Lighting: Learn from my mistakes... And a question...

[BuS_RiDeR]

About a year ago... Maybe a but more, I "invested" in an inexpensive lighting kit. See it HERE...

Trust me, if you are new to studio photography, DO NOT waste your money on the cheap continuous lighting kits...

It was a mistake and a waste of my limited income. Luckily, shortly afterwards I came into a bit of money and invested in some "real" studio strobes...


My question follows, need your advice:

Anyway, I have been considering buying a couple of THESE to allow me to have more consistent lighting options. And possibly use the equipment that I wasted my money on previously.

Any opinions? Different ideas/thoughts?

 

[katerolla]

i have one, no good, can't control the out put

 

[gphoto909]

i have a monolight kit and I bought a couple of the other light. they do not work well wlthout the adjusting power, spend your monry on a good flash meter.you can compose great images just using your 2 light set. have fun.

 

[TiCoyote]

I don't use a studio kit, but if I did, I'd probably go for AlienBees. I hear a lot of positive reviews about their stuff.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Thanks for the input.

I think I'll save up for a decent flash.

On a second note... Can anyone recomend a good wireless trigger system (in Canada)? I'd love to have a pocket Wizard... But I don't have the disposable income right now...

I don't use a studio kit, but if I did, I'd probably go for AlienBees. I hear a lot of positive reviews about their stuff.

I looked at the Alien Bees stuff. And I agree they look/sound good. But they are American. By the time I get them across the border and to my home... Well it's cheaper for me to buy in Canada. I buy most of my photography gear locally at Ivan's Camera or online through Henry's.

Thanks for your input though.

 

[Big Mike]

I'm in Canada and I use AB stuff. It was extra for the shipping etc., but anything similar that was available in my local stores (or at places like Henry's) was 2 or 3 times the price. So ordering from the US was still a better option. (there is no duty on photo gear from the US).

Things have changed lately, now the price of cameras & lenses etc. have become balanced, but I'm not sure about studio lighting etc. I haven't really looked lately.

As for a triggering system, I use the Cyber Sync system from Alien Bee. They have been flawless for me, they work very well. They are less than half the price of pocket wizards, but still not cheap. I think the basic transmitter is $80 and the basic receiver is $60. PW plus II units are $180 each.
You can go much cheaper, if you wish. You can get a trigger set (both transmitter and receiver) for $40. Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4 - Gadget Infinity
I think that a few people around here are using those, they do work, but they may not be as reliable as the more expensive units.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I'm in Canada and I use AB stuff...

Thanks Mike. I already have the monolights... But I will look at AB again if I decide to add more to my setup... When I looked at them online, they seemes a lot less expensive then they were when I researched them before... Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me...

As for the triggers... Thanks for the info.