Rental Flash - Which One?

[Nathan Lanni]

Hey,

I need your advice:

My daughter's university graduation is in June this year. I plan to do stills and video with my d7100. My son graduated last year and the ceremony seating arrangements had me at the long end of a DX 55-300mm. I will also do some portraits and a few campus architecture shots here and there.

This year I'm renting a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II so hopefully with my 1.5 crop factor that should cover my ranges pretty good.

My other thought is even though my d7100 has a built-in flash maybe I should consider renting a flash and off-camera shoe cord as well. I already own a wireless remote.

BTW since I have to spring for the rentals anyway, a 7-day rate is not that much more than a 3-day rate so the rates shown are for 7 day Nikon Speedlights.

SB-600 $20
SB-700 $33
SB-800 $36
SB-910 $49

I have watched a few Youtube videos on setting up the flash but really the last time I used flash was in the 1980's with a 35mm film camera and a simple Sunpak flash, so this tek will be new to me. I'd like to try my hand at doing portraiture so I might try slaving the flash with some other lights to assist.

Suggestions are welcome.

Nate

 

[Rick M]

I have the SB700 and it's easy to use, almost foolproof which is good for me as I'm not a flash expert. I guess it would ultimately come down to the reach you need.

 

[Lawrence]

Those are pretty reasonable rentals prices (I would think) and give you enough imd to practice. Good luck with the shoot and don't forget to share the results and your thoughts on the flash you decide on.

 

[rocketman122]

personally, a flash is something one should have as standard gear. I would not rent. not sure how tight you are with money but the Sb700 or a used SB800 is just great. you can go with cheaper options like the yongnuo 568/565. personally, I have to say that nikon flashes are built better and have more features, but if youre looking for just a simple ttl/manual flash without bells and whistles the yongnuo are great. you can also get a phottix mitros flash with all the toys that the big 910 flash has with 2 years warranty for $300.

im sure there will another time where youll need the flash for an event or two. but still $50 renting is not $300 for a flash. im just giving my personal view.

now regarding the setup, this will be outdoors in the day? if so, the flash wont help if youre going to be shooting from far away. the recycle time wont be fast enough. the power wont be enough as well if youre shooting from far. if you can get the flash on a light stand and keep it closer to the stage, then use the wireless slaves and fire the flash that way. but if youre firing it manual then you wont be able to adjust the output on the fly.

 

[kluisi]

My daughter's university graduation is in June this year. I plan to do stills and video with my d7100. My son graduated last year and the ceremony seating arrangements had me at the long end of a DX 55-300mm. I will also do some portraits and a few campus architecture shots here and there.

This year I'm renting a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II so hopefully with my 1.5 crop factor that should cover my ranges pretty good.

One thing I noticed is that you said your last graduation was pushing the long end of a 300mm DX zoom lens. That 300mm DX would be like a 450mm on your 7100 (or any other DX camera), but the lens you're renting this year is only a 70-200mm lens. That will only be 300mm on your 7100, so you're going to feel like you're much further away than you were last year. What if instead of the 70-200mm, you rented the 300mm f2.8. That would at least be the same focal range as last year. Will probably cost you more money to rent and you might need to also invest in a good Monopod (or tripod if allowed) and head to make it all work. You would still have the 24-70 for the architecture and portraits (36-105mm on DX).

 

[Nathan Lanni]

I have the SB700 and it's easy to use, almost foolproof which is good for me as I'm not a flash expert. I guess it would ultimately come down to the reach you need.

+

personally, a flash is something one should have as standard gear. I would not rent. not sure how tight you are with money but the Sb700 or a used SB800 is just great. you can go with cheaper options like the yongnuo 568/565. personally, I have to say that nikon flashes are built better and have more features, but if youre looking for just a simple ttl/manual flash without bells and whistles the yongnuo are great. you can also get a phottix mitros flash with all the toys that the big 910 flash has with 2 years warranty for $300.

im sure there will another time where youll need the flash for an event or two. but still $50 renting is not $300 for a flash. im just giving my personal view.

now regarding the setup, this will be outdoors in the day? if so, the flash wont help if youre going to be shooting from far away. the recycle time wont be fast enough. the power wont be enough as well if youre shooting from far. if you can get the flash on a light stand and keep it closer to the stage, then use the wireless slaves and fire the flash that way. but if youre firing it manual then you wont be able to adjust the output on the fly.

Thanks for commenting.

I'll give the purchase some serious thought. I always prefer to buy rather than barrow or rent anyway aso that that's not a big stretch for me. I wouldn't mind stating in the $150 - $200 range if possible.

Last year the ceremony started mid-afternoon, but there was a lot of shade. However, I made it though that Ok without additional lighting. The faster lens should help in that area as well, so I don't I'll have to use flash for the ceremony while we're seated.

I'm thinking more for before and after ceremony portraits, family shots, etc., plus last year my kids and their friends want to go pub kind of place, things like that. So I'm assuming from close range to max range of 30 to 40 feet.

 

[FastGlass]

Get the 910. Why settle for something less than what you can have. If buying, again get the best that Nikon offers. If it's to expensive than save for it.

 

[Nathan Lanni]

One thing I noticed is that you said your last graduation was pushing the long end of a 300mm DX zoom lens. That 300mm DX would be like a 450mm on your 7100 (or any other DX camera), but the lens you're renting this year is only a 70-200mm lens. That will only be 300mm on your 7100, so you're going to feel like you're much further away than you were last year. What if instead of the 70-200mm, you rented the 300mm f2.8. That would at least be the same focal range as last year. Will probably cost you more money to rent and you might need to also invest in a good Monopod (or tripod if allowed) and head to make it all work. You would still have the 24-70 for the architecture and portraits (36-105mm on DX).

