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#1
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need advice on a light kit for amateur use
I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the
family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. Question 1) Do I want a 1 or 2 light kit? I *think* I want a one light kit because I don't like seeing multiple lights in the reflections of people's eyes. I also want a bit of shadow to add realism rather than just a fully bright face. But maybe I don't understand some reason why I should get 2 lights. Question 2) Do I want continuous lighting or strobe? Continuous seems to be nice so I can see the lighting results before taking a picture. Why not continuous? Question 3) If strobe lighting, do these kits just plug right into my Nikon camera bodies, or do I need to buy some adapter, etc.? Question 4) Sometimes in studio/indoor pics, I see the reflection in someone's eye look like a nice slightly-warped rectangle. Other times I see a star-like light, as the reflection. I don't understand what makes the difference, but I want the nice rectangle. Question 5) Based on the above, can you suggestion what makes or models to buy (or even what to avoid)? If not a specific make/model, can you suggest what is important when I'm comparing specs? |
#2
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Question 1) Do I want a 1 or 2 light kit? I *think* I want a one light
kit because I don't like seeing multiple lights in the reflections of people's eyes. I also want a bit of shadow to add realism rather than just a fully bright face. But maybe I don't understand some reason why I should get 2 lights. So that the shadows won't be too dark. Question 2) Do I want continuous lighting or strobe? Continuous seems to be nice so I can see the lighting results before taking a picture. Why not continuous? They get hot! |
#3
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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:36:33 GMT, "AFN"
wrote: I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. Question 1) Do I want a 1 or 2 light kit? I *think* I want a one light kit because I don't like seeing multiple lights in the reflections of people's eyes. I also want a bit of shadow to add realism rather than just a fully bright face. But maybe I don't understand some reason why I should get 2 lights. Question 2) Do I want continuous lighting or strobe? Continuous seems to be nice so I can see the lighting results before taking a picture. Why not continuous? Question 3) If strobe lighting, do these kits just plug right into my Nikon camera bodies, or do I need to buy some adapter, etc.? Question 4) Sometimes in studio/indoor pics, I see the reflection in someone's eye look like a nice slightly-warped rectangle. Other times I see a star-like light, as the reflection. I don't understand what makes the difference, but I want the nice rectangle. Question 5) Based on the above, can you suggestion what makes or models to buy (or even what to avoid)? If not a specific make/model, can you suggest what is important when I'm comparing specs? 1) You need more than one light unless you have a broad enough light source to also spread light into the shadowed side of the face or are relying on natural or ambient light for fill. The lighting ratio would otherwise be too high to record any detail in the shadows. Even if you have a broad enough light source to put light into the shadows the second unit could be used to separate your subject from the background, either used as an accent light, a hair light, or a background light. 2) Continuous light is coming back for portraiture, especially with digital because digital can correct for the 3200 degree Kelvin light source. If you plan on using your N70 you will have to either filter the light source which will cost you at least a full stop of light, or use a tungsten film...which are becoming harder and harder to find. The problem with tungsten lighting is the low power. Using tungsten lighting with any kind of light modifier like a soft box or umbrella or even just a diffuser will require you to shoot at shutter speeds that will require your subject to sit perfectly still and your camera to be on a tripod. Tungsten lights get very hot and your studio will be uncomfortable. Flash puts out a massive amount of light but can only do it for a fraction of a second. Studio flash has a built in tungsten light for seeing what the flash will look like when it's fired. 3) The D70 has a sync terminal, I believe, but I know the N70 does not. An adaptor that slides into the hot shoe was about $10 the last time I bought one. 4) The light source is reflected in the subject's eyes. The rectangle is probably a soft box, the star shape is an umbrella. 5) Power is important. The more watt seconds or joules the better, especially when you start adding modifiers. It is as important that you can control it, so look for a large range of variable control on the units. The more stops you can change the better. As you get into lighting you will require more and different types of modifiers so you will want a system that is supported by other companies like Photoflex, Westcott, Chimera, etc. I would tend to stay away from bargain basement units. I can't count the number of times someone has knocked over a light in the studio and on location by tripping over a cord or stepping into a light stand, so a good durable head is important. |
#4
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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:36:33 GMT, "AFN"
