SCPG Forums

[Steve]

I'm thinking of setting up a bit of a garage type studio. A friend has the space in an office building that's not being used and I'm seriously considering springing for a cheap-ish light kit.

Maybe the $300 to $350 range.

I've only begun to do the research, and it may be that 'decent' can't be had for that price, but I want to see what is available.

I already have an SB800 and SB600 so I could use those in conjunction with some light stands, umbrellas or softboxes, along with a backdrop or two.

Or as I see advertised at B&H, Cowboy studio, Amazon, etc... I could pick up a kit with strobes or continuous lights, with umbrellas, and in some cases a backdrop too... all within or close to my price range. Soft box kits tend to be a little more expensive.

I notice that the umbrellas in the kits are about 30" or so... I worry that might be too small for anything more than just headshots, unless there were several of them.

So... I just thought I'd throw this out there to see what you guys have to say...maybe draw on your experiences, pros and cons you might have to offer up in reference to making a purchase on the cheap.

[TMGraphics]

Unless you like working in hot environments stay away from the continuous lights, they get quite warm and are not recommended for softboxes and some umbrellas. I like to use 41" to 45" umbrellas for better 'wrap around' light than the smaller ones. Softboxes are good to keep the light on the subject and (depending on the direction) off the backdrop.

Your flashes would be a good start for some 'strobist' style lighting. Are you able to fire them off camera? radio type trigger? You may think of another for a hair light/backdrop light type of thing.

Use one light for Main, use the second for fill (to lighten the shadow side of the face) and one to highlight the back of the head or hair to separate the subject from the background. There is so much you can do with even just one flash.

Shooting mainly inside, with your budget in mind, you should start out with what you have and maybe purchase some white umbrellas with the removable black backing. You can then use these for 'bounce' or 'shoot through' lighting.
Get a few stands and you should be good.

[DiamondDc]

OR

you could partner with someone who already has this type of equipment, who might also be looking for studio space on occasion.

This way you could get the chance to use lighting that you don't have access to now without spending anything. And this experience will aid you when you in your own purchases.

[Steve]

Thanks TM... I'll look into prices on stands with larger umbrellas.

I think I could be creative with foam board and the like to direct a lot of light around and keep it off the back drop...rather than get softboxes in place of umbrellas...though a softbox might be nice too.

Yes, I can fire the flashes off camera. Both will fire via IR and I can control the flash power from the camera.

I'd like to add a third flash... but the expense might be too much for me for this particular project. I wonder if I can mix in one of these less expensive flashes to fire remotely.... as the third light...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250314-REG/Smith_Victor_401507_FL150_1_Light_Kit.html

It's a quartz halogen... I don't know if this would cause a white balance issue when mixed with my Nikon flash.

@ Diamond... getting together with someone that already has some equipment sounds good, but I don't know anyone offhand, and in respect to the studio space I have lined up, I wouldn't be able to share the key to get in. I'd have to be there whenever the other guy wanted to shoot and that might not be fair to either party.

[DiamondDc]

[Steve]

Thanks DC... that's a generous offer. I'll take some time to consider.

I'd like to think that if things work out with the location, that it might turn into something more permanent.

[TMGraphics]

search craigs list and ebay for an older sb-28 flash. I am not a nikon user so you may have to do some research into nikon flashes to see how far down the line you can go and still get 'wireless' controll. If the third flash you want is for background or hair it does not need to be the top of the line to light those types of things and may be cheaper than the light you listed plus it can be used on a camera when needed.

The offer DC sounds nice ant like he said it may benefit both of you for a short period of time. I know he has strobes and different types of umbrellas to cut your teeth with in a 'try before you buy'.

Make sure you take some pics of the studio when you get it set up and post em here!

[TMGraphics]

One more thing, I have a friend that is moving and he is selling some things one of which is a backdrop holder something like this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/686129-REG/Interfit_INT312_Wall_Mounting_Kit_for.html

It may not be that exact one but it is very much like it. I think he has 2 of them available, let me know if your interested in them and ill let him know!

