Studio Lighting ***Review***

[PDQDSM]

I recently acquired a couple of studio lighting kits off of Ebay for the low low. I wasn't expecting a super-high-end setup, but I must say I am impressed with the quality of the setup, considering what I paid for them. The brand is Fancier.

The come with a collapsible tripod stand, with a combo light socket/umbrella bracket. The bulbs that came with the kits are 30w (equal to about 125w incandescent) fluorescent bulbs in the 6000k color range. Very very white bulbs. You can see how white they are, when you compare them to the photos where I had all the lights off except for the small lamps that are in the den. They are fluorescent bulbs as well, from like Walmart. They are hands down yellow compared to the super white bulbs in the kits.

Even though I am only using 2 light stands in this setup, I have a total of 4 tripod light stands. They breakdown and fit into a nice duffel bag.

The speakers are also Ebay winnings. The Polk Audio Monitor 30s are absolutely incredible speakers. You can read about them here: Polk Audio Monitor 30 (http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/monitor30/). After they had a chance to warm up after about 20 minutes at a moderate volume level, they opened up something nice. For the size of the 5.25" woofer, they have some nice deep bottom end. The imaging from the soft dome tweeters is completely 3D, with the sound seemingly coming from deep behind the actual speakers.

The small cubes are the Cambridge Soundworks ensemble setup. They are what the Bose cubes wish they could be. For them to have a single 3.5" driver, when coupled with a subwoofer, they are simply amazing.

Again for the price that I payed on Ebay, they are downright ridiculous.

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Tripod will extend to over 8' high
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Only small den lamps
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[PDQDSM]

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Flash only
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Only small den lamps
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[TROLL]

It looks like you were using an on camera flash in those photos as well? That'd certainly shift the results of the photos trying to show how your off camera lights perform.
I'm sure they were inexpensive and will help with some basic stuff and be a good intro, but being bare bulbs like that there is really no control over the light, and they won't provide much light either compared to a proper strobe.
If you get to a point where you find yourself needing more light, or more control over your light, look for used studio strobes (not constant lights), and you'll probably be able to find some old but good ones for a reasonable price, which will really allow you to step your game up, if you wish.
Or, I totally forgot... for simple/inexpensive but great lighting, make www.strobist.com your bible... ;)
Read it all, including the entire "Strobist 101" section...

[PDQDSM]

I appreciate your input.

I actually have read the strobist website quite a few times.

On Ebay you can find various studio lighting kits starting as low as $.99 with free shipping.

What I did was pick what I would pay max, I bid on a few dozen kits, and after a few weeks of trying I had won 2-3 kits for what I consider a very low price.

And just as you are suggesting, I am planning on upgrading the kits over time with brighter bulbs, silver reflective umbrellas, and even upgrading the umbrella bracket/light sockets with actual strobe flash brackets with umbrella holders. And adding wireless triggers as well for the strobes. I have a couple of older strobes I have collected over the years that I plan on using along with the SB800 I have for my main strobe.

This is the type of bracket I plan on getting:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/rdsfsu/IMG_9324.jpg?t=1241403382

As a foundation, these kits are adequate, and most reasonably priced. At least they are for what I paid for them.

So far my equipment it modest. I have the Nikon D50 with the 18-55mm kit lens. I also have a vintage 400mm f/6.3 Vivitar lens from 35-40 years ago that I am just now exploring, I have the aforementioned SB800, a couple more older strobes, and various SD cards ranging from 2GB to 4GB on up to 16GB.

[TROLL]

cool... i have those flash brackets as well, they work well enough. there's a metal version as well which is a little more money that i might end up getting at some point but it wouldnt be necessary for light use.
i love strobist, and everyone i've told about it loves it too. you could get those vivitar 285 flashes or whatever they are for really cheap especially if you find them used, and they kick ass.
another cheap lighting company to look at which you might know of already is amvona i think it is on ebay... sometimes their bids dont go high at all and you can get stuff for really cheap from them. i have a reflector disc and backdrop stand from them and while neither are amazing quality they are both a great value for the low price i paid for them.

[FYRARMS]

Making homemade PrOn? :naughty: