first studio lights

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pmac

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peter
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Ok I've searched and read a few threads regarding this but though I would ask for myself.
Im looking to by my first lights, which are being bought for me.I had decided on lencarta as they seem the best bang for buck.

I thought that buying two to start would be the best idea and was wondering is it worth buying the elite pro2 600w kit over the smart flash 2 400w kit and is buying the smart flash 2 800w kit just pointless or not(money being a non issue upto that price).

I thought buying two would make it easier to learn with and if i need to can buy more later down the line.

Or are there any other sets of a similar price that are better.

thanks
 
You have to consider what you'll be shooting to know what kind of power you'll need, small still life and portraits at home? I doubt you'll ever need more than a 200w head but if you want to use large modifiers then you may well require more.

The 4 head kit is only slightly less than double the cost so you'd be better off just buying the 2 head kit and then deciding where you want to go once you've got some experience with the equipment, I think you'll get better results learning if you focus on getting the right modifiers to use with whatever lights you get than having a ton of lights to cover every eventuality.

There are plenty of other sets to consider but you'll pay considerably more to get something of similar quality new which is why Lencarta gets so many recommendations and ultimately the end result for you is unlikely to be much different.
 
The big difference between the ElitePro and SmartFlash is build quality, the Smartflash are well enough built that you shouldnt 'need' the upgrade for home use.

Back to lights generally. Think of the lights as the polar opposite of the camera. All your camera 'does' is gather light, all the studio light does is create light. In other words, they're the least important part of the process. Think of your light modifiers as lenses, in the same way that quality lenses improve the 'look' of your images, and specialist lenses are responsible for certain 'look's, so softboxes, reflectors, grids, beauty dishes and umbrellas each produce a different kind of lighting effect.

So in the same way that photographers spend far more on lenses than cameras, think about what kind of lighting effects you want to create and budget for suitable modifiers. You might also consider how much space you have and whether it makes sense to invest in softboxes that are 'instant' or 'easy up', saving time and frustration when you want to set up and break down your studio.
 
Phil V said:
The big difference between the ElitePro and SmartFlash is build quality, the Smartflash are well enough built that you shouldnt 'need' the upgrade for home use.

Back to lights generally. Think of the lights as the polar opposite of the camera. All your camera 'does' is gather light, all the studio light does is create light. In other words, they're the least important part of the process. Think of your light modifiers as lenses, in the same way that quality lenses improve the 'look' of your images, and specialist lenses are responsible for certain 'look's, so softboxes, reflectors, grids, beauty dishes and umbrellas each produce a different kind of lighting effect.

So in the same way that photographers spend far more on lenses than cameras, think about what kind of lighting effects you want to create and budget for suitable modifiers. You might also consider how much space you have and whether it makes sense to invest in softboxes that are 'instant' or 'easy up', saving time and frustration when you want to set up and break down your studio.
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This is good advice. Can I push you for a couple of links to modifiers which you would recommend for the Lencarta strobe systems?
 
N
Adam Wortman said:
This is good advice. Can I push you for a couple of links to modifiers which you would recommend for the Lencarta strobe systems?
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not really because I don't know what you aim to do and in what space (back to my analogy, could I recommend you a collection of lenses without knowing your expectations and specific requirements and budget).
Look on the Lencarta site, there's a bit of advice. I'd recommend the profold soft boxes, and that you buy one silver reflective and one white shoot thru brolly. And get a cheap 5 in 1 reflector too.
 
Phil V said:
N

not really because I don't know what you aim to do and in what space (back to my analogy, could I recommend you a collection of lenses without knowing your expectations and specific requirements and budget).
Look on the Lencarta site, there's a bit of advice. I'd recommend the profold soft boxes, and that you buy one silver reflective and one white shoot thru brolly. And get a cheap 5 in 1 reflector too.
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thanks and of course, sorry I was up all night watching the cricket so I'm a little slow this morning. If this helps I'm mainly going to be shooting solo and couple portraits with an even mix of full length and upper body. Would the 100x100 be good for that purpose? I'm planning on ordering the starter kit which includes a softbox and umbrella but I want a softbox that is easy to put up and down so I'm going to upgrade that to one of the profold versions - just not sure which one.
 
I would have thought that the 70 x 100 Profold Softbox would be a better choice for your needs, it can be used either horizontally or vertically and is also cheaper
 
Okay thanks.
I plan on using it for single/double head and 3/4 body shots I think.
Space wise I'm planning to use my spare room if the space is okay( 7 & a 1/2F high, 9F wide and 14f long with window at the rear) or if more space is needed/better I can move to the garage when its sorted(8F High and 12x12F).
Im guessing the hight isn't ideal, and would limit the use of say a octa box or beauty dish higher up.
 
No, the height isn't ideal - but it's what it is and you will have to manage with it, as so many other people do.
There are usually workarounds to lack of height, e.g. you can often lower the height of your subjects by having them sitting, and maintaining the relative difference in height between light source and subject, and you can also use your lights close, which maximises the amount of height available.
 
Get a couple of Smartflash-2 heads. Not sure there's anything wrong with the build quality of those vs ElitePros, and they are nice and small/light with plenty of power for your use. In a small room, umbrellas make better use of the space, as they're reverse-firing (except shoot-through obviously) and you can push them right up against a wall or ceiling if needs be. The downside is there is more light spill than with a softbox and that's more noticeable in a small space where spill gets reflected back off walls and ceiling, basically filling in the shadows a bit more. Fine if you like soft light :)

Strongly recommend Profold softboxes if you have to pack away each time - 100x easier than basic softboxes. Those Lencarta Profolds are big though - deep, which is good - but you'll not be able to get the front face closer than about 3ft from a wall. That's where umbrellas score, apart form being dead easy to put up and cheap as chips, with great light too. I too would go for the 100x70 Profolder for versatility as Garry suggests, though my favourite portrait light is the 85 Profold Octa.

Kits are great value with a handy saving on buying separately, but avoid the temptation to use everything all at once. Start with just one light, with a 5-in-1 reflector, and learn about angle and distance, and how light 'works'. Google inverse square law! Remember that Lencarta offers an upgrade service where you can swap out the kit items for something better, but retain the saving. My ideal starter kit would probably be two Smartflash-2 heads; white, silver and shoot-though umbrellas; 70x100 Profold; and 5-in-1 reflector.
 
Thanks did know you could switch out parts. So would it be advisable to switch out the standard soft box for the 100x70 pro fold. There doesn't seem to be any white/siler umbrellas, but you get a shoot through and gold with the kits. What about a beauty dish?

Do i just phone up to get these switched out and find the price or do i speak with Gary here?
 
OK, to change the kit contents, just order the kit, add the item you want to substitute (in this case it looks like the 70 x 100 Profold softbox) and leave a note with your order saying that the kit softbox isn't required.
The order will then be sent out without the kit softbox and you will get a refund for its value, £44.99.

Personally I wouldn't suggest a beauty dish until you've exhausted all the creative possibilities without it - which will take you a long time.
Beauty dishes, used properly, require a bit of skill, they also require models with very good bone structure and very good skin.
 
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