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kolyaz

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What to buy - 2010/06/21 10:28 I need a little advise!!

I'm about to buy a small set, 2 or 3 lights with couple of backdrops.
My big question is (after the price of course!!) tungsten or fluorescent???
And why would I choose what I choose?
Tungsten what we used on the ships?
Fluorescent is always a continues light source? or is it fires only when i shoot?
I think I'm looking for something called "monolight"? not the one with power box!!
(its 3000 some only the box!!)
Am I right!?
Sorry but I'm a beginner!!!
Help someone!

P.S....of course would be nice if it's works from 220V!! (most of the products from US sites are only 110V!

Thanks a lot

Zoli

Post edited by: kolyaz, at: 2010/06/21 10:31

Post edited by: kolyaz, at: 2010/06/21 10:32

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Miskei

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Re:What to buy - 2010/06/22 03:20 Tungsten and fluorescent refers to the color temperature the light gives out. Tungsten is like the normal light bulb, gives out around 2800 K. Fluorescent, like the neon lights for example, around 3800 K. If you get these, I haven't seen any for years they would most likely be continuous lights. In the film days you would use correction filters for these or special films, today you can adjust the profile on your camera to match these.

The strobe / flash is more like to emulate the color temperature of the normal sunlight. 4800 - 5600 K. I think this is what you are looking for. Most flashes you buy will give out color in this range.

Monolights are really more flexible than the ones with the power box, and lot more economical as well. For a smaller portrait studio you don't even need big power. I use 250 W/s heads and it's more than enough. It depends how important is the modeling lights for you. Cheaper studio flashes have only 60 - 100 W bulbs which if you care for this is not a lot. But if you don't at least you save on electricity. Will snap for beer.

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kolyaz

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Re:What to buy - 2010/06/22 06:34 MĂźszi!!

I was thinking smthing like this!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035U1AEW/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=015NVEP3VQ18PZWAVKGY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846

but this is a tungsten, and I guess pretty much like a normal economic type bulb.

I guess what im looking for is this!
http://www.amazon.com/SP3500-Complete-Portrait-Studio-Kit/dp/B000ZI3TN2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277155921&sr=8-4

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Miskei

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Re:What to buy - 2010/06/22 15:16 I was thinking more like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/2x600w-Photographic-Strobe-Studio-Lighting/dp/B003I68R4E/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277184530&sr=1-22 Although it might be a little too strong.

All modern strobes should have built in slave so if you find a set without the radio slave you still should be OK triggering them with your small flash.

Anyway, be careful with these Amazon offers. If it's too good to be true it probably isn't. Especially with 160 W/s units. Since mine smoked away I seem to think that all the 160 watters are the same inside only with different design. Which might not be true but be aware anyway, make sure you have clear and claimable guarantee on it if you decide to buy one of those.

Another one I wanted to point out is the little strobe only flash that is on your picture the little white one. They are cheap and very small but they don't have any adjustable settings. Full power only. You have to move it closer or further to vary the power. And you can only trigger them as light-slave. No cable or other synching option.

Post edited by: Miskei, at: 2010/06/22 15:22 Will snap for beer.

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Photoraid
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Re:What to buy - 2010/06/24 13:41 Buying a kit is such an inviting, irresistible offer, targeting people who do not exactly know, what they actually need. In addition to those essentials they will sell you accessories you'll likely hardly ever use. Stick to the minimum you need and upgrade as you go.
Another thing you must be aware of, when buying a kit from a retailer, is that at times [not all the times and not everybody] they list items from a manufacturer's kit such as "bonus", "free", making it look like they are the generous one...
Define what your necessities are and make your choice accordingly. E.g. if you have to carry your equipment to various locations you need a light one, easy to set up, easy to tear down and pack it away. Easy handling is a key feature, after all you don't want to fiddle around with those pesky settings while your client is either bored to death or getting nervous as you are spending half his allocated time for solving technical issues.
I dare to say that two lights are more than enough for everyday situations. I commonly use only one (similar to what Miskei just suggested) and some reflector panels. They do the job and, in six years time I had to change the flash-bulb only once, meanwhile they're being fired about 250-300 times a day.

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kolyaz

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Re:What to buy - 2010/06/24 13:56 Thanks a lot for the good advice!
I really dont' need much right now, I guess the smallest set 160W/each is enough for what and where I'm using it.
shouldn't be more than 3-400$ .

Cheers

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