New questions in post 10 for those with home studios~

[tiggerwannabe]

I am ok with the built in flash but would really like the adaptability of a real one....you all know what I mean~

The flashes I have are for old manual SLRs and are useless on my new digital...what would you all recommend in the low to mid price level?


In all honesty, I'd probably be happy if I could get a decent diffuser for the built in flash...any recommendations on that would be welcome as well...

TIA

 

[Furgus]

Nikon Flashes that will work with a D40, prices lowest to highest.
SB-400 ($109.95 from B&H)
SB-600 ($184.95 from B&H)
SB-800 ($314.95 from B&H)

Lumiquest makes some nice flash stuff, and this pop up flash diffuser is one of the better ones.
http://www.lumiquest.com/softscreen.htm

Also you can look at DIY Photography to see if they have any ideas for pop up flash diffusers.
http://www.diyphotography.net/

And Finally, if you really want to have fun, look at Strobist. Strobist is off camera flash so if you get some Gadget Infinity Wireless triggers, you and your D40 can do some wonderful off camera flash photography. (you can also find similar ones on Ebay for a little less money, or get the SB-800 and use CLS with an SB-600)
http://strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you Furgus...

I'll have to print all that out and start doing some homework

"You don't take a photograph, you make it." -Ansel Adams

I Love AA!!!

My favorite has always been, in response to the question, why is there noone in your photographs? "...There are always two. The photographer and the person viewing it."

(quotedly loosely)

 

[Suburbanmom]

I have an SB-800 for my D50 and am very happy with it. I probably could have gotten by with the SB-600, but what's done is done. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Gdad]

SB-600 is a great flash- you can bounce it in either portrait or landscape orientation. You probably don't need the 800 unless you plan on cotrolling off camera flash units. If you do you can always get the 800 later and control the 600 with it.

 

[fitzperry]

Just wanted to add (or clarify since Jeff's post implies it) that the SB-400, while nicely priced and compact in size, cannot be bounced if you are shooting in vertical orientation. That was a deal breaker for me.

 

[mabas9395]

Which ever flash you get, make sure you can bounce it. That is probably the single most important feature to look for in a flash.

 

[meyernl]

I recently bought the SB-600 for my D40. The 400 didn't have enough and the 800 was overkill (and more money). So far it is great - except everytime I have it on my camera, my puppy barks like crazy at me.

 

[handicap18]

I've had the SB-600 for about a year and a half and love it. Very versitle, very powerful. Definately worth the money I spent on it. Combine that with the 50mm f/1.8 lens and a good diffuser and you have yourself a great portrait setup.

I use the Gary Fong Lightsphere II diffuser. $50 and, to me, another worth it purchase.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I recently bought the SB-600 for my D40. The 400 didn't have enough and the 800 was overkill (and more money). So far it is great - except everytime I have it on my camera, my puppy barks like crazy at me.

The puppy comment is cute....

The 600 sounds good, I definitely want the ability to bounce it

I have good filters (Cokin) from my old Minolta but am having a heck of a time finding an adaptor ring in any local store. For as cheap as it is I cannot justify paying s&h.

Just a little background, I was laid off this past October and have become a full time student thanks to the State of NJ...so money's tight. Every little bit counts right now. I used some of my severence pay to buy my ND40 because I fully intend to use my photography (somehow) in my next career, so having a full setup is key.

I have a good compact tripod, but still need a good collapsable full size tripod. Preferably one that goes really really small and is lightweight...

Any suggestions on a good (reasonably priced) tripod?

another item I've been looking at lately is a small studio setup. Do all of you use lightboxes for small stuff or have you come up with a homemade setup that serves the same purpose?

one friend of mine suggested I use velour or velvet material as backdrop. It seems to blend soooo much better than using, say, a sheet. Have any of you made homemade backdrops? If yes, how?

and lighting. I know I can get a couple lights from the local ritz for a little over a hundred. Anyone here have specific suggestions for good, again reasonably priced, lighting?

I really do appreciate all the help here, thank you all!

 

[Master Mason]

I have a good compact tripod, but still need a good collapsable full size tripod. Preferably one that goes really really small and is lightweight...

Any suggestions on a good (reasonably priced) tripod?

another item I've been looking at lately is a small studio setup. Do all of you use lightboxes for small stuff or have you come up with a homemade setup that serves the same purpose?

I have the Slik 714 CF II and a cheap Bogen Manforroto 488 ball head

It is very nice set up for me. Just over 300 for the setup, which is pretty good for a CF tripod.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you MM for such a quick response...

anyone else have some help they'd like to give?