wrote: I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. Question 1) Do I want a 1 or 2 light kit? I *think* I want a one light kit because I don't like seeing multiple lights in the reflections of people's eyes. I also want a bit of shadow to add realism rather than just a fully bright face. But maybe I don't understand some reason why I should get 2 lights. Question 2) Do I want continuous lighting or strobe? Continuous seems to be nice so I can see the lighting results before taking a picture. Why not continuous? Question 3) If strobe lighting, do these kits just plug right into my Nikon camera bodies, or do I need to buy some adapter, etc.? Question 4) Sometimes in studio/indoor pics, I see the reflection in someone's eye look like a nice slightly-warped rectangle. Other times I see a star-like light, as the reflection. I don't understand what makes the difference, but I want the nice rectangle. Question 5) Based on the above, can you suggestion what makes or models to buy (or even what to avoid)? If not a specific make/model, can you suggest what is important when I'm comparing specs? 1) You need more than one light unless you have a broad enough light source to also spread light into the shadowed side of the face or are relying on natural or ambient light for fill. The lighting ratio would otherwise be too high to record any detail in the shadows. Even if you have a broad enough light source to put light into the shadows the second unit could be used to separate your subject from the background, either used as an accent light, a hair light, or a background light. 2) Continuous light is coming back for portraiture, especially with digital because digital can correct for the 3200 degree Kelvin light source. If you plan on using your N70 you will have to either filter the light source which will cost you at least a full stop of light, or use a tungsten film...which are becoming harder and harder to find. The problem with tungsten lighting is the low power. Using tungsten lighting with any kind of light modifier like a soft box or umbrella or even just a diffuser will require you to shoot at shutter speeds that will require your subject to sit perfectly still and your camera to be on a tripod. Tungsten lights get very hot and your studio will be uncomfortable. Flash puts out a massive amount of light but can only do it for a fraction of a second. Studio flash has a built in tungsten light for seeing what the flash will look like when it's fired. 3) The D70 has a sync terminal, I believe, but I know the N70 does not. An adaptor that slides into the hot shoe was about $10 the last time I bought one. 4) The light source is reflected in the subject's eyes. The rectangle is probably a soft box, the star shape is an umbrella. 5) Power is important. The more watt seconds or joules the better, especially when you start adding modifiers. It is as important that you can control it, so look for a large range of variable control on the units. The more stops you can change the better. As you get into lighting you will require more and different types of modifiers so you will want a system that is supported by other companies like Photoflex, Westcott, Chimera, etc. I would tend to stay away from bargain basement units. I can't count the number of times someone has knocked over a light in the studio and on location by tripping over a cord or stepping into a light stand, so a good durable head is important. |
#5
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Here is how I am handling the same situation. I started with a cheap strobe
kit found on EBay for a bit over $300. It's done well for a year and has earned enough to now order a Alien Bee 800ws. As soon as its delivered I will have three monos. A big one for main...a fill...and a background. All your lights don't have to be of the best. You can grow your kit as the money comes in. Backdrops don't seem to be as important as they used to be. Any solid color can be removed and any photograph can be substituted. I like to pick colors from the subject and make backgrounds from them. http://palmiter.dotphoto.com/CPViewA...0176348&Page=1 Strobes have been my choice...less heat. Less cost. "AFN" wrote in message ... I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. Question 1) Do I want a 1 or 2 light kit? I *think* I want a one light kit because I don't like seeing multiple lights in the reflections of people's eyes. I also want a bit of shadow to add realism rather than just a fully bright face. But maybe I don't understand some reason why I should get 2 lights. Question 2) Do I want continuous lighting or strobe? Continuous seems to be nice so I can see the lighting results before taking a picture. Why not continuous? Question 3) If strobe lighting, do these kits just plug right into my Nikon camera bodies, or do I need to buy some adapter, etc.? Question 4) Sometimes in studio/indoor pics, I see the reflection in someone's eye look like a nice slightly-warped rectangle. Other times I see a star-like light, as the reflection. I don't understand what makes the difference, but I want the nice rectangle. Question 5) Based on the above, can you suggestion what makes or models to buy (or even what to avoid)? If not a specific make/model, can you suggest what is important when I'm comparing specs? |
#6
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I think your question should be 2 or 3 lights, rather than 1 or 2. The
