What's a good, comprehensive setup (lights, etc.) for a small one room studio?

[etphotos]

I'm looking to invest in some lights, portable would be ideal, that I'll be using to shoot portraits on and off sets.

Anybody have any "kits" or lists of equipment that they use in the field? Any CC on the aftermarket Chinese brands they have online and on ebay?

 

[Buckster]

What's your budget?

 

[katerolla]

I have a small home studio about 4mx4m, I have 2 400w off camera flashes that I use 90% of the time, I also have 2 1000w flashes and 2 500w continues light which I hardly use, in my experience I would get
1 on camera flash
2 200-400w flashes
1 light meter (this has made my exposure spot on and almost no post processing, perfect straight out of the camera)

Don’t buy cheap Chinese light I did two sets absolutely useless
Here is some I did yesterday

 

[cgipson1]

I would recommend a two of these: FP320M Flashpoint II 320M, 150 Watt Second AC / DC Monolight Strobe. for starting. One for the main / key light... and one for hairlight /rimlight for background separation. Once you learn to use one main light... then you can add another. The hair /rim light.. you almost always need that.

Two light stands .. flashpoint also has nice ones, that are inexpensive. Maybe a boom also.. for the hairlight

a large but inexpensive modifier like a this... SL6000 Photek Softliter 60" Diffused Umbrella

A grid, or a snoot for the hair / rim light so you can be very directional with it....

You could pick all this up for less than $500. I do recommend staying with decent brand names.. you will pay a bit more, but it is worth it!