Studio Flash help
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Mfrankfort
Senior Member
I have a few cheaper Yongnuo flashes, and have gotten some pretty good results. I have 2 umbrella/softbox octaboxes, and you can use them as umbrella's or soft boxes. It works out pretty good.
singlerosa_RIP
Senior Member
Depends on what you want to do, how serious you want to get and how good you want your gear to be. You can get a 3 light kit with lights, stands, umbrellas, triggers and a case for a couple hundred bucks (bottom of the line). The sky's the limit from there. Drawback to studio lighting is that it's built for the studio and might not take advantage of Nikon's CLS. Speedlights give you portability but can cost more and normally don't give you modeling lighting. I evolved into the speedlight camp and have 3 SB-800s with a variety of stands and light modifiers as well as a few different types of triggers (RF and IR). I've shot many outdoor sessions with one or two speedlights and umbrellas. If I had studio lighting, I would have had to haul an expensive battery pack and cords....
Speedlights can do many jobs satisfactorily. An excellent starting point if you already have them (seriously, go for it). They work well in umbrellas. See Mounting Speedights in Umbrellas
Yes, there are differences (mostly of convenience), but there is no reason not to start there, get your feet wet inexpensively. Anything you learn there is universally useful in any later situation. Any light stands and umbrellas can be used with studio lights later, the speedlights can even serve as extra lights. It will not be a waste. I prefer optical slave triggers for studio situations (your SB-900 and SB-700 already have them, and studio lights all have them), but if you buy radio triggers, get some that work with sync cords or hot shoes (or hot shoe adapters), then no waste either way.
The main differences (with actual studio lights) are:
Ease and possibility of adding various modifiers (softboxes, grids, snoots, beauty dishes, whatever). Umbrellas work fine on speedlights, but the rest is a kludge. There is no mounting capability, and you cannot remove the speedlight fresnel lens in softboxes.
Maximum power capability. You don't need a lot, but a little more is a good thing.
Recycle speed (a biggie, waiting on next shot when subject is peaking)
Duty cycle (frequent repetitive flashes heating it up - studio lights have fans)
Speedlights can have some advantages...
TTL capability with the Commander (fast setup in simple situations, however then system expansion and versatility is rather limited)
Portability, runs on AA batteries
See Speedlights vs Studio Lights
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Ruidoso Bill
Senior Member
I use my SB910 and SB800 on light stands with umbrellas all the time. I have wireless triggers and love the flexibility. Normally in a studio situation I run mine in manual mode at around 1/4 power or so and the recycle time is very fast and they don't get hot at that low power setting. I really like to use them rather than my studio lights since they are so fast and easy to set up and no cords which is great in remote locations.
LouCioccio
Senior Member
If you look at his link Google Image Result for http://churchwellcreations.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/2gordonflashstrap.jpg
I made something like this. The weakest point is the shoe and trigger. What I did was use the flash stand, part of scrubby cut to width of the flash (or cut it in fours); two rubber bands (gummy bands) criss cross to each feet.
Now it lays in a better line to the umbrella. May not look as good as the Gordon strap but thats the McGyver in me.
I'll have to take an image later and post it. Yes I started with flash strobes and later bought a couple of Flashpoints. One thing you should put at the top of your list is a Flash Meter like a Sekonic L358 it does not lie; trust the meter.
Learn to use the strobes (SB's, in manual mode) you will have a better understanding of light. I did that with my Oly system used my camera (E30 as control similar to Nikons commander mode) but set the flashes in manual mode by upping or lowering the power.
Lou Cioccio
I made something like this. The weakest point is the shoe and trigger. What I did was use the flash stand, part of scrubby cut to width of the flash (or cut it in fours); two rubber bands (gummy bands) criss cross to each feet.
Now it lays in a better line to the umbrella. May not look as good as the Gordon strap but thats the McGyver in me.
I'll have to take an image later and post it. Yes I started with flash strobes and later bought a couple of Flashpoints. One thing you should put at the top of your list is a Flash Meter like a Sekonic L358 it does not lie; trust the meter.
Learn to use the strobes (SB's, in manual mode) you will have a better understanding of light. I did that with my Oly system used my camera (E30 as control similar to Nikons commander mode) but set the flashes in manual mode by upping or lowering the power.
Lou Cioccio
Mfrankfort
Senior Member
The big plus I've found for speed lights, is the portability. You can take flashes to the park, to the zoo... pretty much anywhere and just have to have a few batteries. It's a bit harder with studio flashes. Unless you have 6 grand for a few B1's. lol
I use both SB900 / SB800 in SU4 mode. I use them to illuminate the backdrop or as hair highlight. I use the strobes as my primary and/or key light which allows me to use ISO 100 as much as possible.