Question about studi lighting...

[rebekahdee]

Hi everyone

Hoping someone in here may be ablet o help. I am going to purchase some new lights so that i can shoot at home or other model?s houses but not sure which ones to get. They need to be fairly portable and good! I have heard that the best ones to get are Bowens but not sure where to start - anyone know what i will need as a basic start at where the best place to get them is?

I visited a place in Croydon last weekend and they seemed to be pushing ?MultiBlitz?equipment on me and for the basic set it would be about 7-800 quid. I was then told by a studio friend of mine to steer clear of them. Now i am just confused....any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance

Rebekah.x

[Fraser]

I've used most makes of lighting over the years, both my own and various studios. I personally agree with your studio friend, I don't like Multiblitz lights, that studio we shot in last had them and I find them very inconsistent. Bowens are good and I've used them many times with good results.

My own lights and what I think are the best lights are Elinchrom. Go to the flash centre at http://www.theflashcentre.com/bestsellers.htm and go for one of the kits on there. The 250/250 special kit is an amazing deal and comes with cases and bags for portability. You save a lot of money buying a kit, cases alone can be ?100.

The key thing with lighting is to get fast lights that are consistent. In my opinion no make can beat Elinchrom for speed and consistency. The other thing is to be easily get repairs and to buy accessories. Very easy with Elinchrom, although mine have never gone wrong, they are very well made in Switzerland. I recommend them 100% and I think any other pro photographer would tell you the same thing.

Give me a ring if you want some more information.

Fraser xx

[TheProf]

I've emailed you:
TheProf.

[Cenobitez]

I have used Elins, Bowens, Multi, Courtenay, Portaflash and a few more as well, my faves for recycle speed have been courtenay, bowens for ruggedness and accessories range seems to be easily available for them.

I have to say i have been considering spending a few hundred on a super portable portaflash rig, as they are tiny with a reasonable GN for their size.

I have a courtenay rig at the moment and the flight case is maybe 5ft x 2 foot x 1.4ft and that has multiple heads, stands, brollies, cabaplkes extentiosn et etc, a similar setup from jessops with the portaflash and their own flight case is near enough 2 x 2.2 x 1.5 so less than half the size.

[rebekahdee]

Thanks for all your help guys....am in the process of talking to the Flash entre to help me!

Thanks again - always appreciated.

Regards

Rebekah.