Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Want to use spare room as a studio questions

blinztree · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:02 pm

Maybe you should look at home base and consider Bowens, a British manufacturer which is considered a mid-range brand. That way, you'll save on shipping and taxes and get local support.

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:24 pm

These look like a good deal for a beginning set of lights
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300615818213?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/540W-Photo-Studio-Flash-Strobe-Light-Trigger-Softbox-Umbrella-Kit-3x180w-JFK102-/390404633660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae5edf43c

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3430 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks Jeff, the second option looks like the sort of set up I''m after.

I'm going to a Photographic Equipment Exhibition on Thursday so, hopefully, I'll be able to see some of this stuff in action to give me a better idea of capability/quality.

kaycee · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:20 am

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3430 Location: Hampshire, UK

hhltdave5 · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:27 am

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3430 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks Dave, Laurin has also offered the same and it will be much appreciated. I am not buying anything until after Monument Valley - I am very much only in the research stage at the moment, but I will probably arrive with an equipment idea in mind.

My son and I have been busy clearing the room and getting a lot of junk out of the house or boxed up and into the loft. I haven't seen the far side of the room for about 3 years! When it's all clear, I am hoping to have some sort of rail with backdrops and a basic lighting system set-up. Budget will probably stretch to about £500/£700, so I think I will be able to sensibly achieve the lights/rails/backdrops OK?

I think I've graduated from the 'wander round and look for something to photograph' stage to wanting to have a space to create my own images :)

kaycee · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:03 pm

In 2 years:
I have only changed one modelling light (my fault I broke it) not that expensive to replace also the tubes are not that expensive.

Most with the starter kits soft boxes are included also included some color filters, snoot with honeycomb grit,trigger set, backdrop, light stands/tripods (at least that was in my kit)

jeffbanke · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:47 pm

In umpteen years, I have never changed a strobe tube, changed two modeling lights, one I broke, bu then I use Norman strobes, 2400w/s strobe tubes usually only firing at between 250 and 750 w/s, kind of like a Ferrari doing normal freeway speeds (read motorway speeds, not even autobahn speeds:-) )

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3430 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thank guys, I'd hate to buy something relatively inexpensive and then find I'm forever having to fork out for replacement bulbs, etc.

Jeff, the second kit you mentioned is available on Amazon UK so I may well give that further consideration. If it is a fairly decent kit then it is probably sufficient for my needs at a sensible price, and as Karin says, it comes with soft boxes and filters, etc.

What I don't want to do is outlay money now and find I want/need to upgrade in 6 months time!

jeffbanke · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:23 am

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3430 Location: Hampshire, UK

klsbear · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 313

I use the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 kit and I've been happy with everything about it. I shoot a lot of food and small tabletop stuff using a 6-foot folding table and a stand with 3 cross bars for holding backdrops. I have a bit more space in a finished basement, but rarely spread out much beyond the dimensions you're working with.