beginners lighting kit questions

[Gian Luca]

Enjoy the opening, I will wait happily

[Sean Setters]

The first strobist info post is up.

[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!

[Mark Elberson]

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&amp;H. All of that adds up to about $75 plus shipping.

[Cozen]

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?

[Mark Elberson]

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 :-)

[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.

[Sean Setters]

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).