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05/06/2007 08:49:09 AM · #1 |
Hey all,
I want to start a discussion about studio stuff such as lightings, kits, background, and so.
First I ordered a lighting kit of that head
//www.photosetup.ro/data/product/738_b1.gif
2 heads with stand, one head with an umbrella and the other with a softbox, doesn't matter what are the sizes as they want more money for larger or better accessories so I will check it myself later.
- Now the salesman in local dealer told me that the manufacturer told him [by email] that I have to get stronger stand as this head is little bit bigger weight, I told him no, I can't pay more as I paid too much already, so I will try to find another stand with less prices [he told me to add about $163 for new stronger stands], so anyone knows better strong stands that I can use with this head? I checked many websites and found that this one head is 3.9Kg weight, and with umbrella or sofbox I think it will not be more than 5kg maximum.
- I am thinking about backgrounds, I can get some textiles [for clothes] here with different colors very cheap or almost free in different sizes [3mx6m or more], should I buy another type? what kind of backgrounds should be good enough for most portraits? black and white are must but I can add more colors as additional [or optional].
- The kit I oredered seems not including reflectors, so I think I will buy that myself, so guide me about reflectors [i know reflectors with 3 main colors: white, silver, and gold].
- I may add same brand lighting of another kit [x2 500ws] to use for background and hairlight, but if I got a reflector then I can use it as a fill, then one head of above I can use either for background or hairlight, or should I keep both heads above for main and fill and I add later another 2 to complete my studio kit?
- now what should I use honeycomp, snoot, barndoor for? should I try to buy some gel filters for some effects even I am not thinking about that? and what is ringflash used for?
- this head is built-in radio remote receiver, so I should get radio triggers, I heard alot about Pocket wizard, should I buy one or I need for more? and in that studio photography club I used my 580EX to trigger the lights so can I use it to trigger those lights instead of pocket wizards or I was dreaming that my flash was trigging those? just I want to use wireless instead of wires and cords.
- the kit not incluting power pack generator, I will use the kit at home with AC source available, so if later I want to use it in location then what power packs should I look for?
I hope all answers will providing links from B&H so I can buy there instead of different dealers over the net, I buy only from B&H anyway or locally.
And if there anything else I have to add for studio stuff and accessories then PLEASE mention it here and why or where to use it.
Tareq. |
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05/06/2007 09:56:50 AM · #2 |
Assalam Alaikum,
- As far as stands are concerned, it is easy to find strong stands in the local market in most places, so you should look around for some in your area, in hardware shops etc.
- Backgrounds are mostly paper, but you can use any kind of non-reflective cloth you want. The colors, textures depend on your requirements. Earth colors are common for portraits, then again, it all depends on what you're trying to do.
- You don't need to buy reflectors unless you really have to. You can just make one using foamcore and aluminium foil. Or just use anything white as a reflector.
- There is no practical limit to the number of lights you can use in your studio. Two should be enough for most things, unless you really know what you are doing and are after a specific look. If you have the money, buy them.
- Honeycombs, snoots, and barndoors are modifiers, which change the shape of the light. It all depends on what you're trying to do. Eg, snoots are used for hair mostly. Ringflash is used for macro or closeup photography.
The rest I can't say much about. Hope someone else will come along soon and help you out. |
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05/06/2007 07:22:19 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
Hey all,
I want to start a discussion about studio stuff such as lightings, kits, background, and so.
First I ordered a lighting kit of that head
//www.photosetup.ro/data/product/738_b1.gif
|
Ah Hensel, solid equipment :)
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
2 heads with stand, one head with an umbrella and the other with a softbox, doesn't matter what are the sizes as they want more money for larger or better accessories so I will check it myself later.
- Now the salesman in local dealer told me that the manufacturer told him [by email] that I have to get stronger stand as this head is little bit bigger weight, I told him no, I can't pay more as I paid too much already, so I will try to find another stand with less prices [he told me to add about $163 for new stronger stands], so anyone knows better strong stands that I can use with this head? I checked many websites and found that this one head is 3.9Kg weight, and with umbrella or sofbox I think it will not be more than 5kg maximum.
|
People underestimate how valuable stands are. Weight capacity is a good start as a comparison point, but you also need to look at build quality, height, footprint, stability, portability, etc.
