cheap alternate studio lighting.

[33L]

Hi guys - i like taking protariats and with some of the results i have had i have been asked to do some more.

i need to find a cheap solution to my lighting problem. I was advised by a friend that site lights are good source but from looknig further into them - they get too hot, cast a nasty colour and not as powerful as they seem.

I am looking for something that i can pack away so on a tripod - inexpensive - light(ish) and doesnt cast a nasty colour. and works on 240V. I have come across fluorescent lights on a tripod and by my calculations are 200w compared to a tungsten filament. would 2 of these be suitable for lighting a single person and not casting too many harsh shadows. They have covers on them which i hoping will act as some kind of diffuser.

Does any one think these will be okay till i can afford some decent lighting. I am only lighting my attick so not a massive space. enough for 1-3 people portrait shots.

33L

 

[33L]

yeah i saw that i while back but went down to b&Q and no plug in modules are avaialbe and besides i dont have any stands. By the time i get some stands i might as well pay for the above.

 

[33L]

so what were they done with. distance away from subject etc?

 

[33L]

what you want is some really cheap flashes with manual adjustment from ebay, some wireless flash transmitters, agian from ebay, and some umbrellas/softboxes....again from ebay....makes for very effective lighting:


the flash on the right cost me £4 including postage, the umbrella was about £15 and the wireless transmitters i bought used, 5 recievers and 1 transmitter for £35....

Tom.

When you say flash with manual adjustment, since im not clued up on flash guns. is this so it can fire manually without being camera mounted as per your pics.

what flash specs are they? how much will some cheap lighting stands be? did you get your soft box off the bay as well?

 

[33L]

great - time to hit ebay and source some stuff! Thanks for your help guys.

so my checklist is.

1 softbox
1 umbrella
2 cheap flash guns
2 receivers
1 transmitter
2 light stands/tripods
1 umbrella and shoe clamp

how do you mount the softbox.

 

[33L]

for the life of me i cant find a couple of flashes around under 10 each. i'm starting to get really annoyed now

 

[33L]

just found some old flashes on the bay and if it goes ok i can get 2 for 9 quid. looking into a soft box and an umbrella next then the mounts, then the triggers then the receivers ......... oh lord this thread will be going for years! lol

 

[33L]

the entrance to my softbox is exactly the right size to wedge onto my flashguns

chances are i'm not going to be that lucky and i want to order one soon, what should i get to mount them as well.
I have a spare tripod anyway i can use one of these.

 

[33L]

right guys another question with regards to the setup. i have ordered the following.

2 umbrellas
2 flashes
2 umbrella mounts with shoe mounts


i have turned my attention to the trigger and receivers. some of the items i have looked at need a sync cord which the 400d cant accept. i am dubious at bidding for anything that may not work. Please let me know what i am looking for in a trigger/receiver set up.