Lighting Setup

mswiech · Mar 12, 2011

Hey everyone,

I have done a search, but not found what I was looking for.

What I want to do is set up a home lighting studio, but kinda at a lose on what to get or look for. I currently have a D3100 (no flash, just yet) with a 50mm f1.8 along with the kit lens 18-55mm (Yes I know...keep it in the bag.) but I am planning on getting a 35mm f1.8 in the coming weeks. But to the question at hand. What I want to do is do some boudoir shots along with some product shots, but looking at getting the lighting equipment.

Do I get a monostobe, continuous lighting (Tungsten, fluorescent) I have read that the D3100 does have its limitations on what I can and can not do with regards to flashes (No commander mode) So I then have to think on what attachments or accessories that I will also need to get.

My budget would be around $300 Cdn as I don't want to go all out and get and spend thousands of dollars on lighting equipment as I want it for manly around the house etc... If you can recommend some things to point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. I do try and buy from Canada so as I don't have to send an arm and leg on duties and taxes ordering from the US.

Thanks,

Mike

FattyMcJ · Mar 12, 2011

Hi Mike,

I've posted this list before, but can't find it...so here ya go, with APPROXIMATE prices...some things may be cheaper or more expensive, but it gives you a general idea.

Vivitar 285HV (hot-shoe flash)- $90/ea.
Cowboy Studios Wireless Triggers (1x Transmitter 1x Receiver)- $40 + $20 for additional receivers. (Used to fire the flashes off-camera)
Flash Stand- $20/ea.
Umbrella (shoot-thru/reflector style)- $20
Flash/Umbrella Bracket - $15

So for ONE flash off-camera it's roughly $185, two is roughly $330...and so on. Two off-camera flashes is just barely over your budget, so I'd stretch it if you could. If not, a single-light-setup is a great way to start to learn OCF.

That's all you need to get started "Strobist" style. (Strobist) <---More info than you'll get here in any single post reply to the thread.

Hope that helps!

fokker · Mar 13, 2011

I'd recommend looking at a couple of these yongnuo flashes: YONGNUO YN460 II Flash Speedlite for Nikon Canon Pentax (eBay item 160553242986 end time 31-Mar-11 20:38:07 AEDST) : Cameras

For under $50 they are pretty good, and are all you need (along with a few various bits of hardware as outlined in above post, all cheap as chips form Hong Kong on eBay) to get some great results with off camera flash.

For product shots I recommend you look at a homemade lightbox (google it, very simple to make). You can start out with that and just one single off-camera flash.

Jace · Mar 13, 2011

This may be a stupid question, but while we're on flashes, say I have a sony camera and a nikon flash. They aren't hot shoe compatible, but can you use it for off-camera flash?

mwcfarms · Mar 13, 2011

Mike, unfortunately in Canada there are no good places for us to order lighting equipment. It is much cheaper to order from elsewhere. I do realize that shipping is expensive but if you buy small strobes like the Vivitar mentioned or the Ebay one or there is another type on Cowboy Studio website where you can actually buy a cheap little kit your still going to be saving money.

12sndsgood · Mar 13, 2011

i have a d3000 and went with basically the same setup as fattymcj suggested but went with a sb-900 instead. a bit overkill, but im hoping it will last a long time. when i add to my set i'll problaby go with something less expensive for extra light. just want to get the hang of a single light before i add more into the mix.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 13, 2011

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...orum-photo-gallery/237490-lighting-cheap.html

mswiech · Mar 13, 2011

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I will def look into some of them.

Cheers.

kassad · Mar 13, 2011

Jace said:
This may be a stupid question, but while we're on flashes, say I have a sony camera and a nikon flash. They aren't hot shoe compatible, but can you use it for off-camera flash?

Yes you can get a transmitter that fits your camera and put it with a standard hot shoe receiver. Obviously it will be manual.