Lightning material for portraiture: any thoughts?

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/11/2005 04:27:12 AM · #1

Here's the deal:

I'm planning in buying some lights. They are for two purposes: portraiture, home studio type (thehability to use it outdoor would be nice but more expensive of course); and to use in weddings in the interior shoots if it's raining and for family portraits.

So my budget is about 500$ and I was thinking in Alienbees. any other cheap and good solutions? And about flash power?

they hjave the DigiBee solution with 2 B400 with stands and hubrellas. Is this good? Will it be enough? Or is it better the B800 for extra power (I don't have any idea of the watt power means in illuminatio, becausa I have zero experience with this kind of flash). Will the 2 humbrella be good for portraits? The shooting thru humbrella is good or is better the soft box?

Tanks in advance for the help.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

10/11/2005 04:35:48 AM · #2

Also read this and this for some good info.

Message edited by author 2005-10-11 04:35:55.

10/11/2005 01:59:12 PM · #3

And I was almost forgeting: easy to assemble, because if used in groom or bride home or other location thi is a very important issue.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/11/2005 04:43:39 PM · #4

A bump for another opinion please :)

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/11/2005 04:54:30 PM · #5

The Bees are fairly easy to set up, but take 5-10 minutes.

You'll also want a light meter to avoid guessing the settings needed if you do not have one.

My club has the B800's and I've used them once. They provide a good amount of light. I wouldn't want to step down to the B400's, I believe the recharge a little slower and they put out less light.