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home studio; no kidding
Topic Started: Nov 22 2007, 12:42 PM (701 Views)
Trigger Happy
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the more i think about the space i'm going to have at home, its starting to sound VERY practical to install a roller screen and invest in some good quality studio strobes and modelling lights. but not the $500 jinbei sets... those are quite underpowered.

anyone care to share their thoughts on what i should get? some direction would also be good, as this would be a long-term investment (otw harder to justify to MOHA).

some indicative or estimate cost would be good too. effectively i'm looking at an area of 8x8ft (can curtain off with black drapes to cut out ambient light).

usage would be for modelling and product shoots though i've no intention of renting out the facility, as bro BC already runs a nice studio at good rates. this is more primarily for my convenience and to support my church's media ministry needs.
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brand
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slave to the light
coooooool..

for product shoots definitely shdnt be any problem. it's the modelling / portraiture shots that may be restricted by the space constraints, not forgetting after getting in the lights etc..

8ft x 8ft dun really offer a whole lot of room for modelling shoot.. wont really be able to get a clean shot, esp full length. well, unless its shooting your baby, otw, may have problem fitting in adults

techical spec wise, and not a pro here but have read somewhere that perhaps a 1 x 600w key light + 2 x 300w strobes for side or back light with honeycomb diffuser may suffice? there are several brands of light that u can check out - usual bowen etc.. and also multibiltz which i think is not too bad (5 yrs warranty on tht too)
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Trigger Happy
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thanks bro.

any thoughts on these elinchrom sets?

http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/specialoffer...tudio-equipment

space is actually 9ft deep and 12ft across if i really wanted the space. 8x8 was just being conservative. can configure it the other way though i'd prefer to mount the roller against a wall.

one more option for me is to hang it in the tv/ dining room, in front of the tv, then push the sofa and dining table aside and i'll have a 18ft x 10ft space.

my only concern is specing out the lighting to properly illuminate the subject, and to ensure there's no light loss or overkill, given the space.

any good website/ shop to check it out?
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Willis
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Bro!...safest bet is to go with Bowens...and if not hensel..
Both are as good..and reliable. look at getting a 500 and a 1000...
how many you looking at buying...? u probably need unbrella and softbox, maybe a honeycomb or two, shades.
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Tomato
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Trigger Happy
Nov 22 2007, 12:42 PM
the more i think about the space i'm going to have at home, its starting to sound VERY practical to install a roller screen and invest in some good quality studio strobes and modelling lights. but not the $500 jinbei sets... those are quite underpowered.

anyone care to share their thoughts on what i should get? some direction would also be good, as this would be a long-term investment (otw harder to justify to MOHA).

some indicative or estimate cost would be good too. effectively i'm looking at an area of 8x8ft (can curtain off with black drapes to cut out ambient light).

usage would be for modelling and product shoots though i've no intention of renting out the facility, as bro BC already runs a nice studio at good rates. this is more primarily for my convenience and to support my church's media ministry needs.

If you have that kind of space ( Similar to one I have before).

Here is what I suggest.

Been there and done that and move from large studio lighting (Bowen 1500W/s) to 5600 flashes and I think 5600HS flashes works better as there is no wire to trip, no cable to plug in. Just have to hook it on the battery pack.

For Lighting, just use 5600HS flashes (minimum 2 units), 3 units will be better and put it on a lightstand with umbrella as softbox. And of course you can bring them out and shoot event as well. At 1/4 power of 5600 on umbrella, you easily get 1/125 f5.6 at ISO200 with the light about 1.5 meters away.

Skip the studio flashes as it is too bulky and takes up too much space let alone the price.

For backdrop, invest in Manfrotto AutoPole with the paper backdrop so you can roll it up when you are done with it, or just invest on the muslin backdrop. Those will be around $500-$800 complete set. If not, just invest on those large pop open type backdrop.

That's all u need really. Keep everything simple.

I have used this setup and produce great results for studio shots.


I am thinking in Similar fashion. But nothing solid yet.

Regards,

Hart
Qualified Master Photographer | Certified Premier Greener Photography
Tomato Photo Website | Bambini Photography Website | Tomato on Facebook
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Trigger Happy
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thanks guys, this has been most helpful!

Hart, that's a thought - i never saw the 5600s as a viable option. you're right about the storage and bulkiness of the diffusers. but all in, cost would almost come to the same as the elinchrom set up here:

http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/specialoffer...tudio-equipment

3 x 5600 (or 2, and i multi-task my existing unit) = $1.7k
lightstands, umbrellas = $400?

how would the multiple 5600 set up hold against the likes of the elinchrom set in terms of illumination? i know the jinbei sets are (for lack of a better word) crap as these are underpowered. also, the recycle rate of the strobes are 1s or 1.2s, even the modded batt pack on the 5600 takes 5s for a full power throw with no return.

the attraction of the 5600 set up is definitely having no need for wires, portability and smaller footprint.

any recommendation on where to get the manfrotto autopole?
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Tomato
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Hi TH,

With the weight of 5600HS, there is no need for heavy lightstand. I use those China made $20 lightweight lightstand and $20 white translucent umbrella. U can use those silver or gold for more effective (and powerful) lighting effect and of course, the shadow is harsher.

I know 5600HS is not cheap, but it has more uses than the studio lighting.

It has less footprint in studio as well and you are free to put anywhere you please. The worst thing though with 5600HS, you can't get studio snoot, honeycomb and grid stuff unless you DIY it yourself. I am interested to put some time to do something similar as I like my setup before. But I sold everything since I am heading back to Singapore.

The Manfrotto umbrella attachment will cost about $50 each. so light stand set up is less than $200.

1/4 power with Mod batt pack, should at least get you pump 3 to 4 shots before needed any recycling. In studio environment, everything is control. There is no need to fire more than 3fps.

Well, if you are talking about those battery operated jinbei and use it under AC condition, the recycling time is bad. Their dedicated AC one is fast recycling.

I don't see much different from the light from Bowen or 5600HS when use in small studio.

You can check with Cathay for autopole stuff.

If you can wait, I will go and shop with you when I am back as I need to buy the same stuff.

Regards,

Hart

Qualified Master Photographer | Certified Premier Greener Photography
Tomato Photo Website | Bambini Photography Website | Tomato on Facebook
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Trigger Happy
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thanks bro :thumbsup: left you a pm but not sure if it got through, my pc's been slow all evening, processing pics in the bg..

i can wait, the place won't be ready till about a week before Christmas. but i plan to do this towards year end or early 2008. can take my time, no real urgency, but i'll go with your schedule as i'll have place to store my "Christmas present" ;)

btw, what do you do for modelling light in such a set up? or do we rely on post shot review to check and adjust?
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Tomato
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Thanks.. Got the PM. Will look around and let u know soon.

With the modelling light, you could put the 5600HS flash into modelling mode, where it will emit small amount of pulse repeatedly.

However, when you are use to the lighting and condition at home, all you need to do is to do light measurement and put tape on the floor where the light is going to go and have the setting for those and keep using it that way.

Just experiment a little bit and you will know your location pretty well.

Regards,

Hart
Qualified Master Photographer | Certified Premier Greener Photography
Tomato Photo Website | Bambini Photography Website | Tomato on Facebook
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Trigger Happy
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would it be practical to diy a halogen bulb next to the 5600 (but mounted away far enough so heat is not an issue), triggered by an on/off switch or better yet, a photo-sensitive cell?
hands getting itchy for a mod :lol:
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