Starting Light Set

anox3 · Aug 13, 2011

I was wondering if I could get some input on a starter light set. I am looking for a continuous light set of either Softboxes or Umbrella lighting that would provide continuus lighting. My shooting would consist of both people/models and motorcycle photography. I want a set that will not fall apart the first month of owning it. when looking on Adorama or B&H it is not that easy to sort through their selections.

joealcantar · Aug 13, 2011

I don't use continuos lighting but have heard good things about the spyder lights.
Westcott Two Light Spiderlite TD5 Lighting Kit
-
Shoot well, Joe

KmH · Aug 13, 2011

Continuous lights are short on power and you wind up with slow shutter speeds. It's all about doing the math. Get strobes.

Continuous light power is measured in watts, like 500 watts. Strobe (flash) unit power is measured in watt/seconds. 500 watts for 1 second = 500 w/s. That will be OK when you can use 1 second shutter times for motorcycles that are standing still, but not for people/models when you'll want a shutter speed of 1/100 because people move. 500 watts divided by 100 = 5 w/s, which isn't very much light at all.

This kit is currently on sale. If you snooze, you lose: Calumet Genesis 200 2-Light Kit

More Genesis 200 2 light kit feedback:

Flickr: Discussing Genesis 200 2-Light Kit in Strobist.com

joealcantar · Aug 13, 2011

KmH said:
Continuous lights are short on power and you wind up with slow shutter speeds. It's all about doing the math. Get strobes.

Continuous light power is measured in watts, like 500 watts. Strobe (flash) unit power is measured in watt/seconds. 500 watts for 1 second = 500 w/s. That will be OK when you can use 1 second shutter times for motorcycles that are standing still, but not for people/models when you'll want a shutter speed of 1/100 because people move. 500 watts divided by 100 = 5 w/s, which isn't very much light at all.

This kit is currently on sale. If you snooze, you lose: Calumet Genesis 200 2-Light Kit

More Genesis 200 2 light kit feedback:

Flickr: Discussing Genesis 200 2-Light Kit in Strobist.com

-
Excellent deal for one to start learning, don't drag your feet it will cost you more.
-
Shoot well, Joe

anox3 · Aug 13, 2011

I do not know a lot about lights, But have heard how good the quality is for the Calumet 200. If you have this umbrella set are you able to buy the wireless transmitter to turn these umbrellas into studio flashes?

KmH · Aug 14, 2011

Yes.

I use these: iSHOOT, PT-04 C Wireless Remote Radio Flash Trigger, with 3 receivers.

Another option: Cowboystudio 4-Channel Radio Remote Trigger & 2 Receivers Set for Studio Strobe

anox3 · Aug 15, 2011

KmH said:
Continuous lights are short on power and you wind up with slow shutter speeds. It's all about doing the math. Get strobes.

Continuous light power is measured in watts, like 500 watts. Strobe (flash) unit power is measured in watt/seconds. 500 watts for 1 second = 500 w/s. That will be OK when you can use 1 second shutter times for motorcycles that are standing still, but not for people/models when you'll want a shutter speed of 1/100 because people move. 500 watts divided by 100 = 5 w/s, which isn't very much light at all.

This kit is currently on sale. If you snooze, you lose: Calumet Genesis 200 2-Light Kit

More Genesis 200 2 light kit feedback:

Flickr: Discussing Genesis 200 2-Light Kit in Strobist.com

Thanks so much for posting this. I have a set on the way right now.

Village Idiot · Aug 16, 2011

anox3 said:
I do not know a lot about lights, But have heard how good the quality is for the Calumet 200. If you have this umbrella set are you able to buy the wireless transmitter to turn these umbrellas into studio flashes?

Umbrellas are just modifiers. All they do is modify the lights. You can remove the umbrellas and shoot bare or add soft boxes, strips, beauty dishes or anything else. Those strobes have optical triggers built in. Adding or removing a type of trigger does now change the light from a studio flash into something else. It's a mono light (which means the power source is contained inside the head in one place - mono) and it will always be a mono light. Changing a modifier or trigger will not make it a pack and head system or a speed light.

g-fi · Aug 16, 2011

I know people say strobes, strobes, strobes, but I gotta admit, I love me some good continuous lighting. I think the problem is that if you don't know better, you can think that you are getting an awesome deal on a continuous lighting kit but when you get it home you're going to see that you really just got what you paid for. If you get really good quality continuous lighting you CAN get higher shutter speeds in the studio, but it seems like in the long run, strobes are cheaper and easier to come by and deal with. Don't be afraid of the learning curve, it's not as complicated as it seems. Flash lighting seems more intimidating than it really is. But, if you're committed to going with continuous lighting, DONT go cheap. What you think is a lot of light for a little bit of $$ is really just a rip off.

Village Idiot · Aug 17, 2011

g-fi said:
I know people say strobes, strobes, strobes, but I gotta admit, I love me some good continuous lighting. I think the problem is that if you don't know better, you can think that you are getting an awesome deal on a continuous lighting kit but when you get it home you're going to see that you really just got what you paid for. If you get really good quality continuous lighting you CAN get higher shutter speeds in the studio, but it seems like in the long run, strobes are cheaper and easier to come by and deal with. Don't be afraid of the learning curve, it's not as complicated as it seems. Flash lighting seems more intimidating than it really is. But, if you're committed to going with continuous lighting, DONT go cheap. What you think is a lot of light for a little bit of $$ is really just a rip off.

Try finding a continuous lighting setup that works off of a 20lb or less battery that can overpower the sun and all fit into one compact case. Try finding a continuous lighting setup that rivals allows a shutter speed of 1/3000. Try finding a continuous lighting setup that will let you attach the breadth of modifiers that most strobes can use. Try finding me...

KmH · Aug 17, 2011

No doubt, continuous lighting has it's uses. I don't recommend starting with them though.

anox3 · Aug 18, 2011

KmH said:
Yes.

I use these: iSHOOT, PT-04 C Wireless Remote Radio Flash Trigger, with 3 receivers.

Another option: Cowboystudio 4-Channel Radio Remote Trigger & 2 Receivers Set for Studio Strobe

Will the Cowboy studio set work with a Olympus Evolt 500? Or do all triggers work with all cameras regardless?

KmH · Aug 19, 2011

The inexpensive radio triggers are pretty much universal, since they can not do any TTL type functions.

daarksun · Aug 29, 2011

Oh man, get a cheap starter set from eBay. I picked mine up there. Got two lights and one background light for cheap. One of the companies that sell a lot on eBay is CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories .

Village Idiot · Aug 29, 2011

daarksun said:
Oh man, get a cheap starter set from eBay. I picked mine up there. Got two lights and one background light for cheap. One of the companies that sell a lot on eBay is CowboyStudio Photography Lighting | Studio Equipment | Studio Accessories .

Cowboy Studio is a terrible company.