C-stands are great if you really need something robust.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- I am thinking about backgrounds, I can get some textiles [for clothes] here with different colors very cheap or almost free in different sizes [3mx6m or more], should I buy another type? what kind of backgrounds should be good enough for most portraits? black and white are must but I can add more colors as additional [or optional].
|
I use paper. There's much less maintenance involved compared to fabrics. Yes it's not as durable, but if material costs become a burden then start factoring them into shoot fees.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- The kit I oredered seems not including reflectors, so I think I will buy that myself, so guide me about reflectors [i know reflectors with 3 main colors: white, silver, and gold].
|
There are plenty of choices with reflectors. The advantage in buying the name brand stuff is that it's more portable (collapsible vs foamcore) and that there are systems designed around it (ie - Matthews). Use judgement and weigh budget with your shooting needs.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- I may add same brand lighting of another kit [x2 500ws] to use for background and hairlight, but if I got a reflector then I can use it as a fill, then one head of above I can use either for background or hairlight, or should I keep both heads above for main and fill and I add later another 2 to complete my studio kit?
|
It's up to you. Personally I rarely use a 2nd light as fill.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- now what should I use honeycomp, snoot, barndoor for? should I try to buy some gel filters for some effects even I am not thinking about that? and what is ringflash used for?
|
Honeycombs/grids, snoots, and barndoors shape your light. I find these far more useful than investing in umbrellas and softboxes.
Gels and an understanding of color temperature are pretty much required if you want to mix your strobes with other light sources (sunset, incandescent, fluorescent). They're also great creative tools. If you need inspiration, watch some movies and pay attention to color usage.
A ringflash lights in all directions evenly. It's a very unique look (though it can get overdone).
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- this head is built-in radio remote receiver, so I should get radio triggers, I heard alot about Pocket wizard, should I buy one or I need for more? and in that studio photography club I used my 580EX to trigger the lights so can I use it to trigger those lights instead of pocket wizards or I was dreaming that my flash was trigging those? just I want to use wireless instead of wires and cords.
|
The Hensel remote system isn't compatible with PWs. The advantage of PWs is that they're compatible across all brands (plus they're rock solid reliable and you get more distance). If Hensels are all that you're going to use and the remotes are working fine then I don't see a reason for you to invest in PWs.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- the kit not incluting power pack generator, I will use the kit at home with AC source available, so if later I want to use it in location then what power packs should I look for?
|
I can't say for certain whether or not your strobe would be compatible with budget inverter/battery pack setups (ie - Vagabond, Tronix, DIY). You might be able to get by with a stronger inverter setup like the Dynalite XP1100 or the Hensel/Visit MPG 1500 (not much information out on this, I'm not even sure if the inverter is all that strong).
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
I hope all answers will providing links from B&H so I can buy there instead of different dealers over the net, I buy only from B&H anyway or locally.
And if there anything else I have to add for studio stuff and accessories then PLEASE mention it here and why or where to use it.
Tareq. |
Don't look at equipment from a viewpoint of must-have. Instead figure out your workflow and buy accordingly :)
Have fun.
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05/07/2007 12:48:23 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by ignite:
Assalam Alaikum,
- As far as stands are concerned, it is easy to find strong stands in the local market in most places, so you should look around for some in your area, in hardware shops etc.
- Backgrounds are mostly paper, but you can use any kind of non-reflective cloth you want. The colors, textures depend on your requirements. Earth colors are common for portraits, then again, it all depends on what you're trying to do.
- You don't need to buy reflectors unless you really have to. You can just make one using foamcore and aluminium foil. Or just use anything white as a reflector.
- There is no practical limit to the number of lights you can use in your studio. Two should be enough for most things, unless you really know what you are doing and are after a specific look. If you have the money, buy them.
- Honeycombs, snoots, and barndoors are modifiers, which change the shape of the light. It all depends on what you're trying to do. Eg, snoots are used for hair mostly. Ringflash is used for macro or closeup photography.
The rest I can't say much about. Hope someone else will come along soon and help you out. |
Thank you very much for this reply and information. |
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05/07/2007 12:56:54 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by virtuamike:
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
Hey all,
I want to start a discussion about studio stuff such as lightings, kits, background, and so.
First I ordered a lighting kit of that head
//www.photosetup.ro/data/product/738_b1.gif
|
Ah Hensel, solid equipment :)
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
2 heads with stand, one head with an umbrella and the other with a softbox, doesn't matter what are the sizes as they want more money for larger or better accessories so I will check it myself later.
