Studio Equipment - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/27/2004 05:59:25 PM · #1

I'd like to start working on some studio portraits, but need the equipment. I found a kit on Ebay that includes lights, umbrellas, background stand and 1 roll of background paper. Can anyone that is familiar with studio equipment check this out and let me know if seems to be a good deal?

I thought about going the PVC route for the stand, but I'd really like something portable that I can bring to client homes.

Studio Equip

Edit: This is actually looking better to me and the same supplier has a lot of background stands pretty well priced also.
Light Kit

Message edited by author 2004-02-27 18:26:43.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/27/2004 06:44:27 PM · #2

This looks ok, but you need to consider whether you want to use photo floods or strobes. The floods are quite hot and generally not as pleasing to your subjects (...assuming they're people).

I just very recently purchased some Alien Bees monolights (one B400 and one B800), with umbrellas and stands for about $680. I also bought a background stand from Amvona for $82. My experiments thus far (only had the equipment for 5 days) have been quite satisfying.

If interested, check out //www.alienbees.com. Also check what they say about them on dpreview.com.

-len

02/27/2004 06:58:40 PM · #3

Thanks a lot Len!

I'm so far very impressed with what I'm seeing on Amvona's auctions and I think I'm convinced to go with their background stand.

Since posting this, I'm thinking the better way to go is the softbox light kits from Amvona's auctions as well.

I'm not interested in that first kit I posted anymore. If anyone has any other feedback on using the softbox light kits vs. floods, I'd really appreciate it.

Amvona seems to even have great prices on their muslin and the purchasers have been really happy with the product.

Message edited by author 2004-02-27 19:00:21.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/27/2004 08:48:45 PM · #4

From my personal experience, while you can do a lot of things with continuous (tungsten, halogen etc) lights, strobes are MUCH more useful and if you shoot people, much more pleasant for your subjects. They also keep the photographer cooler.

I'd check out the alien bees

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

02/27/2004 08:55:49 PM · #5

If you go with strobes make sure they have modeling lights so that you can see what the lighting will be like before setting off the shutter.

Here's another merchant to check out for either strobes or tungstun:
smithvictor.com

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/28/2004 06:43:13 AM · #6

Thanks for the additional feedback. I'll have to do some research on my camera firing off strobes... anyone use them with the Rebel?

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

02/28/2004 09:07:38 AM · #7

What about the 550 and 420 flashes as strobes. Has anyone used them for portraits or stills? I'd love to see pics if anyone has any.

I did shoot strobes with the rebel at a lighting class. It worked fine, but I have no idea what lights were being used.

I have hot lights at the moment, but think strobes are a better way to go.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/28/2004 09:31:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by tfaust:

Thanks for the additional feedback. I'll have to do some research on my camera firing off strobes... anyone use them with the Rebel?

Tina, if the strobes fire at 6 volts you'll be fine. I've used them with my 10D, which as I understand works the same as the Rebel when it comes to flash. You may find that some strobes fire at much higher voltage rates (40 or more). You'd need an adapter for them. B&H sells the Wein Safe-Sync, which attaches to your camera's hotshoe and steps the voltage down to 6 volts for virtually any pc-connected strobe.

-len

02/28/2004 09:42:10 AM · #9

Thanks Len! I'll start looking into that as well. I'm thinking I'll get one soft box light to start with. Amvona has some pretty decent soft box light kits. I'll keep my eye on those.

In the meantime, once I get the background stand and a muslin, I'll try using the 420EX. Terry, I'd like to see how that works as well.

Any other thoughts/opinions are appreciated.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

02/28/2004 09:49:58 AM · #10

You might want to look into a small softbox that would attach to the 420EX or similar flash. I have done some pretty complex lighting setups using basic Vivitar 285 flashes all connected with Wein optical slaves.

The 285 has manually adjustable power, so it's good for this type of thing without spending $$$$$ on 420EX's and 550EX's

lightpro1

Nikon D100

02/28/2004 10:18:10 AM · #11

Stay away from the "Hot Lights" if you can. Besides being uncomfortable they also can cause your subject to squint. Alien Bees are a very good value, but you can also pick up power packs with light heads from Novatron and other sources that work very well. Pick up a ShutterBug Magazine and look in the classifieds in the back. There are usually some very good deals in there. Also check out your local paper and any local camera shows and shops for used equipment. You might get lucky!