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quiksilver · 03-23-2009, 08:57 PM

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I'm new to working with lighting equipment and id like to get some feedback on whether to get something like this posted on ebay or go get something of better quality. Ive got limited funds so that is a factor. Also as i grow with experience i think to upgrade. Do you think that this is good to start off with and give me decent quality results??

NEW 800W PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO UMBRELLA LIGHTING KIT+ BAG - (eBay.ca item 370174978972 end time 27-Mar-09 20:05:18 EDT)

Thanks everyone

Venturi · 03-23-2009, 09:16 PM

If you find you enjoy working with flash/studio lighting I think you'll wish you'd 'upgraded' from the start.

Light is the most important element to photography; no photons, no photo. So don't go cheaper than you have to. That kit, and others like it, are "made for" ebayers that want to take "better" snaps of the wares they're selling on ebay.

Why not get one good manual shoe mount flash, one light stand, two umbrellas (1 shoot thru and 1 reflector) and a Cactus Wireless Trigger/Receiver set. Then go through Strobist: Lighting 101. Find out if you like it and if you do that simple one light kit can be the foundation you build up from and become your backups as you and your kit grows.

quiksilver · 03-23-2009, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by Venturi

Why not get one good manual shoe mount flash, one light stand, two umbrellas (1 shoot thru and 1 reflector) and a Cactus Wireless Trigger/Receiver set. Then go through Strobist: Lighting 101. Find out if you like it and if you do that simple one light kit can be the foundation you build up from and become your backups as you and your kit grows.

That's a good idea. I just didn't know exactly what to get.
What type of manual flash would work for the ISTDL??
As for the stands and umbrellas does any matter? Or should i spend the money on a brand name? I mean its just an umbrella right??

Venturi · 03-23-2009, 09:46 PM

Pentax AF200T or AF280T would be a good OEM options. Vivitar 285HV is/was a great workhorse for $80 (they've been bought by Cactus so reliability and quality may be an issue - I have no evidence one way or the other). Lumopro, working with mpex.com, who are in David "The Strobist" Hobby's left pocket (whew!) have just come out with the LU120. Even used Nikon SB24s would be just fine.

Since you're doing off-camera flash the brand really doesn't matter. You just need it to be:
a) Adjustable (3 stops minimum)
b) Have a sync port - or if not you'll need a $12 hot shoe adapter with a PC socket.
c) Guide number of 100.
Nice to haves:
d) Zoom - manual or electronic doesn't matter
e) Guide number of 120 or better.
f) TTL so you can use it on-camera and make use of in-camera metering.

You should be able to get a "good enough" flash for no more than $120. Stands and umbrellas can be had for about $30 each. An umbrella swivel for $20. Cactus V2s set for $40. MPEX has kits pre-configured that are "sanctioned" by The Strobist. You can mix/match/build your own from their inventory as well. But shop around Adorama and B&H as well, because MPEX isn't always less expensive.

Don't worry about backdrops and gels and snoots and gobos and scrims and bookends and ...... you'll learn all about 'em in Lighting101, and most you can make yourself with a cereal box and some gaffer tape.

quiksilver · 03-23-2009, 10:04 PM

Venturi thanks a lot for your input. I will take a look at their website for those items.
I'm also taking a look at Henry's website since i'm located in Canada. Thanks again!

quiksilver · 03-24-2009, 12:19 AM

One thing i forgot to ask or was left out was how these flashes work in effectiveness and power if used using the shoot thru umbrella.

If i were to get a AF200T and use it with a shoot thru or reflective would i need to position the umbrella close to my subject?

If its not enough power then should i go with the 285HV instead then?

tomtor · 03-24-2009, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by quiksilver

One thing i forgot to ask or was left out was how these flashes work in effectiveness and power if used using the shoot thru umbrella.

If i were to get a AF200T and use it with a shoot thru or reflective would i need to position the umbrella close to my subject?

If its not enough power then should i go with the 285HV instead then?

The AF200 will do with an umbrella (certainly shoot through because it normally is close to the subject for maximal soft light effect), but you'll have to operate it at eg full/half power while a stronger flash would be working at eg 1/4 or 1/8th power. So you'll not be able to shoot at very short intervals.

If you can get it for a good price than the AF200 is a nice flash because it has four manual settings and it will always combine nicely with a future stronger flash. One drawback is that mounting snoots etc is harder (impossible?) on a model without a separate head.

Last edited by tomtor; 03-24-2009 at 12:08 PM.

pingflood · 03-24-2009, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by Venturi

You should be able to get a "good enough" flash for no more than $120.

If you can do without TTL you can get it for a lot less.

I just sold an SB28 for $80 shipped, great strobist flash (as long as you have an external trigger).

SCguy · 03-24-2009, 07:20 PM

I was in your position a few days ago. Luckily, I gathered advice, and bought pretty much the list Venturi posted. I got a mint condition AF200T for $15 shipped on ebay, ordered the Pentax Remote F (embarassing, I went and bought a new battery from Radioshack because I thought the original was bad, I forgot to set drive mode to remote, doh!) for $9.95 shipped, ordered the Cactus triggers, and have a shoot through umbrella and mounting bracket on the way!

RD

quiksilver · 03-24-2009, 08:21 PM

excellent, now to get myself some umbrellas, stands and mounts for the flashes.
Let me know how it goes after you get the items and do some test shots.

monkeybear · 03-24-2009, 08:29 PM

I got a 360 FGZ for $33 at circuit city a while ago. How well would it work with one of those kits at MPEX?

jrforman · 03-25-2009, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by monkeybear

I got a 360 FGZ for $33 at circuit city a while ago. How well would it work with one of those kits at MPEX?

