Do you need reliable studio lights to set professional lights at an affordable price? I’ve found the top 10 best studio lighting kits, so you can quickly find the best way to fulfil your needs and budget.
What Is the Best Studio Lighting Kit?
In case you plan to take a career in photography or simply need to update your lighting equipment, you need to be very attentive to all the choices available on the market.
Best Studio Lighting Kit
Modern manufacturers produce a range of studio lighting kits, so you can easily get lost in this variety. I want to share some secrets about how to use photography lights, what brands to trust and why.
Best Studio Lights
Fovitec Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 1 backdrop support stand, 3 backdrops, 3 softboxes, 3 heads, 3 light stands, 15 bulbs, carry bag
If you practice photography or videography, you will find this lighting kit for studio photography very useful. You receive 3 softboxes with light bulbs that provide 90 + CRI. They are energy abundant, with a total output equal to 3000W of fluorescent lights.
Personally, I like this photo studio lighting kit, because it just takes a few minutes to get all put together. You don’t need equipment, either. Don’t worry about color rendering, since all the colors in the photos are authentic and vibrant.
If you like working with natural lighting but don’t want to be limited in time, you can get this studio lighting kit and take pictures whenever you like.
Neewer Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 4 light stand, 2 light holders, 4 bulbs, 2 umbrellas, 2 softboxes, 3 backdrops, 6 backdrop clamps, 1 backdrop support system, carry bag
This home studio lighting kit consists of power umbrellas, softboxes, bulbs, light holders and clips. All the components are very durable, which makes Neewer Background Lighting Kit a fantastic choice for such an affordable price.
A decent addition is a collection of backdrops (green, black and white), which makes sure that your photos will be of professional quality. The kit can help both newbies and professional photographers create a basic photography lighting setup that is convenient to work with.
Emart Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 1 backdrop stand support system, 3 backdrops, 4 light stands, 2 softboxes with diffuser, 2 light holders, 2 umbrellas, 4 bulbs, 6 backdrop clamps, carry bag.
If you need something universal, affordable and easy-to-use when it comes to studio photography lighting setup, you won’t find a more suitable option than this one. This is the perfect kit for beginner photographers who barely understand how to position lights for photography, but who want to take beautiful pictures.
It includes all the necessary components for efficient work and also comes with instructions that make it very easy to assemble. You can adjust the height of the parasol reflector and the light stand if necessary. Manufacturers have added a durable carrying bag to the kit.
Fovitec StudioPro Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 3 stands, 11 bulbs, carry bag
You may think this studio lighting kit is too cheap to serve you for many years, but it’s actually a durable set that’s great for any kind of indoor shooting. If you’ve never dealt with the setup of studio photography, it might take you some time to figure it out. But using the detailed instructions that come with this kit, you’re going to do it pretty fast. Softboxes work perfectly to produce bright and even light. So, if you’ve got a limited budget, but you want to get a decent lighting gear, hurry up and buy this kit.
LimoStudio Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 3 stands, 11 bulbs, carry bag
This is one of the most popular lighting kits because of its affordable cost and great shooting opportunities. You get the light that’s evenly spread, so you can take vibrant, lively studio photos.
Although initially designed for studio use, you can also benefit from it during outdoor shooting. Manufacturers also included a carry bag, which is a nice little bonus. You don’t need to read tutorials because it takes you a few minutes to do everything and start shooting.
StudioFX Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 3 light stands, 3 light heads, 12 bulbs, carry bag
StudioFX is ideal for e-commerce photography. There are three constant light softboxes with four bulbs in each of them. Manufacturers have positioned it as a product studio lighting kit, although you can try it for other genres as well.
It’s super easy to set up and use. If you combine this kit with DSLR cameras, you can achieve the best results. Novice and experienced photographers can use StudioFX in their work.
Mount Dog Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 4 bulbs, 3 softboxes and diffusers, 1 carry bag, 3 softbox stands, 1 cross bar, 1 sandbag, 1 service card
Can you get a cheap but efficient photography studio lighting kit? It’s easy. Mount Dog is a great proof that a durable photo kit can be lightweight, easy to assemble and affordable at the same time.
The cool feature of this kit is the spare bulbs, so there will be no cost if the original one is damaged. You can just change it. Studio photography lighting produced by these softboxes is bright enough and white enough (not yellow). This is perfect for food and product photography. Overall, this is a decent option for such money.
Linco Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 3 4-Socket light banks, 3 light stands, 12 bulbs, 1 arm reflector holder kit, 1 carry bag, 1 backdrop stand support system, 3 backdrops
First assembling may cause some difficulties, but after doing so several times, you’re going to get to grips with the process very quickly. This studio light kit consists of three softboxes with four bulbs on each of them. Such a powerful lighting kit ensures that the colors in the picture are crisp and true to life. To attain even better results, combine it with window, ambient light.
