Questions about external lighting set-up.

[annnewjerz]

I'm making my Christmas list and wanted to get some basics to help improve my shooting when using external lighting, only I just realized I have no idea where to begin!

I've been poking around the Strobist Blog, but there are so many options I'm getting a little overwhelmed.

So...

Light stands or clamps? Or one of each?

Softbox or umbrella?

At this point I don't think I'll ever be setting up a home studio or anything that involved, I'm more interested in something easy, inexpensive and portable.

 

[Experiment_626]

Well, I'm far from an expert, but I will say that in my limited experience, softboxes have proven to be quite useful to me.

Scott

 

[JoeDif]

If you are looking at a speedlight set up something like this from Lastolite will work. This is on my wish list

 

[mabas9395]

Which camera do you have and what other equipment do you already have to go with it?

My first attempt at Off Camera Flash (OCF) was with my Canon Rebel XT and 430 EX flash (not the II). Got an extra long ETTL cord from flash zebra. A basic light stand and shoot through umbrella. As well as a Wescot 5 in 1 reflector.

That was a pretty cheap setup to get my flash off camera. I since added a 580 EX II flash and 50D camera. The 50D can adjust all flash controls from the camera's LCD screen, which is nice because the flash zebra lets me put the flash up to 24ft away from the camera and still keep ETTL (don't have to learn manual flash until you're ready). The 580 EX II also will wirelessly control the 430EX, which is nice.

But to answer your specific questions:

Try the strobist 101 section if you were just browsing the site. The basics are all in 101 but I feel he does emphasize wireless transmitters too much for non-pro beginners. Yes they are better, but its not always a realistic first step when you've already spent so much cash on everything else.

Start with a stand. You don't always have a place to put clamps. But get something to weigh them down if going outside.

I think umbrellas are better to start out. Much, much cheaper. But a lastolite softbox is on my christmas list too.

 

[bob100]

I'm making my Christmas list and wanted to get some basics to help improve my shooting when using external lighting, only I just realized I have no idea where to begin!

I've been poking around the Strobist Blog, but there are so many options I'm getting a little overwhelmed.

So...

Light stands or clamps? Or one of each?

Softbox or umbrella?

At this point I don't think I'll ever be setting up a home studio or anything that involved, I'm more interested in something easy, inexpensive and portable.

Your camera model may steer in some options. I have a cheap shoot through umbrella, inexpensive Yongnuo flashes, Yongnuo wireless triggers and Wescott light stand - that's the budget route at $125

 

[annnewjerz]

I have a Nikon D90 and an SB600 speedlight, as well as a variety of lenses.

I looked at the Strobist 101 posts on the blog and after checking out some of their recommendations for a basic kit to get started, I put a Manfrotto light stand, Westcott 43 inch shoot-through umbrella and a Manfrotto umbrella adapter thing-a-ma-jig on my list. The total is around $120, so I feel like that's a good place to start and if it means I upgrade to pocket wizards and multiple stands at some other point down the road, so be it.

Thanks, guys!

 

[JoeDif]

Check out this umbrella setup from Adorama. I have it and it works very well for a simple set up.

 

[handicap18]

For your current setup you can get a 24" x 24" softbox from amazon for about $40 (this is the one I bought, actually bought 2 of them) and trigger your SB-600 using your popup flash. Nikon makes a $12 gadget that fits into the hot shoe and blocks light from going to your subject from the pop up but allows light to go out the side to trigger the speedlight.

You set the commander mode for the popup in the menu of your D90.

I used this setup to do my annual portrait shoot for our Down syndrome group.

I was impressed with the 24" softbox. May not sound big, but it is a lot bigger than you may think and its inexpensive.

You can produce a LOT of light with the SB-600. I set mine to Manual in commander mode and use 1/2 power. With 2 SB-600's I can get a 1/125th shutter at around f/8 and ISO200. With the softbox it produces nice even light.

I have tried a few different lighting setups including some 400 watt compact fluorescent continuous lights into umbrellas. I was frustrated with just about everything I tried (I didn't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars) until I realized the Nikon CLS can be triggered in camera with the popup. I already had 1 SB-600, so I bought a 2nd for about $200 along with 2 softboxes for $40 each. For $300 more I had a GREAT external lighting setup.

Eventually I'd like to get 1 or 2 more speedlights to really have a complete package.

If you want some examples, let me know and I'll send you the link.

 

[Chikabowa]

Anne that is exactly the set up I would recommend. I'd start with a stand and a speedlight with a translucent shoot through umbrella. You'll need to also purchase a cold shoe for the stand (it's like $30, so not too expensive) and some sort of trigger. Luckily with the Nikon system you can put the camera in commander mode and use the CLS system to trigger your speedlight.

All in all, the entire system should cost you about $125-$150 before wireless triggers.

It's a great little set up and it will give you enough of a taste to see if you want to delve further.