What do you think of this Strobist lighting package?

capitoljayhawk

I am branching out a bit and want to start practicing with multiple-light photography. I'd love to just plunk down money and get the set of lights, etc., that I need.

What do you all think of this?

http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=STROBIST2XKITS

I'd go ahead and get the more expensive kit, described as follows:

_________________________
Strobist Starving Student SX3 lighting kit
This kit is everything you need to get started on a budget! Includes miniphone to miniphone cord for connecting the flash to the 1/8in. port on your camera. If your camera does not have a 1/8in. port, we've added the LumoPro Hotshoe Universal Translator to add to the functionality. The LP120 can also be triggered wirelessly by utilizing the built-in optical slave. In order to effectively use this with your digital camera, you will need to turn off any pre-trigger function on your existing on-camera or built-in flash. If you intend to use the optical slave in this fashion, check your owners manual to make sure your flash can turn off the pre-flash. Kit replaces: SP1, SH1, SO1, SN1.
Item #: MPX1056
_________________


If it matters, I can tell you that I shoot a D700. I currently have one SB-800.




Thanks in advance for your input.

ziggy53

How do you intend to use the lights?

Will you want to use the kit to make money?

Will you want to use the kit in uncontrolled lighting situations?

capitoljayhawk

ziggy53 wrote: »

How do you intend to use the lights?

Will you want to use the kit to make money?

Will you want to use the kit in uncontrolled lighting situations?

I really only intend to use the lights to learn how to use flashes. I won't use them on the fly and won't use them to earn money. I just want to experiment, and I have never done much off-camera flash.

If you could suggest something even more rudimentary -- if you think that's appropriate -- I'd go that way.

In the same vein, I'd also be interested in a basic book on lighting. I bought the Strobist discs, but they may have started a little far along (immediately diving into adjusting F-stops, etc.).

ziggy53

For only a little bit more money you could have a 2 - monolight kit from Adorama:

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/FP620MPWK.html

I think that would be much more satisfying.

You do need to be able to use your camera in a completely manual fashion with either setup, so I recommend going to a local library to get some basic books on manual camera control and techniques as well as some basic books on lighting. Once you have the basics, explore some online tutorials:

http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/

http://www.studiolighting.net/studio-lighting-tutorials/

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/

Also feel free to explore our Technique forum where you'll find some great tutorials and tips from our resident pros, like:

http://jkmann.smugmug.com/gallery/6057673_NvijZ

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=71206

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=818132

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site:dgrin.com+pathfinder+lighting&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

(That last one should keep you busy for quite a while as I used the search for "Pathfinder" and "lighting". Our Techniques moderator is pretty busy helping folks with lighting. )

capitoljayhawk

ziggy53 wrote: »

For only a little bit more money you could have a 2 - monolight kit from Adorama:

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/FP620MPWK.html

I think that would be much more satisfying.

You do need to be able to use your camera in a completely manual fashion with either setup, so I recommend going to a local library to get some basic books on manual camera control and techniques as well as some basic books on lighting. Once you have the basics, explore some online tutorials:

http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/

http://www.studiolighting.net/studio-lighting-tutorials/

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/

Also feel free to explore our Technique forum where you'll find some great tutorials and tips from our resident pros, like:

http://jkmann.smugmug.com/gallery/6057673_NvijZ

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=71206

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=818132

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site:dgrin.com+pathfinder+lighting&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

(That last one should keep you busy for quite a while as I used the search for "Pathfinder" and "lighting". Our Techniques moderator is pretty busy helping folks with lighting. )

Thanks. I'm very capable at shooting manually on my D700. I don't really use auto settings, because I like playing with depth of field, etc.

Why does it help me shoot with flashes? Is it because I adjust my camera's aperature and shutter speed to account for the flash? I had assumed (probably incorrectly) that I would adjust the flashes rather than the camera. But I guess that doesn't make sense unless I'm using the flashes and TTL.

Thanks for the links.

ziggy53

While manual camera control isn't absolutely necessary for using a manual flash, it is the very best way to gain control over the ratios between ambient light and the flash contribution. There are times when aperture priority and flash work just fine together, just don't think that it's best for "all" situations.

darkdragon

If you don't plan to use the flashes on-camera ever, and don't plan to shoot models then I wonder why you want to do this at all? Not that I'm trying to be a jerk (it comes naturally, I dont have to try), but when you are trying to learn something there must be an end goal to shoot for. If you want to create better portraits as an end goal - you might want to go with what Ziggy is talking about. Those are not good for "run and gun" type situations but would be great for doing portraits.

