Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Seems like everyday I can think of something new I need/want. So here is an update for gear I've picked up for my beginner's lighting kit.
CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger with 2 receivers and PC Sync....$41.99 (from Ebay)
1 Flexible Gripping Large Tripod .................................................. .$8.99 (maxsaver)
Westcott 43" Collapsible Umbrella ...............................................$26 .00 (mpex)
LumoPro LP634 Umbrella Swivel Ada............................................$19 .99 (mpex)
LumoPro 8' Black A/C Stand............................................. .............$29.99 (mpex)
Nikon SB-24................................................ ..................................$60.00 (ebay)
Nikon SB-25................................................ ..................................$70.00 (ebay)
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"]<span style="font-size: 10pt;"]Background photo muslin (black) 10 X 6 ft.........................$24.99 (ebay)
8 AA Energizer rechargeable batteries/charger ...........................$25.99 (ebay)
2 Ultimate Combo Pack photo gels.............................................. .$34.00 (photogels)
2 10 degree honeycomb grids............................................. .........$20
Promaster Tripod/stand carrying bag...........................................$40 (adolf gassers)
This is roughly $400 for all the above listed gear. I'm sure there are some ways to cut costs with DIY etc.
I'm still debating on ball bungees, sandbag, flags/barn doors, but these all seem great DIY projects.
Yup, things are definitely starting to add up, but I can't wait!
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Just for comparison (I'm listing only the gear I carry with me to every shoot)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger with 2 receivers and PC Sync....$41.99 (from Ebay)
(5) CSRBs and (2) CSTs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
1 Flexible Gripping Large Tripod .................................................. .$8.99 (maxsaver)
check
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Westcott 43" Collapsible Umbrella ...............................................$26 .00 (mpex)
(2) white, (2) reflective, (1) 28" softbox, (1) 15" softbox
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
LumoPro LP634 Umbrella Swivel Ada............................................$19 .99 (mpex)
(3) LP634s, (2) LP633s, (2) LP632s
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
LumoPro 8' Black A/C Stand............................................. .............$29.99 (mpex)
(3) LP606s (product mentioned above), (1) Manfrotto 001b
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Nikon SB-24................................................ ..................................$60.00 (ebay)
Nikon SB-25................................................ ..................................$70.00 (ebay)
(3) Vivitar 285HVs, (2) Vivitar 285s, (1) Vivitar DF400MZ, (1) Canon 580EX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Background photo muslin (black) 10 X 6 ft.........................$24.99 (ebay)
(2) Botero 5x7 Collapsible Backgrounds (black/white & grey)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
8 AA Energizer rechargeable batteries/charger ...........................$25.99 (ebay)
(10) sets of (4) rechargeable AA batteries (different makes) with a MAHA C801D Recharger
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
2 Ultimate Combo Pack photo gels.............................................. .$34.00 (photogels)
(3) older combo packs (slightly different combination of gels), (4) color correction, (1) special effects pack
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
2 10 degree honeycomb grids............................................. .........$20
(7) grids in foam housing ranging from 60 degrees down to 10 degrees of spread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Promaster Tripod/stand carrying bag...........................................$40 (adolf gassers)
(1) Standbagger Model 8, (2) Wal-Mart craft bags (perfect for strobes), (1) fishing tackle organizer (for triggers)
And I've got some ball bungees, (8) sandbags, a DIY snoot. And I wouldn't dare to total that up.
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
dang Sean! I thought being a strobist was about traveling light and being able to be on the move! Haha, just kidding. But seriously, the 40 batteries alone must weigh quite a bit. You really need that many?
You have quite the collection, but with your help, it seems I'm on the right track.
I wouldn't want to total it up either. I regret even totaling mine up, but I just wanted to give people an idea in case they were looking to buy a beginner strobe set up as well.
Seems having another light stand and umbrella would be very useful to me, but seems as I'm trying to keep the gear to a minimum, I can use my tripod for a 2nd light stand if I handhold my camera, and I'm going to grab an inexpensive softbox.
Where did you get your ball bungees from?
The biggest challenge for me will be making the transition from constant lighting to working with strobes. Not being able to see the light before I shoot it will be tough at first. But when I get my gear, I will definitely post some of my first shots.
Oh, and what do you think about that barn door thing I saw on ebay?
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Where did you get your ball bungees from?
I got my ball bungees from Wal-Mart--sporting goods section.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Oh, and what do you think about that barn door thing I saw on ebay?
When I found some speedlight-sized barn doors, I snatched up a couple. However, I've only used the barndoors once (as they won't fit my Vivitars). I found snoots and grids to be much more useful. The one time I needed a flag I simply taped a 3x5 card to the side of the flash and that worked fine.