I think I'm a little confused how the crop factor is affecting the DX vs FX lenses on my d7100.

The DX 55-300m gave me an angle of view ranging from 28°50' to 5°20' and the Nikon specs for the 70-200mm f/2.8 indicates I'm getting 22°50' to 8°. That seems pretty close. Is there something else I should be considering?

 

[carguy]

I say the SB-800 or SB-910. While the SB-700 is a great flash, there is no jack to use a sync cord to a wireless trigger.
If your wireless triggers are shoe based, it isn't an issue.

 

[FastGlass]

....

 

[gqtuazon]

I think I'm a little confused how the crop factor is affecting the DX vs FX lenses on my d7100.

The DX 55-300m gave me an angle of view ranging from 28°50' to 5°20' and the Nikon specs for the 70-200mm f/2.8 indicates I'm getting 22°50' to 8°. That seems pretty close. Is there something else I should be considering?

Here is a sample picture that I took during a graduation in 2012. It was inside a concert hall and I was seated from the front row. Approximately 50 feet from the stage. If you are going to be much further, your best choice is the SB 910 since it can reach up to 200mm.

Nikon D7000, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII @156mm, 1/100, f5.6, ISO 1000, SB900, hand-held.

 

[kluisi]

I think I'm a little confused how the crop factor is affecting the DX vs FX lenses on my d7100.

The DX 55-300m gave me an angle of view ranging from 28°50' to 5°20' and the Nikon specs for the 70-200mm f/2.8 indicates I'm getting 22°50' to 8°. That seems pretty close. Is there something else I should be considering?

Nope...there's nothing else that you should be considering. My point was only that the 70-200mm will be shorter than the 55-300mm and if you thought you were pushing the limits of the 300mm last year, you might not be as happy with the 200mm this year (though the lens will be a much better performer). Where are you planning on renting these lenses from out of curiosity?

 

[Nathan Lanni]

Nice shot Glenn.

Yeah, I just not sure what my exact range will be so I with you and leaning toward the 910. For the difference in money that will cover me pretty good.

Thanks Glenn. Most appreciated.

Here is a sample picture that I took during a graduation in 2012. It was inside a concert hall and I was seated from the front row. Approximately 50 feet from the stage. If you are going to be much further, your best choice is the SB 910 since it can reach up to 200mm.

Nikon D7000, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII @156mm, 1/100, f5.6, ISO 1000, SB900, hand-held.

 

[Nathan Lanni]

Nope...there's nothing else that you should be considering. My point was only that the 70-200mm will be shorter than the 55-300mm and if you thought you were pushing the limits of the 300mm last year, you might not be as happy with the 200mm this year (though the lens will be a much better performer). Where are you planning on renting these lenses from out of curiosity?

OK, thanks.

I've checked around quite a bit, BarrowLenses, LensRental, Sammy's, Rentglass, and a few others. However, there's one outfit about 45 minutes from my place called TopLensRental (Camera Lens Rental. Rent professional cameras or camera lenses for Canon and Nikon. http://www.TopLensRental.com) and their rates are very reasonable plus I can avoid shipping cost. Given this is the first time working with this company I want to inspect the glass on the spot. They assure me there will be no problems but we'll see. For the 2 lenses on a 7 day rental it's just a tad under $200. They have been fantastic answering all my questions and emails.

Interesting tidbit about Rentglass is even though their rental rates are reasonable, their website is darn quirky. At first glance, their layout makes it easy to see what lenses they offer, but then when you click on the 24-70mm f/2.8 it's noted "Out of Stock". Same story with the 70-200mm f/2.8. Obviously these are popular rentals, but OK, I got it, you don't have the lens now, but. . . I'm renting in June - 3 months in away. Got to wonder if they are missing out on business because of their silly procedure.

Sammy's seemed to only have a daily rate. They are very close to Los Angeles, California, so maybe that system works out for them but not me.

BarrowLenses seems to have a lot of gear, even the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon, which I'm thinking about renting before I buy. Their rental rates were considerably higher.

Cheers.

Nathan

 

[kluisi]

OK, thanks.
BarrowLenses seems to have a lot of gear, even the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon, which I'm thinking about renting before I buy. Their rental rates were considerably higher.

Yeah...they have the 300mm f2.8 too, but it is a significant jump in price for a weekly rental compared to the 70-200mm.

 

[Nathan Lanni]

Here is a sample picture that I took during a graduation in 2012. It was inside a concert hall and I was seated from the front row. Approximately 50 feet from the stage. If you are going to be much further, your best choice is the SB 910 since it can reach up to 200mm.

Nikon D7000, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII @156mm, 1/100, f5.6, ISO 1000, SB900, hand-held.

BTW Glenn, I haven't been keeping up on things. Sorry about that.

Did you get your d800e back repaired?

Nate

 

[gqtuazon]

BTW Glenn, I haven't been keeping up on things. Sorry about that.

Did you get your d800e back repaired?

Nate

I was told that it is almost done and I should have it back by the end of the month. I actually miss that camera.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nathan Lanni]

Seems to be taking forever.

Oh well, it's good you're patient and have another camera or to tide you over 'till you get your 800e back.

I can understand why you would miss it.

Hope it arrives soon.

Nate