What studio equipment to buy?

[melander92]

Hi!

My name is Oskar and I just became member of this site since I need tips about eg. studio photography.

I'm doing an internship as photographer at a company in Berlin and since our in house photographer will quit next week, I have to take over some of the responsibilities regarding the photographing. I've only been here for two months and haven't had time to learn too much and now it's pretty overwhelming with all the questions people ask me

At first, we will need to build up the studio again since our in house photographer owned all the equipment. She went with only profoto and I know that equipment is kind of expensive and top of the line, so we're now looking for something more in the middle price range. She had:

2 profoto 500ws lights
1 profoto 250ws light
2 strip lightning soft boxes w grids
1 big octobanc
1 profoto radio transmitter

We will kind of need the same equipment and maybe one more light. I've been looking on Walimex and Elinchrom and now want to know which equipment to go for.

Do you think the elinchrom rx 4 lights (or something at the same level but Walimex) will be enough if we have 3 or 4 of those?

We mostly shoot products (packshots and lifestyles) and I know that we need more equipment than what I've written, but I think I'll figure out the rest.

I would be very happy if I could get any help since studio equipment is pretty new to me.

All the best and thank you!!!!


Oskar

 

[melander92]

Also, sorry, a good solution for shooting through a radiotransmitter (wireless) from camera to flashes would be to prefer. I also think we will start with the Canon EOS 6d and a 24-70 L lens (either 2.8 or 4.0).

 

[Designer]

Hi, Oskar and welcome! I'm not familiar with the name Walimex, but I've read good reviews of Elinchrom. Which ever lights you choose, be sure that the modifiers you purchase will fit the lights. In some makes the speed rings are brand-specific, and will not work well on another make. Usually you will want to purchase the lights, speed rings and modifiers all from the same maker or at least the dealer should give assurances that everything will fit together.

Some here in the US use Pocket Wizard radio remote controls. Other less expensive makes have worked as well. Elinchrom makes it own proprietary radio controls, which might not work with another make of light.

Good luck!

 

[tirediron]

Elincrhom is indeed good gear, but if you're working strictly in-studio, then why not go with a pack & head system. Start with something like this, add a couple of more 202 lights, add a few modifiers, and you're barely at the cost one ProFoto head & modifier, and Speedotron is GOOD gear.

 

[beachrat]

Elincrhom is indeed good gear, but if you're working strictly in-studio, then why not go with a pack & head system. Start with something like this, add a couple of more 202 lights, add a few modifiers, and you're barely at the cost one ProFoto head & modifier, and Speedotron is GOOD gear.

I think you forgot to add a link tirediron.

 

[tirediron]

Elincrhom is indeed good gear, but if you're working strictly in-studio, then why not go with a pack & head system. Start with something like this, add a couple of more 202 lights, add a few modifiers, and you're barely at the cost one ProFoto head & modifier, and Speedotron is GOOD gear.

I think you forgot to add a link tirediron.

Oops... :er: Link

 

[melander92]

Thank you guys!

At first, I want to say that we will probably not buy from eBay, but from some store in Berlin (e.g. Calumet) or some online store (e.g. wexcameras). I've been doing some reeding today and the pack & head system seams like a good alternativ. The only problem is that we kind of have to (my director and my manager want to) buy the whole equipment at the same time, since we want to start to shoot as soon as possible.

I don't know if you're familiar with the brand Bowens, but I've been thinking of the package with 3x500ws Bowens lights, two umbrellas, one big soft box and radio transmitter and then go with two extra strip lights + grids. That will end up at ~€2500.

Again we will need three lights at least and I guess it will step up the price a bit if we would go with pack&head lights. Do you still think it would be a better idea to go with pack&heads? We don't actually have a fixed budget, but I know that they want to keep the price down.

All the best and thanks again!

 

[tirediron]

I wasn't recommending eBay, rather just using that as an example. Pack & head is generally cheaper than monolights since you're only buying one power supply. IMO, Profoto, while excellent gear, is over-priced for what you get when compared with other good names. Bowens is definitely good gear as well. Calumet carries a very complete line of lighting, and they have lots of pack & head systems. This 3 light Dynalite kit would be excellent, or you could buy two of these Speedotron Brownline kits for the same or less money. Both excellent quality, long-lasting gear, and MUCH cheaper to upkeep than Profoto.