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A bit of background - I want to set up a small home studio where I can take photos of my kids (mainly) plus portraits of other family and friends (initially anyway, maybe taking it further later on).
What I currently have is a Nikon D200 with a few lenses (50mm 1.8 and 105 2.8 are I guess the ones I'd use for portrait shots).
I do have one strobe - an SB600.
Something I read somewhere eluded to the fact that the amount of light I can put out will affect what ISO I can get away with. Apparently continuous lighting is weaker than flash lighting, and flash lighting would perhaps therefore be better. This concerns me a bit because the D200 for all it's splendidness isn't great at high ISO and I'd really prefer to stick to ISO100 or 200 if possible.
I'm wondering if a 2-head flash system in conjunction with my SB600 would work and what I would need to be aware of.
I am guessing I'll need a flash meter of some sort to make life easier too, so I'll factor that in.
My budget is sort of unknown at the moment, but I'm guessing around the £500 mark, maybe a tad more (£600 at a pinch maybe).
Any thoughts? Things to read? Buckets of sand to stick my head in?
Ta
Quote: A bit of background - I want to set up a small home studio where I can take photos of my kids (mainly) plus portraits of other family and friends (initially anyway, maybe taking it further later on).
What I currently have is a Nikon D200 with a few lenses (50mm 1.8 and 105 2.8 are I guess the ones I'd use for portrait shots).
I do have one strobe - an SB600.
Something I read somewhere eluded to the fact that the amount of light I can put out will affect what ISO I can get away with. Apparently continuous lighting is weaker than flash lighting, and flash lighting would perhaps therefore be better. This concerns me a bit because the D200 for all it's splendidness isn't great at high ISO and I'd really prefer to stick to ISO100 or 200 if possible.
I'm wondering if a 2-head flash system in conjunction with my SB600 would work and what I would need to be aware of.
I am guessing I'll need a flash meter of some sort to make life easier too, so I'll factor that in.
My budget is sort of unknown at the moment, but I'm guessing around the £500 mark, maybe a tad more (£600 at a pinch maybe).
Any thoughts? Things to read? Buckets of sand to stick my head in?
Ta
yes,,,, try using the search feature on the site.... this topic has been covered soooooo many times before. 
a 2 head flash system would be fine (dont use continuous as it makes the pupils smaller in the shot), and yes you could use the sb-600 set to slave to give you a hair light etc.
and yes this would give you enough light to leave the camera on ISO 100/200
Interfit EX150 2 head kit with boxes and brollies and stands etc is just under £200 on WE.... and just look at the lighting in the shot and use your histogram.... instead of the light meter.
I'm sure it has been covered before, but I like to inject a bit of excitement and mystic into my posts.
OK failed to do that 
I just didn't really know what to search for in this instance.
And you SO don't understand my NEED to buy myself a flash meter gadget 
A 300 or 400watt 2 head system would be more than enough for the job, No real need to add the SB600 to the mix, Unless your feeling " Flash " ....
Sekonic Light/Flashmeter LS-308 or similar is a decent enough unit, Though truth be known you could get away without one, If your trying to keep the outlay low.
As a well known studio photographer on this site once said, Master one single studio strobe, Before going mad with any more heads, You'll learn a great deal more that way.
Thanks Vince, that's great advice. I'm looking to learn on other people's kit (a mate has a studio setup and said he'll go though that with me) and also the club I'm looking to join has all that sort of stuff. So hopefully by the time I come to get my own setup I'll have more than a basic clue of what's what.
I bought this Elemental kit at the beginning of the year and am thoroughly enjoying it. I also have two big cool-lights which come in handy but blimey - the difference the new lights make is immense.
It's never occurred to me to bother with a flash meter - I experiment until I get it right and eventually it all starts to sink in (I'm not a great one for all the technical stuffy - prefer just to get on with it and see what happens).
I didn't have a clue about what's what when I bought the kit, well a vague idea but that's all. I'm still experimenting/playing/practising and when I can find someone daft enough to sit in front of the camera for me shall pay more attention to the best way to make people look beautiful - for now bags/big hats and bandages do the trick
Quote: I'm looking to learn on other people's kit
Thats a great way to get an insight into using studio lighting, Be it a mate or club you'll get to grips with the terminology ( in itself an advantage ) as well as figuring out what you might need, Like all these things a few hours of hands on practice can save you loadsa money in the long run, Because you can buy right the first time out.
For the more moody arty stuff, You can do a lot with a single strobe and reflector combination, You can be as inventive as you like, I find experimenting the most rewarding part of working with studio lights ( or any other light sources to be honest ).
Brand wise Interfit or Elemental offer good value for money.....
The 2 lens that you have mentioned are perfect for the job....!!!
Quote: and use your histogram....
To save time delving through all my photographic books would you expand on this comment a little, left right or centre....
Following the philosophy of "mastering one strobe" would also allow for investment in a better, powerful strobe instead of a cheaper twin kit.
Ali that kit you pointed out looks ideal. I'll bookmark it.
As for the 'should I get a light meter or not' the one benefit of being able to pre-determine the settings instead of faffing around with the histogram is that if you plonk my kids down on a seat and say 'I'd like to take your photo please' you effectively get 1/125 second before they're bored and off! Maybe I could just buy a pot of superglue instead and glue the buggers in place
Well it does the job for me In fact I've been doing some self portraits this evening just using one light and a white board for a reflector and they've come out ok. I'm constantly experimenting with brollies - shoot-through -v- the other way and it's proving a worthwhile exercise.
Superglue or really really strong tape - either will do the job! I wish I had more kids around to photograph - people say they'll bring them round but they never do 
I'm sure I've got a light meter somewhere - maybe I'll see if I can find it and experiment some more
I'll bring my kids round to you.... and leave 'em there!
I'm not sure I can bring myself to do self-portraits....
At this point I think I'll shut up and walk away Despite having none of the little darlings myself I seem to get on well with kids - not a clue why!
Self portraits are quite fun - I'm about to upload one that has neither bandages, bag, mask or hat - and will probably take it back down in 10 minutes time
Cool! I just looked at your website. PMSL at the pic of you with the 'smiley face bag' and the gun to teddy's head.
Mad genius!
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