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Hi all,
I currently use my D70 for taking glorified snap shots but would like to start learning more about photography and purchase some kit / books.
1) I have set myself a budget of £200.00 max. For taking home portraits of the family do I invest in strobe lighting (i.e. Interfit EX 150 or similar) or a speedlight? If strobe then do I purchase a 2 head kit or a more powerful single head? Could a beginner get similar results with a speedlight which could be bounced of the ceiling or wall?
2) Does anybody have any photo's taken with the cheaper end kits or speedlights in their portfolio which I could look at?
3) Which lighting books do you recommend?
Sorry for all the questions but being on a limited budget I need to spend wisley!
Thanks
I would recommend you go for an SB-800 or SB-600, either can be had for less than £200 for eBay [lots of reputable sellers, just check their feedback ratings]. And with the change left over from £200, get yourself one of those 5-in-1 reflectors.
I've shot portraits with direct flash before [with the diffuser stuck on the Speedlight] and the photos look absolutely fine. If you want portability, get a Speedlight [or two SB-600s, if you can stretch the budget a touch]. If you want sheer power, get a studio flash.
~ squodge ~
I would forget speedlites, in the long run too costly and limiting for what they are. You will still need flash brackets and stands etc.
WE do a Interfit EX150A twin head kit with brolly and softbox for £199. Cheap and basic, but will get you started.
Then if you find you need more you could always add an extra more powerful head with stand later on.
I have been using speedlights in CLS for a couple of years now ... its started for convienience simply because I was working in locations often without power ... I always laid down a clear line between strobes for studio and speedlights for location ... but ... over the years i have become so adept at using speeliights I no longer use strobes even when they are available ...
If you use speedlights you will need to take a Heath Robinson/ Blue Peter approach using small brollies, greaseproof paper, toilet roll tubes, small mirror tiles, coloured sweet wrappers and tonnes of gaffa tape to rig together the setups you want ...
Speedlights are vastly more flexable than strobes ... But ... dont expect the instant results you get from strobes
Remember the poster only has a budget of £200 
Nikon speedlites are not cheap and if you want to go the portable flash route cheap second hand flash units and slaves will do just as well.
A couple of flash units and slaves £50 or less.
Quote: Remember the poster only has a budget of £200
Nikon speedlites are not cheap and if you want to go the portable flash route cheap second hand flash units and slaves will do just as well.
A couple of flash units and slaves £50 or less.
Only the SB600 will support Nikon's CLS and is under £200.
Quote: For taking home portraits of the family do I invest in strobe lighting (i.e. Interfit EX 150 or similar) or a speedlight?
It depends how seriously you want to take it. If you want some nice pics of the family without too much trouble but aren't too fussed about the process and how good they are, get Speedlights. If you want to learn about the whole process and become good at stusio-type pics, then get the strobes. Ultimately, the strobes are better, and cheaper, if you're motivated in your photography.
Quote: If strobe then do I purchase a 2 head kit or a more powerful single head?
Get a less powerful 2 head kit. More possibilities to play with.
Quote: Does anybody have any photo's taken with the cheaper end kits or speedlights in their portfolio which I could look at?
This and this taken with lighting equipment costing around £20. It's not how much you spend on the light that counts, it's how you use it. Some of the very best lighting is free (daylight).
I'd go with strobes
I have both strobes (a second hand Bowens 400D which came with a stand and a brolly for £99 and a cheapy no name thingy from ebay that was about £50) and a hot shoe flash unit.
Given the choice and circumstances I'd use the strobes every time but you'll probably want the speedlight too
My portfolio has shots with the strobes and the hot shoe flash (although helpfully I haven't always said what I was using)
I have little experience with flash but I enjoy the learning curve and it seem to quite straight forward if you suck it and see.
The last three shots in my portfolio (at time of writing), the ones with the boots, are outside shots with one strobe.
The EC in my portfolio (my one and only) was outside with a big reflector. I bought mine off ebay for very little and I'd recommend one of those too.
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