Recommendations for a "Portable Studio" for portraits and other work

I want to invest in a portable studio for portraiture and other on site work. I shoot primarily with a 5D. Can someone make some good

recommendations for a set up (stands lights umbrellas backdrop)

http://www.alienbees.com/ -Not the most expensive or fancy but they'll have most everything except backdrops at good

prices and with good service if you need it.

I have Bees, but I would probably get 3 580's and some cheap stands and umbrellas if I were to do it again. Check out Adorama's stands and stuff.

I was looking at Gemini 500/500 Travel-Pak Kit by Bowens for $1699.00

What do Ya think ?

then you get into a 'which strobe' issue. most of the strobe makers offer some sort of 2 (or 3) light 'kit' that includes some number of (usually mediocre quality) lightstands, reflectors, umbrellas and boxes.

 

Boils down to 'how much do you want to spend' really and which strobe maker you want to get into bed with (reliability, service, modifier availability, etc etc).

 

I kinda like the Hensel 500 Pro Plus kit. I think the radio control of power setting & modeling light is clearly the way of the future and it costs no more.

I would either go with the Lumedynes http://www.lumedyne.com/products.asp

 

Or the Normans: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/NR1072/

 

You can't get any more portable than that. The Normans come with built in Pocket Wizards so if you are on location, let's say inside somebody's living room, you won't trip over the furniture

I have the bees and nikon SB flashes. I end up using both. For outdoor fill, I use the SB's. For indoor on location, I

typically also take the SB if it's an event and I'll need to move around later. The only time I bring the alien bees to an on

location shoot is if it's just a portrait indoors.

There are several manufacturers out there with studio setups and made for the amateur/advanced amateur.

 

Westcott, Interfit, and several others produce kits at various price ranges for 'home' and pro use.

 

Prices range from $250 and up, mostly depending on how fancy the kits are, and how powerful the flashes are.

 

Most kits include 2 or 3 heads heads, stands, umbrella/softbox combos, etc.

<i>I want to invest in a portable studio for portraiture and other on site work. I shoot primarily with a 5D. Can someone make some good recommendations for a set up (stands lights umbrellas backdrop)</i><p>What makes you think this is a good idea for you to pursue? What is your objective? Who is your target client? What style of photographs do you want to make? How will you define yourself and your photographic style (when making your 2 minute pitch to a prospective client)?<p>There are a lot of approaches to location/environmental portraiture, each with it's own set of requirements as to appropriate equipment, personal abilities and technique. <p>One size does not fit all. Define yourself and your desires a little more and some of these questions will answer themselves. The answers you get here at photo.net will be more useful to you as well, if we know something more specifically about you and your desires/intentions... t <p>(Will you be photographing high school seniors? Or senior citizens? Business portraits or musicians? Kids on Santa's lap? or aspiring actors?)

Until you are sure of your skills, the use of monlights with modeling lights helps as you make adjustments for portraits. Important in considering any light source is what light modifier options are readily available. With Alien Bees there is a a broad range of lighting accessories, even a beauty dish, and this is not true for most other low end lights.

 

Helps to appreciate that if shooting indoors, and especially if making use of a tripod, the light output from the strobes need be little more than you will get from 250 WS units. This is especially true for environmental portraits where you are not trying to overexpose a background.

 

There is a lot to be said for multiple 580EX strobes where you can quickly make adjustments to light ratios and that are easily transported. There are soft boxes and adapters from companies like Chimera that work quite well with these small strobes.