Mspgolf2000

I need some help in buy lights that wont break the bank

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

There are SO many options!

I cannot make specific brand/unit suggestions, but here are things to consider:
Speedlights are - in my opinion - the most flexible as they can be used with umbrellas or soft boxes or just bare or mounted on the camera. They are powerful enough to be used outside for fill or even as a main light. Some units allow for TTL metering of the flash exposure, some are manual only. The camera brand units are most expensive, but there are third-party flash units that have prices ranging from a little below the big brands to downright cheap. Some work well, some...not so much. I use Nikon units and they are bulletproof. Many here have experience with the off-brands.

Continuous lights (the newer ones) are convenient and allow us to see the "look" before we take the image. They are not necessarily cheaper for higher end stuff. They are useless outside. Older type continuous lights are "hot lights" and are less expensive, but color balance is tungsten, not daylight. (Not a bad thing - but it needs to be addressed.) And they are HOT. You can just get some work lights from Home Depot to start. They can work.

Generally, continuous lights require a higher ISO and/or slower shutters due to the low output.

Studio strobes have a LOT more power, have tons of modifiers available, can be used outdoor with battery packs, are heavier and generally larger. Studio strobes will recycle faster than speedlights (generally). Cost varies from quite affordable to if-you-have-to-ask-you-cannot-afford-them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is not my field of expertise, but I'm sure the experts will want more details about the lighting you want - studio lights, stands, modifiers, flashes, etc.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

You already asked this in your previous post.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Check this out : http://www.limostudio.com/index.php/products-on-amazon/lighting-kits.html?limit=30

Do some research on portrait shooting - indoor and outdoor - and what equipment is used - then figure our what you want to do and how much you want to spend.

Remember - Google - is your friend ;)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

A budget and purpose would help. Continuous kits can run from $50 - $700. Strobe kits can run from $200 - $6000. Both have merit within their limitations. You will get lots of people recommending what they use, but it's unlikely that what they use will be just what you need.
Delineate exactly what you need, THEN shop price, do NOT let price guide your purchase because you will never be totally satisfied if you do.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Looks like you a Canon SL1 from previous posts. You could consider a used 430EX or 580EX or EXII or a Yongnuo to keep capability up and costs down...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Look at http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

Mspgolf2000

ok in will do that

Mspgolf2000

thank you for your help on this. when I find something I think looks good can I run it by you?

wayne-03 Loc: Minnesota

If you're looking for speed lights I have been using the Godox V850 & the V860 for over a year now with absolutely no problems. They both come with a rechargeable NiCad battery, the V850 is totally manual and equivalent to the Canon 580EX in power, the V860 is full E-TTL and equivalent to the Canon 580EX II in power and function. The V850 goes for $108.00 each and the V860 goes for $123.00 on Amazon. I have three of theV850 units, one of the V860 units and two AD-360 units, I use them on a daily basis, I have not had one failures and I have not bought batteries for over a year. Just my opinion.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Paul C. Buff's Einstein Light's are indeed a very, very good value, they cost the same as an on-camera-speed-light!

anotherview Loc: California

Try one flash lighting unit first. Go here to learn how to use it:

http://neilvn.com/

As you gain experience, you will develop a sense of what other lighting you may need.

Buying gear for artificial lighting can prove itself an expensive activity. For Canon, I can recommend the Speedlite 430EX II. It has enough power and capability for learning purposes and beyond.

Read about this flash lighting device here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/flash/430ex-ii.htm

You do not need the latest, greatest flash lighting device in the beginning. Buy more lighting gear as you deem you really need it.

Good luck.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

What do you want the lights for? What type of images do you want to create with those lights?

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

When it comes to speed lights, and if you are thinking "people" pictures, I have to disagree with anyone recommending anything but the most powerful of units . . . for example the Canon 420/430 series.

Speed lights have one inherent quality .. . they all produce very harsh light. That creates the need for flash modifiers like softboxes or umbrellas for off-camera . . . Lite-Scoop or other on-camera reflector/diffuser . . . or bouncing the flash under certain conditions. All of these options use varying amounts of the power of the speed light, so small units are not recommended.