Portable studio lighting.

[AndyKH]

Hi Guys, can anyone give me any recommendations on some cheapish portable studio flash? I've seen a few on ebay (like http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3x-200W-Studio-Flash-Lightin... but not sure if they are cheap for a reason.

[Simpo Two]

Well they have variable power down to 1/16 so could be a good value punt.

NB It doesn't actually say you get the softboxes though, just 'Smart A200 Flash Lights Set (3x Lights)'

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 10th March 11:45

[AndyKH]

I'm no pro by any means i just need something basic really. I did my first shoot last week , all indoors at the clients house. Managed to get through using window light bounced off a reflector but had to leave the lens wide open which wasn't ideal.

[rottie102]

I've just bought one of those sets, but 2x 150W and second hand (£100 ) and I'm really pleased with it, sturdy, good quality, works well and comes with everything you need including a bag.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/250W-x-2-Blazzeo-Studio-Flas...

[Simpo Two]

Actually the first ones don't seem to have a slave facility, which is unhelpful. (A slave means you only have to trigger one and the other/s go off). In fact lightning can set them off too!!

[whaninoz]

have a look at the lencarta range http://www.lencarta.com/

[jon-]

Last time i looked at this sort of stuff the "cheap" studio flashes had less range than a top of the range (580 / sb900) speedlite.

[AndyKH]

jon- said:

Last time i looked at this sort of stuff the "cheap" studio flashes had less range than a top of the range (580 / sb900) speedlite.

Okay guys, with the above quote in mind, would it bea better idea to invest in a decent speedlite and utilize reflectors etc? Just looking on ebay and they seem to be around the same price as cheap studio flash.

okay, i'm seeing the benefit of a speedlite now, any recommendations?

[jon-]

AndyKH said:

jon- said:

Last time i looked at this sort of stuff the "cheap" studio flashes had less range than a top of the range (580 / sb900) speedlite.

Okay guys, with the above quote in mind, would it bea better idea to invest in a decent speedlite and utilize reflectors etc? Just looking on ebay and they seem to be around the same price as cheap studio flash.

okay, i'm seeing the benefit of a speedlite now, any recommendations?

Canon or Nikon? If you're shooting indoors you can do really clever stuff wither both Nikon CLS and the Canon wireless system. Multiple flashes and it does all the metering for you

[AndyKH]

Ah sorry should've mentioned. I'm using canon. Something like this any good, i really need to brush up on my flash knowledge.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Speedlite-430EX-II-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ200440486092QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?hash=item2eab2f18cc#ht_2425wt_962

[jon-]

A Canon 7d or something else? The 7d has a built in master so you can use a 430exII off camera really easily, with full TTL metering.

If you don't have a 7d you can use a STE2 or 580* to trigger a 430 off camera.

[AndyKH]

I wish it was a 7d, it's only a 1000d. It will be upgraded at some point but at the minute I have no reason to.

[jon-]

Well then you can't go far wrong with a 430exII and a couple of dumb ebay radio triggers IMO.

You'll never overpower the sun, but you can do lots of creative stuff inside.

[Simpo Two]

My view is that if you have mains power, use studio flash. Cheap systems may struggle to match Speedlites in some respects but just like a camera system, you can upgrade, add or sell bits as your needs develop. Loads of power, fast recycle times amd an infinite choice of modifiers (softboxes, brollies, barn doors, honeycombs, snoots, gobos etc). It's just nicer.

[_dobbo_]

Have to say having messed around with speedlights Simpo's point about recycle times is spot on.

Waiting several seconds for a speedlight to recycle to full power is a nightmare, especially if you are shooting children or animals, who you can guarantee will pull the best faces when the flashes aren't ready.

[d1d215]

several seconds is when the batteries are new, after that - it takes weeks. but if you don't have to worry about missing the shot there are a lot of very cheap flashes. although fully manual .

[jon-]

d1d215 said:

several seconds is when the batteries are new, after that - it takes weeks. but if you don't have to worry about missing the shot there are a lot of very cheap flashes. although fully manual .

A good set of rechargables and mine recycle as fast as I shoot, unless i'm doing full power dumps which is rare indoors.

[AndyKH]

Okay, now i'm torn.
Most shoots will be indoors at low power. Any out doors shots will be only decent days i would think. What would you guys suggest? Cheap studio flash or a decent speedlite flash?

[rottie102]

AndyKH said:

Okay, now i'm torn.
Most shoots will be indoors at low power. Any out doors shots will be only decent days i would think. What would you guys suggest? Cheap studio flash or a decent speedlite flash?

Both? Second hand from Ebay? And Sigma instead of Canon to save money? My 530 DG is really good, although noisy.

[Simpo Two]

What kind of 'shoot' do you envisage? If it's just family, pets etc you then a bounced flash off a white ceiling can be very good (I use this a lot for weddings because it gives nice results, and is quick and easy to do). But if you want to do more arty, controllable stuff then I'd go for the proper lighting. Don't buy too cheap though - have a look for better quality s/h kit on eBay. Something like 2x250W heads, a medium-sized softbox and a reflector would be a good start IMHO. But that's just what works for me; 'your mileage may vary', as they say!