Post your latest purchases.

[hark]

This came from UPS via my local brick an mortar camera store. The Weather has been kind of ugly so I have not been able to get out. It is supposed to improve next week so I should have a chance to play with it more. I have to say taking some photos in the house using the Z 70-200 f2.8 it looks good. It is much lighter than the 200-500 f5.6 Nikon. I am cautiously optimistic.

View attachment 371567

Does the Nikon TC couple with your Tamron lens without any issues? I didn't know they could be interchanged.

 

[Danno_RIP]

Does the Nikon TC couple with your Tamron lens without any issues? I didn't know they could be interchanged.

I replaced the Tamron Winthrop the Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 lens. This TC strictly is for the Z mount.

 

[hark]

I replaced the Tamron Winthrop the Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 lens. This TC strictly is for the Z mount.

Ah ... understood! I was going by the lenses listed in your signature.

 

[Danno_RIP]

Ah ... understood! I was going by the lenses listed in your signature.

I need to update that today... Thought that might be the case.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

There's a Flashpoint sale at Adorama right now, and I figured it'd be a good time to invest in lights. I have a (14 people) group sports shot I was asked to do and didn't have any light besides a single on camera flash.
Got (2) AD200 round head kits with the twin head bowens mount bracket, a glow 60" softbox, a 13' light stand, (2) glow 36" softboxes with(2) 9.5' light stands and a couple of S2 bowens mount brackets. I figure this will give me more flexibility down the road than a single larger light. Also snagged the MF12 for my macro shots. Fingers crossed it was a good investment cuz now I'm poor- they don't exactly give this stuff away, LOL!

 

[Roscoe Primrose]

The last 10 days worth.... Christmas is late this year

 

[hark]

There's a Flashpoint sale at Adorama right now, and I figured it'd be a good time to invest in lights. I have a (14 people) group sports shot I was asked to do and didn't have any light besides a single on camera flash.
Got (2) AD200 round head kits with the twin head bowens mount bracket, a glow 60" softbox, a 13' light stand, (2) glow 36" softboxes with(2) 9.5' light stands and a couple of S2 bowens mount brackets. I figure this will give me more flexibility down the road than a single larger light. Also snagged the MF12 for my macro shots. Fingers crossed it was a good investment cuz now I'm poor- they don't exactly give this stuff away, LOL!

Did you get a trigger? If you haven't yet gotten one, be sure to check on compatibility of the Flashpoint trigger with Nikon's mirrorless. I thought there is an issue with some type of mirrorless but am not sure if it's Nikon or another manufacturer. The Flashpoint trigger is slightly different than the Godox one (at least the comparable one to the Godox XPro-N).

The Godox lights are excellent.

And if you plan on using the AD200 strobes with their bare bulbs (inside softboxes or with a reflector), consider adding a couple of Godox AD-S17 units. That will allow a little more light output. I think they are a little less expensive at B&H - at least they were the last time I checked.

Godox AD-S17 via B&H: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341906-REG/godox_ad_s17_ads17_soft_focus_shade.html

 

[TwistedThrottle]

Good info, Cindy. Thanks! That parts going to have to wait a bit, but it'll be on my short list once I'm let out of the dog house again. In the meantime, I could just bump my ISO from 100 to 150 (or whatever it will be in the poorly lit gym) for the lost half stop of light.
Yes, I do have a trigger I picked up last year, it's the Godox Xpro N that I used with my little speedlight, (had to pick up a Godox receiver too since my speedlight is a Promaster 200SL). There are no issues I've noticed using the Flashpoint AD200's or the MF12 with the Godox trigger. One of my favorite features is having the ability to use the modeling light at the push of a button on the trigger, so cool! Everything works as I expected it should in TTL as well as manual. I'm a happy camper!

 

[desmobob]

I took advantage of the Flashpoint/Godox sale like Twisted Throttle and picked up a Godox TT350N from B&H. I'll be buying another one (or its bigger brother) when they go on sale again. I like the little TT350 because it has all the features of the big ones, but fits with my other gear in the small LowePro cases I tend to use.

