Lighting Recommendations

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I have had almost a few ( and by that I mean less than eight. Biblical scholars will get it) - anyway I have another 'gig' coming up and had thought I'd upgrade my lighting system.

Currently I have four flashes (Nikon's SB400, 600, & 700) and a Metz 58 AF-2. Three of which I can use with the Nikon CLS control system (the 400 isn't CLS compatible). CLS has worked so far. I have a light stand and use a spare tripod as a light stand. I also have one LED constant light.
It looks like the Switronix Torch and puts out a nice light).

LEDlamp.JPG

But it is not that powerful - nice to lighten shadows.

I use some cheap eBay umbrella's and a small pop up soft box (the one below - from Strobepro - I like it).

And maybe I need a radio trigger system too? (Cactus or Yongnuo or ???)
Strobepro circle speedlight diffuser.JPG

Speedlights work.
I don't "need" to upgrade.

But sometimes I snap faster than the speedlight recharges and miss the shot - this is especially true at the end of a long shoot - think Christmas time with kids on Santa's knee at the local daycare.

--------------- So -----

I thinking that upgrading to some sort of portable studio would be an investment I should make.
But I'm not sure which way to go.

On line I read about the DIY approach using clamp-on lights with bright LED's I can get at the hardware store? And maybe an white umbrella to diffuse the light?
And maybe a dimmer switch wired in the line?
lightclamp.JPG

OR maybe one of the less expansive kits like

westcott lights.JPG
$199 CDN (250 x 2 watt tungsten halogen lamps)

For $170 each I can get the Opus Beginner one
opuslights.JPG

Or for a few dollars more (well a few hundred)

Elinchrom D-Lite.JPG

Or a LED lighting system like this one
quadstare1000.JPG
Kit includes a four lamp 105W adjustable daylight balanced spiral fluorescent, softbox for $160 per stand ($225 CDN with 9' air cushioned stand)
https://strobepro.com/collections/continuous-led/products/quadstar-1000w-continuous-light

. . .

I will have to spend some quality time chatting to sales people at a few of my favourite stores to get their pitches.

Love to know who uses a portable kit like this?

Recommendations? Advice?

No rush - the shoot is not until the 19th .... :)
 
Last edited:

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
If the issue is just recycle time at the end of a long shot external battery packs might be a possible answer.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Yup, that's part of my reasoning for going to SB-910s with the external battery packs ... faster recharge, and I can shoot an entire wedding without needing to change batteries in the speedlights (the wedding ceremony itself is shot without flash).

Depending on what you're shooting, I still prefer flash versus hot lights just because of the heat, but also depends on whether you have enough ambient to get focus consistently.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Yup, that's part of my reasoning for going to SB-910s with the external battery packs ... faster recharge, and I can shoot an entire wedding without needing to change batteries in the speedlights (the wedding ceremony itself is shot without flash).

Depending on what you're shooting, I still prefer flash versus hot lights just because of the heat, but also depends on whether you have enough ambient to get focus consistently.


Hmmm

Looked at my flash units - the SB 700 and SB600 do not take an external pack - at least I didn't read that they could.
The Metz 58 AF-2 does take on but the Metz P 76 comes up "no longer available" - I'd have to see if other units would work?

Buying SB-900/910's or even used SB-800's would be an option but the cost of the flash, plus a battery pack, plus softbox with stand would add up.

Getting into the habit of swapping fresh batteries would be a lot cheaper - it would mean making sure I did before the flash recycle time became an issue.







 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Hmmm

Getting into the habit of swapping fresh batteries would be a lot cheaper - it would mean making sure I did before the flash recycle time became an issue.
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With the SB800/900/910, having an extra 8 batteries in the pack along with 4 in the flash give you a recycle time you just don't get with only 4 batteries. But I do hear ya on the costs adding up.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

aroy

Senior Member
With SB800 you have various options of speeding up the recycle time

1. Nikon pack for one additional battery
SD-800 Quick Recycling Battery Pack from Nikon
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300473-REG/Nikon_4762_SD_800_Extra_Battery_Holder.html

2. External Pack for 6 AA batteries
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/146171-REG/Nikon_4729_SD_8A_Battery_Pack.html

3. Third party power packs
SD-8A NIKON
https://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Battery-Nikon-Speedlights-SB-80DX/dp/B003QL2EVI

So if you have one, there may not be any need for external lights
 
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