Fositan Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 11 bulbs, 3 stands, 2 5 socket heads, 1 1 socket head, 1 cantilever stick with sandbag, 1 Carry Bag
Studio lighting photography becomes a true joy if you properly arrange your working space. Purchasing this kit, you’ll get everything you need for a stable career. It is truly universal and is helpful in poorly lit (almost dark) places.
Anyway, you’re going to get luminous and well-exposed pictures. This studio light kit is lightweight and portable, while adjustable stand allows shooting from different angles.
Craphy Photography Studio Lighting Kit
Contains: 3 softboxes, 3 4-socket light heads, 12 bulbs. 3 backdrops, 2 carry bags
This is a great home studio lighting kit if you’re just starting your career in photography and you can’t spend a lot of money on equipment. Actually, all the components in this kit are going to cost more if you decide to buy them separately. So, it’s a smart choice.
The bundle takes little area in an average carry bag, so won’t cause any inconveniences during transportation. The nice bonus is a collection of backdrops.
How to Choose a Studio Light Kit?
Even if you’ve got enough money to buy the latest studio light kit, think twice before you do it. The most expensive item does not always mean the best.
Photography Type
Your specialization is the first criterion to be taken into account. Are you photographing people? Products? Perhaps you’re going to take fashions shot? No matter what the response is, it has a big influence on the type of studio lighting kit you need.
Depending on the genre, you’ll buy a bundle of various lights, softboxes, diffusers, etc. For example, you’re not going to have a professional fashion shooting kit, although you can make a simple DIY light box for product photography.
Your Budget
The financial factor is not less important when it comes to photography lighting equipment. After you’ve worked out what kit suits your expectations, you need to search for this version in an acceptable price range.
Try to find the balance between quality and cost.
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
Color rendering index is used to describe the ability of light to show correct colours, shades and tones of the skin. To learn the CRI of the studio lighting kit, take a look at its technical characteristics.
The higher the CRI, the better the light you’re going to get. Don’t even think of lighting kits with a Color Rendering Index lower than 80.
Light Color Temperature
We see light as something white, but it may be of different colors. Since sensors in cameras are capable of capturing color casts, it is important to learn basic studio lighting and color temperature diagram before selecting the required light kit.
Just think about the kind of light bulb you use. What is its temperature? Since the color temperature of the daylight is nearly 5500 degrees, I suggest purchasing a studio light kit with a similar value.
Power Output
The best choice is to use energy efficient lighting kits with high power output. Energy-saving bulbs can be used for a long time without getting too hot. In addition, they are cheap and environmentally friendly.
Studio Light Setup Ideas
After you’ve bought a light kit, you need to learn how to use it properly. I’ve prepared a variety of useful ideas.
Butterfly Lighting Setup
Nikon D7100 + Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70 mm f/2.8 G ED
Butterfly or paramount lighting is arranged in such a way that one bulb is placed in front of and above your subject, resulting in a slight shade under the nose that resembles a flying butterfly.
Since it makes the face thinner while highlighting the cheekbones, this studio photography setup is used by photographers for women’s portraits. Keep in mind that this just won’t suit photographing model with deep-set eyes.
Rembrandt Lighting Setup
Canon EOS 80D + Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L II USM 2.
This is definitely one of the best lighting techniques in the studio. Everything is arranged in such a way that a small triangle-shaped light appears on the face of the model. You can actually use a single light source at 45 offset from the person to get this effect.
Photographers sometimes add another light source 45 to the dark side of the face and a reflector for a more artistic look.
Split Lighting Setup
Canon 5D Mark II + Canon EF 85 mm f/1.2L II USM
This form belongs to side studio lighting examples, which reach the model at 90 angles from the side. It is easily recognizable in pictures, as one half of the person’s face is dark, while the other half is beautifully lit.
You can also see a shadow line running down in the center of your forehead, your nose and your chin.
Clamshell Lighting Setup
2 Lights Setup
Nikon D850 + Nikon AF — S 50 mm f/1.8 G
This is the ideal studio lighting system for fashion photography, as you get even, flattering light. Only find 2 softboxes on either side of your model. Remember to position them at the same angle and at the same distance. Check if the power of each bulb is the same. To bounce light up on the face of the model, put the reflector underneath it.
3 Lights Setup
EOS 7D Mark II + Sigma 85 mm f/1.4 DG HSM
It’s the process of lighting the subject from three angles. The main light is directed to the model, acting as a basic illuminator. The filling light is at the side angle and lower than the main source. The back light is focused at the subject from behind. Hence you will get a photo with a subject separated from the background.
An incredible combination of power , versatility and ease of use, the Fovitec Photography Studio Lighting Kit features 3 softboxes with light bulbs that provide 90 + CRI. They are energy abundant, with a total output equal to 3000W of fluorescent lights. It’s considerably the most expensive kit, but worth the price.
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