Roscoe... I bet you're going to love that 300mm f/4! Mine's very sharp, and works well with the very inexpensive 1.4X and 2X Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 teleconverters I picked up later. I've read reviews that said that lens is particularly good with teleconverters and I agree.

 

[Roscoe Primrose]

Roscoe... I bet you're going to love that 300mm f/4! Mine's very sharp, and works well with the very inexpensive 1.4X and 2X Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 teleconverters I picked up later. I've read reviews that said that lens is particularly good with teleconverters and I agree.

I've got the Kenko 1.4x, and a Tamron 2x that looks identical to the Kenko 2x... Haven't had a chance to use either with the 300 yet though..

Roscoe

 

[hark]

Good info, Cindy. Thanks! That parts going to have to wait a bit, but it'll be on my short list once I'm let out of the dog house again. In the meantime, I could just bump my ISO from 100 to 150 (or whatever it will be in the poorly lit gym) for the lost half stop of light.
Yes, I do have a trigger I picked up last year, it's the Godox Xpro N that I used with my little speedlight, (had to pick up a Godox receiver too since my speedlight is a Promaster 200SL). There are no issues I've noticed using the Flashpoint AD200's or the MF12 with the Godox trigger. One of my favorite features is having the ability to use the modeling light at the push of a button on the trigger, so cool! Everything works as I expected it should in TTL as well as manual. I'm a happy camper!

Just something else to consider adding to your short list, TwistedThrottle. :beguiled:

Since you mentioned getting the round head for the AD200, the Godox AK-R16 Gel Set for the Round head is less expensive via B&H than it is through Adorama or Amazon. The set DOES contain the magnetic ring. I was only interested in just the ring, but unfortunately it isn't available to purchase separately. If you don't mind the gels not being accurate for color correction, then these gels are great.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1518618-REG/godox_ak_r16_gel_set_for.html



But if you want gels that have accurate color correction, Rob Hall gives his preferences for all 3 head - the round head, the bare bulb, and the fresnel head. You can also buy sets of creative color gels that include reds, blues, purples, etc. But to use the Rogue Gels he prefers for the Round Head, you still need the magnetic ring from the Godox AK-R16 set.

I'm not sure if it's in this video (I think it is), but when he gels the bare bulb, he mentions using silicone cooking bands to wrap the gels around the bulb. You can either buy bands through B&H or Adorama, or go to Amazon and find some 2" silicone cooking bands.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

Going to be checking into this over the weekend. Thanks again @hark for the helpful tips and vids!

 

[hark]

Going to be checking into this over the weekend. Thanks again @hark for the helpful tips and vids!

You're welcome. Here are a couple other things to consider.

If you find yourself using the bare bulbs a lot (they work very well in softboxes), you might be interested in the bulb cover to protect the bulb when traveling unless you continually remove the bare bulb head every time you finish using it.

https://www.adorama.com/fpftcsl.htm...XEVLDKLphoCyNAQAvD_BwE&utm_source=adl-gbase-p



There are also a variety of reflectors available - but there isn't any one 'perfect' reflector. It's a personal preference dependent upon desired results. One that is popular but expensive is the Cheetah Colt 45. Yet there are other companies that offer very similar reflectors.

Below is a video rundown of some reflectors, but the list certainly isn't comprehensive. The info is just something for you to peruse as you dip your toe into the world of off camera flash.

The only other thing I can think of that might be a necessity is a bumper for the back of the AD200 - especially if you purchased the non-Pro model. Adorama makes their own (actually they made two - don't get the el cheapo one that was their original as it doesn't protect), Godox makes one with a completely different design, and there's also a much more expensive one called The Off Camera Flashback Protective Bumper. On a windy day, if your lightstand gets blown over, the rear display can get damaged. And if you find yourself shooting a lot outdoors or where there is a higher risk of the lightstand getting knocked over, consider the extension head (Godox EC200). The body of the strobe is fastened low on the light stand which helps protect it in case of tipping while the extension head is what's mounted on the lightstand with whatever modifier you choose.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

So helpful! Thanks so much Cindy! Sounds like I have some homework to do this weekend.

