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05/06/2005 09:49:47 AM · #1 |
If you had limited funds...what kind of lighting equipment would you invest in...which pieces and in what order (first purchase to last)...
Also, is there a good tutorial online for lighting, shooting through umberella's, light boxes, etc...
Thank you. |
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05/06/2005 10:25:46 AM · #2 |
| I would create a sun and send people into space to take orders from DPC photographers to adjust lighting with colour gels and softboxes and all for the whole community to enjoy nature in a different way. |
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05/06/2005 10:33:38 AM · #3 |
If your limited budget doesn't go past $200, you'll have to settle for hot-lights. A lot of people use them--I don't. Too hot, too much electricity, too many squinting and sweaty subjects.
If your budget is about $650, GO WITH ALIENBEES. They're reletively cheap and professional! I use alienbees and absolutely love them (as do everyone else who buys them). Digibee Package
Message edited by author 2005-05-06 10:35:39. |
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05/06/2005 10:33:46 AM · #4 |
oops, double post.
Message edited by author 2005-05-06 10:34:03. |
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05/06/2005 10:50:50 AM · #5 |
Money...the root of all frustration!
No money:
This light at sears, or better 2 of them. You can get them on sale at times for $20. Then go to walmart and buy a couple of cheap white sheets ($3 ea). The sheets can act as a diffuser/softbox or for bounce/reflected light. I have this set up and it works. Drawbacks? Gonna need a tripod for the camera and the lights get hot. Pluses? cheap, and you can see the effect you are getting with shadows, etc.
Some money:
Vivitar 283 or other flash gun, off ebay ($20-$60 each) and some wein peanuts or generic equivalents ($15-20 per flash gun) and if your camera has a hot shoe, then a hot shoe to PC cord adapter ($10 ritz) and a PC cord to the first flash unit (no peanut for it). This will give you a basic flash setup. the peanuts let the flashes be triggered optically when another flash fires. With this the hot shoe to PC cord is best for the main flash, the rest can optically trigger. If you do not have a hot shoe, then you can trigger with your on-camera flash IF it does not pre-flash (for red eye or TTL metering). You will need some way to "mount" the flash. I have some $10 tripods from BigLots. Drawbacks: without a flash meter you have to take test shots and read your histogram. you must use your camera on full manaul mode. No way to see how the light will look (no modeling light) pluses: portable (all battery operated) and can be used when you become a professional wedding photographer. (well, there are many uses for this is what i am saying). Not hot, and you can freeze motion so portraits and animals and such are MUCH easier to photograph.
Real Money (well, over $500)
Alien Bees (seach the web for their site). $260 to $2500...the least would be a couple of AB400s, the optimum might be one of each (1600 main, 800 fill, 400 rim/hair/BG). You will need the hot shoe adapter or similar to trigger them (see above).
A flash meter is a VERY handy item. Minolta or Sekonic, figure $100-$200 range for one. If you go the AB route it is almost imperitive you get one.
I ahve the first and second options, and have used a friend's third option. THe third is best, the second and first each have their uses - i need a flash meter before i play much more with flash. it will be an xmas item at the rate i am going. (i need/want other thigs first)
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05/07/2005 07:32:31 AM · #6 |
| Prof Fate thanks for the detailed info. Have been looking for this kind of info and was going to post it myself, but found this. Thanks. |
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05/07/2005 08:41:13 AM · #7 |
Hi.
This looks good and cheap. I was gonna link the set I have but now I can't find it. It is similar to that one and I love it.
June
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