- Now the salesman in local dealer told me that the manufacturer told him [by email] that I have to get stronger stand as this head is little bit bigger weight, I told him no, I can't pay more as I paid too much already, so I will try to find another stand with less prices [he told me to add about $163 for new stronger stands], so anyone knows better strong stands that I can use with this head? I checked many websites and found that this one head is 3.9Kg weight, and with umbrella or sofbox I think it will not be more than 5kg maximum.
|
People underestimate how valuable stands are. Weight capacity is a good start as a comparison point, but you also need to look at build quality, height, footprint, stability, portability, etc.
C-stands are great if you really need something robust.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- I am thinking about backgrounds, I can get some textiles [for clothes] here with different colors very cheap or almost free in different sizes [3mx6m or more], should I buy another type? what kind of backgrounds should be good enough for most portraits? black and white are must but I can add more colors as additional [or optional].
|
I use paper. There's much less maintenance involved compared to fabrics. Yes it's not as durable, but if material costs become a burden then start factoring them into shoot fees.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- The kit I oredered seems not including reflectors, so I think I will buy that myself, so guide me about reflectors [i know reflectors with 3 main colors: white, silver, and gold].
|
There are plenty of choices with reflectors. The advantage in buying the name brand stuff is that it's more portable (collapsible vs foamcore) and that there are systems designed around it (ie - Matthews). Use judgement and weigh budget with your shooting needs.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- I may add same brand lighting of another kit [x2 500ws] to use for background and hairlight, but if I got a reflector then I can use it as a fill, then one head of above I can use either for background or hairlight, or should I keep both heads above for main and fill and I add later another 2 to complete my studio kit?
|
It's up to you. Personally I rarely use a 2nd light as fill.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- now what should I use honeycomp, snoot, barndoor for? should I try to buy some gel filters for some effects even I am not thinking about that? and what is ringflash used for?
|
Honeycombs/grids, snoots, and barndoors shape your light. I find these far more useful than investing in umbrellas and softboxes.
Gels and an understanding of color temperature are pretty much required if you want to mix your strobes with other light sources (sunset, incandescent, fluorescent). They're also great creative tools. If you need inspiration, watch some movies and pay attention to color usage.
A ringflash lights in all directions evenly. It's a very unique look (though it can get overdone).
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- this head is built-in radio remote receiver, so I should get radio triggers, I heard alot about Pocket wizard, should I buy one or I need for more? and in that studio photography club I used my 580EX to trigger the lights so can I use it to trigger those lights instead of pocket wizards or I was dreaming that my flash was trigging those? just I want to use wireless instead of wires and cords.
|
The Hensel remote system isn't compatible with PWs. The advantage of PWs is that they're compatible across all brands (plus they're rock solid reliable and you get more distance). If Hensels are all that you're going to use and the remotes are working fine then I don't see a reason for you to invest in PWs.
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
- the kit not incluting power pack generator, I will use the kit at home with AC source available, so if later I want to use it in location then what power packs should I look for?
|
I can't say for certain whether or not your strobe would be compatible with budget inverter/battery pack setups (ie - Vagabond, Tronix, DIY). You might be able to get by with a stronger inverter setup like the Dynalite XP1100 or the Hensel/Visit MPG 1500 (not much information out on this, I'm not even sure if the inverter is all that strong).
Originally posted by UAE_Guy:
I hope all answers will providing links from B&H so I can buy there instead of different dealers over the net, I buy only from B&H anyway or locally.
And if there anything else I have to add for studio stuff and accessories then PLEASE mention it here and why or where to use it.
Tareq. |
Don't look at equipment from a viewpoint of must-have. Instead figure out your workflow and buy accordingly :)
Have fun. |
Thank you very much for your in-deep reply.
about buying equipments in fact i shoot everything from small subject to so large, indoors and outdoors, so that i try to buy everything that can help me and thats why i ask instead of try to shoot then find out that i need this and that, just i got all equipment i can afford and use it later for sure [not just buy with confusion or doubt to use it].
Now i will get the lights, i will test them, if i they are working great then still i will not stop to invest or spend on more equipments, i read about lights and photography and everything everyday, so i can't find myself to focus on one thing, i love landscape and nature but we don't have that here much, so i be sure i buy all studio equipment to focus on portraits and studio works, whatever i buy after stuy and reading i am sure i will use sooner or later even very rarely.
I will learn workflow and post process for sure to complete with gear, in addition to shoot alot and learn from mistake and keep practice, just i don't have talent and enough skill even after all these readins and study so doesn't matter to me how many equipment i use if they are all to be used.
Thank you again and try to read this my reply very deep and understand what is in my mind. |
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