Yet another lighting question

michswiss

Hi all,

I'm going to start playing with more controlled situations in a couple of months and need to fill out a basic set of lighting and modifiers while I can get it cheaply and easily. I already have 2-SB900's and 1-SB600 and a couple of stands with reflective umbrellas.

I shoot mainly Nikon and will use CLS as much as possible but I want the system to also work with other camera, including MF film. What sort of things should be on my checklist. What kind of accessories should I add to have the speedlights triggered without CLS.

I'm going to wait to get any sort of backdrops or scrims until I'm back in Australia. Sorta want to keep anything I get now moderately small to facilitate shipping and the like.

TIA

divamum

I know you say you already have brollys, but my favorite "all-in-one" modifier is the Photek sofliter: with the diffuser, it lights like a softbox, but it can also function as a bounce or shoot-thru umbrella (depending on whether you leave the black cover on or not). I love it. Folds like a brolly but lights like a softbox. Adorama have now started selling it with a difffuser specifically designed for speedlights, so it has a full velcro strip fastener to make it easier to fit around a speedlight.

ziggy53

divamum wrote: »

I know you say you already have brollys, but my favorite "all-in-one" modifier is the Photek sofliter: with the diffuser, it lights like a softbox, but it can also function as a bounce or shoot-thru umbrella (depending on whether you leave the black cover on or not). I love it. Folds like a brolly but lights like a softbox. Adorama have now started selling it with a difffuser specifically designed for speedlights, so it has a full velcro strip fastener to make it easier to fit around a speedlight.

The Softlighter 60" with removable stem is a favorite large modifier. Very quick to set up and wonderful light.

angevin1

michswiss wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm going to start playing with more controlled situations in a couple of months and need to fill out a basic set of lighting and modifiers while I can get it cheaply and easily. I already have 2-SB900's and 1-SB600 and a couple of stands with reflective umbrellas.

I shoot mainly Nikon and will use CLS as much as possible but I want the system to also work with other camera, including MF film. What sort of things should be on my checklist. What kind of accessories should I add to have the speedlights triggered without CLS.

I'm going to wait to get any sort of backdrops or scrims until I'm back in Australia. Sorta want to keep anything I get now moderately small to facilitate shipping and the like.

TIA

x3 On the Softlighters

Also, I use Nikon and their CLS. I recently bought these from B&H in New York and they worked like a charm...allowing me to use my Nikon flashes with my Canon Camera. So you ought to be able to use them with your Film camera popping your Nikon flashes too.

michswiss

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll have a look at the local photography markets here to see if there is anything equivalent to the "Softlighter" around. The photek softlighter prices are one of the reasons I'm looking to stock up while still in China. A stand, clamp, mount and 60" umbrella, all good quality from a reputable shop was less than $30 USD.

What other odds and bobs would you suggest?

divamum

Umbrella flash holders (if you don't already have them)
Some of the Honl-style speedlight grids and snoots (there must be a Chinese knock-off, I'm guessing)
Some optical slaves (in case you find you need them with the non Nikon flashes)
Any affordable beauty-dishes (I simply LOVE the light my home-made beauty-dish puts out, so a real one would be a bonus!)

There are a couple of companies which make affordable folding softboxes for speedlights - this one here interests me. Maybe hunt down a Chinese version (if that one isn't already)?

time2smile

to trigger the speedlights look into the RF-602 units, have not tried Canon to Nikon but it works well on the SB-600 on manual.