Light suggestions

[Kira_Oden]

Hello Everyone,
I am in the early process of opening a family portrait studio and need a little advise...
My partneer and I shoot with the 300D and need to know what type of lights to use? We have a large rectangle studio with three backdrop areas on both sides of the studio(Huge area). I was told monolighting was good, and then was told I could not use monolighting for the lights would show diffrent colors in the portrait(because the digital camera would be more sensative to the color temperture). is this true? Should I use a battery pack flash system? I have another question about what lighting company to use? I've looked at White Lightning and Dynalite kits. Which would you suggest would be best for a family portrait studio (family,children,pets,maternity,seniors,etc.)? Three light set-ups are what I am familiar with, should I stay with just three? I do have a white backdrop, so do I need special lights to light it? Basically what lighting kits and company,will shoot in studio work best?
Thanks for any advise! Kira Oden

[Francis_Specker]

I love Dyna-lites. They are fairly inexpensive, lightweight and provide a lot of power and control for there size. You can control the light at the pack instead of walking around to each head as in a mono-lite and adjusting it. The also recycle fast which is critical for portraits.

But they are not perfect. Although you can dial the power to each head in 1/3 stop increments, the control doesn't allow you to change the power independently for each head without changing the other heads. If you have only two heads plugged in you can change them individually but only in one stop increments. Its doesn't have the precision of more expensive units on the market, but most photographers don't need or want all that.

If you have a big budget, and want incredible control with an almost unlimited amount of light modifiers at your disposal you might look into Broncolor or Profoto 7's. These units are very expensive, heavy, but have digital control and all the power you need.

You might also consider what kind of light modifiers you are going to purchase. If your using soft-boxes and umbrellas, any system will accomodate that. But if you want to use large Octabanks, ringflash, light sticks, fresnel spots, beauty dishes or huge parabolic umbrellas, a system like the Dyna-lite or White lightnings may not be enough.

My suggestions: Forget about battery operated units, they don't deliver the bang for the buck and only good if your going somewhere you can't plug in. Even then you can buy a battery-powered inverter like the xp1100 that Dynalite sells. If your on a very low budget, look at Alien Bees or White lightning. More money, Dynalites 1000wi packs with built in pocket wizards ( no sync cords ) with 4 2040 heads or 4040 heads if you can afford them. Maybe a back-up powerpack, just in case. The next step up would be Profoto Acute's, especially if you want ring flash and other light modifiers. If you really want mono-lites, I would suggest Elinchrom Style 600s. The nice thing is that if one goes down, your not stuck, because each unit is self-contained. But in reality your buying a pack and head for each light, not cost effective when you need four or more heads. And if you have no financial constraints, look at Broncolor. All except the very high end units display color shifts when changing the power ratios. Not a lot, but its there. Just remember to do a custom white balance before the final exposures.

And don't forget the light stands, light modifiers, a boom for the hair light, backdrops, posing stools, pocket wizards, and props.

[Kevin_Saitta]

I really like the White Lightings and they are built solid.

They now also offer a battery pack which makes them ever more attractive.
You can also buy them with color corrective flash tubes.

check them online;
http://www.white-lightning.com/index2.htm

They are a solid company and very reputable.


You could get away with 3 heads for starters. Also check out this guy as well as he explains how he lights the portraits. He is very well known and does outstanding work;

http://www.lightingmagic.com/products.htm
http://www.lightingmagic.com/scottgal.htm

[David_Buzzard]

White Lightning are pretty good. More than enough for a studio operation. For portraits, especially digital, you don't need a huge amount of power. With a really big set up, you might find yourself having to gel the lights to get them down to a level where you can have some selective depth of field. 3 or 4 800WS units would probably do you really well.

David Buzzard

[Kira_Oden]

Thanks Francis for all the information, it was exactly what I was looking for(options for all budgets)! Also thanks to Kevin for reassuring me on white-lightning. I actually have worked with the older ultra 1800 white lightning heads and really liked the control I had over them. But haven't any luck finding the older ultra 1800 heads. Do you know what would be equivalent? Also thanks to David that is really what I wanted to hear. I want to use a main light with an octagon soft box and a fill with a rectangle soft box and a hair light. Any kit suggestions? Once again thank you guys for any suggestions! Kira Oden

With digital you really do not need the 1800's, you'll only be using them at 1/3 power for f 11 exposures. I've had my 1200's for 15 yrs, they are just now starting to loose it. I'll be replacing them with the newer White Lightnings. There is better lighting equipment out there, but at a much, much higher price! For portraiture, the White Lightnings are more than adequate. I have a friend that shoots commercial work where color is critical, so he laughs at my setup. So unless you want to spend all day with a color meter and dialing it in, get the White Lightnings and roll. The service from them goes beyond expectations, in 15 yrs all I've paid for was the upgrade to replace the fuse with a breaker. Do get the UV tubes, there is a difference between standard tubes and UV tubes.

[Kevin_Saitta]

I disagree because digital or not there are times when you need the extra power. What if you have a do a wedding and you want to light up the reception hall. You are not going to be able to do this with 800 heads. Believe me I have lit everything from hockey rinks to interiors. I shoot both digital and film and I like the fact that if I need the power it is there and the cost difference is minimal.

I have the 1600 heads. That would probably be your equivalent. Also the 1600 is faster recycle than the 3200 and honestly I think the 1600 would be good to go.

The X-Series X1600 Flash Unit.
http://white-lightning.com/x1600.htm

Also get the pocket wizard and you will be golden.

Also like Vance said these heads are just dependable. Now if you were going to shoot sports I would look at the elinchrome (spelling) as they have faster flash duration therefore removing ghosting effects.


Kev