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Lighting kit option…
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I need advice on an all in one studio lighting kit.
I was thinking of getting this one that I seen on Ebay, (PRO STUDIO KIT 4 STUDIO FLASH LIGHTS Portaflash/Bowens) http://cgi.ebay.ie/PRO-STUDIO-KIT-4-STUDIO-FLASH-LIGHTS-Portaflash-Bowens_W0QQitemZ300143942210QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem seems like a good price too..
Do you think it would be a good beginners kit?
I mostly want to do portrait’s.
Thanks to all for the help..[/code]Cheap and cheerful. No lasting value either.
The D-Lite 2 kit from Barkerphotographic.com is only marginally dearer and much better.I’d be inclined to agree with Sean. Bear in mind when you buy studio flash you buy into a system that can grow. Best to select a system that you can be confident with and that you know will be able to keep up with your own growing demands as you come to expect more of it. The other thing to keep in mind is that flash tubes don’t last forever and unless the units have user replaceable flash tubes you will have to send them back for service. Trying to replace them yourself is not something I would advise – it could, quite literally, kill you!
Thanks SeanMcFoto and Thorsten, thats exactly the info I was looking for. And I am indeed looking for a kit that I can comfortably add to in the future,
Just out of curiosity, the D-Lite 4 in comparison to the D-Lite 2, is it worth the extra bucks? I dont mind shelling out for it, its still cheaper than the camera, the lenses and probably a host of other gear. As someone told me, you do get a lot more bang for your buck when buying lighting gear..
Thanks again,
AlanThe more powerful kit is useful if you’re working in larger spaces, or using attachments that suck up a lot of light or if you want to work at small apertures at low ISO. BUT you need to be careful because they might be too powerful! I have a set of Elinchrom Style 600S and there have been times when they have been too powerful, even when the power was backed right down! You probably wont encounter that problem, but it’s worth being aware of. On the other hand, if you go for the 200WS option, you might find yourself short on power. I guess the ideal option would be one of each. If it was my decision (and it’s not!) then I would probably go for the 400WS option. It’s usually easier to find some way to kill excess power than it is to create additional power when you need it.
There are good reviews on each of the sets, which don’t really compare them but might help you understand them better at ePhotozine and Warehouse Express.
Hope that helps.
Hi ALan, Paddy form Barker Photographic here (Irish distributors of Elinchrom Lighting). The Lads made some good points, like having a system that can grow with you. I would always go with the higher powered heads (to 400w or 600w anyway) as the D-Lites have a FIVE f-stop power range (in 1/10th stop steps) it gives you lots of control. The Power output is repeatable from exposure to exposure to an accuracy of 1/10th of an f-stop. We can also supply a 50/50 kit with one D-Lite 2 Head and One D-Lite 4 head – at half the cost difference. While I do not engage in “knocking” other products or suppliers, you should compare the following:
Both D-Lites are More Powerful.
The D-Lite 4 Re-Cycles to full power in 1.3 Seconds and the D-Lite 2 in just 0.7 of a second – even faster at Low power. The advertised head is 5 seconds to full power.
It appears to have a built in reflector similar to the Portaflash heads which we also sell but they cannot take advantage of a softbox larger than 24″.
The D-Lites have a two year Warantee.
Shipping is NOT ?90!
The Flash tube is User changeable if broken.
The D-Lites Flash Trigger voltage is a Safe 5v – Canon’s max is 6v.
The Advertised head has a 50W Modelling lamp, D-Lites have a much brighter 100W which can even be used as a Tungsten only fill light.
Forgive the “Hard Sell” but I think you will find all these points and many more backed up by reviews everywhere.Hi Paddy,
Hard Sell forgiven, Im quite glad to see your reply here as I was considering the D-Lite option’s 2 or 4 undecided, but when this other option came up I wanted to see was it a realistic option. Do you readily stock the kits or is it something I will have to order and what prices are they at right now?
Thanks again Paddy,
AlanHi ALan, The two D-Lite options are:
D-Lite 2 (Two head & 2 softbox kit) ?649 Inc Vat & Delivery. NOW Reduced to ONLY ?595 & Delivery of ?12 (October 2007)
D-Lite 4 (Two head & 2 softbox kit) ?849 Inc Vat & Delivery. NOW Reduced to ONLY ?699 & Delivery of ?12 (October 2007)
As an added bonus We will do a 42″ 5-in-1 pop up Reflector for Half Price with either kit (For only ?20.54). At present we have reasonable stocks.Alan,
Paddy supplied me with the D-Lite 2 system not so long ago – next day delivery too
to Kells from Cork – and I’m well impressed. Can’t fault it at all. Ali has mine at the moment
on loan so you could always pm her and ask her opinion, but for what it’s worth, in my
opinion it’s a cracking kit. Relatively cheap, extremely portable, and very efficient.Rob.
Thanks Paddy
Delighted that you deliver as well Paddy, save me trekking up for it.
Ill be in touch to order one from you.Thanks Rob,
Appreciate the reply and review..Thorsten,
As always, great attention to detail and intuitive response.
Thans for all your help.Glad I caught sight of this thread, just was I was looking for in fact. I’m not big into studio photography or posed portraits & such but have been asked for a couple of location shoots recently, one being in a club (when it’s closed – thankfully!) where I could only really resort to a lighting setup of some kind. And this is giving me some ideas now..
Might be adding a D-Lite 4 kit to my shopping list Paddy… see you next week for the other gear!
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