tell me about your bee's - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/06/2005 03:44:35 PM · #1

I am torn about how to get my setup. Since I don't need stands and all that jazz I am just going with barebone. I want three lights, do I go for the 800's, the 400's? It's just me in my basement but I do have growth plans. Do you have two 400's and one 800 and why do you go w/that combo? Feedback really wanted.

alfresco

Nikon D700

12/06/2005 04:45:55 PM · #2

From what I've read 1x800 + 2x400 should do you good, others far smarter than I could help more.

Consider this a bump for people smarter than I ... :)

TomH1000

Olympus E-3

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

12/06/2005 04:52:23 PM · #3

Originally posted by rebelgirl:

Sounds good I guess but, if I were you I get 1 800 and 3 400. 1 for the main light, 1 for your fill, 1 for hair and one for background. You could just use a reflector I guess for your fill light but it is nice to have that extra power with the fill light at times. Just my 2 cents.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/06/2005 05:00:35 PM · #4

While I'm sure I'm nowhere near the intellectual capability of JP, I will say that I have the 1-800/2-400 set up and love it. I did not, however, start out to collect this set. I started with a pair of 400s which I used for a couple of years, but often found myself needing atleast one more light, when I finally got the funds to buy the 3rd light I decided to go with the 800 because my space is much larger than the studio I started with.

Here is my studio at a glance... My Studio

Edit to say, even in my 21X19' studio, the 800 is still a bit more light than I need sometimes.

Message edited by author 2005-12-06 17:01:18.

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/06/2005 05:24:46 PM · #5

I use 3 AB800's and 1 AB400. Any given light is easily stronger than I would need in my 25x15' space. AB400's should give you the power you need if your space is equivilent.

When I take a light to shoot outdoors its one of the B800s.

Indoors the B400 is generally a kicker or hairlight.

Kev

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

12/06/2005 05:34:42 PM · #6

Can some one post a link for 400s or 800s? I'm researching lights too and can't seem to find what everybody is talking about.

Thanks

Nick

donniev

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/06/2005 05:36:16 PM · #7

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

Can some one post a link for 400s or 800s? I'm researching lights too and can't seem to find what everybody is talking about.

Thanks

Nick

Bzzz

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/06/2005 05:39:45 PM · #8

I've got three B800 lights at the office, and it's serious overkill. We bought them for location shots where we might have to light up a large area, but that never happened. Indoors, I don't think I've ever used a B800 at more than 1/2 power.

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/06/2005 05:54:13 PM · #9

Originally posted by rebelgirl:

if you dont get stands, where are you gonna put the lights?

12/06/2005 07:49:56 PM · #10

Originally posted by hsteg:

if you dont get stands, where are you gonna put the lights?

I have the stands from Ebay (my previous setup) and my husband threaten to kill me for bringing in more. I like my head attached.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am still torn. I am going to go with the 4 light setup. But still up in the air regarding 400s vs 800s. Maybe I will do 2 of each. I had some group shots previous and I couldn't get the backrow to light with 3 lights and a reflector.

12/06/2005 07:51:39 PM · #11

Thanks Cindi for posting your set up. I so wish I had that space!! I don't even have the ceiling space for the three drop stand but I am thinking about kicking the kids out into the downstairs rooms and having fun in the second master room.

12/06/2005 09:14:28 PM · #12

alright I made my purchase, two 400's and 2 800's. thanks for the feedback.

Prof_Fate

12/06/2005 10:56:13 PM · #13

Congrats and Merry Christmas!

I am going to get one after the new year ... I have a Lumedyne 200ws (battery powered) and did some pet portraits, some with people, and th eother light was a metz 54 flash on my Rebel with a lightsphere. The Lumedyne was bounced in a silver umbrella and run on 100ws to preserve the battery (had to last 150 shots or so). At ISO 100 i ran 5.6, at 200 i could run 7-9 - depends on the distance the critter/person was from the light and their color (a black dog on the floor needed ISO 200 at 5.6, a white dog on a table needed ISO 100 F9).

SO i think my first light will bee a 400. I think i'll need an 800 witha light box and such later, but the 400 will be needed anyway, and at twice the power of the lumedyne i can get a good light ratio.

What (if any) accessories did you get? A varied assortment of them can easily cost more than the lights!