported when you needs spares in 12months or the bowens gear that only a few people sell and is as dear as poison.

Any options in between?

Is there anywhere in Brisbane one can go and look at real lighing options for a small studio?

Thanks

[TonyH]

Thanks Antsl, it sounds expensive, I agree though you do get what you pay for.

With my camera gear I buy the best I can afford, however, in this case I'm not sure I'll use it enough to justify the cost. At this stage I'm really just wanting to experiment....

[Oz_Beachside]

Please provide your budget expectations???

If I had $500, id get an SB800, a falcon eyes lightstand, with an umbrella bracket, and a shoot through unbrella. That would get me started, with an expandable solution. Then, repeat, for the next $500. Think you can drive the SB800s off camera with your D200 (or commander the onboard flash). AND you have a wireless portable solution. Thats if I had $1000.

If I had $1500, I'd be thinking I'm now much closer to the $2200 (at Melbourne's Camera Exchange) Bowens Gemini Espirit 500ws kits (Comes with two heads, stands, 60cm softbox, convertible umbrella, and a rolling case). You can convert to portable later with another $1300.

If I wanted a 15 year solution, that I can use on Nikon, Canon, other formats, I'd go for the Bowens 500ws.

THey also have a slightly cheaper, less powerful starter kit, called "Studio in a box" but these are only 125ws I think, and may not get much use out of these outdoors. However, you said you want to experiement at this stage.

(you could replace Elinchron with Bowens)

Oh, if you are using a synch lead on a D70, you will need an AS-15 hotshoe adapter for the synch lead.

Go shopping... http://www.vanbar.com.au/catalogue/index.php?id=203.214.25.1301163025268&brand=&user=&end=1&Item1=LIGHTING&Item2=FLASH&Item3=>KITS

Hmmm, in summary, to experiment with light, I think I'd start with 2 SB800 from HK supplies, they come with soft covers, and small stands, you can mount on tripods... also with gels... fun when I get mine... (waiting on ones for my studio lights)

[Glen]

Tony, in deference to what has been said above as I wouldn't advise on flash equipment, if you are looking for some mid to low priced solutions I would consider http://www.dragonimage.com.au They have a shop in Bowen Hills, Dominic who runs it seems like a nice guy (I know Birddog didn't like him, maybe because he was a competitor, but seemed reasonable to me) he is based in the Sydney shop, they have some low priced starter equipment just have a look at their website.

[gstark]

Further to what Glen has said, we had the opportunity to use some of the lighting gear from Dragon Image at our recent portraiture workshop in Sydney, and I must say I was very impressed with the quality and value of what we were using.

In terms of buying something with a limited budget in mind, these were certainly very servicable, easy to use, and proced very acceptable results.

[Yi-P]

Oww, my budget for even Christmas 'upgrade' season, can only max out at $300, may be much less than that...

Cant even reach for an extra SB800

Need to find more part-time jobs

[gstark]

Oww, my budget for even Christmas 'upgrade' season, can only max out at $300, may be much less than that...

Cant even reach for an extra SB800

I'd suggest a few bottles of wine, and some candles.

[BBJ]

Hi All, i too have looked into this and well i have come accross these in Adelaide,Elinchrom D-Lite 4 To Go Kit http://www.kayellaustralia.com.au/
But at Photographic Wholesalers. I have seen another site in Melbourne with 400 watt setup for $1,500 or so with everything as i know rob25 got his from that place in Melb but s i am on laptop at Fozzie's place i dont have the link.

[rooboy]

My work owns about 100 of the Bowens Esprit Gemini 500, and they're very reliable - only 1 has ever had a fault that wasn't operator induced. As said they're pricey, and the accessories are even worse (a basic ~60 degree reflector cost us around $120, and that was with a discount for bulk purchase!). The ability to use it in a studio and on location is brilliant.

I was in Ted's in the city earlier this week, and they were advertising what looked like a great deal. 2 x Elinchrom 400WS heads, stands, softboxes & brollies (might have been one brolly and one box), & sync cords for a bit over $1700. Only downsides were that the power control isn't stepless (only options were full, 1/2 & 1/4) and they're not made in Switzerland like the expensive Elinchrom gear, but come from India. They're very compact heads, but unlike the Bowens units can't be run off batteries.

A brilliant page that will make your head explode: Strobist. Full of info regarding off-camera flash, and ways to do amazing things with lighting, without using studio strobes.

Either way have fun

[TonyH]

Thanks for all of the input guys, I've bought this from Ebay. The price seems cheap enough to have a play with. Parts etc are still available.


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330046326350&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:AU:11

I have a SB800 and a couple of older Nikon flash units and have been happy with the on camera flash and the SB800 as a remote unit.

It's just something I'd like to experiment with. At the money I've paid for this set up I'm sure I'd get most of it back if it doesn't suit or excite.

[Yi-P]

Looks like a great kit to start up with

Keep us updated on how you go with that setup!