Portable and beginner kit for interiors

Rich101

Rich101

Messages
7
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all -

First post.

I'd really appreciate some advice on my situation before purchasing some new equipment.

I want to make some images of interiors of houses to improve my portfolio and approach interior designers. I try to use natural light as much as possible and plan where it will fall within a building but when the light is poor/there are very dark areas, is there any kit you'd recommend beyond bracketing with no additional lighting and manually blending using layers in PS?

Currently using a 5D MKII and tilt shift lenses. Tripod. Shutter release.
Do not want bulky equipment if possible; portability important as I won't be shooting with an assistant. Budget max £500 and was thinking a flashgun with something to make it softer, stand and big white card (non specialist) to help bounce light into difficult areas, then blend images using layers from multiple exposures. Is this my best bet given my budget and situation?

If so, which brands would you reccommend? I've read bad things about the Nissins, and can't stretch right now to Canon's equipment. How about Phottix Mitros + ?

What would you do?

Many thanks.
 
All that you need, as a minimum, is 1 or 2 x hotshoe flashguns, any make will do and the cheapies are available via Ebay for sub £50 each. The big advantage of hotshoe flashguns is that they can be hidden away out of shot very easily.
The disadvantage is that the light from them is harsh, so in most cases they will need some kind of diffusion, which can make them much more bulky, and they have relatively low power.

If your budget will allow, get 1 or 2 x Atom 180 flashes, much more power, full remote control available and they can also be fitted with these diffusers, which are small but effective. As you're new to this forum (welcome BTW) I must point out that I work for Lencarta. These units are also available elsewhere, under different names, but obviously if you get them via Ebay you won't get the 3 year warranty.
 
Thanks so much Garry.

Here's an example... So that you can see what I mean.
 
Link here (need to post three times before I can add a link, so it will be in the next message):
 
Rich101 said:
Thanks so much Garry.

Here's an example... So that you can see what I mean.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's what I expected.

If all of the interiors are that kind of size then a cheap hotshoe flash will be adequate - the Atom is really only needed for larger areas. We have quite a lot of customers who do very similar work, and some of them work in massive areas. I could supply you with links, but it would be wrong for me to post them publicly.
 
Personally, I'd just get a pair of Godox V850/860 speedlights with triggers and a couple of stands (~400 USD). And keep the flash feet that they come with (this kind of work is where they are useful).
Just bounce the speedlights in from out of frame.
 
Godox are a better choice than Phottix? There's this kit I've been looking at.
 
Last edited:
That phottix has been discontinued. Godox are cheaper and pretty well respected. Plus the v850/860 wireless is compatible with the other Godox products (and versions of them like the Atom).
 
Speedlites are perfect for this, on their little stands as Steven says.

Phottix is good but pricey, Godox good too though I've not tried their speedlites. Or Nissin (nothing wrong with those) or Canon or, probably the most popular choice these days - Yongnuo. Several good choices by Yongnuo, though for your purpose you only need a basic manual gun, preferably with radio triggering and remote power control. YN 560/4 guns with YN 560 Tx trigger - cheap, just the job. If you need more power (maybe unlikely) just get a couple more and double them up. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-YN...&qid=1461622665&sr=1-1&keywords=yongnuo+flash

On the other hand, if you want to use the guns for more general work with auto-TTL etc, get YN 600EX-RT or YN 685EX guns.
 
Thanks for all of this info people. I'll probably plump for a yongnuo and see how a diffuser helps me in smaller spaces for now.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top