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Choosing brand of flash for multi setup
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Hi Guys/Girls,
I have got some cashola together and I am ready to buy 4 strobes and a wirless set up.
I am going to get 1 transmiter and 4 recivers from gadget infinty.
I am unsure of what type of strobes to by,
I use a 30d and a 5D
I currently have a 580ex and my other photographers all have 580ex units, Should I stick with them or 430ex? (they are a bit exy) Or should a I go for some second hand nikon SB24's or should I get some brand new vivitars for around the same sort of money? (which model is good to get?)
I think I will also modify them to work with an external power pack, rather than relying on AA batterys.
Any advice on choosing the right strobs, (ie best value for money) would be great
Thanks
Vince
Posted at 6:36AM, 27 June 2007 PDT
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I believe Scott Hargis swears by the SB24.
I was reluctant to buy used, since I didn't know what to watch out for so I got the Vivitar 285HV. The other popular one is the Sunpak 283.
Go directly to thomasdistributing.com and get the Sanyo eneloops, they are fantastic. You might as well get the good charger that holds 8 batteries, the basic one only charges PAIRS and didn't work right for me.
www.thomasdistributing.com/sanyo-eneloop-batteries-aa.php
www.thomasdistributing.com/maha-mh-c801d-battery-charger.htm
Posted 60 months ago.
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aaron2005 [deleted] says:
I don't think you'll need an external powerpack. AA's have worked fine for me. I also have the Maha MHC801d charger and it works great.
Posted 60 months ago.
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I use a set of Various SB's and am very happy with them. I have a 24, two 28's, a 26, an 80DX (probably my favorite due price and features) and a SB-800 for on Camera. Sounds like you already have your on camera strobe so your set there.
Posted 60 months ago.
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AA are sufficient. I second the eneloop (or hybrio) recommendation, but they are more energetic only three weeks after the charge compared to higher capacity regular Nimh.
If you get gadget infinity triggers, you don't need sync cords and every flash with manual settings are fine.
I bought my last one on this eBay store (search "flash", rank by price) and look on the photo if there is a 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16... switch (beware of the confusion with automatic settings, often with a red/blue/green color or A1/A2). The cheapest are Sunpak 30DX and 433AF starting at 35$. You can offer less.
They have also Nikons SB-24-28, but I prefer the mechanical slider switch over a "M" cycle button, it's faster to operate.
Posted 60 months ago.
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Hey Vince, as you know i use a 580EX as my main as well, first I got a used 540EZ but it was a mistake, slow recycle. Then I got a used SB28, great stuff, cheap, powerful, fast, fully manual so I got another two, you can modify it to hook up external power - everlasting D-cells, and still use AA as a main power source:
but that's extra weight, I use it for my piece of mind more than a main power supply.
__
Matt Stec Photography - www.shotz4U.com
Posted 60 months ago.
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For more stamina I would buy an old handle mount flash. They aren't very much more powerful than modern shoe mount models (that's why they aren't very widespread nowadays) but they hold 6*AA, are fully adjustable and can offer various head options (bare bulb, etc.)
Less wires than having an external battery pack.
Posted 60 months ago.
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I ordered the transmitter and 4 recivers today from gagdet infinity. What mods should I do to them when I get them?
Iam torn between the vivitar flash and the sb-24 (second hand)
The vivitars seem like a well priced unit, But a lot of people stear away from vivitar.
Thanks for all your help
Posted 60 months ago.
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Also, I saw these, cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-Slave-Flash-for-DSLR-SLR-cameras-Wid...
They are pretty cheap but may be ok for a bit of extra fill, as they work on an optical trigger. Might just get one to see what they are like.
Posted 60 months ago.
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I bought some extra gadget infinity triggers to put them on small 2*AA flashes on full power instead on relying on optical triggers (not always line of sight, to much ambient, etc.)
Posted 60 months ago.
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Thanks for you help guys.
DO you guys put your strobes on stands?
I was thinking about getting a couple of those really cheap nasty tripods for about $10 and using them, Also might use some mini bunji straps to attach the strobe to things.
Thanks
Vince
Posted 60 months ago.
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I've done that, using gadget infinity triggers for the junction:
but nowadays I put my strobes on the floor. What is hard is to put a good reflector in front of it. If walls are really white, it's OK but if they are slightly colored, it's a pain to correct, and it's better to use a foldable disc reflector, but its position is often unstable.
Posted 60 months ago.
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Most stands will let you set the strobe higher (when needed) than a cheap tripod and their foorprint is smaller.
Posted 60 months ago.
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My favorite stand is the Slik SVD-20.
* Lightweight (good when you're schlepping it in & out of several places a day)
* Compact - maybe 23" or so when collapsed.
* Comes with a quick-release plate you can mount on the strobe; makes setting up/breaking down much faster
* Has a TINY footprint because it's quite stable even with the legs only slightly deployed - you can hide this thing behind a hatrack!
* Best of all: It's only $20 at B&H!!!
Posted 60 months ago.
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Actually you might want to look at your kit as a whole rather than it's parts, that might suggest what you "need". I carry my location kit in two Pelican 1510 rolling cases and one long stand bag. The stand bag is actually all my secondary stuff; a Bogen tripod, a Bogen Mono-pod w/ feet and a stand that doubles as a boom, just in case I need one. It also has a couple of spare umbrellas. I also have a small bag with Gaffers tape, string and stuff like that.
To answer your question, my primary stands are two Bogen micro stands that fit into the 1510. I also use double fold umbrellas. When I'm on location at a shoot I don't liker my gear to take over the area so I keep it all very compact. As it is I gotta constantly go after myself and check my tracks. (The other night the realtor closed the property down and left and I still had a whole stand set up inside...) In the long run you will find what works for you and your kit will look nothing like mine or Scott's or anybody else's and probably wouldn't work for us either.. Just keep in mind when your spending your hard earned dollars on gear what you want your whole kit to do... It will save you money, trust me.
Anyway, that's the long answer to your short question.
Originally posted 60 months ago.
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Nexusix Photography edited this topic 60 months ago.
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