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Dirt Cheap Lighting - A Buyer's Guide
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<blockquote data-quote="Browncoat" data-source="post: 33279" data-attributes="member: 1061"><p>I think a lot of photographers stay away from lighting gear for a variety of reasons:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Expensive</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Confusing</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Takes up a lot of room</li> </ul><p>It's much easier to simply step outside and take photos in natural light. But what happens when the sun goes down? How about when the weather is bad and you're stuck inside? Sometimes space limitations can't be improved, however, having lighting equipment doesn't mean that you have to have a spare bedroom or basement either. As for the confusing part...it can be. It's difficult to make an informed decision on what to buy because most of us fear spending a lot of hard earned cash on something, only to figure out later on that it isn't what we needed.</p><p></p><p>I've compiled a few different lighting kits here that will get the job done on the cheap. The key word here is <strong>cheap</strong>. If you're looking for middle of the road equipment, you won't find it here. Most of this stuff is imported and made available through Amazon. If you want to experiment with lighting and want to fund it by digging through your couch cushions, read on:</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Clark Howard Kit - $150</strong></span></span></p><p>In case you don't know, <a href="http://www.clarkhoward.com/" target="_blank">Clark Howard</a> is a syndicated radio talk show host, and is the cheapest person alive. This kit features the bare essentials, and even a 16 year old kid working at a grocery store can afford this stuff.<p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$65 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight</a>. It is what it is, gang. No bells and whistles here, just dirt cheap and reliable.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$40 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Single-Bracket-Mounting-Umbrella/dp/B002DE3RYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316466491&sr=8-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio stand/umbrella/bracket kit</a>. Don't sneeze on this thing, or it will blow over.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$22 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-NPT-04-Wireless-Receiver-Products/dp/B002W3IXZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466730&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger</a>. Bam! Welcome to the 21st century.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$14 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">43" 5-in-1 reflector</a>. I own this thing. It's fragile, but it gets the job done. Take care of it, and it will last!</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000cd"></span></p><p><span style="color: #0000cd"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0000cd"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Weekend Warrior Kit - $ 300</strong></span></span></p><p>If you have a bit more $$$ burning a hole in your pocket and want a better setup, take a look here.<p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$130 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight</a> (x2). Having two flashes opens up a lot more options to you.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$48 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AYSM8I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005AYSM8I&linkCode=as2&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Opteka LS1000 10' stands</a> (x2). These are much more sturdy than the budget stands. You might have to sneeze twice.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$22 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-bracketB-Bracket-Umbrella-Adapter/dp/B002U53N6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469302&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">ePhoto brackets</a> (x2). Our fancy new stands will need these to hold the umbrellas.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$20 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-U40WHT-40-Inch-Through-Umbrella/dp/B004N6UY7Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469843&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">ePhoto 40" shoot-thru umbrella</a> (x2). El Cheapo umbrellas for you Mary Poppins wanna-bes.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$45 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468376&sr=1-20&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio 24" softbox</a>. This will give you something new to play with.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$29 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheaplights-Channel-Wireless-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B004KIUJF4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468437&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger</a>. Same as in the budget kit, only with another receiver for your 2nd flash unit.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$14 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">43" 5-in-1 reflector</a>. Seriously...buy this thing. It's a helluva deal.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>The Closet Studio - $700</strong></span></span></p><p>This is a more comprehensive kit that is very portable and can be easily stowed away next to the vacuum cleaner.<p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$260 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight</a> (x4). Yup, four of these bad boys. You're in the big leagues now.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$96 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AYSM8I/?tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Opteka LS1000 10' stands</a> (x4). A no-brainer, right? We need four stands for our lights.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$22 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-bracketB-Bracket-Umbrella-Adapter/dp/B002U53N6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469302&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">ePhoto brackets</a> (x2). Same as above.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$20 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-U40WHT-40-Inch-Through-Umbrella/dp/B004N6UY7Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469843&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">ePhoto 40" shoot-thru umbrella</a> (x2). Ditto.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$90 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468376&sr=1-20&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio 24" softbox</a> (x2). This gives us a two softbox/two umbrella setup.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$60 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheaplights-Channel-Wireless-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B004KIUJF4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468437&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger</a> (x2). Same as the above kit, only buy two kits for your four lights. Confusing, eh?