Photography Thailand Forum

[CW Lawrence]

I've managed to convince my landlord to rent to me the rooftop storage room in my building for my use as a studio. The room is about 4mX4m with one small, opaque-glass window.

The plan is to set up a tabletop studio for product and still life, as well as some portraiture. The size of the room is my main limitation right now.

I have one Nikon SB600. A large softbox - for an Alien Bee AB800 that I blew up a few weeks ago and plenty of make shift reflectors and gobos.

What kind of second light should I get? what brand? How much might I expect to pay? Where can I go/Who can I call? And I'll also need a couple of light stands...

Any thoughts?

-CW-

[bkkdave]

CW- I just listed some items for sale prompted by your post here. I have been meaning to do it sooner but just never got around to it.
Take a look at the: 'For Sale' section and let me know if there is anything of interest.

[CW Lawrence]

Cool, thanks Dave. Just sent you a message about it.

Has anyone had experience with Comet lights. I read that they work with all voltages - so can be taken with you internationally.

-CW-

[bkkdave]

CW, Well the one I have says it is 120v so I would presume it needs a power converter. I would not suggest plugging it into a 230v line unless you checked with the factory and they say it is ok to do so.

I had planned on buying a converter at Amon in Fortune Town and just never did get around to it.
 I just replied to your message. Thanks.

[ginaellen]

I blew up my lights when I got to Thailand last time too. Will be back in December and hopefully can set it all up properly this time. Congrats on the studio space!

[A. Hegazi]

I use Hensel compact flash
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/english/index.html

it is true that it support two voltage capable, i.e. both 220 and 120. the only catch, is that you have to have a two different modeling lights bulbs one for 120, and one for 220. the main strobe light stays the same.
I am not sure about there power packs.

bought my kit from B&H few years back.

[Kerbin]

Hello all, I thought I would add to this thread. I am about to start experimenting with this type of lighting. What appeals to me is there is no heat (no cooking models with model lighting), and it uses very little power, and they are consistent in color.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_lighting

Obviously they are nowhere near as powerful as the flashes and softboxes previously mentioned in this thread, but as you mentioned your studio is only 4m sq, you may not need a lot of light.  A 12volt configuration is available, maybe run of a car battery?
Early days yet, but I feel it is a promising idea.

[PaulCypert]

Could be interesting.  Powerful lights are not always the best option in a home studio.  Oftentimes they can be too powerful as most strobes were developed with MF in mind...not our little sensors :) .  300 watts can actually be too much at times if you can't really dial them down.  I've shot with 100 watt modeling lights with my strobes so I can use my nice 85 1.2 actually somewhere near 1.2 and not 9-16 :)

Paul

[CW Lawrence]

I've been using the Nikon CLS system with the SB600 and SB800, seems to work great for this sized space... I will be shooting a ton o' portraits over the next month and will get back to you all on the results.

I was convinced to go the direction of speedlights by Strobist. If you haven't read it, go on and read it now (all of it ;p)

[PaulCypert]

I'd second that site.  Really useful information...the good thing is that they usually recommend you DON'T spend lots of money!  But sometimes some nice strobes are actually less than speedlights (elinchrom D lites for example are less in Thailand for a 2 head kit than for two 580 EXII).

Paul