Portable Lighting for Portraits

[TCimages]

I've been asked lately to take portraits and other photos but I normally take all my shots outdoors. Can someone make a suggestion for Portable Lighting or a Portable Studio Kit. I would love to have everything I need in a kit. I think I would prefer constant lighting.

I noticed this kit on amazon. Seems like what I need but thought I would get some opinions first.
http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Phot...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201391510&sr=1-4

This looks like a decent set up:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AV0X2RP9RCRS2SCJZMK

Is there anything decent for around 500 dollars?

 

[That One Guy]

i just read quickly thru the descriptions but they seem like hot lights. don't get me wrong you can use those for portraits but it will become uncomfortable for you and your model once they start to heat up......if they are indeed hot lights and not strobes.

hot lights are easier to work with because WYSIWYG.

these kits will have to be broken down and set up the same way strobes would be.

my 2 cents......try to find strobes......your models will thank you.

 

[That One Guy]

try adorama.com

i seen strobes going for under 200 i think

 

[TCimages]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Rhys]

How about a flash based setup? You could use 2 or 3 lightstands with Sunpak 383s and umbrellas. That would free you from the need for large portable power supplies.

 

[Alpha]

Lumedyne if you can afford it. Those little things rock the portable strobe world.

Oh I just read $500. Well, you'll need a good $100 for a flash meter unless you've got an R8. That leaves you with $350-$400, which I would spend on two large off-camera Sunpaks (I've got a 544 and love it), a peanut, two cheap light stands, and a couple simple modifiers.

 

[cherylmuhr]

if i wanted to spend the least amount of money possible, i would just fire an SB-800 on a tripod....with either the photek 60" softlight or the westcott apollo 50x50 softbox.

 

[Rhys]

if i wanted to spend the least amount of money possible, i would just fire an SB-800 on a tripod....with either the photek 60" softlight or the westcott apollo 50x50 softbox.

Sunpak 383s can be had new from B&H for $80.
A couple of those will be $160.
Two 8' light stands $40 each.
Two ebay brolleys for $15 each. I have 4 soft white 33" umbrellas that I want to sell. i'll take $15 each for them.
Two impact flash mounts (these hold the flash and the brolley and mount onto the light stand). $14 each.
Some method of triggering the flashes - radio, cable or IR.

Total cost of this portable studio - aside from the triggers - $398. Then add the triggers - could be a Y cable, ebay triggers (I had bad luck with these) or whatever you fancy.

Downside - the flashes recycle at 8 seconds per shot unless you spend $80 each for the Sunpak battery packs.

 

[That One Guy]

How about a flash based setup? You could use 2 or 3 lightstands with Sunpak 383s and umbrellas. That would free you from the need for large portable power supplies.

i might try these myself

 

[Rhys]

i might try these myself

I invested in a setup like that. I have 2x 580EX2, 1x420EX, 1x430EX, STE-2, two 8' light stands and 2x 6' light stands, brolleys, holders and a portable background.

I then went overboard and got hot lights too - which I'm now trying to sell.

 

[TCimages]

Thanks for all the great ideas.

I really like the Flash idea. Having another 430 for my second camera would be great. How many Flash guns would I really need tho? I already have a 430EX, If I bought another, would two work ok? Does anyone know if you can use a sync cord for the STE-2 so I can also use my onboard as a third flash?

I think I found everything I need (can you guys look this over and comment):


2 umbrellas ( I know nothing about these, do I need white, silver?):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000ANCZ28/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

2 brackets:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

2 stands:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

another 430:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ANWBAWAHYG3PL&v=glance

the STE-2
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Looks like I can have all this for around 600.

 

[That One Guy]

I invested in a setup like that. I have 2x 580EX2, 1x420EX, 1x430EX, STE-2, two 8' light stands and 2x 6' light stands, brolleys, holders and a portable background.

I then went overboard and got hot lights too - which I'm now trying to sell.

i got hot lights too......i dumped them seen after i bought them and purchased a strobe.


how do you trigger all of those speedlites?

i have a 500w/s strobe with optical trigger and i want to add 2 383s but i dont know how i can trigger all of them.

i have seen the cheapo wireless triggers on ebay.....cant afford PWs right now.

thanks

 

[That One Guy]

Thanks for all the great ideas.

I really like the Flash idea. Having another 430 for my second camera would be great. How many Flash guns would I really need tho? I already have a 430EX, If I bought another, would two work ok? Does anyone know if you can use a sync cord for the STE-2 so I can also use my onboard as a third flash?

I think I found everything I need (can you guys look this over and comment):


2 umbrellas ( I know nothing about these, do I need white, silver?):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

2 brackets:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

2 stands:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance

another 430:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ANWBAWAHYG3PL&v=glance

the STE-2
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Looks like I can have all this for around 600.

as far as umbrellas......i would go with white myself. i have both white and silver, but the silver seems a bit harsh for portraits. white you can shoot thru.

 

[Rhys]

i got hot lights too......i dumped them seen after i bought them and purchased a strobe.


how do you trigger all of those speedlites?

i have a 500w/s strobe with optical trigger and i want to add 2 383s but i dont know how i can trigger all of them.

i have seen the cheapo wireless triggers on ebay.....cant afford PWs right now.

thanks

I use an STE-2 as my trigger.

 

[Alpha]

Buy a peanut slave for $15. That's what I was referring to when I said "peanut." It's an optical slave that attaches to the flash's sync.