Setting up home studio with budget less thank $800

11 years 3 months ago #270854 by neal1977
I've cleared out a spare small room and would like to have a small home studio set up with back drops, proper lighting, stands, and what ever else I would need. Those that have set up a budget home studio, what gear did you pick up? I'm a Nikon owner if that makes any difference.

I know there's tons of stuff out there for budget minded people, what I'm looking for is the best budget minded home studio gear. ;)


Photo Comments
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11 years 3 months ago #270856 by Joves
Backdrops are easy . Go to your local fabric store. Lighting can be done with Home Depot work lights, if you want get some high temp black paint to make them look more professional, also the bulbs come in various light temperatures. You can make all sorts of bounce equipment from material at the fabric store, and pvc pipe, or abs pipe since it is black. If there is anything you need you can improvise it, and there are many guides to ghettoing your setups.


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11 years 3 months ago #270862 by Tamgerine
It kind of depends on what sort of photos you're looking to take. Do you want to get into flashes or continuous lighting? Lots of backdrops?

I will say that instead of spreading your budget equally between sub-par equipment that you pick a few things that are important to what you want to do and spend the most money on those. That way when you have the money for more advanced equipment you don't have to upgrade everything, just the few things you scrimped on previously.
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11 years 3 months ago #270892 by Moe
I want to say that B&H and Adorama have starter kits you can buy too


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11 years 3 months ago #270922 by KCook
Instead of the usual "kit", I picked up a mix of gear. 1 speedlight, 1 studio CFL, and 1 monolight (for now). With the lowest price gear you have to pick and choose. "Best" lighting is the same as "best" camera, don't expect lots of agreement.

The lowest price studio CFL lights cost very little more than work lights. And have better color.

I've used both Adorama and Cowboystudio, happy with both. Ephotoinc and Lincostore also have some interesting low budget stuff.

Wide open question really. Links to more info -

www.photographytalk.com/photography-arti...anual-flash-exposure

blog.snapfactory.com/?p=1138

learningdslr.com/2010/12/how-to-set-up-a...eedlite-home-studio/

photo.net/learn/lighting/guide-to-lighting-kits/beginner/

photographyintro.com/wp/?page_id=371

Kelly Cook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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11 years 3 months ago #270940 by Screamin Scott
You don't say what camera you have (crop/full frame) or what lenses. The reason I mention this is you also say it's a small room. Are you going to only be doing "head" shots?. Unless you have the right equipment/room size, full length portraits will be out of the question.. As for the other gear, you have been given good alternatives already.

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

Photo Comments
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11 years 1 month ago #278235 by Charlotte Pittman
Joves just wondering what kind of work light should you buy I have a room 15x15 that I am turning into a studio but not sure of size lights I should get.


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11 years 1 month ago #278257 by KCook
If you don't require pro grade lights, the budget studio continuous kits are very reasonable. I stood this whole deal on its head, when I need a work light I grab my continuous studio light. A few examples -

www.adorama.com/FPCL1K.html

www.ephotoinc.com/800-watt-softbox-photo...hting-light-800.html

www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/bw1200wkit.htm

img.lincostore.com/product/Britek-900HK-1377.html#.UVPEuheA9uo

Kelly

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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