Lighting recommendations

theheyes

theheyes

theheyes

Soldato
Joined
17 Jan 2007
Posts
8,944
Location
Manchester
Hey guys,

I’m getting into using flashes a bit more and I could do with some stands and some modifiers. I only have a 430EXII at the moment and an off-camera flash cord so I need a few more bits and pieces. I haven’t got a strict budget in mind – I don’t want to spend a fortune but at the same time I don’t want to buy the cheapest of the cheap and it not be good enough. So I need…

  • An umbrella and/or softbox recommendation
  • A light stand/umbrella/flash bracket…thing. I don’t mind paying a bit more for a decent one of these.
  • A light stand itself – something sturdy and well made.

I’ve also seen those Yongnuo flashes mentioned a few times and they seem a bit too cheap to ignore. Do people recommend these? I use my 430EX in manual all the time anyway so if something a fraction of the price is going to do the same thing I could maybe pick up another or even two more flashes.

Cheers
 
I have the YN468 and it's brilliant for the price. Really good to get started with flashes. If you're looking for manual flashes then the YN460 II or YN560 are what you're looking for.
 
If your looking for stands and do not want to spend a small fortune, I would hit ebay rather than the more premium online outlets. Simply just the fact that if your experimenting and dont know what to really to get i.e. Canvas backgroud support. Why pay £60+ when you can get it for £25 on ebay.

I know its the term, you pay what you get but are you going to make any money off this as your just starting out?
 
I'd consider myself just starting out, but longer term I expect them to pay for themselves which is why I'm not afraid of spending a little more. What I want to avoid is paying £25 for crap when I could pay £50 for something that will do a proper job when the time comes. I completely agree about paying less for some niche things if I was unsure, but for basic kit I think it's a decent investment.
 
What do you know is the basic kit? Have you seen other people set up and maybe want to experiment and replicate that effect?

I'm not having a bash but I'm just want you to consider your options to see if it fits your purpose. Its not like I'm say people to buy the pro-consumer camera and expect to take great images all the time. Find your limitation with kit, people can do wonders with the basic and still able to produce a decent result.
 
Lencarta have everything you require at a good price point with quality to match, u can grab a stand and umbrella from them, then go to cotswoldpoto on eBay and by a flash/stand support for just over £10 job done.

Are you doing studio work though? As the above would be a bit pointless if your not and I would say just get a defuser and some yong triggers instead to be able to be creative with the flash and get it off that silly cord!
 
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Iam pretty confused as what I should buy studio wise. I just want a basic setup to shoot my 18month old niece...ideas would be appreciated. Hope you dont mind me asking here theheyes.
 
At the mo, ive just got a Jessops own brand flashgun 360 just ordered a YONGNUO YN-468 II. Camera is a 40d main lenses are 24-105 L and 50mm.

Budget wise well like most people didnt want to spend too much probably 200max, willing to go second hand. Space wise, ive got my own flat(not the biggest)would be able to setup at my parents if needs be.

Thanks for helping out :)
 
some thoughts:
1) 2 flashes is workable though for any decent positioning you will need stands. you can get good quality spring damped ones for £20 each - these will last along time, with the knowledge that should you go powered you dont have to buy twice.
2) To attach flash to stand you will need a support bracket , again ebay grants you a good metal one for £13 each.
3) umbrellas are a cheap way of diffusing light en mass, £15 for a good quality reflective one or just go cheaper on ebay
4) background: you can use an old sheet and somehow clip it to something for support or buy a proper rig and go paper (1.36m) this will cost about £100 but is a clean and efficient setup. Sheets or canvas are hard to get creases out so you need to make sure your backing lights are powerful if thats the case. Paper is the obvious choice if your even remotely considering the long term.
5) you will need triggers yong do the RF202s or 203s for about £25 a pair. you will need 1 for camera, plus 1 for each flash.

so all the above would come to about £200 and be flexible with good quality to boot...but as above whether the cost is worth it is for you to decide. My studio setup has set me back over £700 (I have 2 powered flash heads with soft boxes etc) and I dont regret spending that amount
 
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iamtheoneneo said:
some thoughts:
1) 2 flashes is workable though for any decent positioning you will need stands. you can get good quality spring damped ones for £20 each - these will last along time, with the knowledge that should you go powered you dont have to buy twice.
2) To attach flash to stand you will need a support bracket , again ebay grants you a good metal one for £13 each.
3) umbrellas are a cheap way of diffusing light en mass, £15 for a good quality reflective one or just go cheaper on ebay
4) background: you can use an old sheet and somehow clip it to something for support or buy a proper rig and go paper (1.36m) this will cost about £100 but is a clean and efficient setup. Sheets or canvas are hard to get creases out so you need to make sure your backing lights are powerful if thats the case. Paper is the obvious choice if your even remotely considering the long term.
5) you will need triggers yong do the RF202s or 203s for about £25 a pair. you will need 1 for camera, plus 1 for each flash.

so all the above would come to about £200 and be flexible with good quality to boot...but as above whether the cost is worth it is for you to decide. My studio setup has set me back over £700 (I have 2 powered flash heads with soft boxes etc) and I dont regret spending that amount
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Thanks appreciated your advice. On TP I asked the same question pretty much and they advise me to pick up something like this?

http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-store/flash-heads/flash-heads-1/twin-head-mains-powered-starter-kit
 
if you want to spend that much then yes, but again depends on your budget and how much use you think your gonna get out of it. the 200W lencartas are very nice and well worth the cash.

my 3 light setup (minus softboxes) to give you an idea :

IMG_1575.jpg


full list:

2 x Lencarta 200W lights
1 x 430EX
2 x lencarta standard reflectors (for lights)
1 x metal tilt flash adapator
3 x spring damped stands (for lights and flash)
1 x backdrop support
1 x lasolite 1.36x11m paper roll
3 x Yong 203 receivers (for lights)
2 x PC to 35mm Sync Cord (to attach receivers to lencarta lights)
1 x Yong 203 receiver/transmitted (for camera)
1 x clamp
1 x umbrella (i also have 2 softboxes)

quite a lot to get your head around but makes sense once you work your way through the entire process.
 
