Brad, Well, there's cheap as in inexpensive and cheap as in low quality. The cheapest way to do it is buy another AF360FGZ (I've done this) and two Lumiquest softboxes. Then start practicing with a 2 light setup.
You can always use hotlights. You'll need a couple of reflectors (Home Depot) and then some strong spotlights. Photofloods are relatively cheap, but don't last very long (hours) and their color temperature changes as they burn out. Quartz last much longer and their color temperature is much more steady. The reason they are called "hot lights" is because they are very hot. Both in adjusting them and if you are the subject. Typical wattages are 250-500. The big advantage is that you can see exactly the effect of the light (shadows). If you are using color film, you do have to deal with color temperature (filtering). There are a few films already balanced for Tungsten. Bruce Saturday, December 7, 2002, 3:14:51 AM, you wrote: BD> Hey, BD> I'd love to try a studio setup. How much does *cheap* equipment cost? Or BD> rentals? It would be fun to do some work with friends and family and a bit BD> of still life, providing the cost isn't prohibitive. BD> Brad BD> ----- Original Message ----- BD> From: "Feroze Kistan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> BD> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> BD> Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 6:07 AM BD> Subject: Re: Re[6]: electra studio flash/ring flash >> Well this is the problem, I need to buy >> studio lights. I like the idea of continuous >> lights. It takes me ages to set up a shot >> and if I could have the lights on most of the time >> the composition would be so much easier. >> So what time I save in the shoot is to mine >> and the clients advantage >> >> Feroze >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "William Robb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 11:56 PM >> Subject: Re: Re[6]: electra studio flash/ring flash >> >> >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: Feroze Kistan >> > Subject: Re: Re[6]: electra studio flash/ring flash >> > >> > >> > > Hi Rob, >> > > So what is the generally accepted opinion? >> > > In a studio setup, for my situtation, 90% >> > > pack shots, and I'm just learning to shoot slides, >> > > will a hand held meter be more accurate than >> > > using the cameras meter? >> > >> > Are yoy planning on shooting with studio strobes, or continuous >> > light? >> > If you are shooting with continuous light, then the in camera >> > meter will be as accurate as anything. >> > If you are shooting with studio strobe, then it depends on how >> > much of the work you want to do. If you are going to do the >> > flash calculations yourself, using guide numbers and flash to >> > subject distances, then that will be as acurate as the meter, >> > presuming you can get an accurate estimate of your studio unit's >> > output (hint: you'll need a flash meter). >> > I wouldn't want to do it this way. I like knowing that the >> > exposures will be close to correct. >> > >> > William Robb >> > >> > >>
