[5teve]

Hi Guys

Now i have never used a studio light and my strobe fun is limited purely to a sigma 530 dg st on camera (so not much fun!)

We are in the process of starting a business selling products online. These are potentially large items and i want to do my own photography as the existing suppliers shots are rubbish to say the least!

As i can purchase lighting as a marketing tool through the business, i have been looking at 3 options

1, A full set of Studio strobes in a kits (such as Ebay kits)

2, A Metz 58af2 or 2 plus umbrellas etc using the built in k20 flash to trigger wirelessly

3, A bunch of cheaper manual flashes and some triggers plus umbrellas etc.

On top of this i will need a backdrop kit (again likely to be from ebay) as i would like to have the product isolated from any background.

Now option 1 - this gives me a whole lotta light! plus more toys than i can shake a stick at, but as i have never used any of this before i am unsure whether the cheapish gear is worth getting for 'occasional' use as i can use it for other things too including the local sports club events. I have read that the gear does the job reasonably well for the price, but is obviously not like the higher price gear (like Alienbees and higher) There are a million kits available all with different wattages and reductions in power levels....Any comments, hints, links or experiences to share?

Option 2 - This is the most expensive by a long way, but allows portable shooting and gives me a flash or 2 that is significantly better at bouncing and has more features than my little sigma!.. comments again will be appreciated! i would likely source these from B&H as Oz is stupid$$$$$$$ for most of this gear.

Option 3 - Much like option 1, a cheap version, mobile, flexible, and well liked by a lot of people on here. I would likely look at the Yongnuo 560's or something similar. Plus the ebay kits for backdrops and umbrellas / softboxes. comments etc welcome please!

Additional stuff ... i have varied uses for this gear, option 1 & 3 i can use for products and event coverage (taking photos on entrance to a ball for example) and option 3 could be used to increase flash power for mobile coverage with a little bit of inginuity i guess?

Option 2 gives me a great on camera flash ideal for running around irritating people on our club social nights, but then i can do that with my sigma, i just struggle for light as the room is large with a funny angled ceiling.

So.. . as a newbie who is reading far too much on the subject, do you have some great advice for me please?

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Bob from Aus]

I am no expert

I am experimenting with:
3 sigma flash units connected with pentax connections and cables - flashes have full manual control
2 light stands
1 backdrop
2 softboxes for the flash

I got all the extra kit from B&H. It's all new and great quality. It was very cheap about a quarter of the price if I had got it from a local camera shop.

I am doing everything in manual. The cables and connectors have a limited range/length that would be a problem for big items

You might be better with a large roll of white paper than a backdrop.

[bdery]

On top of this i will need a backdrop kit (again likely to be from ebay)

Careful, often on eBay they sell cheap muslin backdrops that are too thin to be useful.

A bunch of cheaper manual flashes and some triggers plus umbrellas etc.

If you don't plan on studio becoming a source of revenues by itself, I'd suggest going that route. you can purchase a Yongnuo 460 manual flash for 40$ shipped, and Yongnuo radio transmitters/receivers for 20$ a pair, shipped, or 35$ for a transmitter and two receivers. That's probably the best route to take, you get plenty of power, reliable products (don't be fooled by the chinese brand, these products are quite good).

You can also get an umbrella and flash/umbrella support for 12$ total on dealextreme. The umbrellas are just as good as more expensive ones (there's not much mystery in them...). But since you will also need a stand, you could consider a Westcott stand, flash support and umbrella, which costs around 70$ usually.

For the backdrop, buying fabric in a cloth store could be a good solution. Or if you think you will not rip it, get heavy paper (make for backdrops), it's excellent as a backdrop, it's just not as durable/portable as cloth.

[mr.b.snowden]

I definitely second bdery's rec for Yongnuo's gear. I picked up a 560 flash and it rocks. For a manual flash, it's easy to use and pretty powerful. I am also looking into the same setup that bdery mentioned, with several manual flashes and an umbrella or two, with a softbox thrown in the mix. I'm not looking to do studio work either, so portability and affordability play a big role into the gear that I'm looking to acquire.

[5teve]

Hi guys

thanks for the replies.. appreciate them!

Ok i think the route i am going to take is studio strobes.. and i have found (via ebay but not using ebay) an aussie based company that sell strobe kits etc. they seem fairly reasonable, well priced (not as cheap but not as nasty either!) I can speak to them on the phone and they have a good reputation (mainly in the battery industry but they are now doing camera gear too)

So it looks like i will be getting a 1200w/s kit consisting of 3 x 400w/s strobes, bowen s mount and 5 stop adjustment.
1 reflector brolly, 1 shoot through brolley, one softbox, 3 stands (spring cushioned, 2m) bag, reflectors and ct301 triggers & receivers

Added to this i am getting a backdrop kit consisting of 2 x 3x6m muslins (black and white) and the stand & bag. All pretty close to my $1000 budget, which is impressive for buying 'local' plus i can claim the 10% gst (sales tax) back through the business.

I'm thinking of adding maybe a large octobox and more brollys but dont know if it is worth it? modifiers maybe a barn door, grid etc will be added also as well as a lightmeter (as this saves time!)

the nice thing about this kit is that i can also at some point get the yn560 x 3 and use the same gear if i want a portable / unplugged system.

Regarding the additional stuff.. anything you would recommend? any good reading also about using studio strobes as i'm sure i will be pathetic to start with!

need to get it ordered and then start on 131 products that i will be needing to shoot!

again thanks for the info previously and coming up!

