Affordable starter lighting kit for portrait photography with a Nikon D80
Asked 9/20/2011
55 views
2 answers
0
I mostly shoot nature, but I want to take some simple father/daughter portraits soon. I’m looking for a budget-friendly lighting setup that will work with my Nikon D80 without buying more than I need. What’s a good beginner portrait lighting kit to start with?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
6
I'm going to recommend slightly less than half of what @cmason suggested: One light, one umbrella, one light stand. See also the Strobist starving student kit. You can get an SB-600 and then have wireless control over your camera for not much more.
The reason I recommend one light over two is that it works just fine for a lot of portraiture. (Check out the excellent Q&As tagged with lighting basics; most of the techniques are based around only one light). Make no mistakes, having two (or more) lights gives you more flexibility than just one. However, you are looking to "not break the bank", and so starting out simple seems advisable. You might also want to get somewhat different components as you upgrade over time: a different make of flash, a soft box vs an umbrella, a different stand, a different triggering system, etc.
Also, I don't think a super clamp is strictly necessary. I definitely wouldn't get one instead of a light stand. Again, it's worth having once you're ready to spend more for more flexibility. (Don't forget though that you'll need an umbrella/hot shoe adapter for your light stand.)
Originally by user48. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user48
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A good budget starting point is a simple one-light portrait kit rather than buying multiple lights right away. Several photographers recommend:
- one hot-shoe flash
- one light stand
- one umbrella or small softbox
- a clamp/bracket to mount the flash and modifier
- a reflector for fill light
This setup is inexpensive, flexible, and enough for many portraits. A reflector is especially useful because it can act like a second light for fill but costs much less.
If your budget allows, a Nikon SB-600 is a solid option, and off-camera control can be useful. But Nikon flashes aren’t the only good choice: reputable alternatives like Metz, Lumopro, Nissin, and Sigma can offer similar results for less money.
Starting with one light makes sense because you can learn the basics of portrait lighting first, then add a second light or different modifiers later if needed. For a beginner trying not to overspend, one flash plus a modifier and reflector gives the most versatility for the least money.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Which portrait lens is best for low-light portraits on a Nikon D5100?
What lighting gear do I need to start with off-camera flash for portraits?
What do I need besides a DSLR body and lens to start shooting, and is a Nikon D5200 with 35mm f/1.8 a good match?
What two-lens starter kit makes sense for a first Canon APS-C DSLR on a modest budget?
Best DSLR and portrait lens kit for a $2,500 budget