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Hi All – Bit of a wild ask here but I’d like to tap into your knowledge and experience about lighting. About 25-30 years ago I dabbled with still life and a bit or portraiture/fashion which I quite enjoyed. I hired, on a few occasions, a set of flash heads from Leeds camera outlet (can’t remember its full name it was that long ago but I think they went on to be Calumet, now Wex?). I couldn’t afford to buy a realistic setup outright nor could I justify the time to get the most out of it. Hopefully, this has now changed.
Anyway, I am looking into whether I can afford to buy a setup – probably second hand. I don’t have a budget in mind as I would like to get a set that is technically unrestrictive enough to keep me interested. What I mean by that is that I want something controllable/powerful enough to make lighting a subject consistent. By that, I would probably rule out going really cheap or using speedlights. I’m aware of Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, Bowens and Lencarta (I’m sure there are more). I’ve been well away from this area of photography (not that I was close to it years ago but I did get acceptable results) so I am asking for your input.
I’ll probably concentrate more on table top still life initially. I don’t have a massive space to do fashion but I could cope with portraiture once I am comfortable with what I am doing. I’m probably OK with mains powered as I don’t expect to go outside, recycle time isn’t important for still life. I’m only concerned with the head as I’ll buy soft boxes, brollies, snoots etc as and when the lighting requirement requires.
So, what I am interested in is advice on what I should be looking out for in my purchasing criteria, any recommendations on individual items or set. Is there any new technology out there worth investigating i.e LED ? Finally, good and honest reading material (there is lots from manufacturers buy I cannot separate the spin/BS)
Anyway, I am looking into whether I can afford to buy a setup – probably second hand. I don’t have a budget in mind as I would like to get a set that is technically unrestrictive enough to keep me interested. What I mean by that is that I want something controllable/powerful enough to make lighting a subject consistent. By that, I would probably rule out going really cheap or using speedlights. I’m aware of Elinchrom, Profoto, Broncolor, Bowens and Lencarta (I’m sure there are more). I’ve been well away from this area of photography (not that I was close to it years ago but I did get acceptable results) so I am asking for your input.
I’ll probably concentrate more on table top still life initially. I don’t have a massive space to do fashion but I could cope with portraiture once I am comfortable with what I am doing. I’m probably OK with mains powered as I don’t expect to go outside, recycle time isn’t important for still life. I’m only concerned with the head as I’ll buy soft boxes, brollies, snoots etc as and when the lighting requirement requires.
So, what I am interested in is advice on what I should be looking out for in my purchasing criteria, any recommendations on individual items or set. Is there any new technology out there worth investigating i.e LED ? Finally, good and honest reading material (there is lots from manufacturers buy I cannot separate the spin/BS)