My one decent shot using the barndoors on my 580EX:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/...dcbe7f678c.jpg
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Just to let everyone know, I started writing the rather lengthy strobist thread this evening. I won't actually post it until (most likely) tomorrow evening at the earliest once I get through the flash triggering section. I'll still have several sections to go after that, but at least it'll be up and started. I urge everyone to read through it and send me any revisions or additions needed (via conversations) once it's up.
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Awesome ! can't wait to read it !
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Sean, I never tried to work, the only exception is in the office, when I shoot some products for our catalougue. I look forward to read your post, as I am more and more convinced to try after reading all your past post.
Ciao
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Whoops! Forgot about the NFL season opening tonight--Titans vs Steelers. Not sure how much writing I'll get done. Might have to wait until Friday evening...
:-)
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Enjoy the opening, I will wait happily
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
The first strobist info post is up.
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Sean, remember the light stand, swivel head, and umbrella you
recommended from Mpex? Well I guess it's been on back order this
entire time and I haven't received it yet. Any suggestions on
alternatives? They listed a buncha of replacements, but I'm not sure
what will work best for my Nikon SB and CTR-301P triggers.
If possible I'd like to keep the total for the light stand, swivel, and umbrella around the same prices as what I previously ordered which was around $80 or so.
If you can help me out I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
Sean, remember the light stand, swivel head, and umbrella you recommended from Mpex? Well I guess it's been on back order this entire time and I haven't received it yet. Any suggestions on alternatives? They listed a buncha of replacements, but I'm not sure what will work best for my Nikon SB and CTR-301P triggers.
If possible I'd like to keep the total for the light stand, swivel, and umbrella around the same prices as what I previously ordered which was around $80 or so.
If you can help me out I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
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I actually asked Sean the same question because I was tired of waiting formpex to restock. mpex recommends theInterfit 8.5 ft Air Cushioned Light Stand as a replacement for the LumoPro 8' Black A/C Stand but Sean said he got one and sent it right back because he was unhappy with the quality. He pointed meto theImpact Air Cushioned Light Stand, Black - 8' (2.4m). It'smyonly experience with a light stand so I don't have anything to compare it to but I likeit so far. Sean caveated (can you make caveat a verb?) hisrecomendation by telling me that he hasn't used them himself but there were many positive comments from users on the strobist forum on Flickr. I paired it with the LumoPro LP634 Umbrella Swivel Adapter from mpex and the Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43'' available at either mpex or B&H. All of that adds up to about $75 plus shipping.
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Sweet! That's the exact info I was looking for. Thanks a lot!
By the way, do you know what the black cover on the umbrella is use for? Just a thought, but it seems you could cut out a section in the middle and use it kind of as a soft box right?
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
By the way, do you know what the black cover on the umbrella is use for? Just a thought, but it seems you could cut out a section in the middle and use it kind of as a soft box right?
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I just thought it was for protection but I do know that it's a pain to get back on again! If you figure out how to make a softbox out ofit be sure to post how you did it :-)
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
They said the stand is the only item on back order. Did you order that replacement lightstand from mpex? Because they are asking me for a item #. And does that stand work with the original swivel head? I don't want to just replace the stand and the swivel head doesn't work with it.
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Elberson
I just thought it was for protection but I do know that it's a pain to get back on again! If you figure out how to make a softbox out ofit be sure to post how you did it :-)
The black cover is useful when using the umbrella in a reflective fashion (as opposed to shoot-through) as it controls the amount of light spilling around the room (if indoors, that is).
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Setters
The black cover is useful when using the umbrella in a reflective fashion (as opposed to shoot-through) as it controls the amount of light spilling around the room (if indoors, that is).
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We must be talking about a different "black cover". The one that came with my umbrella is a protective sheath (kind of like ones that sometimes come with rain umbrellas). It's not the "Removable black cover allows the light source to "shoot-through", as a more direct light" kind thatsometimes comes with conventional reflective umbrellas.
Sean, did your Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43''come with one of these covers (the latter that is)?
Re: beginners lighting kit questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cozen
They said the stand is the only item on back order. Did you order that replacement lightstand from mpex? Because they are asking me for a item #. And does that stand work with the original swivel head? I don't want to just replace the stand and the swivel head doesn't work with it.
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The theImpact Air Cushioned Light Stand, Black - 8' (2.4m)is from B&H. TheLumoPro LP634 Umbrella Swivel Adapter from mpexworks fine with it so go for it :-)
