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08/30/2006 11:42:37 PM · #1 |
I am saving for some lighting equipment. I just dont know any good affordable brands. I want to spend at least $800 for a portable profesional lighting equipment for portaits. |
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08/30/2006 11:48:37 PM · #2 |
OK, you've given a minimum you think you should spend, what's the maximum?
$2,000 or $10,000 or $50,000
If you're on a smaller budget, the Alien Bees are a popular choice for monolights.
For a system with a central power pack and light head, Speedotron makes some nice kits with their Brown Line systems.
For Bigger budgets, check out ProFoto. |
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08/30/2006 11:52:47 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Dlove:
I am saving for some lighting equipment. I just dont know any good affordable brands. I want to spend at least $800 for a portable profesional lighting equipment for portaits. |
i am looking at spending a $500-800 ...but not sure where all to look or research... |
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08/31/2006 12:08:49 AM · #4 |
Define portable please.
Monolights are portable, but need 120v power source (or a generator). AB is good, but also consider Paterson Interfit Stellar - the 300ws units are less costly than the AB400 and as powerful as the AB800 - a 2 light set, with stands and carry case is $499 at B&H, with umbrellas. Quality units and the accessories are less costly than AB items.
If you need battery powered lights, get out your wallet and start digging. Nothing is gonna be inexpensive. |
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08/31/2006 01:20:11 AM · #5 |
You could get 3 or 4 Sunpak 555/622's with some diffusers, umbrellas and/or reflectors for a decent cheap and really portable setup... they aren't really designed for studio stuff, though, they're battery powered flashes. Maybe you could get the flashes as well as some studio strobes, and use the rest of the stuff (umbrellas, etc) on either setup?
That way you could bring the flashes for outdoor stuff, and use the strobes indoors. |
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08/31/2006 01:41:23 AM · #6 |
My wife and I ended up buying the Bowens Gemini's here in Australia. I don't think we can get Alien Bees here. Worth checking out because they are fantastic but not sure if they're within your price range in your location!
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08/31/2006 03:31:39 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Define portable please.
Monolights are portable, but need 120v power source (or a generator). AB is good, but also consider Paterson Interfit Stellar - the 300ws units are less costly than the AB400 and as powerful as the AB800 - a 2 light set, with stands and carry case is $499 at B&H, with umbrellas. Quality units and the accessories are less costly than AB items.
If you need battery powered lights, get out your wallet and start digging. Nothing is gonna be inexpensive. |
AB accessories are already cheap (and consequently, they don't last long). I can't imagine how much worse things would be going even cheaper. Half the knobs on the boom and lightstands have fallen off, the softbox ripped, the corded remote has issues with batteries, the regular lightstands are flimsy, and the list goes on. Granted the lights themselves are sturdy - toppled one and I only lost the modeling lamp and dented the reflector - but the accessories could be better made and more durable.
But yes, define portable. Do you need battery power? Or do you just want a small setup? And if you're on a tight budget, strongly consider going used. If you'd rather go for a powerpack design instead of monolights, Dyna-lite goes for cheap on ebay. The nice thing about Dyna-lite is that the heads are light and compact. They also make battery units. The Jackrabbit and 400JR will put out the same output as an AB800 (though that's only going by rated numbers).
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