First off camera

Clixphoto

I plan on purchasing my first off camera lighting system. After much deliberating I have come up with the following items:
Vivitar 285HV flash B&H #VI285HV
Alien Bees CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
Alien Bees CyberSync Trigger Receiver
Impact Light Stand, Black 6' B&H #IMLS6B
Impact Umbrella Bracket B&H #IMBSM
Wescott 45" Shoot Thru Umbrella B&H #WEU45WB

This list should cost me around $280.00. The primary use for this will be on-location portraits. My hardest choice was between the Vivitar 285 and the Canon 430EX. How does this sound for a beginner? Any substitutions or anything else you think I might need?

Thanks for looking,
Wes

ziggy53

I really recommend purchasing a 10 foot to 12 foot lightstand. A 6 foot light stand just isn't tall enough to put the key light where you need it for many lighting situations.

Clixphoto

ziggy53 wrote:

I really recommend purchasing a 10 foot to 12 foot lightstand. A 6 foot light stand just isn't tall enough to put the key light where you need it for many lighting situations.

I would love to have a taller light stand but have not been able to find one that was even reasonably close to my budget of under $40. Any suggestions?

ziggy53

Clixphoto wrote:

I would love to have a taller light stand but have not been able to find one that was even reasonably close to my budget of under $40. Any suggestions?

In a pinch these will do:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89688-REG/General_Brand_LS_10AB_10_AC_Light_Stand_.html

They have a 1/4-20 thread on top so you would use them with the stud that comes with the umbrella bracket.

Clixphoto

ziggy53 wrote:

In a pinch these will do:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89688-REG/General_Brand_LS_10AB_10_AC_Light_Stand_.html

They have a 1/4-20 thread on top so you would use them with the stud that comes with the umbrella bracket.

Wow. What a great find. They must have just put that in the catalogue.
Thanks,
Wes

mackidbrendan

i would consider picking up a nikon SB-24 or 26.
they can be had between 70-110$ on ebay depending on condition and how patient you are. i shoot canon and own 2 SB-24's and there great. very easy to manualy adjust and if you can handle it, the sb 24 can be used on the canon hotshoe in full manual mode.

Art Scott

Clixphoto wrote:

I plan on purchasing my first off camera lighting system. After much deliberating I have come up with the following items:
Vivitar 285HV flash B&H #VI285HV
Alien Bees CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
Alien Bees CyberSync Trigger Receiver
Impact Light Stand, Black 6' B&H #IMLS6B
Impact Umbrella Bracket B&H #IMBSM
Wescott 45" Shoot Thru Umbrella B&H #WEU45WB

This list should cost me around $280.00. The primary use for this will be on-location portraits. My hardest choice was between the Vivitar 285 and the Canon 430EX. How does this sound for a beginner? Any substitutions or anything else you think I might need?

Thanks for looking,
Wes

Check out these radio triggers....I havea total of 5 triggers and 3 transmitters.....great price and work real well upto approx 150ft..........
Also in pplace of that shoot thru umbrella, you oughta check out Paul Buffs brolley box....I have 2 and swintonPhoto also usees them....

One thing you will need and do not have listed is a flash meter....for metering that 285HV (a fantastic flash by the way.....over theyears I have litterally wore out 3 or 4 of them but great work horses) and another item you will want to invest in for all of your 285's are battery packs Quantums....you can find on ebay for cheap and even if you ahve to have them rebuilt you should be able to buy the pack and rebuild for under $60....it doesn't take long to use up $60 in batteries.....also you may want to consider the AC adapter for the 285 for studio use..........