Is this a good entry level studio lighting set-up?

[mrs singlecoil]

I've decided that I want to concentrate on studio photography for the time being, my particular interest being the flower arrangements I do from time to time, and still lifes. I've got a Canon 1000D with a Tamron 70-300 and a Canon 18-55 lens, and a decent Velbon tripod.

I'm also lucky enough to have a spare room where I can leave stuff set up. I've been experimenting with the available light and various supplementary lights, but I'm thinking I need something more suitable if I am going to get the results I want in terms of modelling and sharpness of image.

How about this, do you think it would suit, or can I do better?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-750WStudio-Flash-Kit-Pho...

[Snapper7]

It looks ok for what you state you want to do.. It is cheap enough to consider it as disposable so what have you got to lose?

If however you planned on using in a more commercial aspect of wanted to cover a bigger area I would say you would need more powerful heads. Because your subjects (Flowers) won't be moving you can use multiple flashed while on a longer exposure if needed. But remember that they are budget kits and you get what you pay for.

[Major Bloodnok]

Three heads might be a bit of overkill for what you want to do. I'd look at getting a single, known good quality, head (e.g. Bowens), a soft box, brolly and snoot, plus some white card/reflectors for fill light. You can do an awful lot with a single head and some reflective surfaces. The kit you linked to looks good value, but I notice that they carefully don't mention the make, and that would give me pause for thought. By starting small with a good make, you can still expand later, and you don't run the risk of having to replace the whole lot because the quality's not up to snuff.

[Simpo Two]

It is very good value (assuming it doesn't fall to bits on day two).

Personally I think three weakish heads is not as much use as two powerful controllable ones. If this is going to be something you want to do well and regularly, I'd suggest a good brand (Bowens and Elinchrom are the usual suspects) and go second-hand if the price is too much. Then reflectors and softboxes, a radio trigger so you don't trip over the wires and bring the whole lot crashing down (seen it happen, an 850W redhead just missed an E-Type Jaguar ) and a background of some kind as well.

[IanMorewood]

Unkown brand and only 250w per head I would avoid.