What's the best way to spend £1,000 on a DSLR and Studio Lighting?

[JayEssKay]

I'm a beginner photographer mainly photographing clothing on a 6ft mannequin.

I need to make my photographs look professional at a budget of £1,000.

I'm also have limited space in my spare room, hence choosing the below Lastolite Hilite background.

I'm currently thinking of getting:
(but I'm very open to suggestions)

Canon EOS 500D with 18-55mm IS Lens £570 (after cashback)

Lastolite Hilite Background 5ft x 7ft £220

This is the lighting set up that I feel would suit me most as it's uses a small amount of space. I'm only lighting up one subject so may be able to get away with using one light to light up the background as I'm limited to space. I will normally only have to photograph the top half of the mannequin.

Elemental MEGA Studio 2 Lighting System - B Series £215
Can possibly get this for £150, leaving £65 spare for something else..

I'm looking to transform this:

Into something more like this:

Any advice that you may have would be very helpful as I'm very new to photography and I'm still learning from watching videos and reading guides in my limited amount of free time.

Depending on my progression as a photographer in the next 6 months, I may be photographing my sisters wedding as a gift to her, so the kit may also need to be up to that job aswell but this is just a speculation and I can always invest more on lighting ect in the near future.

 

[raider2727]

The actual camera is not really an issue, the lens should be ideally f1.4 to f2.8, these lighting kits would be fine for what you are wanting.
i would say Canon 40D with 50mm f1.4 lighting kit and a good tripod Redsnapper is ideal
if you buy a used camera and lens then you will be in budget.

 

[slimboy fat]

The actual camera is not really an issue, the lens should be ideally f1.4 to f2.8, these lighting kits would be fine for what you are wanting.
i would say Canon 40D with 50mm f1.4 lighting kit and a good tripod Redsnapper is ideal
if you buy a used camera and lens then you will be in budget.

Why would you want to use f1.4 or 2.8 to shoot that jacket? The depth of field would be way too shallow.
I'd buy a secondhand 350d or 400d with a kit lens and spend more on the lighting.

 

[lawrenceots]

Yes I agree, see if you can find a used higher end DSLR..maybe a 30D? I have one of those, and they;re very good. More money then for the glass and lighting.

 

[awp]

that's a tall order on that budget

 

[JayEssKay]

i would say Canon 40D with 50mm f1.4 lighting kit and a good tripod Redsnapper is ideal

Would this do?

 

[Naboo32]

Can't help you much with the lighting :shrug:, but I have to tell you ... I'd have killed for that jacket in 1983 !

That's actually supposed to be a compliment, by the way, despite the dateline reference .

 

[JayEssKay]

Can't help you much with the lighting :shrug:, but I have to tell you ... I'd have killed for that jacket in 1983 !

That's actually supposed to be a compliment, by the way, despite the dateline reference .

You're never to old and we've got plenty in stock .

The lights shouldn't be too much trouble, just got to choose the right camera first..

 

[Naboo32]

You're never to old and we've got plenty in stock .

The lights shouldn't be too much trouble, just got to choose the right camera first..

Thanks Joshua, I'll keep it in mind (said he, dusting off his Spandau Ballet long-players whilst browsing Amazon.com for a wig with a 'wedge' cut ).