IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

I am interested in learning to shoot portraits and was considering
"CowboyStudio 1000W Continuous Video Lighting Kit with Stand, Bulbs, and Softbox", but the reviews on Amazon weren't very positive. Any suggestions for reasonably priced kit along these lines?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Cowboy Studio is a company in Texas that imports container loads of Chinese knock-off products. The quality of the majority of their inventory is questionable at best.

You pretty much get what you pay for.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

That's also the impression that I got from Amazon reviews. Any suggestions?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I would suggest strobes over continuous lighting for portraits. But I sold my studio lighting system 7 years ago when I got tired of dealing with people! LOL
(Wildlife does not have ever-changing opinions and requests!)
I would check for local camera stores and see what they offer.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Thanks, I agree with your comment.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Izzy, LIGHT is LIGHT.
Its nice to have fancy strobes but you can do the job with a $2 fixture from home depot.
With continuous light you can't freeze a backflip. But for a sitting portrait it works fine.
You can do gorgeous portraits in daylight using reflectors and no lights at all.
For learning, anything will work, at any cost. Just avoid mixing temperatures, or it will be hard to balance them in PP.
Good luck

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

continuous light can make the room hot.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Thanks SharpShooter,
All good points and very helpful to someone like me who is venturing into this area.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

first...I would agree that Cowboy studio sells cheap stuff...that's their niche, but I disagree that that automatically implies "not very good"...cheap has it's place...believe me.

When you are starting out, and don't know exactly what you need...you can explore lighting stands and umbrellas for almost nothing, and then after a year or two...your 50.00 wasn't wasted...now you have a good idea of what you need.

If you'd have bought good air cushioned stands that are heavy duty...and then decide you need portable and light...you are out 200.00...


Having said that...I'd second the suggestion for strobes over continuous...I'd even suggest speedlights over studio strobes IF you plan on set ups and tear downs and aren't planning on leaving your home studio with your lighting.

Note that you can also do well with ghetto lighting...i.e. large fluorescent fixtures and bed sheets for diffusers if you have a dedicated home studio area.

billybob40

I use continuous lighting in my business, Novely photo booth on end and about every job I do. The one I use...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Linco-Studio-3-Color-Muslin-Backdrops-Video-Light-Lighting-Boom-Kit-New-CK008-/271160152694?pt=US_Photography_Background_Material&hash=item3f22679276
The 4 head design gives you the light you may need are not need.
Take look here take your pick what works for you best.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/savingtosaving/m.html?item=180972667051&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
I look on ebay for about 2 hours a day for deals, it works for me.

myts10 Loc: SE Ohio

As an amateur, I have been trying my hand at portrait shots also. I'm also bull headed and like to do thinks that “can't be done”. So I am using all LED's. Not those expensive things but the bulbs themselves. I have tried all sorts of things from bare bulb to softbox and grids. Some work most don't but hay I am having fun.
One comment is very true, keep all the same temperature bulbs. I prefer the 5000K myself.
Another comment was buy the cheap stuff, within reason. Those cheap light stands are OK to learn with until you know what type you want. And it seems I never have enough light stands, even home made ones. Like those clamp on lamps from WalMart or Lowes, clamped to a $12 clothes rack from the Dollar Store. Hay it has wheels and does double duty in the laundry room.
Yes LED bulbs are expensive but the price is dropping all the time as new stuff comes out. I bought a 5000k, 13 watt spot (1000 lumens) for $49 a year ago, now it sells for $15. Yes, always check the lumens of any bulb, it is a better indication than wattage.
Anyway thats my 2 cents, Good luck. Gary

marlaboo

I went through this same process. A very reputable photographer I spoke with told me not to invest in Cowboy Studio lighting. His opinion was to go with Elinchrom lights (strobe)....he felt strongly that the quality of the lighting makes a big difference. I guess it just depends on what your needs are and where you are going with it all, and what you want to spend.

flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA

That depends on the source of the continuous light-there are a number of cfl and led light sources that provide a lot of light without much heat. You just have to make sure that they all produce the same color temperature to get the right results.

flashgordonbrown
www.froghollowphotography.com

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

I am not a fan of continuous light for still photos.

I like the Flashpoint II 320M from Adorama for an inexpensive starter studio strobe. The unit alone is $100 and you can get a kit as well. That and a reflector gets you started for under $200. You lose portability compared to a shoemount flash but you get more power, a modeling light and consistent recycling at a second or less. This unit is much more dependable and versatile than anything less.