Beginner lighting equipment...need opinions.

02/01/2008 08:42:42 PM · #1

Hello everyone, I have been shooting with a Nikon D40 for roughly two years and have purchased a few lenses for it as well as the sb400. However now I was looking to get some lighting eqipment so that I could set up my own photoshoots with people. I understand that this stuff can be expensive, but I want to try to spend no more than 200 dollars. I know this isnt very much at all, but if you guys were just starting out and wanted to spend 200 dollars on lighting, what would you get? Thanks for your help guys!!!

_eug

Nikon D50

02/01/2008 08:48:56 PM · #2

//www.strobist.com

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

02/01/2008 08:55:02 PM · #3

You could go the "strobist" route.. link above from Eug. Gonna require some reading on your part, but you can definitely get going under $200 that way.

For traditional studio strobes, you can go with one of the e-bay strobe kits.. probably going to cost around $300 or more or you could get one Impact brand strobe.

For a beginner to lighting, I highly recommend you start with the strobist.

LanndonKane

Nikon D800

02/01/2008 09:00:26 PM · #4

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Just curious- what's the difference between entry level strobes and more advanced lighting systems? I always assumed light was light...

_eug

Nikon D50

02/01/2008 09:06:53 PM · #5

Quality of construction, color/quality of light, quantity of light, recycle time...

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/01/2008 09:15:27 PM · #6

Originally posted by LanndonKane:

Just curious- what's the difference between entry level strobes and more advanced lighting systems? I always assumed light was light...

Power, adjustability, dependability and accuracy, recycle times, availability of light modifiers.

That said... some of the mid range strobes systems, such as Impact and Alien Bees do offer most of what the pro needs.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/01/2008 09:17:36 PM · #7

This thread has pictures and prices showing what I bought - mobile strobist gear. You can use your SB400 with a stand and umbrella.

One thing to consider though: if you want it to be mobile (mine fits in a duffle bag, which is great for storage and taking it with me), definitely go the Strobist route. However, if you're only going to use them at home, I'd browse through B&H's Impact light kits. There are a few in your price range - but I'd go for the kits with 160 W/s lights (more powerful than the 100 W/s).

Message edited by author 2008-02-01 21:18:09.

02/01/2008 09:21:41 PM · #8

Originally posted by smurfguy:

I'd browse through B&H's Impact light kits. There are a few in your price range - but I'd go for the kits with 160 W/s lights (more powerful than the 100 W/s).

That's what I use is the Impact 160 w/s strobes. I'm tempted to get a 300 w/s, but to be honest I rarely crank the 160s up over half power.

02/01/2008 09:31:49 PM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by smurfguy:
I'd browse through B&H's Impact light kits. There are a few in your price range - but I'd go for the kits with 160 W/s lights (more powerful than the 100 W/s).

That's what I use is the Impact 160 w/s strobes. I'm tempted to get a 300 w/s, but to be honest I rarely crank the 160s up over half power.

Hey fotomann_forever you have any pics with using your Impact 160 w/s strobe

or are some of your shots in your portfolio using your Impact strobes you mentioned above

Message edited by author 2008-02-01 21:33:05.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/01/2008 09:38:23 PM · #10

Originally posted by digitalpins:

Hey fotomann_forever you have any pics with using your Impact 160 w/s strobe

or are some of your shots in your portfolio using your Impact strobes you mentioned above

Everything in my nudes collection was shot with the Impact strobes, excepts for one beach shot (which was shot with an old Sunpak 333 and a slave)

[thumb]637563[/thumb]
Here is one more modest shot using one of the strobes with a 48 inch white reflective umbrella. I do have a tendency to go with a single strobe and a reflector a lot, just for simplicity.

[thumb]613715[/thumb]
This was shot with two of them. One had a 60 inch umbrella and the other was bounced off the cieling of the church (which was low).

As always, if you have any lighting questions, feel free to post a comment on the photo itself and I will answer.

Message edited by author 2008-02-01 21:42:05.

mkalandros

Nikon D50

02/01/2008 09:41:43 PM · #11

If you're willing to spend a bit more (around $350, IIRC) I'd get the SB-800. You can set up the SB-600 as an off-board slave and the SB-800 as a commander on your D40. After that, set up is amazingly simple -- no wires, just put the 600 where you want it, and the flash level is controlled by the camera/SB-800 combo. You can adjust the settings on each flash from the SB-800 setup menu. Its a bit pricier, but I think it makes up for it in ease-of-use.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

02/01/2008 10:04:22 PM · #12

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by digitalpins:

Hey fotomann_forever you have any pics with using your Impact 160 w/s strobe

or are some of your shots in your portfolio using your Impact strobes you mentioned above

Everything in my nudes collection was shot with the Impact strobes, excepts for one beach shot (which was shot with an old Sunpak 333 and a slave)

ok thanks those look great with that lighting equipment.... I may pick them up!!

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/01/2008 10:05:47 PM · #13

Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.

LanndonKane

Nikon D800

02/01/2008 10:16:33 PM · #14

Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:

Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.

The sun is cheaper.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/01/2008 10:19:43 PM · #15

Originally posted by LanndonKane:

Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.

The sun is cheaper.

Yeah, but if you read the OP you would of seen that this person is wanting to purchase equipment.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

02/01/2008 10:22:36 PM · #16

Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:

Originally posted by LanndonKane:

Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.

The sun is cheaper.

Yeah, but if you read the OP you would of seen that this person is wanting to purchase equipment.

Reflectors ...Sun AND buying equipment :-D

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

02/01/2008 10:25:15 PM · #17

These are all shot with the Impact 100's. It's all I need at home (very small workspace)

I also have an alien bee 800, but I hardly use it's lighting capacity.

02/01/2008 10:28:58 PM · #18

very nice...

Nobody wants to share....lol I love your screen name

thanks for sharing though... I am seriously think about picking up one of the sets from B&H

02/01/2008 10:32:03 PM · #19

Originally posted by digitalpins:

I am seriously think about picking up one of the sets from B&H

Can't go wrong if ya do. Personally though, I'd let them keep the softboxes (get the umbrella kit) I originally got the kit with the softboxes and hardly ever used them because they were a pain to (dis)assemble.

02/01/2008 10:33:35 PM · #20

lol ok thanks for the info I was looking at that set too but I dont want to get frustrated with taken them apart

xTheBadFishx

Nikon D40

02/01/2008 11:57:50 PM · #21

Wow guys! Thanks for all the helpful comments!!!! I feel so overwhelmed by lighting to be perfectly honest with you. Right now those impact 100 w/s look pretty tempting to me. As far as umbrellas are concerned, where do you all buy them from? Thanks again for all the help guys!