For years we've (Atheyah and I) done our primitive artificial light photography courtesy of Screwfix site lights, tea-lights and candles as well as an occasional inspection lamp hanging off the ceiling. Some here know that we are trying to complete a project this year and I feel that in order to get some consistent indoors results, I should really go beyond the trusty old Screwfix. However, and it is a BIG HOWEVER, my equipment has always been basic (read cheap) and I can't justify spending more than an absolute minimum on this hobby. What can I get for next to nothing and where? (Meaning stopping short of doing a Blue Peter and constructing a set from washing up liquid bottles and cardboard). Any advice is appreciated, even if it is 'don't bother and wait for the sun to shine'.

Thanks!

Irko

How much were you thinking of spending? (Always the first and most important question in photography!)

WMcK wrote:

How much were you thinking of spending? ...

Yes, right kind of question, should have thought of that ...
Very little. Before I even looked at what I can google I had a limit of £200 in mind (how naive, I know!) and I quickly realised that I have immediately limited myself to the cheapest starter kit or something from China on e-bay or second hand somewhere. So all points to second hand somewhere I guess.
Irko

Sounds like you've been doing okay with DIY lighting so far! Not sure what else you can do without spending a bit of cash though.

I'd keep an eye on eBay for a cheap twin head lighting set. Something like Interfit ex150 kit which is aimed at the portable budget market, but pretty versatile and effective for most small studio uses. It does the basics (infra-red cell flash trigger, variable modelling lamp and flash, recharge indicator etc).

Theres a few listed just now bidding just over £100.

rossm wrote:

Sounds like you've been doing okay with DIY lighting so far! Not sure what else you can do without spending a bit of cash though. I'd keep an eye on eBay for a cheap twin head lighting set. Something like Interfit ex150 kit which is aimed at the portable budget market, but pretty versatile and effective for most small studio uses. It does the basics (infra-red cell flash trigger, variable modelling lamp and flash, recharge indicator etc). Theres a few listed just now bidding just over £100.

Interfit ex150, yes, the only one that fitted into my idea of a spend - new somewhere just a few quid short of £200

didn't find anything else there yet

I'd highly recommend Interfit Lights particularly the EX150 kit. Cheaper than many single flash guns, I have it and it's a tremendous piece of kit for the money, especially for indoor shooting. If you'd like to try them out you're welcome to borrow them.

www.interfitphotograph...20page.htm

J

The Calumet Genesis are good value, lots of control, and standard Elinchrom mount.

I've been using the Interfit EX150 kit for 3 years now..with no problems.. The beauty of it is that it is a complete basic kit.. with 2 stands, a soft box and a brolly. On the other hand, since you have the Screwfit site lights, you already have two 2 stands.. I use mine with 2 Jessops Portaflash 336VM and brollies. I've had these about 5 years now.. again, no problems. Last time I looked the heads were under £100 each..

Bob & John, I've been looking at studio lights myself but I thought the 150w ones would be a bit under powered for full body portraits outside. Do you think that's right or do you think these are powerful enough to overpower the sun?

Also, do you ever use them outdoors and if so what battery pack do you use?

Cheers
Ian

Ian, my Genesis 400 can give f16 at 10 ft with a beauty dish reflector. at 7 ft (far enough to give full body coverage) this is f22. If you're shooting at ISO 100 and 1/125th this is a stop brighter than sunlight. I have an inverter to give mains from the car battery, but since it is not a full sine wave one I don't want to risk it with these lights. I've tried it with my Bowens 200s which actually only 150J (most flash manufacturers are downright liars about output) and it works OK outdoors, but with a stop and a half less output, so would only overpower the sun at a much closer distance, probably OK for a headshot.

Ian.. I'm afraid I can't answer your question about exterior use of my studio flash since I've never used them outdoors.

Ian, I think you should be looking at battery pack sets; Elinchrom Ranger, Bowens Travelpack, etc.

Irko, I'm not sure what to recommend at that price point, however maybe you should also consider flash guns (like 2x Vivitar 285s).

Thanks for the info guys. I'm thinking it'd be more economical to buy one good light, like the Genesis 400, and a decent softbox, then add to it. The battery packs are bloody expensive though!!

Cheers
Ian

Have to go along with Bob there too, never tried using the kit outdoors so can't really say anything on performance there. Excellent inexpensive indoor kit though, no doubt about that. Interfit are so cheap they rarely come with any assembly instructions so figuring out how things go together can be fun

You might find this interesting - Desert shoot with Joe McNally and a 'tree' of flash guns - excellent

www.youtube.com/watch?...1&index=54

Thank you all who replied.
I am learning new things and sorting out information.
It surely is a question first of price/performance ratio when the stuff for sale is concerned and ingenuity/DIY skills when 'making do' is concerned. We got quite okay in the 'making do' department, to which hopefully at least some of the pictures we create do testify. Back to the light question, and especially after seeing the JG's link (flash tree) I wonder how the multiple flash set-up compares to 'lights' (especially regarding portability and on-location use). I am thinking for example how I could have done with a couple more flash-guns at the 'little waterfall' shoot where we had to compromise because of poor light.
What do experts think?