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Outdoor Lighting Problem Solved CHEAP

 
 
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Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-02 09:56
If you're not shooting commercial outdoors on a daily basis, but still want to get good shots (that means good, controlled lighting) you may hesitate to invest in some extremely expensive outdoor self-powered lights.

Same here, and I found a simple trick. Bought a portable power generator, so now I can take a couple of studio lights on the field anytime I want. Cheap and efficient!

FYI, a gasolin powered generator costs between 150 (1000W) and 600 US$ (3000W).
It's a bit heavy, but can easily be carried on a pick up or van, and with a 100ft extension cord, it can go nearly everywhere...

Happy!!

Carib Goodies
Carib Goodies
ID: 182744
Posts: 1793
Date: 2008-10-02 16:36
Godfrey Zwygart:

If you're not shooting commercial outdoors on a daily basis, but still want to get good shots (that means good, controlled lighting) you may hesitate to invest in some extremely expensive outdoor self-powered lights.

Same here, and I found a simple trick. Bought a portable power generator, so now I can take a couple of studio lights on the field anytime I want. Cheap and efficient!

FYI, a gasolin powered generator costs between 150 (1000W) and 600 US$ (3000W).
It's a bit heavy, but can easily be carried on a pick up or van, and with a 100ft extension cord, it can go nearly everywhere...

Happy!!


You can find our recent, extensive discussion, about alternative power sources HERE. Portable generator units are included.
:cantlook: Have faith that the universe will unfold as it should :cool:

Gary Young
Gary Young
ID: 237093
Posts: 2217
Date: 2008-10-04 22:33
Another option is shoot before the daylight fades & just fix the photo later:thumbup:
:cool:

Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-05 01:49
Come on Gary!!!
We're talking about LIGHT here...if you shoot when the light fades it's a totally different pic.
LIGHT IS EVERYTHING...no light means you'll shoot at HIGH iso, which is bad for the pic quality and gives a lot of noise.
I always shoot at the lowest iso (100 in digita, and 64 or 100 in filml).

Thanks anyway.

Orsiris Pte Ltd
Orsiris Pte Ltd
ID: 128069
Posts: 305
Date: 2008-10-07 02:41
Ya...the generators are getting cheaper and cheaper...together with the smoke machines, they can add a new dimension for people in the field :thumbup:

SPB Photography
SPB Photography
ID: 199320
Posts: 3
Date: 2008-10-07 05:18
Hmmm

Using a gas/petrol generator is fine as long as it's the right one!

Most cheap gas/pertol generators have an unstable output, and I for one would not plug my studio lights into one!

If I need electrical power outdoors on a shoot, I either use a battery pack and inverter or a Honda Electronic Generator (I think it's an EC2000) where the output is a true sine wave created electronically. The good thing about the Honda Generators is you can link them together for more power (I use 2 2000 Watt units to give me a total of 4000 Watts which run 4 Bowens Monobloc units and my MacBook and allow me to charge camera batteries at the same time).

A few months ago I watched a photographer distroy 6 studio lights on a shoot when he plugged them into a generator he had hired. Expensive lesson!!!!

For quick setups, I use a true sinewave inverter hooked into my Landrover and just leave the engine ticking over, this will quite happily run 2 or 3 monoblocks at the end of a 100 foot extension cord.

Regarding previous posts about light...... a photographer can never have enough options no matter what time of day or night when it comes to lights. Sometimes though, creativity is using what you have got and not what you can throw at the subject!

Simon

Terence Dunn
Terence Dunn
ID: 256390
Posts: 233
Date: 2008-10-07 07:48
Yup Make sure it is a Pure sine wave output. :thumbup: Can you believe that for 499 cad Walmart is marketing a 1600 watt pure sign wave gas generator? :lol:
:thumbup: Cheers :thumbup:

Terence

One-Stop PhotoShop
One-Stop PhotoShop
ID: 171470
Posts: 31
Date: 2008-10-07 09:08
I'm sticking to reflectors....and no shooting at night....lol

One-Stop PhotoShop

Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-07 10:07
HAHAH Thank SPB and Terence for the hints.
I have no problem with drops as that I go through a transformer before the lights. The reason is I use 220V strobes and the power here is 110.
I have plugged the strobes once by mistake on 110, and they DID NOT BURN OUT. they just would not operate.

True that most petrol generators cannot be linked... But MAN you need a truck to carry all your stuff.

I think I'm gonna go for ONE STOP PHOTOSHOP system in the future...Sound much cheaper and reliable!!!!!!!!
:D:D:D

Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-07 10:14
OH...btw, I of course had considered inverters, but to get a 2000W output, (unless they are charged by your car alternator) you'd need two huge and heavy 12V/80A batteries , and besides, Inverters cost a fortune too. Dunno how much they retail in the US. Bought some before for marine use and they DID cost a fortune...

Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-07 10:18
OH...forgot.. Lucky that my 220 strobes didn't burn using 110, but the reverse would be deadly of course...it would blow the bulbs and burn the components for sure.

One-Stop PhotoShop
One-Stop PhotoShop
ID: 171470
Posts: 31
Date: 2008-10-07 10:19
And my system saves on your back too.

One-Stop PhotoShop

Gary Young
Gary Young
ID: 237093
Posts: 2217
Date: 2008-10-07 11:40
You can buy stabiliser plugs that you run your main extension lead through so you get stable power:thumbup:
:cool:

Godfrey Zwygart
Godfrey Zwygart
ID: 250719
Posts: 44
Date: 2008-10-07 20:19
Hi Gary...do not know about these...How much power they can handle???

Alan Holland
Alan Holland
ID: 258573
Posts: 86
Date: 2008-10-09 08:30
Godfrey not all cameras produce noise at high ISO's

Nathan Hill Photography
Nathan Hill Photography
ID: 190390
Posts: 169
Date: 2008-11-04 00:11
I found a portable battery used to power computers in the event of a power failure, they last pretty long and keep the capacitor powered pretty cheaply. Plus the power is always clean and no chance of a spike.

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Total results: 16
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