Lighting/Backdrop Startup Kit

[jmtonkin]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at getting a soft box and a backdrop to hopefully better my shots. I'm currently looking at THIS, a CowboyStudio 24 x 36 in softbox. With that, I'm looking at THIS stand from CowboyStudio. Does anyone have experience with either of these? Are they good products?

Also, I'm looking to get a backdrop. This might sound like a weird question, but what is a good starting color? I'm thinking a medium tone? I want one that will be fairly universal, but not ugly...

Thanks everyone for your input!!!

 

[MLeeK]

Both of those links are to average, cheap light stands.
How about what light you are using with that stuff?

A good warm brown is pretty universal, but white can be any color or shade from white to black and everything in between and any gel you have.

 

[jmtonkin]

I'll have an SB-900 in the softbox.

 

[MLeeK]

That's a pretty good sized softbox with a speedlite.
You are also going to need a speedring mounting kit for the softbox to attach to the stand and the speedlite.

 

[jmtonkin]

That softbox says it comes with the speedring. Is that the one?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

"Starter" stuff can be found used VERY cheap all over ebay and craigslist, where yours will end up if you don't buy decent stuff first go 'round

 

[jmtonkin]

Touchè...However, I can't afford "decent" equipment right now, but I still wanna spend time in learn it. Then, by the time I can afford it, I will know what I'm doing...

 

[MLeeK]

That softbox says it comes with the speedring. Is that the one?

You need a SPECIFIC speedring for a speedlite and the mount for the light stand.
How about the link to the softbox?

 

[jmtonkin]

If you click the "THIS", you'll get there.

 

[MLeeK]

Both of those links are to average, cheap light stands.
How about what light you are using with that stuff?

A good warm brown is pretty universal, but white can be any color or shade from white to black and everything in between and any gel you have.

 

[T.V.Photography]

i have this one that i brought as a starter kit...

Amazon.com: Fancierstudio 2400 Watt Lighting Kit With Boom Arm Hairlight Softbox Lighting Kit By Fancierstudio 9004SB2: Camera & Photo

i havent had any issues whatsoever with it. i do know its not a super expensive one, but its actually built fairly well. the lights that came with it were CFL's. But i converted it over to all LED light bulbs. and i love it. just an option for you.

EDIT:

i also have two SB600 speedlights and remote flash triggers as well with a few different diffusers and etc. if i dont feel like setting up the light set.

 

[jmtonkin]

My bad!!! HERE it is!

 

[Derrel]

GRAY is a good general backdrop color. Gray can be made darker, or lighter, based upon how much light hits it--in relation to how much light is used on the foreground subject. The speed ring for this softbox is probably a "generic speedlight" type of speedring, with a flash shoe that accepts basically "any" standard (aka the ISO standard style hot shoe) hotshoe flash, of any brand. This is different from a speedring designed for STUDIO flash, which requires that there be a connector fitting that is SPECIFIC to say, Elinchrom, or Speedotron, or Bowens mount studio flash units.

The background stands are VERY cheap....under $17 each...and you will need a crossbar with holes drilled at the ends, top accept the 1/4 inch diameter studs that have become the standard on so many cheap Chinese crossbar pipes. As long as you realize these are LOW-cost, light-duty stands, and not really built for outdoor use or heavy-duty work, you oughtta be okay.

 

[MLeeK]

The speedring on that is made to be mounted to a STROBE that is mounted to a stand. You need one of these Flashpoint Universal Softbox Adapter for Shoe-Mount Flash FASRSHO

 

[jmtonkin]

The background stands are VERY cheap....under $17 each...and you will need a crossbar with holes drilled at the ends, top accept the 1/4 inch diameter studs that have become the standard on so many cheap Chinese crossbar pipes. As long as you realize these are LOW-cost, light-duty stands, and not really built for outdoor use or heavy-duty work, you oughtta be okay.

That stand is for the softbox...

I know that this equipment is by no means ideal, I just can't afford to spend the hundreds of dollars that I'd like to on lighting/backgrounds. I still really want to learn up on it though. Them, when I have more money and can make that investment, I'll know what I'm doing and what I need to look for...