Hello,

I have a Nikon D50 and one sb-600 flash.

I want to make an informal pet photography studio and I obviously need more light.

Question 1:
Do you need an sb 800 to use the sb 600 as a remote?

Qustion 2 is would this be a better lighting alternentive to speedlights?

This professional continuous lighting kit features hand-spun reflectors made of thick, high-strength aluminum with chemically-etched interiors for maximum light dispersion. The outer finish on the reflectors and stands is a photographic black, baked-on enamel to prevent unwanted reflections.

This kit comes with a tough, molded poly case on wheels! The case measures 17" wide x 32" long x 13" deep, with molded interior compartments for holding your light stands, accessories and lights safely and securely (this case alone sells for $119.00 - see below for closeup photo). This versitile lighting kit works well with your digital camera - just set the white balance to tungsten. Use to setup your own home studio, or for portraiture, glamour, wedding, still-life and product photography.


The Smith-Victor KT900 light kit contains the following:

Two (2) 12 inch Reflectors

One (1) 5 inch Reflector

Three (3) Socket & Cordsets with Stand Mounts

Two (2) UM-4 Umbrella Mounts

Two (2) 32 inch White Umbrellas

Two (2) ECT 500-Watt Photoflood Lamps/bulbs
These are tungsten; 120 volts; 3200ºk; 13650 lumens; inside frost continuous lamps.

One (1) ECA 250-Watt Photoflood Lamp/bulb
This is a tungsten; 120 volts; 3200ºk; 6500 lumens; inside frost continuous lamp.

Three (3) Raven 8 foot Aluminum Stands
Specifications: 4 sections; telescopes to 8 feet; folds to just 26.5 inches; 36 inch footprint; weight 2.5 lbs.

One (1) MB-110 mini-boom
This is a 2-section lightweight boom with 1.1 lb. counter-weight. Holds light heads weighing up to 1.75 lbs. Ideal for hair light. Extends from 36" to 64". 5/8" brass top mount. Anodized aluminum construction.

One (1) Light Cart on Wheels (see below for close-up)
This is a tough molded ABS case on wheels. Measures 17"wide x 32" long x 13" deep, with molded interior compartments for holding light stands, accessories and up to three lights safely and securely.

One (1) Imaging with Light Guide

PLUS we have added an additional set of bulbs!!!

Two (2) additional ECT 500-Watt Photoflood Lamps/bulbs
These are tungsten; 120 volts; 3200ºk; 13650 lumens; inside frost continuous lamps.

One (1) additional ECA 250-Watt Photoflood Lamp/bulb
This is a tungsten; 120 volts; 3200ºk; 6500 lumens; inside frost continuous lamp

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This NEW kit is covered by the 2-year MANUFACTURER WARRANTY (the bulbs are excluded from the warranty). We are an AUTHORIZED dealer for Smith-Victor and Photogenic Professional Lighting!

The problem with Tungsten lighting is that as they get older, the color balance changes.
They use an ungodly amount of electricy.

The advantage to using tungsten is that it is a continuous light source and you can see how the shadows falls.

I would recommend Alien Bees or White Lightning Strobes.

I agree with David, while it's nice to see the lighting as in using photofloods, they run hot, use lots of power and tend to change color over time.

I use Alien Bees and they are great. White Lightning is from the same manufacturer (Paul C. Buff) and both sets of lights come as a kit with stands, umbrellas, cases, cords, etc. The Alien Bees have halogen modeling lights that give you an idea of how the shadows will fall.

The nice thing about using digital cameras is the ability to set up the strobes and take some exposures and see exactly what you're getting.

Good luck,

Jim

Oh and yes, you need the SB-800 to act as a Master, controlling the -600. Or, you can get the new SU-800 controller, which fires either.