 

[hark]

So helpful! Thanks so much Cindy! Sounds like I have some homework to do this weekend.

ONLY if or when you decide to get the extension head, you would need some way of fastening the strobe's body to the lightstand. For this smaller strobe, there are two options. The most common (and also for the AD400 Pro and AD600 strobes) would be a super clamp. Two of the most popular are made by Kupo or Manfrotto (with Manfrotto probably being #1). What I don't care for about the Manfrotto Super Clamp is the handle is plastic whereas on the Kupo, not only is it metal, it is a ratchet handle. There is a third lesser-known option which I also own which is the Godox LSA-03 Nano Clamp. There isn't anything Nano' or small about it. It's the same size as the other two and also has a metal ratcheting handle. Adorama is the only US retailer to carry them - unfortunately they are sold out right now.

If you decide on a Super Clamp, be wary of the Impact Super Clamp sold by B&H. There are several complaints of that one breaking.

I'll put all 3 links below.

Kupo Super Clamp: https://www.adorama.com/kukg701611....table+handle+and+hex+stud&searchredirect=true

Manfrotto Super Clamp: https://www.adorama.com/bg2900.html

Godox LSA-03 Nano Clamp (comes with a silver stud, not brass like the other two): https://www.adorama.com/golsa03.html

The other option is sold by Adorama (and is also available via Amazon). It's a pouch specifically made to hold the AD200 strobe. You just have to be careful not to cover the vents on the strobe so the unit doesn't overheat.

https://www.adorama.com/fplfxp0035.html?origterm=flashpoint+pouch+for+evolv+200&searchredirect=true

I'm only posting the info in case you decide to order something soon - especially the extension head. This way you'll cover all the bases of what might be needed if you choose any of the options I mentioned. It's better to know and not order instead of ordering something then realizing another item is needed to make it work. Good luck - hopefully you'll be let out of the doghouse soon.

 

[Skwaz]

Don’t know why upside down
last year was a nightmare , Sue , the love of my life found out in February 2021 that she had Pancreatic cancer , also
got in her lung and liver , I cared for her at home until , almost seven months later I held her hand as she took her last breaths , totally heartbreaking . So last year and up to now not taken a picture , photography is the only real interest I have , so traded all my gear to get this with the new ftz to use with tamron 70-200 ,
Hoping this will drag me out of my slump and give me some inspiration
i don’t contribute much here but check every day and always vote on the weekly comps
let’s see how things go

 

[hark]

View attachment 372010Don’t know why upside down
last year was a nightmare , Sue , the love of my life found out in February 2021 that she had Pancreatic cancer , also
got in her lung and liver , I cared for her at home until , almost seven months later I held her hand as she took her last breaths , totally heartbreaking . So last year and up to now not taken a picture , photography is the only real interest I have , so traded all my gear to get this with the new ftz to use with tamron 70-200 ,
Hoping this will drag me out of my slump and give me some inspiration
i don’t contribute much here but check every day and always vote on the weekly comps
let’s see how things go

I am so sorry for your loss, Skwaz. The grief from the loss of our loved ones is so difficult.

Looking forward to seeing images from your new acquisition.

 

[Bikerbrent_RIP]

I also am very sorry for you loss. I know your feelings of loss only too well as I lost my Dolores last October to Alzheimer's and have not been able to get out my camera for some time.

 

[Robin W]

So sorry for your loss. My mother died of Pancreatic Cancer in 2010 and I lost a cousin to it this past October. As with all cancer's it is devastating. Jesus helped me through it, I hope he will bless you the same way.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I went out for a walk a few weeks ago and this little puppy followed me home...

600mm AF-S G VRII



My wife is letting me keep it!

WM