First Photo Studio Kit

[reyna24]

Hello, I would like to get some advice on which photo studio kit i should purchase or if i should purchase everything separately. (ligthing,muslin,etc) This will be my first studio and it will mainly be used inside for portraits and family photos.


Any suggestions or links where I find the best deal for a studio and what items i should consider when i purchase one. (i.e. Softbox vs Strobe vs monolight) My Current budget is 1k and i would like to purchase something semi-professional.


TIA

[Tom]

1k Budget and a whole studio kit that is semi-professional probably won't work out for you too well.

Here is my thread about building an entire photo studio for $2k.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...et-2000-a.html

[ldelacruz]

3-AB 400's
3-Impact air cushioned lightstands from B&H
2-Photoflex medium softboxes
AB honeycomb grid 20 degree

Price it out. Should be under 1000

[reyna24]

Hey lonnie can you give me more info on your recommendations?

Thanks Thomas I'm reading your post...trying to consider which way to go.

[rhoffart]

AB 400 = Alien Bee 400

AlienBees: Illuminating the Galaxy with Professional Photographic Lighting Equipment

[arich]

+1 on Thomas advice, mainly because I think that it gives you more room to grow as your business increases.
That being said, if you decide to go with the Alien Bees you can get their 2 light package with stands and umbrellas for $600 and have the rest of your money for softboxes, backgrounds, whatever. http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by reyna24

Hey lonnie can you give me more info on your recommendations?

Thanks Thomas I'm reading your post...trying to consider which way to go.

Like Rick said AB is Alien Bees. Buy their lights and honeycomb grids but not their accessories. Buy the accessories from B&H. I forgot to mention that if you buy the Photoflex softboxes you will need to buy speedrings from AB. To save even more money you could buy umbrellas.

[reyna24]

What do yall think about the studio kits from amazon or other stores? should i even consider them at all?

link of a studio kit

Do yall have any thoughts on Britek lighting link

[Tom]

Originally Posted by reyna24

What do yall think about the studio kits from amazon or other stores? should i even consider them at all?

link of a studio kit

Do yall have any thoughts on Britek lighting link

No way I would get something other than the D-Lite IT kit by Elinchrom for entry-level studio work.

Are you going to get a bunch of cheap modifiers, then have a tough time selling them when you want to upgrade?

It would be like "Someday, I want a Nikon system, but I am going to buy these Pentax cameras for now, then will upgrade."

[reyna24]

where you saying get something else other then the D-Lite link

If i was to purchase Elinchrom would i still need softboxes?

Should i consider Strobe over Continuous lighting?

[reyna24]

I was talking to HCE and they suggested I should stay away from Elinchrom and i should stick with ProFoto...

They where saying that Elinchrom are not a good of a product as the Profoto.

Any comments on that?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by reyna24

I was talking to HCE and they suggested I should stay away from Elinchrom and i should stick with ProFoto...

They where saying that Elinchrom are not a good of a product as the Profoto.

Any comments on that?

Well, HCE is no longering selling Elinchrom, so it would seem obvious that they would direct you to a product they do carry. Since they no longer have a contract with Elinchrom, they probably aren't going to push it.

That said, Profoto is generally considered the gold standard of lighting equipment. It is also priced as though it is the gold standard of lighting equipment. I don't think you can get two-light/box kit from Profoto for under $1k.

If Elinchrom is good enough for Joe McNally, its probably good enough for the rest of us.
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/whats-in-the-bag/