Info on Lightstands and thoughts on my studio equipment plan

[g_guhan_gunaratnam2]

Hello all,

 

I am making the dive into traditional studio lighting. I have

questions still, but first let me write what I'm planning on getting:

 

Profoto Acute2R 2400 w/ 2 heads

Photoflex umbrella kit [2 48", 8' lightstands, case]

2 x-large Photoflex litedomes [54x72"]

Manfrotto expan background kit

 

I already have a few reflectors, a meter and it looks like I'll be

getting a PW multimax.

 

1) My first question is about litestands. The Photoflex litedomes

(which I chose primarily because of price and a general good tone to

the postings on their products) need them, would the stands that

come with the umbrellas be ok (the Acute system isn't going to be

easy on my pocketbook and the last thing I want is a flimsy

litestand and flash head falling to the ground). Are these

photoflex litestands ok, or should I forget it and go for manfrottos

instead? I want some that are well built, stable and preferably

tall (10' would be nice) but also portable enough to take on

location.

 

2) I'd like to get a boom as well...which should I look at (would

like to stay under $400 for the entire boom setup - lower the

better - unless I can't get a good boom for this price in which case

I'd rather wait until I can afford a good boom).

 

3) What do people think about the Manfrotto expan background kit?

It looks good from the literature, but in practice I don't know.

 

4) If I want to add a third head down the road...will the powerpack

handle it ok?

 

5) What kinds of clamps should I be looking at? If I were going to

use the umbrella with my portable flashes (when at a location), I'd

go for a multiclamp...but apart from this, I don't know what kinds

of clamps I might need. I also think that the 48" umbrellas will be

too big anyways for my portable flashes (580ex, and 2x 420ex).

 

I might cut the umbrellas out of the list, but they aren't expensive

so I thought they'd be good to have. But right now, I'm thinking to

just get the softboxes.

 

Anyways, any thoughts are welcome. Thank you very much & Happy New

Year.

[g_guhan_gunaratnam2]

scratch number 4

[brooks short]

You'll love the Profoto Lights and the Pocket wizards. I'l take a crack at answering your questions...

 

1. Get the Chimera softboxes instead of the PhotoFlexes and buy the Manfrotto light stands.

 

2. A good boom is essentiall for most studio work and a good thing to have even if you are only doing portraits. Being able to position a light overhead of the subject or camera, or just of-axis from the light stand is very useful.

 

3. A couple of light stands and a collapsible pole is all you need as a background stand on location. In the studio use pulleys on the ceiling, ropes and a pole for your background: no stands needed.

 

4. Yes but at less power per head.

 

5. Why do you feel that you need clamps as much as light stands, softboxes, etc? I use A-clamps from the hardware store to hold backgrounds, and a few articulated arms from bogen for reflectors but that's all. Clamps are cheap, buy them as you need them.

 

Buy the softboxes before any umbrellas and buy a good brand such as Chimera.

[mydarkroom]

One question. Why go with profoto? Dont get me wrong there great I use them, but I just wanted to know why you were picking them.

[g_guhan_gunaratnam2]

Hello,

 

Thanks for the responses very helpful, and I wasn't sure which way I'd go with softboxes, but since posting this I have been swaying towards the Chimera's and skipping the umbrellas.

 

As far as why I'm going ProFoto, primarily for weight, reflector system suited to my interests in photography and a very happy customer base. Broncolour and Elinchrome were the other two choices but ended up with the decision on Profoto simply because those photographers whose opinions I've come to respect over the last three years have suggested it as being a good route (two of them are in the process of switching to a D4 system). I'm happy with the decision. It has been a hard decision for me, as this is my first jump into studio lighting.

[g_guhan_gunaratnam2]

So which litestands then? (as far as model/make) to hold a Chimera softbox (54x72") and Profoto Acute 2 head?

[midhun]

One quick question, is all this happening in India ? I mean are all these available in india ?

[g_guhan_gunaratnam2]

Nope, its not happening in India (I'm in Canada). And from what I saw in Delhi two years ago, there is little chance of getting most of the equipment mentioned without ordering internationally. Mumbai might be another story.

 

But for the cost of a full studio system, a trip to Hong Kong/Thailand from India wouldn't make a huge difference.