</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$14 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">43" 5-in-1 reflector</a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$136 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002S9KTAW/?tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Ravelli backdrop kit</a>. Adjustable width for smaller rooms and comes with a handy storage bag.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">$8 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SWIOOM/?tag=celphofor0d-20" target="_blank">Strobist gel kit</a>. These will add some color to those backdrops.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Browncoat, post: 33279, member: 1061"] I think a lot of photographers stay away from lighting gear for a variety of reasons: [LIST] [*]Expensive [*]Confusing [*]Takes up a lot of room [/LIST]It's much easier to simply step outside and take photos in natural light. But what happens when the sun goes down? How about when the weather is bad and you're stuck inside? Sometimes space limitations can't be improved, however, having lighting equipment doesn't mean that you have to have a spare bedroom or basement either. As for the confusing part...it can be. It's difficult to make an informed decision on what to buy because most of us fear spending a lot of hard earned cash on something, only to figure out later on that it isn't what we needed. I've compiled a few different lighting kits here that will get the job done on the cheap. The key word here is [B]cheap[/B]. If you're looking for middle of the road equipment, you won't find it here. Most of this stuff is imported and made available through Amazon. If you want to experiment with lighting and want to fund it by digging through your couch cushions, read on: [COLOR=#ff0000][SIZE=4][B]Clark Howard Kit - $150[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR] In case you don't know, [URL="http://www.clarkhoward.com/"]Clark Howard[/URL] is a syndicated radio talk show host, and is the cheapest person alive. This kit features the bare essentials, and even a 16 year old kid working at a grocery store can afford this stuff.[INDENT] $65 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight[/URL]. It is what it is, gang. No bells and whistles here, just dirt cheap and reliable. $40 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Single-Bracket-Mounting-Umbrella/dp/B002DE3RYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316466491&sr=8-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio stand/umbrella/bracket kit[/URL]. Don't sneeze on this thing, or it will blow over. $22 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-NPT-04-Wireless-Receiver-Products/dp/B002W3IXZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466730&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger[/URL]. Bam! Welcome to the 21st century. $14 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]43" 5-in-1 reflector[/URL]. I own this thing. It's fragile, but it gets the job done. Take care of it, and it will last! [/INDENT] [COLOR=#0000cd] [SIZE=4][B] Weekend Warrior Kit - $ 300[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR] If you have a bit more $$$ burning a hole in your pocket and want a better setup, take a look here.[INDENT] $130 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight[/URL] (x2). Having two flashes opens up a lot more options to you. $48 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AYSM8I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005AYSM8I&linkCode=as2&tag=celphofor0d-20"]Opteka LS1000 10' stands[/URL] (x2). These are much more sturdy than the budget stands. You might have to sneeze twice. $22 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-bracketB-Bracket-Umbrella-Adapter/dp/B002U53N6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469302&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]ePhoto brackets[/URL] (x2). Our fancy new stands will need these to hold the umbrellas. $20 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-U40WHT-40-Inch-Through-Umbrella/dp/B004N6UY7Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469843&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20"]ePhoto 40" shoot-thru umbrella[/URL] (x2). El Cheapo umbrellas for you Mary Poppins wanna-bes. $45 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468376&sr=1-20&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio 24" softbox[/URL]. This will give you something new to play with. $29 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Cheaplights-Channel-Wireless-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B004KIUJF4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468437&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger[/URL]. Same as in the budget kit, only with another receiver for your 2nd flash unit. $14 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]43" 5-in-1 reflector[/URL]. Seriously...buy this thing. It's a helluva deal. [/INDENT] [COLOR=#008000][SIZE=4][B] The Closet Studio - $700[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR] This is a more comprehensive kit that is very portable and can be easily stowed away next to the vacuum cleaner.[INDENT] $260 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Canon-Nikon/dp/B004GZLFHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316466668&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]Yongnuo YN-560 speedlight[/URL] (x4). Yup, four of these bad boys. You're in the big leagues now. $96 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AYSM8I/?tag=celphofor0d-20"]Opteka LS1000 10' stands[/URL] (x4). A no-brainer, right? We need four stands for our lights. $22 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-bracketB-Bracket-Umbrella-Adapter/dp/B002U53N6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469302&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]ePhoto brackets[/URL] (x2). Same as above. $20 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-U40WHT-40-Inch-Through-Umbrella/dp/B004N6UY7Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469843&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20"]ePhoto 40" shoot-thru umbrella[/URL] (x2). Ditto. $90 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photo-Speedlite-Softbox-L-Bracket/dp/B003C0ZG2W/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468376&sr=1-20&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio 24" softbox[/URL] (x2). This gives us a two softbox/two umbrella setup. $60 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Cheaplights-Channel-Wireless-Trigger-Receivers/dp/B004KIUJF4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316468437&sr=1-2&tag=celphofor0d-20"]CowboyStudio NPT-04 wireless trigger[/URL] (x2). Same as the above kit, only buy two kits for your four lights. Confusing, eh? $14 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/110CM-Collapsible-Photographic-Photography-Translucent/dp/B002ZIMEMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316469967&sr=1-1&tag=celphofor0d-20"]43" 5-in-1 reflector[/URL]. $136 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002S9KTAW/?tag=celphofor0d-20"]Ravelli backdrop kit[/URL]. Adjustable width for smaller rooms and comes with a handy storage bag. $8 - [URL="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SWIOOM/?tag=celphofor0d-20"]Strobist gel kit[/URL]. These will add some color to those backdrops. [/INDENT] [/QUOTE]
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Dirt Cheap Lighting - A Buyer's Guide
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