Going to purchase a strobist influuenced lighting kit

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M

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
10,973
14
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I've been itching to do this for a while, and now that certain things are in order I'm ready to jump on it. I'm trying to create a basic kit to learn and play with, as well as allow for room to expand and grow upon (as opposed to dumping it all and starting from square one). Anyone mind to take a look at what I have lined up and comment? Any info is greatly appreciated!

1)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting. People like virtuamike have pimped this book out too much for me not to pick it up! I'm very much a theory oriented person~ once the theory is down, then application is easy. I was the same way in my engineering classes in that regard.

2) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance Westcott 750 Photo Basics 7.5-Foot Light Stand. The foundation of the setup.

3)http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover. I would prefer to do shoot through, largely because i know the spaces i will be dealing with won't be a nice huge studio. Of course it means i need to be aware of other things (like having the walls turn into reflectors on their own), but where I can save space I would like it.

4) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance Shoe Mount Multiclamp. Connect umbrella to the stand and the flash...I actually looked for a basic, cheap one. Interestingly enough the prices for these don't seem to be much cheaper (unless I go on ebay and look for the really cheap ones, but i'm interested in utility and cutting the cost that much cripples things)

5) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance. Swatch Book....why not? :p I can play with what I want and end up ordering what I would use the most (prolly fluorescent and tungsten...)

6) http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-...&qid=1222381656&sr=8-1. Cheapo Flash, but with good reviews. I don't need anything with all the crazy gadgetry because I already have a pretty powerful AF540GZ pentax flash. What I DO need is something that gets the job done when paired with ebay triggers (Which is why I don't need anything beyond manual). I thought about only dealing with my single flash, but i've seen enough photos to see the benefits of having that second (although this could extend to multiple lol) light source. I was intially going to follow strobist advice and pick up a 285HV or a Sunpack 383, but it seems the prices have gone up a little bit (I watched the 285HV jump 20 bucks in a week and half). I also started to question the need for any extra features. Of course I'm going to call adorama to get more specs on this flash (the steps by which it can be dialed down....i'm not expecting it to go all the down to 1/64 like my pentax flash, but i would be expecting 1/16th to be there)

Lastly I would pick up another cactus receiver...and i'm planning on modding my current one this weekend. I noticed if I block the reciever with my hand, it won't trigger correctly. How sad! It would be nice to trigger both off camera without having to worry about so many mis fires.

Price isn't going to make or break it for me...I get by decently in that regard. However, I'm still pretty stingy about how I spent my money and always look to minimize that dollar to benefit ratio. Thus anything that is cheaper isn't bad.

So are there any recommendations that you guys have? Add something? Change something out? Thanks ahead of time everyone
 
sygyzy

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Isn't the HV285 what is included in the Strobist kits?

Are you using the lightstand only to hold the umbrella/curtain? Or does it hold your flash unit? Why not get an always on light (spotlight)?

(I know nothing about lighting)
 
M

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
10,973
14
76
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Isn't the HV285 what is included in the Strobist kits?

Are you using the lightstand only to hold the umbrella/curtain? Or does it hold your flash unit? Why not get an always on light (spotlight)?

(I know nothing about lighting)
Click to expand...

yes the HV285 is what is recommended in the strobist kit.

light stand is attached to the shoemount. the shoemount holds both the flash and the umbrella.

as for a spotlight....there is a reason that I'm going for a strobist inspired kit ;) If anything I'm worried about the not so compact nature of the stand (Which defeats the whole mobility aspect). I don't expect to constantly move things left and right, but I like to have everything compact ready for me to pick up and go
 
sygyzy

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Dumb question - but does the flash (HV285) stay constantly on like a strobe or does it only flash?
 
G

ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
1,819
1
76
You could save a few bucks here and there.

I have the B&H "Impact" brand Umbrella/Swivel bracket ($14+shipping):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/..._Umbrella_Bracket.html

Then add the Roscolux swatchbook (1 cent):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...scolux_Swatchbook.html

I'm not sure why you chose that particular flash. From a quick look at it, it seems to be an automatic-only flash (no manual settings) and has a low guide number (compared to Vivitar 285HV, Sunpak 383, Canon 430EX, etc.). I have a Canon 430EX, which has manual controls but no PC port. That's not a problem though, since you can get a cheap PC/hotshoe adapter off ebay. I considered getting an additional 285HV or 383, but as you said, the popularity of strobist has pushed the prices of these flashes up. Instead, I figured there were flashes that were similar but haven't been recognized by the strobist community yet. In fact, there are. Sunpak made several, several similar models. I got one that's near identical to the Sunpak 383, but lacked the PC port (once again, no big deal with a cheap hotshoe adapter) for less than $30 shipped off ebay. But be careful, as the voltage on some of these strobes may be too high if you try to mount it to your camera or use a cable. http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

Also, I'm not a fan of the cactus triggers, even though I've never used them. I've heard too many people complain about them misfiring, breaking or just plain not working. Recognize that there is a "v1" and "v2" version of these triggers. The v2 ones are supposed to be less problematic. If you're indoors, you might want to consider getting a flash trigger for a secondary flash instead. They are cheaper, use no batteries and as long as you're indoors, more reliable. And those cactus triggers don't take easy-to-find batteries, so expect to buy some of those pricier ones (I forgot what they use).

Lastly, consider whether you intend for this setup to be portable. If not, you might want to consider an investment in studio strobes. Those usually come with modeling lights (always on light bulb), so you can get an idea of how the lighting will look on your subject instead flashing/checking/adjusting/flashing again until you get it right.
 
M

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
10,973
14
76
Thanks for the replies ghostman. I'll switch to those just to save those few bucks.

As for choosing the flash...you got me ;) Good find. I was actually selecting these things earlier before I broke my fast (its ramadan right now) so I don't think as well. I didn't even notice it had no manual controls (Actually even looking back at what I wrote...its obvious my brain isn't working correctly!). I did think that if there was a good choice, strobist would have nailed it by now. I had decided to manually hunt and start searching through all the flash guns when I came upon this thinking that strobist totally missed something. I'll revise that choice after I think about it more...I've honestly read too many issues with that 285HV to want to put down 100 on it, so I may consider an alternative sunpak. I'll, of course, have to balance my desire to get something now with the 'deals' on ebay that require someone to search diligently and be patient.

As for the cactus triggers...I already have them =) I was simply going to buy another receiver. I'm going to mod my transmitter at work tomorrow for ~1/2 wavelength. I have a v2s - the s being fine for the low voltage triggers. They use crv2 batteries IIRC...quite pricey at 10 a pop. When it comes time to replace them, I may simply opt for the AA mod so I can use regular batteries ;) As of right now the range is bad, and my hand can block the reception. They also trigger about 70% of the time if I get a clear line of sight. We'll see how things go with that mod, and hopefully I'll have similar successes that many others have had.

As you mentioned lastly, I do intend this setup to be portable. Maybe in the future if I get my own place I can consider a more permanent setup, but as of right now I need something I can setup and tear down as I desire. Studio strobes really doesn't allow for that in the same way. Of course as you hinted, there will be a trade off to obtain that portability but at this stage in my photographic ability, it will not be a limiting factor.
 
sygyzy

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Why don't they make light clamps/stands that just attach to standard tripods which everyone has? Or do they?
 
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