He also has some paper rolls too.

T

[TMGraphics]

Another thought to keep in mind....

Lightstands:
Check the specs and see the maximum amount of weight they can hold. Also how high they go.

Umbrellas:
Shoot-through = white ; overall lighting with soft shadows Reflective = (Black backed) white, silver, gold ; directional lighting with soft to hard shadows. Silver is used for more contrasty shadows, gold adds warmth.
TIP: A semi closed umbrella makes a good spotlight.

Reflectors:
Mainly used to add fill light onto the subject OR block light from subject or background. They come in all shapes and sizes.
TIP: You local hardware store sells a sheet of insulation that is 1/4"x8'x4' and has silver on one side and plain on the other. You can spray paint the dull side black or white for a nice large 2 sided reflector.

You can go to a fabric store and pick up some bleached (white) or unbleached (beige) muslin that is 96" (8') or 108" (9'). You can but it in lengths of 10' 20' 30', its up to you on length. Use as is or buy some dye and make cool colored backdrops. On average a 9'x20' muslin costs around $40 give or take.

Also, you can pick up some white "Rip-Stop Nylon" to make your own shoot-through items like softboxes or light tents.

OK, thats all LOL just a few thoughts I wanted to share.

T

[Steve]

Thanks for all the info... it's appreciated. You've hit on some points I hadn't thought of and confirmed some others for me.

I think I'm gonna buy or build a backdrop stand. Seems pretty simple.

As it turns out...because I'm in the sign biz, I have all kinds of materials that work out well for photo' gizmos. I have an entire roll of white backlight diffusion material. I use it to make diffusers of all kinds of shapes and sizes for my flashes. It's normal use is for backlit signage like menus and advertising.

I have 4x8 sheets of foam-core, white, black, and I could make it any color I want, including high intensity reflective, or a polished aluminum, like the insulation sheets.

I've nearly put together all the items I think I'm going to purchase in a wishlist at B&H. I'm going to think on it some more before I make the purchase... and then I'll set the lights up and play around a bit before I worry about a backdrop stand... I know I can, like you mentioned, pickup some muslin and use that, rigged, for the time being until I'm ready to make or buy something more 'pro'.

[Steve]

Looks like I'm going with a trio of stands with clamps/brackets. Two for the SB600 and SB800 and a third for a slave strobe. Two 45" Umbrellas for the Nikon flashes and the third slave will be for the backlight.

One of my main concerns was the color of the third light.... it turns out it's within 500K of the two Nikon flashes. I expect that is close enough.

I think that should all work out nicely...thoughts ?

Here's the wishlist link...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/wl/35BF2F4CD0

[TMGraphics]

Not a bad lookin wish list.

When you get it all set up send me an invite and I'll show you a few tricks.


T

[Steve]

Will still be a little while yet. I have some other priorities to manage... but I'll let you guys know when I've got it set up for sure !

[DiamondDc]

I might be interested in buying some 4x8 form core in black, maybe white too. What is the thickness?

and the diffusion material too if it is seamless and wider than 33 inches.

Let me know if you have it available for sale or trade.

[Steve]

The foam core comes in a couple of different thickness'.

I think 1/4 and 1/2" are standard. Let me know which size and I'll get you a cost.

The diffusion material is on a 30" roll, so 30" by whatever dimension you like. I'll have to look-up a square footage price, but I don't think it's terribly expensive.

I'll call the supplier tomorrow... and figure out the prices and then re-post to this thread.

[DiamondDc]

I am most interested in the 4x8 at 1/2 size in black.

When you call, ask them if they have any seconds at a discount, I am using it as a flag so it will be unseen and damaged regularly.

I am interested in two sheets.

[Steve]

All they have is new sheets... 1/2" is $55.00 for a 4'x8'

Let me know early enough and I can have it for tomorrow or Monday.

[DiamondDc]

$55 a sheet puts it significantly higher than its competitor material, I will just have to keep using painted stryro. Thanks for checking.

dc

[Steve]

K, no problem... sorry it didn't work out. It's good stuff though.