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Jimmy1983 said:
Iam pretty confused as what I should buy studio wise. I just want a basic setup to shoot my 18month old niece...ideas would be appreciated. Hope you dont mind me asking here theheyes.
Click to expand...

No worries. :)

Schizophonic said:
What do you know is the basic kit? Have you seen other people set up and maybe want to experiment and replicate that effect?

I'm not having a bash but I'm just want you to consider your options to see if it fits your purpose. Its not like I'm say people to buy the pro-consumer camera and expect to take great images all the time. Find your limitation with kit, people can do wonders with the basic and still able to produce a decent result.
Click to expand...

Sorry I must have missed this post when I checked back. I was probably a bit unclear - what I meant by "basic" kit was something like a light stand i.e. the fundamentals. A decent light stand is going to serve you well whether you stick to one speedlite and a small umbrella or end up with multiple stands and bigger lights and softboxes - that was my point really. I'm already getting the effects I want in a sense, it's just that I'm having to bounce the flash or fiddle with a TTL cord.

Radio triggers on the other hand I'm a bit more tentative about. I really don't need the range and supposed reliability of the pocketwizards at this stage so I'm probably going to go with one of the Yongnuo offerings - the RF-602s look like they will do the job.

I think I'm pretty much decided on a white shoot-through umbrella. I definitely want to try out a snoot too but I might have a go at making one of those.
 
iamtheoneneo said:
if you want to spend that much then yes, but again depends on your budget and how much use you think your gonna get out of it. the 200W lencartas are very nice and well worth the cash.

my 3 light setup (minus softboxes) to give you an idea :

IMG_1575.jpg


full list:

2 x Lencarta 200W lights
1 x 430EX
2 x lencarta standard reflectors (for lights)
1 x metal tilt flash adapator
3 x spring damped stands (for lights and flash)
1 x backdrop support
1 x lasolite 1.36x11m paper roll
3 x Yong 203 receivers (for lights)
2 x PC to 35mm Sync Cord (to attach receivers to lencarta lights)
1 x Yong 203 receiver/transmitted (for camera)
1 x clamp
1 x umbrella (i also have 2 softboxes)

quite a lot to get your head around but makes sense once you work your way through the entire process.
Click to expand...

Looks a lovely setup there mate :) do you have any example of your work?

The lencarta 200W lights you are using are they the same ones as in my link above?

Is a paper roll backdrop better than a fabric one?
 
Jimmy1983 said:
Looks a lovely setup there mate :) do you have any example of your work?

The lencarta 200W lights you are using are they the same ones as in my link above?

Is a paper roll backdrop better than a fabric one?
Click to expand...

I have a big shoot at the weekend so should have lots of examples to show you using different light ideas.

yeh the lights are the same ones as in your pic, just be warned whilst that kit is good you will need to spend £20 extra to get the standard reflectors for them.

paper is much better than muslin/fabric apart from in portability which is why i recommend only getting the 1.3m roll and not the 2m+ ones! the problem with muslin is that you cant iron it only steam it and removing creases is a pain. If you have creases you need to up the power on the back lights to remove them and with that comes contrast and spill issues. paper all the way!
 
iamtheoneneo said:
I have a big shoot at the weekend so should have lots of examples to show you using different light ideas.

yeh the lights are the same ones as in your pic, just be warned whilst that kit is good you will need to spend £20 extra to get the standard reflectors for them.

paper is much better than muslin/fabric apart from in portability which is why i recommend only getting the 1.3m roll and not the 2m+ ones! the problem with muslin is that you cant iron it only steam it and removing creases is a pain. If you have creases you need to up the power on the back lights to remove them and with that comes contrast and spill issues. paper all the way!
Click to expand...

Ok lovely look forward to your photos :)

Ah right, with the paper tho can you re-use it each time? Doesnt it get dirty and crease too?
 
Funny you should bump this, I was going to myself before I got distracted and then depressed by the Raymond watermarking thread. FYI I got a manfrotto nano stand, a lastolite tilt head, a wescott shoot through umbrella, a stofen diffuser, some flash gels and the yongnuo rf-602 set. Got my first test shoot on sunday so we'll see how that goes - cant wait!
 
Ah cool, yeah just read thru that thread. Such a shame.

But yeah if you could post your result I would love to see them, good luck Sunday. I too am attending a studio session, pretty nervous as ive never done anything like it before :o
 
Jimmy1983 said:
How did the shoot go iamtheoneneo?
Click to expand...

had its ups and downs - too many drunk people is not a recipe for success! so the first shoot was considered a flop and iv ditched all the photos pretty much bar 1 or 2. I did that as a favour and they just wanted any photos, but for my portfolio there not good enough.

my second shoot was really good though, im going through the selection and PP at the moment, should hopefully get something up at the weekend.
 
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