Setting up portable strobist 'studio' - advice?

[BLWNHR]

I'm looking to setup a sort of portable studio to do some portraiture at corporate functions and also some product photos.

On another forum a couple of people have bought the DCW Strobist Twin Kit. As per recommendations by these people I would buy the Manfrotto 026 Lite Tite brackets as the ones in the kit can let the flash fall out!

I will also need a background and stands. I was thinking the 2.75 x 3m Backdrop Stand and 6x3m Black Muslin Backdrop from Image Melbourne. Thoughts?

For triggers I am on a budget and have heard many good reports on Flashwaves, and after a fair bit of research am keen on them, unless others have better options for similar money. (Pocket Wizards are out of my budget from the last time I checked.)

This should see me spending around $550 for triggers, $450 for light stands, umbrellas and brackets and $250 for backdrop and stands (including freight), totalling $1250. Does this sound to be on the money? This fits with my budget pretty well.

As far as strobes go I have an SB-900, SB-800 and Sigma EF-500 Super.

[ehor]

I read somewhere (can't remember) that DCW have changed the umbrella mount to better ones so you might not need the 026.

You could use optical triggers if you wanted to but maybe not that wise if it's @ a corporate function. Why not go Cactus V4s? Image Melbourne sell them.

[BLWNHR]

I will be using the triggers for outside stuff too. I like the fact that the Flashwaves have a hotshoe mount (the EF-500 Super has no cord mount) and you can fire 3 flashes off one reciever.

[N*A*M]

Are these the clamps people are having trouble with?
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5673.htm

Because I have the Image Melbourne budget clamps and have been thinking about getting clamps like the the DCW ones that tighten onto the flash.

[ehor]

Are these the clamps people are having trouble with?
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5673.htm

Because I have the Image Melbourne budget clamps and have been thinking about getting clamps like the the DCW ones that tighten onto the flash.

I think the one you linked is the new one. I did a google search and found this one
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5375.htm which says not available anymore.

[imagemelbourne]

Are these the clamps people are having trouble with?
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5673.htm

Because I have the Image Melbourne budget clamps and have been thinking about getting clamps like the the DCW ones that tighten onto the flash.

Commercial reference deleted - SPAM

[birdie]

I've got a fair bit of my strobist gear from ##############... great service, quick replys. And Yeah I've also got the Cactus V4's and haven't had any issues yet...

[Bear Dale]

Whats does strobist mean? I see the term a fair bit.


(sorry for the question, but hey.....if I don't ask I don't learn )

[birdie]

strobist as i understand it, is the use of small off-camera strobes/flashes. David Hobby has really made it popular: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com

[Bear Dale]

Thanks for the link Birdie

[Brodie]

a "Strobist" isnt just limited to the small of camera flashes, any type of strobe such as indoor studiuo strobes.

[imageman4]

A strobist kit a basic studio lighting kit which uses speedlights as a light source. { canon 580 and nikon sb900.

Pros: cheaper entry level than with 240 v monolights. Light weight, safe power supply for use in dangerous locations such as mines.

Cons: No modeling lights, hard to vary power and exposure accurately, slow to recycle, limited to battery life. reduced range of light modifiers, getting more tha one light to fire at a time.

The simplest way to set up a strobist kit is use a sb 900 or 580ex11 on a stand with a umbrella bracket and shoot true a translucent umbrella.

Set the units on AA or Ae mode ..NOT TTL pointing the sensor on the flash at the subjet but the flash tube at the umbrlla.
Use another flash on the camera as the fill equipped with bounce diffusor of some sort.

Fire the flash the on the stand by radio that are built in the flash.
All nikon and canon flash will work with one another. so you can mix and match.

If using a canon camera stick the 580ex11 on the camera.
Place a Nikon sb 900 or any old nikon flash with a sensor and radio in it into the umbrella.
Set the aperture you desire on the stand flash to say f8
Set the camera flash to f5.6
set the lens at f8.5
Get wonderful results.
Imageman4

[jev]

Pros: cheaper entry level than with 240 v monolights.

That is a very common misconception. If you have to buy 2 flashes, stands and other things, monoblocks almost always are cheaper. Ofcourse, if you already own flashguns that you plan to re-use, the initial investment can be lower.

For example (forgive me for putting down prices in Euro's, won't make much difference with Aus$ for the difference):
1 starterset LinkStar LF-300A * costs €525. The set consists of:
2 x 300Ws monoblock, each with GN = 55
2 x reflectors (d = 18 cm, 55 degrees opening angle)
2 x 250cm tripod
1 x softbox, 60 x 90cm
1 x umbrella, d = 100cm
sync cables

If you had to buy this strobist style, you'ld pay a lot more. Just a single Canon 580EX costs €369. You'ld need two. Additionaly, you'ld have to get tripods, softbox, umbrella, several clamps and a trigger. Even if you could dig up some very cheap flashes from eBay, chances are the total set would easily cost more than a similar setup based on monoblocks.

*): there are cheaper sets to be found if you shop around! If found entry-sets consisting of 2 QiHe 150Ws monoblocks for half the price mentioned above. You'ld have a hard time to just locate the extra components required to get a comparable strobist set.

[imageman4]

Hi
Your right the cost looks low at first sight
But by the time you get all the gear it does not stack up.
However I was being kind to the folks that had already made the investment.

Some of the gear you mentioned is in the low entry level of mains power.
At this price quality is concern. Shop around. Not every dealer stocks them yet however they are there and will expand as the price of all electronics come down.
Some out of South Korea are well made and meet every quality level the Europeans and North America demand.

Imageman4