 Tim |
studio lights? I have a chance to get a professinal photography 3stobe studio kits. and the brand is YINYAN . he is selling it as a kit 3 lights, the first one is a 180 watt, second is a 135 watt and the third one is a back light and its a 36 watt. and they each with their own 75 watt and 50 watts modeling light. two 20" X 28" softboxes with silver reflect inside. one wireless transmitter Brand YINYAN Two(2) 10FT. hot shoe/pc sync cords (2) Carry Bags one for the stands and the other for the srobes and also 3 backdrops 1- 10'X 20' large Fabric Backdrop 1- 5' 1/2" X 9' 3/4" Pure Black 1- 5' 1/2" X 9' 3/4" Silk White one(1) 34" Umbrella (silver) He would like to sell the complete kit for $299.00 US is this a good deal? I feel this would be a good starting kit. Any comments on this kit?
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Mark Feldstein |
You know Tim, if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is (too good to be true). And it sounds to me like you're paying for accessories rather than studio lighting. Using the watt seconds you mentioned to shoot a full length portrait placing the lights say 8-10 from the subject, is going to be like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. In my view, 180, l35, and 36 watt seconds just isn't much output at all. And remember, you're talking about full power without putting any modifiers on them like the softboxes or an umbrella. Most standard packs and professional portable heads start with an output of 200 W/S that's switchable or ratio'd down to 50 or 100. If the guy selling these has them set up some where that you could test them out, take a flash meter, stand at 8-10 feet and full power using the softbox and at ISO 100 see what you'd be shooting at. My guess is 5.6 or less. That ain't much light. My advice is to save your dough and buy some lighting with high guide numbers and that's well made. I'd say for $800-$900 you could find yourself a good clean used pack with a couple of heads, maybe two stands and even a softbox. For $600-800 I'll bet you could find a good used Norman 800 Watt Sec. Pack with some heads and stands etc. Keep looking and take it light ;>)
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David J. Hartley |
Hi Tim, I'd agree with Mark. It doesn't sound like these lights have much juice in them and I think you would be extremely limited by their output. A 36 watt light is next to useless in my opinion. I would probably be looking for a minimum of 3 lights at 500 w/s or above with at least 3 or 4 f stops of adjustment (it can be a pain moving lights backwards and forwards - especially in a confined space/studio). The backdrops and add ons are not so important, it's the lights you need to be sure about. When you do buy you will also need to know if the lights are sevicable and if you can get spare flash tubes and modelling lights easily as they will occasionally blow (or smash!). I use 500w/s to 750w/s studio flash with 1000w halogen modelling globes built and they are good for most shoots. With the powerful model lamps it also makes it easy to mix in warmer lighting with the flash which again gives you more shooting options. I personally wouldn't buy the set you mention. Hope this helps.
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Tim |
Thanks you guys ! I thought to was to small of watts and i'm going to keep looking thanks again Tim
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Mark Feldstein |
Hey Tim: I think David hit the nail right on the head, especially in terms of serviceability. I just sort of take it for granted that we can change flash tubes and modeling lamps in all our studio lighting. I also agree with him on the w/s range for portraiture. One thing I can add though, is you don't need a lot of lights to create excellent portraits. Window light with a bit of fill flash or a reflector panel to fill the shadows often works well. Most of the portraits I shoot are using one monolight with a softbox and fill card. Nothing fancy. Besides, this lets me concentrate on my subject not dinking around with lights. I'm sooooo easily distracted. LOL !! For me, simpler is mo betta. Later.
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Donna L. Cuic |
Tim, check this guy out on the ebay. He sells some reasonable kits. I am thinking of getting a beginner set this summer and learning studio lighting. I probably won't get the cheapest set but I probably won't get the most expensive either. A friend bought some lights from him and she was real happy, she gave me his name. http://stores.ebay.com/STEVE-KAESER-BACKGROUNDS-SINCE-1989_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZkm ~Donna
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Crystal |
I just came across Steve Keaser as well, and just received the requested catalog in the mail. I want a kit that will be portable enough that I can travel with, but also powerful enough for portrait photography in no-light situations. I called and spoke with them and they suggested to me the Compact Travel Kit, 260 w/s 3 Lights. It consists of: (2) PS-200 (2) Umbrella Reflectors (2) Flash Covers (1) 10' Sync Cord (3) 306 Light Stands (2) 32" SIlver/Black or White/Black Umbrellas (1) AS-66 Mini AC Slave (1) Snoot (for AS-66) (1) Barndoor (for AS-66) (1) Honeycomb (for AS-66) (1) Pro Carry Bag, weight 22 lbs. The package price for all is $339. Do you think this is a good price for this? I am taking my money-making hobby and turning it into a business, however I have never used lights before and I find that I am in situations where I need them. Would this be a good setup for start out with? Thanks in advance. Crys-
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Christel Davis |
You may also want to look into Alien Bees. I have a set and couldn't be happier with them. They come with the necessities. They are reasonably priced. I plan to purchase more in the future.
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings Chrys: It sounds like you're interested in a similar deal that Tim was looking at when he started this thread. So, I refer you to our replies early on. If you are really going to use your equipment to try and turn a profit, going with the kind of gear you mentioned is going to be more of a headache than a help to you. Cheap equipment always costs you in the long run and the lights in the set you described, are hardly enough to shoot portraits even without using a modifier like an umbrella or a softbox. I use the equivalent of 250 W/S light in my the strobe I use on a camera bracket. It makes a nice fill light. If you buy lighting, new or used, get something in the 750 to 1000 watt sec. per head, not per pack, and see what kind of interchangeable accessories are available for it, including umbrellas, barn doors, etc. Expect to spend about 75 cents to a buck per watt second (for new equipment) with proper accessories per head including a stand, umbrella, etc.
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