D7000 in commander mode and softbox or umbrella

[ideacipher]

I've had the SB600 for quite a while now but for the most part only used it rarely to bounce off of walls or the ceiling mounted on camera. Recently I started to play around with syncing the body with the flash and seeing what I can get using TTL settings. I will start manual flash settings once I have something to work off of. On a budget but not so much that I want to learn on one system and need to move to another costing the same or triple or more.

I'm as green as they come when it comes to creative lighting. I've watched a few vids and read a couple of books on flash photography but no real work with flashl. I bought faster lenses for that reason (well that and SDOF)

Using only the abilities of the camera and flash. Would a softbox or umbrella be better for a single option to work off of? Indoor portraits. I'm not looking for spot on professional just something close to get me on the right track to work with. I'm wondering if one option is going to work with the on camera remote trigger while the other will not.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Marcel]

Both the umbrella and soft box should work with the flash synch since the flash itself is not inside the soft box. I think (but this is only my preference) that a nice soft light is a must for inside portraits. I usually use a window, but it is sometimes very limiting as far as shutter speeds and iso settings.

 

[bmilcs]

I am also in this situation and leaning towards an umbrella with the removable black shell. I'm not sure of the quality but amazon has some affordable kits with the stand included

 

[WayneF]

I've had the SB600 for quite a while now but for the most part only used it rarely to bounce off of walls or the ceiling mounted on camera. Recently I started to play around with syncing the body with the flash and seeing what I can get using TTL settings. I will start manual flash settings once I have something to work off of. On a budget but not so much that I want to learn on one system and need to move to another costing the same or triple or more.

I'm as green as they come when it comes to creative lighting. I've watched a few vids and read a couple of books on flash photography but no real work with flashl. I bought faster lenses for that reason (well that and SDOF)

Using only the abilities of the camera and flash. Would a softbox or umbrella be better for a single option to work off of? Indoor portraits. I'm not looking for spot on professional just something close to get me on the right track to work with. I'm wondering if one option is going to work with the on camera remote trigger while the other will not.

Many thanks in advance

A white reflected umbrella will make an awesome difference. The Commander is line of sight, but which is little problem for umbrellas.

That's a major part of the links in my sig, see Part 3 Soft Light and also the Lighting section.

 

[bmilcs]

Can you get a good umbrella and stand for cheap that's worth buying? Or do you really need to invest in a $100+ kit.

 

[WayneF]

I cannot answer the actual question, I have not compared much. It's not rocket science though, just a moveable reflecting white panel.

What I like to use (for two speedlights, main and fill light) is this:

Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW 401484 B&H

Mine are nine years old, and holding up very well. I have some others, but these are favorites.

A somewhat light-weight light stand (like kit above) is adequate for a speedlight and umbrella, which are not heavy, and no big deal for a stand. Large softboxes (heavy off center weight) is what absolutely needs a heavier stand. A taller stand (used not at full height) will be stronger and more stable than a shorter stand of same model. The ten foot Smith Victor Raven stand is substantially heavier than the eight foot stand. Foot print diameter is an important parameter. They can tip over fairly easily, and you learn to keep one stand foot directly under the off center weight.


You want an White umbrella about 32 to 45 inches diameter. Bigger is softer, but harder to work around in a small space.

I would say that this one is about the Minimum (I have one):

Impact 32" Convertible Umbrella UBBW32 B&H Photo Video

They have a $100 kit of two including stands and brackets. It needs better flash shoes though.

This is an acceptable stand:

Impact Air-cushioned Light Stand (Black, 8') LS-8A B&H Photo

Eight feet is about all you can use under ten foot ceiling with umbrellas. The lighting needs them to be higher than head height.

And you will need an umbrella bracket
umbrella bracket | B&H Photo Video

Maybe see Mounting Speedights in Umbrellas first


You do want the black cover for reflected use. Shoot through is very optional, IMO. Shoot through puts about 2/3 of the light out the back side, to reflect all around the room. The black cover eliminates that 1/3 transmission. Shoot though is used when necessary to place them very close to the subject, like fabric at 12 or 18 inches. Reflected has to be back, fabric at 3 or 4 feet (due to the stand in the way), but are more efficient and (if at the same distance), are softer. The removable black cover is a choice.