help selecting portable portrait light set

[hdctx]

The more I read, the more my eyes glaze over.
'm looking for a reasonably priced starter portable portrait set up I can use at client's homes or offices.
I prefer a continuous light set so I can also use it for shooting video.
Am I better off with umbrellas or softboxes?

After all the gear I've bought, I don't have a grand to spend. Your budget light set recommendations are appreciated.

[texxter]

Dave, your requirements can be met with a relatively small budget by any low cost tungsten or fluorescent lighting kit. For example, this one:

Photoflex StarliteQL Two-Light SilverDome Kit - FV-SL2432BG B&H

There are other threads comparing umbrellas and softboxes. Umbrellas are cheaper and more fragile. Softboxes tend to me a bit more stable and provide different shapes and sizes, including elongated ones, etc. You can start with a couple of umbrellas and then add softboxes later - as umbrellas are not a big expense. Problem with these lights is that you need A/C and the tungsten ones get hot and make people hot.

If you could put some more money together, consider a LED lighting kit - this is perfect for both photo and video, cool, and daylight balanced. They are pricey. Litepanels are great units, from what I have read.

Litepanels 1x1 DL-Flood, DL-Spot Flypak 2-Light Kit B&H Photo

[hdctx]

I agree LED is ideal, but the prices are insane, especially from litepanels. I have a 160 on my shoulder rig. One thing I have considered doing is mounting the LED light in an Octobox with the extention handle for off camera lighting during some wedding scenes. It would make a pretty cool fill light for location portraits as well. Thanks for the feedback.

[iamjediknight]

I've heard nothing but good things about the Westcott TD5 & TD6 Lights

Spiderlite TD5 | Westcott Pro Photography and Video Lighting

Spiderlite TD6 Umbrellas | Westcott Pro Photo and Video Lighting Equipment

[Dobick]

I think I would look to get strobes for stills, and worry about the video lights on their own.

Not sure a portable hot light is going to throw enough light to give you any real versatility.

There are some really low cost shoe mounted strobe units, that you can easily move off camera and trigger using radio, which will give you some outstanding results with fairly effective power for portable.

[hdctx]

Do you get soft enough light from strobes for good portraits? Do you use strobes with softboxes, or just off camera on stands? I'm looking for portability, high image quality, and don't have the $$ to spend on high dollar battery sets. I think you're right about hot lights. I will have to use two separate light sets.

For portable backdrops to be used in homes, what size do you think works best? 9x13?
Thanks for the feedback!

[phrelco]

Hi hdctx-

I too was in a quandary regarding a portable light studio setup. I did a LOT of searching and fact-finding, which brought me to purchase just yesterday from CowboyStudio via Amazon, their "CowboyStudio 2000 Watt Digital Video Continuous Lighting Kit with Carrying Case, 6 x 9ft Black & White Muslin Backdrops with Backdrop Support System" for $253.56.

It's not pro quality, but it gets the job done with plenty of 5000k light (2000w!) and comes with backdrops. My oldest daughter just started a flower arranging business and wishes to create a portfolio of her creations to show her prospective clients. I chose softboxes vs. umbrellas, as they are better suited to objects with reflective surfaces such as glass vases. Umbrellas from what I've read are excellent for portraits.

If you go to the CowboyStudio web site, they also offer similar kits with umbrellas, chroma backdrops for vid and a nice variety of other units and packages for sale. The testimonies I've read of CowboyStudio's quality has been very good, but with the caveat that it's not necessarily made with professionals in mind, but for budget-concious buyers such as ourselves.

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio 2000 Watt Digital Video Continuous Lighting Kit with Carrying Case, 6 x 9ft Black & White Muslin Backdrops with Backdrop Support System: Electronics

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio 2000 Watt Digital Video Continuous Lighting Kit with Carrying Case, 6 x 9ft Black & White Muslin Backdrops with Backdrop Support System: Electronics

[fredkiana1972]

I do portable studio setups all the time and onsite printing. Use umbrellas because in 8 seconds they are done, maybe less. Softboxes take too much time to put together and take down. It could mean saving 5 minutes by the end of the night which is a good thing. If you do want softboxes, get the collapsible ones. Than you don't have to worry about rings and junk.

[hdctx]

Bought an Ekinchrom kit, 2 d-lite it 200s and 1 400, two softboxes, two umbrellas with buult in radio triggers. I also bought a pair of YG560s and mounts. For video, I did go ahead and buy the Cowboy 2000w three fixture flourescents, and a 39x72 scrim. Now if I can just figure out how to turn on my camera lol.

[phrelco]

I've been using my Cowboy Studio florescents for a while now, and yes, it takes a while to setup the softboxes. That should be no problem if you have a studio where you set 'em and leave 'em. As for me, I'm on the go with mine, so I schedule at least an hour to set up my lights, product table, backgrounds and hair light softbox. They aren't the sturdiest beasts, but you get a lot of bang for your buck!