Steve

[Bob from Aus]

"an aussie based company that sell strobe kits etc. they seem fairly reasonable, well priced (not as cheap but not as nasty either!) I can speak to them on the phone and they have a good reputation (mainly in the battery industry but they are now doing camera gear too)"

Are you able to tell us who the company or brand is? Thanks

[Deiberson]

I would definitely check out the Flashpoint 620 Mono light kit from Adorama. 500 bucks gets you to mono lights 2 stands an umbrella, barn doors, snoot, etc.....
If its for a studio.....I'd only consider lighting the subject with a strobe. EVerything else in the background, especially if shooting on white seemless should be powered with more powerful lights. Google Zack Arius white seemless for his method.
As for the Yongnugo....they are pretty good. I'd definitely grab one or two....great bang for the buck.

[5teve]

"an aussie based company that sell strobe kits etc. they seem fairly reasonable, well priced (not as cheap but not as nasty either!) I can speak to them on the phone and they have a good reputation (mainly in the battery industry but they are now doing camera gear too)"

Are you able to tell us who the company or brand is? Thanks

Hi Bob

Certainly, its "protog" do a search and you will find them, limited range at the mo but will get better. I assume they buy them in from China, but they arent being greedy!

The company is related to Jeff Servaas who had a website related to his name specialising in batteries and flashlights (torches) and have a very very good rep. Interestingly they also have a kx and kr that i think it maybe jeff uses, so can confirm or are willing to test compatibilities. I dont think there are many people that know more about batteries etc than Jeff.

I will support local where i can, but generally i cant justify the cost difference!

Steve

[5teve]

I would definitely check out the Flashpoint 620 Mono light kit from Adorama. 500 bucks gets you to mono lights 2 stands an umbrella, barn doors, snoot, etc.....
If its for a studio.....I'd only consider lighting the subject with a strobe. EVerything else in the background, especially if shooting on white seemless should be powered with more powerful lights. Google Zack Arius white seemless for his method.
As for the Yongnugo....they are pretty good. I'd definitely grab one or two....great bang for the buck.

thanks for the info... the strobe kit i am looking at it about the same price (pro rata), but i get an extra strobe, i also dont get killed by postage as Adorama seem to be quite hefty on the shipping to Aus.

I will check out the seamless details you have suggested as i am now looking at the setup etc so i can start to learn..

Steve

[Rupert]

I got this kit about a year ago, and have been very well satisfied with it. I am still learning to use it to the best advantage, but it has performed as specified without fail. I use it with Cactus Flash and it delivers dependable results.
POA640K Photogenic/ Adorama Studiomax III AC 640W Studio Kit, with - 2 AKC 320 Constant-Color Monolights, & Adorama Umbrellas, Stands, Case.

This is my favorite model, Shelby, and if you view this "Set" you can see when I first got the strobes and the progression in learning from there, the photos are in order of our shooting events......I think the lights are well sufficient...maybe not the shooter! But, we always have Pizza and Hot Wings at every shoot.....so it is never a total wast of time!
Shelby - a set on Flickr

Lacie...they usually show up together....
Lacie - a set on Flickr
Best Regards!

[5teve]

Nice pics Rupert...

The issue i found was that unless buying direct from China the postage from the states is a killer for this size gear. I do buy smaller stuff tho.. and postage is very reasonable.

Anyways.. my kit turned up nice and quickly (all but the black muslin but thats on its way as it was out of stock).

First impressions, bearing in mind i havent had time to set them up properly and 'have a play' and i am a newb to all of this...

Stands x 3 - are spring cushion 'fancier' brand stands 2m tall - not greatly great, but not terrible either, they seen pretty solid and have a threaded end for mounting flashes. 3 section steel stands, they fold up below 75cm

Umbrellas - 1 Reflective and 1 shoot through - they are what they are and 90cm (Ref) and 100cm (SThr) across, not the covered type that can do both.

Softbox x1 - 60cm x 60cm - not taken out of the packet yet! but has alloy bowens 's' mount included as its back plate.

Strobes x3 - 'digital' type complete with reflectors 400w/s - Bowens 'S' type mount and lamp protector covers provided - 3m power cables included (not hardwired) 150w modelling lamp included. Strange finish to them but are relatively heavy and feel well built. In use the modelling lamp can be off, proportional to the flash output or at 100%. They have optical triggers and have 6.35mm sync sockets. Adjustment of the strobe is via up / down buttons i beleive there are 6 stops (down to 1/32) of adjustment in 1/10 stop increments (60 steps from low to high) indicated on a red led screen 1.0 (low) to 6.0 (high). They mount on the stands reasonably well, but can wobble a little if not tightened (large clearance between stand shaft and strobe bore) - Output is huge (i'm new to this)

Yongnuo ctr-301p - 1 trigger and 3 receivers - all work out of the packet even at 1/180 sync speed. included 2.5 - 6.35 sync cable each

Sync cables - 2 provided at 3m long - pc sync to 6.35

Bag - nice bag, no branding, BUT not quite big enough to fit the kit in... if you include the reflectors, without them... just the right size.

Other stuff

120cm octagon softbox - horrible to build - great to take down! diffuses light very nicely.. has alloy bowens s mount - not much else to say!

Backdrop kits - Looks pretty sturdy - not had the muslin out of the packet yet however... so will comment on that later if its thinner than tissue paper!

All in all i'm happy with what amounts to a huge amount (and heavy) lot of kit - it works as it says (in the limited what does what testing i did!)- the service from protog was excellent so i will be using them again and again..

A decent 'budget' kit from an aussie based company providing good product bought in from China

Steve