If your end goal is still life or nature, I'd say go with the flash kit.

Personally, I use a dual flash setup for outdoors stuff (nature etc) where I want more than one light. I use an Alien Bees Ring Light for indoor and outdoor portraits, and if I had a studio I would use 3 lights like what Ziggy linked you to. For most indoor still-life shots I use 3 desk lamps w/daylight balanced bulbs and a tripod for the camera :-)

Just figured i'd give you another perspective. It's painful (I know from experiance) to spend a lot of money on gear you figure out you have no use for.

gecko0

I picked up their similar kit (w/ the cactus V4's) several months ago and have been very happy with it so far.

http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,12322.html

It's flexible for outside work (due to the speedlites) and they are powerful enough for some direct sun overpowering. Range on the V4's has also been plenty for my needs, but I haven't tried them beyond line-of-sight.

The flashes are about as basic as you can get, which is what I wanted...and all the connectivity options you could want in that price range.

.02

raptorcaptor

darkdragon wrote: »

If you don't plan to use the flashes on-camera ever, and don't plan to shoot models then I wonder why you want to do this at all?

Maybe he wants to experiment with stuff like this:






Not everyone shoots models with off camera flash!

capitoljayhawk

raptorcaptor wrote: »

Maybe he wants to experiment with stuff like this:






Not everyone shoots models with off camera flash!

Wow. Those are awesome. I'd love to learn to do THAT.

raptorcaptor

capitoljayhawk wrote: »

Wow. Those are awesome. I'd love to learn to do THAT.

Here is a cool video for doing the smoke shots:

http://gavtrain.blogspot.com/search?q=smoke&updated-max=2009-07-22T19%3A11%3A00%2B01%3A00&max-results=20

And here is the Strobist post on waterdrops:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-photograph-water-drops-with-one.html

Good luck!

JohnBiggs

You already have a SB-800. Just buy the parts separately, perhaps save money or get improvements. For example, the mpex kits don't come with the portable stands. They also include the wrong kind of cable for 90% of the cameras which means you HAVE to use that stupid hot shoe adapter. and they come with throwaways to help bulk up the price.

JohnBiggs

I like Mpex btw and I buy most of my strobist stuff there. But the kits just suck.

2x Umbrella: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4643.html
2x Stand: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4729.html
2x Swivel: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11776.html
One LP120.
And get radios. The cactus are fine but I love my AlienBee Cyber Cyncs.

capitoljayhawk

JohnBiggs wrote: »

I like Mpex btw and I buy most of my strobist stuff there. But the kits just suck.

2x Umbrella: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4643.html
2x Stand: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4729.html
2x Swivel: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11776.html
One LP120.
And get radios. The cactus are fine but I love my AlienBee Cyber Cyncs.

Thanks. This is exactly the response I was looking for. I will use the SB800 and buy one more cheap flash to start playing, along with some of these items.

Thanks a ton.

JohnBiggs

capitoljayhawk wrote: »

Thanks. This is exactly the response I was looking for. I will use the SB800 and buy one more cheap flash to start playing, along with some of these items.

Thanks a ton.

I'm in columbia if you ever want to check out my setup. Always looking to meet other photogs... especially smuggers.

capitoljayhawk

JohnBiggs wrote: »

I'm in columbia if you ever want to check out my setup. Always looking to meet other photogs... especially smuggers.

I'm definitely up for that. I'll send you a PM.

gecko0

JohnBiggs wrote: »

I like Mpex btw and I buy most of my strobist stuff there. But the kits just suck.

2x Umbrella: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4643.html
2x Stand: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4729.html
2x Swivel: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11776.html
One LP120.
And get radios. The cactus are fine but I love my AlienBee Cyber Cyncs.

I'm all for saving money, but I don't see how the strobist kits "just suck". Granted, the light stands are not the best that are included in the kit, but they are just fine for most things (and they include a carrying case for them). An example of why I bought the kit (and this is just me...not saying it is what the OP may necessarily need):

Individually pieced together at mpex, the cost was $521.01, NOT including the flash gels, tape, or bongo ties. I don't consider those "must haves", but the tape and flash gels are pretty useful.

kit price: $449
individually: $521+

That doesn't suck.


edit: I made an error with the stands...these are what are included in the kit I got: http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,2170.html