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12/02/2009 09:15:55 AM · #1 |
Is this a good and inexpensive way to get started on studio lighting and/or portrait lighting indoors or outside?
Tungsten Light Head Kit Blk 3' Octagonal Softbox 1000 Watts
Thanks |
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12/02/2009 10:06:31 AM · #2 |
| Now, I'm really no expert. That said, I think the price is good, but it's a continuous light. These get HOT. That means if your subject is too close THEY get hot. You also can't adjust the output like you can a strobe. I would suggest looking on e-bay for some old vivitars and budget radio poppers. Then you can find cheap light stands and umbrellas from many websites. Lots of great info on Strobist. I picked up 4 old Vivitars, 2 light stands, and 2 backdrop stands for $100.00. Radio poppers were around $30.00. Umbrellas were $20.00 each. Adjustable mounts for the strobes were another $15.00 each, if I remember right. I used that kit for about a year, then last year I used my tax return to get 2 Alien Bees B800s and absolutely love them. |
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12/03/2009 06:44:44 AM · #3 |
Just one response but it was a good one.
Thanks David. I'll pass on this kit and follow your advice. It sounds like you got an exceptional deal by being patient and doing your homework. |
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12/03/2009 08:28:20 AM · #4 |
hahaha do you get these emails too? Every time I get an email and I go to the site they are already sold out. They had a deal about 3-4 days ago where it was a 5' octabox with stand and casters for like $60.00. It didn't come with a light but if you already had one it would work great.
For the 3' Octabox that you posted, I've seen them cheaper than that. Just wait around a while and you'll see the deal.
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12/03/2009 09:20:51 AM · #5 |
The best way is with something like craigslist or kijiji. There is ton of used gear that people buy new and then never use and put it up for cheap.
Also, don't be afraid to mix and match brands, models, versions, etc. You can save a lot that way.
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12/03/2009 11:37:55 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
hahaha do you get these emails too? |
Sort of...but I asked for it.
I became a fan of Amvona on Facebook, so I get the "deal of the day everyday". I did place the item in my shopping cart and I didn't get the response that they were sold out.
Today's "deal" is the 5' octabox kit for about $60.00 that you are referring to.
Still though, I'm going to follow David's advice and go the Strobist route when I get the time and funds. Today, I am delving into a new project that is quite a revolutionary way of mounting photos inside of acrylic. I'm going to spend my time and resources to see if I can perfect this process first.
So many ideas...so little time and money. |
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12/03/2009 01:26:01 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by stewzdaman:
The best way is with something like craigslist or kijiji. |
I second that, just picked up 3 light stands for $10 from a poster at craigslist!
Don't know what kijiji is.. have to check that out! |
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12/03/2009 04:09:09 PM · #8 |
Looooooooooooong time ago I bought a Smith Victor studio lamp and a 500W daylight balanced bulb: I was young, new to photography, and it was the days of film: knowing nothing about strobes or speedlights, and fearful of the expensive (and slow) learning process of lighting, shooting, developing, getting prints, cursing, rinse, repeat, I opted for the continuous light that I could at least see when shooting. It worked okay, but was very hot, very limiting, and not that pleasing.
I suspect that unless you consider the price good for the kit independent of the light itself, you shouldn't bother--you likely won't get much use out of the light, and will replace it with something better. With digital and the immediate feedback aspect, there really isn't a compelling reason (that I can think of) to go with continuous hot lighting like that. You can buy simple clip on work lamps at the hardware store to use as low wattage modeling lamps in conjunction with speedlights, and that works well for setting up, posing the subject, etc.
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12/03/2009 05:07:53 PM · #9 |
| I think the strobist way is the way to start out with lights, its always nice to have a flash on the camera too. i got 2 stands, 2 umbrella's, and 2 flash mounts from b&h as a kit for $100.00 had 1 flash and bought another and am having a lot of fun with that and its portable!! |
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12/03/2009 10:24:32 PM · #10 |
Anyone else notice the young woman is dressed straight out of the '50s and is holding a Rolleiflex?
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12/03/2009 10:41:56 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Anyone else notice the young woman is dressed straight out of the '50s and is holding a Rolleiflex? |
LMFAO, that is supposed to be a large format camera. |
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12/03/2009 11:56:36 PM · #12 |
I'd have to agree with David - Strobe lights instead of continuous. I bought a kit a year or so ago that only has two continuous lights, with umbrellas, and on continuous hair light. They get so hot that I have to keep shutting them off manually in between shots to keep the dogs, frogs, turtles, toads, bugs, and whatevers from cooking. I really need to find some strobes (very heap ones).
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12/04/2009 01:33:08 PM · #13 |
that kit looks like a waste of time and money. I predict it will be badly built, not at all safe and will either a) electrocute you or b) set fire to your house.
Also, continuous lights suck. They're hot, noisy, yellow, and constrict everyone's pupils so they look like vampires.
Save your money and buy something else worth getting (alien bees ftw). |
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