I'm thinking of investing in portable lighting equipment. I'm still
thinking what setup to invest in. I really need something portable
because I'm planning for outdoor model shoots where ligthing isn't that predictable.

Hmmm...should I just get an extra flash for portability or should I
invest in strobes?

If I'm getting a couple of strobes, what feature should I look into in
particular?

Thanks! Sensya na dami ko tanong. hehe:Grin:


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Melvin... CLS Setup? :)

how about multiple flashes on radio receivers, can this be a substitute for those continuous halogen lights?

I was actually thinking of that setup. However, buying an extra sb600 is almost the cost of buying a couple of strobes. :(

Melvin... CLS Setup? :)

Here's a little something to think about...

portable strobes (sb800, etc) are limited in terms of the way you can modify the light. with monolights (studio strobes) you can go crazy with a relatively wide array of light modifiers (softboxes, snoots, grids) you can use to craft your image.

surely, we can look at Joe Mcnally's Sb800 work in his 'speed of light' dvd. but remember, he was paid to show the good side of the CLS.

honestly, Sb800s are indeed very portable compared to monolights, but you'll probably need a few sb800s and sb600s and not just one. For the same amount of money, you can get a relatively ok (for starters) monolights, some modifiers then buy one of the Innovatronix pure-sine-wave inverters. then you already have a portable location light setup.

I was actually thinking of that setup. However, buying an extra sb600 is almost the cost of buying a couple of strobes. :(

Reality factor:

Melvin, CLS is not for everyone... It's expensive really... Some say impractical... It needs alot of batteries...etc.

But if you can afford it, then you can look forward to stuff like: Going extreme wireless lighting. Extreme portability and it saves alot of space. You can absolutely configure the setup with your imagination as the only limit. If you can maximize the potential of one SB800, think of what an armada of them can do. The full set-up can virtually be completely invisible... which will definitely come in handy on some if not most shoots... etc. etc.

In the long run, it will all boil down to your financial allocation and use for such a system. Choose something which is relevant to your needs. :)

I was actually thinking of that setup. However, buying an extra sb600 is almost the cost of buying a couple of strobes. :(

Here's a thought. First decide how much you are willing to spend and then decide. You'll be amazed at how that narrows down your options real quickly. :Grin:

I'm currently using a Photon when I have to shoot at locations that don't have electrical outlets. It's pretty handy although the only light modifier available for it is a softbox.

You also need someone to hold the Photon for you while shooting.

BTW, it's a 300w/s portable strobe but its a lot cheaper than a camera flash.

I got my unit from Aperture.

@Arnell, Jo Thanks a lot for the advice. :)

I'm currently using a Photon when I have to shoot at locations that don't have electrical outlets. It's pretty handy although the only light modifier available for it is a softbox.

You also need someone to hold the Photon for you while shooting.

BTW, it's a 300w/s portable strobe but its a lot cheaper than a camera flash.

I got my unit from Aperture.

Here's a little something to think about...

portable strobes (sb800, etc) are limited in terms of the way you can modify the light. with monolights (studio strobes) you can go crazy with a relatively wide array of light modifiers (softboxes, snoots, grids) you can use to craft your image.

surely, we can look at Joe Mcnally's Sb800 work in his 'speed of light' dvd. but remember, he was paid to show the good side of the CLS.

honestly, Sb800s are indeed very portable compared to monolights, but you'll probably need a few sb800s and sb600s and not just one. For the same amount of money, you can get a relatively ok (for starters) monolights, some modifiers then buy one of the Innovatronix pure-sine-wave inverters. then you already have a portable location light setup.

Hi,

Where can you buy this "Innovatronix pure sinewave inverters"?

What would be the input of this inverter?

Someone once mentioned the Innovatronix unit to me before.

Be sure to test it out first with your studio strobe and take note of the recycling time after you trigger your strobe at full power.

http://www.innovatronix.com/

i think they have stores in SM.

I was using CLS with 3 Nikon SB800's but was getting frustrated with the longer recycle times of the flashes. The pictures would come up with inconsistent lighting since the flash takes longer and longer to charge as the batteries run out(this is with Energizer 2650mah rechargables). By the time I get to replace batteries, you can barely touch them as they get really hot. :Oops:

Don't get me wrong, CLS is great but it depends on the subject. With children, you need to be ready everytime to capture the moment.

I've recently acquired a pair of strobes, pocket wizards, and a light meter and what a difference. I can now do a rat-at-at-at-at with no sweat.:)

I'll probably just use my flashes when I'm on location.

regards.

you can buy old sb-28s and use them as a portable studio setup, would cost you less and would do everything a normal studio can.....probably minus the continuous shooting though hehehehe.....but for portability and price...:D

@Zandy, Chris

Thanks for the info! :)

I tried looking for those Photon portable strobes that sir Jo uses but I can't seem to find it just yet. Anybody have a direct link perhaps?

I tried looking for those Photon portable strobes that sir Jo uses but I can't seem to find it just yet. Anybody have a direct link perhaps?

Try Aperture or better yet, ask Sir Jo. :)

What's the cheapest CLS setup with D50?

I saw a radio transmitter trigger being sold at P1250, will that work ?

melvin dave i've read in the forum that other photographers right next to you, which you usually encounter during model shoots, could trigger remote speedlights, if so then CLS is not suitable when there are other photographers around. but i guess you can afford a private shoot with the model eh

I've just purchased a set-up as suggested in http://strobist.blogspot.com/ , a pair of 2nd hand sb-24s, BOGEN light stands, umbrellas, studs and it cost me US$293 from BHphoto. I've added a set of chinese made pocket wizards for $60 from ebay.

I can immediately say that it is truly portable, I have only tried it a couple of times with my D200 with the mounted SB800 and produces acceptable but not so great results. Maybe, I still need to sharpen my skills especially in the use of umbrellas.

I've just purchased a set-up as suggested in http://strobist.blogspot.com/ , a pair of 2nd hand sb-24s, BOGEN light stands, umbrellas, studs and it cost me US$293 from BHphoto. I've added a set of chinese made pocket wizards for $60 from ebay.

I can immediately say that it is truly portable, I have only tried it a couple of times with my D200 with the mounted SB800 and produces acceptable but not so great results. Maybe, I still need to sharpen my skills especially in the use of umbrellas.

That's great Cesar! Probably you can share some results and the lighting setup you used. :)

melvin dave i've read in the forum that other photographers right next to you, which you usually encounter during model shoots, could trigger remote speedlights, if so then CLS is not suitable when there are other photographers around. but i guess you can afford a private shoot with the model eh

I don't think the other photographers would set their flash to the same channel when using CLS. Normally, they have their flashes mounted so thay have the remote funtion turned off. And besides, for outdoor shoots a reflector is used. Rarely do I use the flash. I just use it when I need to fill-in some shadows.

If I shoot a model in private, I'd rather shoot in a studio with strobes. Para naman sulit. :D

melvin dave i've read in the forum that other photographers right next to you, which you usually encounter during model shoots, could trigger remote speedlights, if so then CLS is not suitable when there are other photographers around. but i guess you can afford a private shoot with the model eh

that's what you read, what you can actually encounter is different. To me I will scold the other photographer if he's uncourteous enough to fire flashes or strobes especially in a group shoot. If your speedlight is mount on a radio receiver such as PT-04 yes you'll encounter such problems with others who's also using the same device. But that is a very rare case.