I'm looking to invest in a lighting kit that could be used for portraits and such. Looking to go the least expensive route and would like suggestions on equipment to take a look at.
Assuming you just want to learn: vivitars 283/285 are the least expensive A silver/white reflector is good for learning If you want monolights, the sunpaks are nice: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...545&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation Whatever way you go, you'll need to spend some money on stands, umbrellas and brackets.
freestyle photo also has some super cheap kits, one with 2 lights/umbrellas/stands for like 300 and then one with 3 softboxes for like 500. Im not sure how the quality is yet(i havent ordered mine!) but they are another option. btw-these are both monolights.
I just purchased Alien Bees. Very nice. They have their Digikit. Well worth the extra $50 over the JTLs from Freestyle. I upgraded the the lights, added a third light, softbox, stand, and another umbrella and was still under $1200. Plus you can't beat there customer service.
I know that this might sound a bit silly.... but I'm gonna say it anyway. The sun + a reversible multi-colour reflector is probably the most powerful and decent modelling lighting available. Ok, so if it rains... I actually quite like the effect of one of those big 10,000,000 candle power torches as well - they're about £20 from a hardware store! Rob
