Lighting

EyeBlinks

Looking to acquire some lighting.

Haven't got a clue tbh.

Main concerns:

1. Must be portable (i.e dosen't need a pack mule to bring 500/600 metres off road ) . Light as possible.

2. Provide a good source of light both indoors and outdoor also without mains electricity.

3. Not too expensive (I'm not setting up a studio ar anything like that)

4. Simple to operate , won't be obsolete anytime soon.

Help appreciated.

Tiriel

Check out what they have in Aldi - I was at a portrait workshop recently and it was recommended to take a look, they have some lights in at the moment -very reasonable too..

Ballyman

If you want portability and the ability to use batteries then would you use flashes? They are as portable as you can get. You could buy 3 Yongnuo flashes on ebay for €150, a few triggers for another €50. You will probably need a few stands and umbrellas as well so if you have €300 spare then you will buy the lot and have a great light kit that will work anywhere!

Kenny Logins

Ballyman wrote: »

If you want portability and the ability to use batteries then would you use flashes? They are as portable as you can get. You could buy 3 Yongnuo flashes on ebay for €150, a few triggers for another €50. You will probably need a few stands and umbrellas as well so if you have €300 spare then you will buy the lot and have a great light kit that will work anywhere!

Yup, I picked up a Yongnuo flash, wireless kit, umbrella, stand and reflector all for around €130.

EyeBlinks

Basically I'm not technical (totally) and trying my best to divorce myself from getting sucked in to all that stuff, which I know will just be unproductive. Flashes and their parafanalia are complex complicated things.

Bascially for most of the reasons outlined in this article.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/strobes.htm

Ballyman

Manual Yongnou flashes are not complicated. If the light is too bright then turn them down a little. If it's too dark then turn them up a little. You don't need umbrellas etc if you don't want them.

If you can't get your head around how to use a flash then I think you would be best suited with a few torches and a few people to help you to point them at people.

EyeBlinks

And .... back to the original question, what should I be looking for ?

Kenny Logins

EyeBlinks wrote: »

And .... back to the original question, what should I be looking for ?

If you get something like this, throw it on the camera, and start taking photos you'll soon find out what you need, and what could be improved upon.



http://speedlights.net/2011/08/28/yongnuo-yn-565-ex-flash-review/


Don't scroll down for the specs and tests etc., you'll just go mad.

stcstc

tommie, what are you aiming to shoot

what kinda stuff,

as this kinda dictates the kinda lighting you may need

EyeBlinks

stcstc wrote: »

tommie, what are you aiming to shoot

what kinda stuff,

as this kinda dictates the kinda lighting you may need

Nothing specific Stev, but I suspect it will get as much use outdoors as indoors. Just a consistent, easy to measure light source.

stcstc

i have a set of quadra rangers which are studio lights but run off a battery pack

very bright, and not mad heavy

your more than welcome to try them see if its the kinda thing you want

EyeBlinks

Thanks Steve, I'll take you up on that at some stage. T.

Looks great .... http://www.ishootshows.com/2012/04/17/review-elinchrom-quadra-ranger-system/

gloobag

I have the Quadras myself. I wouldn't exactly call them cheap, but I couldn't recommend them highly enough tbh! Elinchrom's modifiers are top class as well.