My first lighting kit question??

[kylehess10]

It's a good idea to put weight on the lightstand legs to make them more stable, or if you're outside and there is some wind. These work - Walmart.com: Gold's Gym 10-lb. Pair Adjustable Ankle Weights: Exercise & Fitness

Thats a good idea!..i've been using barbell weights that I slip over the stand, but I like this idea.

I second that! I use 15-pound weights to hold down each stand I use. I haven't had any problems with them falling down since I started using that method.

 

[Alpha]

At least have the decency to get some Alien Bees. I just couldn't sleep at night knowing I was shooting with cheap plastic strobes.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

At least have the decency to get some Alien Bees. I just couldn't sleep at night knowing I was shooting with cheap plastic strobes.

ummm...are not alien bee's made of plastic? PINK plastic?

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Unfortunately I have no choice but to be budget oriented too. I went with the cheap radio triggers to go with an sb600 and yn460(which I'm waiting to arrive).

If you are budget conscious, avoid the gadgets that are not a must have. It is hard to use strobes/flashes in a studio situation without stands and modifiers but radio triggers are absolutely not necessary. Cords have worked just fine for years, are cheaper and don't require batteries.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

Unfortunately I have no choice but to be budget oriented too. I went with the cheap radio triggers to go with an sb600 and yn460(which I'm waiting to arrive).

If you are budget conscious, avoid the gadgets that are not a must have. It is hard to use strobes/flashes in a studio situation without stands and modifiers but radio triggers are absolutely not necessary. Cords have worked just fine for years, are cheaper and don't require batteries.

If your like me there more expensive. cause I trip over them knocking down lights and breakin sh!&!!!!!!...lol

 

[Alpha]

There are plenty of plasticky strobes, some better than others. The Bees are decently built, though I don't like them very much. Photogenics are also plasticky and not very good, though they have a decent name. I would like to know what OEM is making Calumet's branded lights- they seem OK.

The chinese ones have a number of problems. First, they all tend to be very low power. People think they're getting a deal because they look like real strobes and fit on a light stand. I can't think of many situations when I actually want something less than 300w/s, even in a relatively small space. More importantly, modifiers and replacement parts tend to be hard to come by.

If I were in the market for affordable strobes, I would probably look primarily at Speeodtron Black, Visatec, Alien Bees, and maybe Calumet.

 

[MissCream]

Unfortunately I have no choice but to be budget oriented too. I went with the cheap radio triggers to go with an sb600 and yn460(which I'm waiting to arrive).

If you are budget conscious, avoid the gadgets that are not a must have. It is hard to use strobes/flashes in a studio situation without stands and modifiers but radio triggers are absolutely not necessary. Cords have worked just fine for years, are cheaper and don't require batteries.

If your like me there more expensive. cause I trip over them knocking down lights and breakin sh!&!!!!!!...lol

Haha I've tripped over my cords soooo many times. When I go to a shoot I will warn the client about how clumsy I am. I will almost always fall or do something stupid... The last two shoots I've fallen in snow face first because I couldn't put my hands down ( they were holding my camera lol), my bounce card went flying and the client went chasing it into 3 feet of snow, while I was yelling "No!, It's okay it's okay!".... The other shoot I was doing a boudoir and I was standing over her on her bed, I stood up quick and bashed my head on her fan and broke a light bulb... I offered her $20 off but she thought it was hilarious and paid me in full...

 

[MissCream]

At least have the decency to get some Alien Bees. I just couldn't sleep at night knowing I was shooting with cheap plastic strobes.

My REALLY cheap strobes are from China although they came from Ontario, they seem really hardy and they are made of metal. However, you're right, I do feel like I'm cheating having cheap strobes but until I build my name then they are going to have to do!