most basic lighting setup is key and fill. It can be done with a single broad, but you want the flexibility to make that choice, otherwise no ability to model the features of the subject. After you have a key and a fill light, you might then wish for a hair, or back light, to make the subject really "pop" from the background. Finally, you may want a background light to brighten the background right behind the subject in a sort of "glow" pattern, to add interest and to extinguish shadows from the main lights. Most books on basic lighting techniques show you the buildup of the lights, from the key only, to all four. Hot or strobe, that is the question. I have been leaning toward the hot (continuous) lighting lately, even on a camera that is carried around. My reason is that it is hard to tell exactly what the result will look like with strobes. With hot lights, you can see exactly with your eyes and set up what you want, then determine white balance and exposure. The downside is that the subject might be more uncomfortable with hot lights, but we do it in video all the time, and we make it thru the day just fine. The upside, in addition to the above, is that there is no question about flash sync, slave flash, flash exposure, and all of the crap that goes along with it. You just set up your lighting and expose for it, and that's that. Gary Eickmeier |
#7
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Thanks. Also, it sems that with continuous I can avoid the stupid 1/500
second flash sync issue with my D70 (my N70 is even worse). Right? That way I can take pics at F2.8 or even down to F1.8 and blur whatever background I'm using. I assume the 1/500 is still relevant on an external strobe setup connected back to the hot shoe of the camera. "Gary Eickmeier" wrote in message ... I think your question should be 2 or 3 lights, rather than 1 or 2. The most basic lighting setup is key and fill. It can be done with a single broad, but you want the flexibility to make that choice, otherwise no ability to model the features of the subject. After you have a key and a fill light, you might then wish for a hair, or back light, to make the subject really "pop" from the background. Finally, you may want a background light to brighten the background right behind the subject in a sort of "glow" pattern, to add interest and to extinguish shadows from the main lights. Most books on basic lighting techniques show you the buildup of the lights, from the key only, to all four. Hot or strobe, that is the question. I have been leaning toward the hot (continuous) lighting lately, even on a camera that is carried around. My reason is that it is hard to tell exactly what the result will look like with strobes. With hot lights, you can see exactly with your eyes and set up what you want, then determine white balance and exposure. The downside is that the subject might be more uncomfortable with hot lights, but we do it in video all the time, and we make it thru the day just fine. The upside, in addition to the above, is that there is no question about flash sync, slave flash, flash exposure, and all of the crap that goes along with it. You just set up your lighting and expose for it, and that's that. Gary Eickmeier |
#8
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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:36:33 GMT, "AFN"
wrote: I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. What you need is a good book on lighting for photography. What you will get here is (of necessity) very short messages that simply can't do justice to a subject that really needs a book to explain. A visit to a library will give you an excellent start. Bill Funk Change "g" to "a" |
#9
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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:36:33 GMT, "AFN"
wrote: I have a Nikon N70 and D70 body, doing 35mm and digital pics of the family/kids. I want to buy a light kit and backdrop setup so I can take pics indoors. But I've never bought any of this stuff before and I don't know the basics, so I would appreciate advice and suggestions. There are so many products and all the companies seem the same to me, even though I'm sure some are clearly better than others. It seems like I can buy a kit for $300-$500, but I'll spend a bit more if warranted. What you need is a good book on lighting for photography. What you will get here is (of necessity) very short messages that simply can't do justice to a subject that really needs a book to explain. A visit to a library will give you an excellent start. Bill Funk Change "g" to "a" |
#10
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AFN wrote:
Thanks. Also, it sems that with continuous I can avoid the stupid 1/500 second flash sync issue with my D70 (my N70 is even worse). Right? That way I can take pics at F2.8 or even down to F1.8 and blur whatever background I'm using. I assume the 1/500 is still relevant on an external strobe setup connected back to the hot shoe of the camera. In what way? You don't have to shoot at max sync. It is the fastest you can use, but you can always sync slower by simply setting the speed to where you want. (Use manual mode, of course to set aperture and speed w/o the meter getting into the job). Good strobes do have modeling lights so have a good idea of what the lighting will do on film. Hot lights require fairly low shutter speeds so subject motion may be an issue. To capture motion with some movement streak, a combination of hot lights and strobe in rear curtain sycn (and a dark background) are required). Cheers, Alan -- -- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm -- [SI gallery]: http://www.pbase.com/shootin -- [SI rulz]: http://www.aliasimages.com/si/rulz.html -- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch. |
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