Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody has any good suggestions as to which studio lights are good ("hot" setup)? Or perhaps a good place to buy them (either in Toronto or on the web)?

I am looking for a "hot" setup, meaning the lights are constantly on or plugged in to a socket, rather than being able to strobe them. Specifically, I am looking for a setup that includes the stand, and lights that include the barn doors (rather than the worklight setup, but if you know a good place to get it then that is fine). I've heard of red-head spotlights (similar to the ones in the first picture), but I am not sure if they are good or what not.

Yes, as some of you may have guessed, the reason I am looking into this sort of setup is simply because of the costs, apparently it is possible to get a good setup (several spotlights) for under a $100.

Thanks,
- match stick

spotlight:




worklight:

ah-ha! i have found out that the term is red-head spotlight (somebody can correct me if i am wrong).



if anybody knows a place to get these (for inexpensive, although from my research this is more of a pro-brand haha) then let me know. otherwise, please let me know where to get any sort of good alternatives to these.

thanks!
- match stick

i seem to be answering this thread faster than anyone else haha.

Worklights:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3 ... Lights.jsp

any information about spotlights?

I know you mentioned that costs are the main concern, but you might want to reconsider your choice of hot lights. Although I have no experience with them, the reigning wisdom is that they have the following disadvantages:

1. fire hazard
2. hot and uncomfortable for your models

ya, i've used the floodlights before and have noticed that they get hot really fast, so i am a little turned away from that choice. mainly i was hoping to use this setup to shoot car photos, but would like the setup to be multifunctional and possibly be used indoors as well (portait lighting for example). the other disadvantages i've thought about as well too, but am not concerned about as much.

in that case, does anybody have any inexpensive strobe setups (roughly $100-$150)? i've browsed through B&H for example, but the selection is overwhelming.

keep the input coming! thanks mike!

I find that worklights have an odd colour cast to them. I use one for a background light, but nothing else.

[quote="mike"]I know you mentioned that costs are the main concern, but you might want to reconsider your choice of hot lights. Although I have no experience with them, the reigning wisdom is that they have the following disadvantages:

1. fire hazard
2. hot and uncomfortable for your models

I have tons of experience with incadescent lighting. I have everything from 2K softlights to 300 watt Bambino's. I also have a couple of red head's... they have their advantages and disadvantages. Most are colour balanced around 3400 kelvin on the scale. They typically need to be used with diffusers which are stood off from the point source of light, as often the fixtures are too hot, and will burn diffusion gel quickly. The other disadvantage is the fact that they do burn a lot of energy. You need power supply capable of the wattage of your light sources. Red heads are typically 500 watt, but can also be lamped at 300 watts.

That being said, there have been many photographers who work with hot lights and reflecters, and nothing else. But they are more typical to be used for video shoots.