The only problem when using a 360 off camera and using a radio trigger (like cactus) is that the flash will turn itself off in a relatively short duration (I think its like 2 minutes) if it is not used and you have to reset it (turn it off and on, adjust the settings). You can live with it (I do) but its a pain.

Venturi · 03-25-2009, 07:44 AM

Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540?

jrforman · 03-29-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by Venturi

Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540?

Nope. None that I know of.

netuser · 03-29-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by Venturi

Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540?

How do we disable the option on 540 ?

03-23-2009, 08:57 PM	#1
quiksilver Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 84	ebay lighting kits = need advice Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I'm new to working with lighting equipment and id like to get some feedback on whether to get something like this posted on ebay or go get something of better quality. Ive got limited funds so that is a factor. Also as i grow with experience i think to upgrade. Do you think that this is good to start off with and give me decent quality results?? NEW 800W PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO UMBRELLA LIGHTING KIT+ BAG - (eBay.ca item 370174978972 end time 27-Mar-09 20:05:18 EDT) Thanks everyone

03-24-2009, 08:29 PM	#11
monkeybear New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 13	I got a 360 FGZ for $33 at circuit city a while ago. How well would it work with one of those kits at MPEX? Last edited by monkeybear; 03-24-2009 at 08:30 PM. Reason: Edit: It was pre-bankrupt CC. They had stopped stocking Pentax and had one left. It was sealed.

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03-23-2009, 09:16 PM	#2
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	If you find you enjoy working with flash/studio lighting I think you'll wish you'd 'upgraded' from the start. Light is the most important element to photography; no photons, no photo. So don't go cheaper than you have to. That kit, and others like it, are "made for" ebayers that want to take "better" snaps of the wares they're selling on ebay. Why not get one good manual shoe mount flash, one light stand, two umbrellas (1 shoot thru and 1 reflector) and a Cactus Wireless Trigger/Receiver set. Then go through Strobist: Lighting 101. Find out if you like it and if you do that simple one light kit can be the foundation you build up from and become your backups as you and your kit grows.

03-23-2009, 09:23 PM	#3
quiksilver Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 84 Original Poster	Originally posted by Venturi Why not get one good manual shoe mount flash, one light stand, two umbrellas (1 shoot thru and 1 reflector) and a Cactus Wireless Trigger/Receiver set. Then go through Strobist: Lighting 101. Find out if you like it and if you do that simple one light kit can be the foundation you build up from and become your backups as you and your kit grows. That's a good idea. I just didn't know exactly what to get. What type of manual flash would work for the ISTDL?? As for the stands and umbrellas does any matter? Or should i spend the money on a brand name? I mean its just an umbrella right??

03-23-2009, 09:46 PM	#4
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Pentax AF200T or AF280T would be a good OEM options. Vivitar 285HV is/was a great workhorse for $80 (they've been bought by Cactus so reliability and quality may be an issue - I have no evidence one way or the other). Lumopro, working with mpex.com, who are in David "The Strobist" Hobby's left pocket (whew!) have just come out with the LU120. Even used Nikon SB24s would be just fine. Since you're doing off-camera flash the brand really doesn't matter. You just need it to be: a) Adjustable (3 stops minimum) b) Have a sync port - or if not you'll need a $12 hot shoe adapter with a PC socket. c) Guide number of 100. Nice to haves: d) Zoom - manual or electronic doesn't matter e) Guide number of 120 or better. f) TTL so you can use it on-camera and make use of in-camera metering. You should be able to get a "good enough" flash for no more than $120. Stands and umbrellas can be had for about $30 each. An umbrella swivel for $20. Cactus V2s set for $40. MPEX has kits pre-configured that are "sanctioned" by The Strobist. You can mix/match/build your own from their inventory as well. But shop around Adorama and B&H as well, because MPEX isn't always less expensive. Don't worry about backdrops and gels and snoots and gobos and scrims and bookends and ...... you'll learn all about 'em in Lighting101, and most you can make yourself with a cereal box and some gaffer tape.

03-23-2009, 10:04 PM	#5
quiksilver Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 84 Original Poster	Venturi thanks a lot for your input. I will take a look at their website for those items. I'm also taking a look at Henry's website since i'm located in Canada. Thanks again!

03-24-2009, 12:19 AM	#6
quiksilver Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 84 Original Poster	One thing i forgot to ask or was left out was how these flashes work in effectiveness and power if used using the shoot thru umbrella. If i were to get a AF200T and use it with a shoot thru or reflective would i need to position the umbrella close to my subject? If its not enough power then should i go with the 285HV instead then?

03-24-2009, 12:03 PM	#7
tomtor Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 382	Originally posted by quiksilver One thing i forgot to ask or was left out was how these flashes work in effectiveness and power if used using the shoot thru umbrella. If i were to get a AF200T and use it with a shoot thru or reflective would i need to position the umbrella close to my subject? If its not enough power then should i go with the 285HV instead then? The AF200 will do with an umbrella (certainly shoot through because it normally is close to the subject for maximal soft light effect), but you'll have to operate it at eg full/half power while a stronger flash would be working at eg 1/4 or 1/8th power. So you'll not be able to shoot at very short intervals. If you can get it for a good price than the AF200 is a nice flash because it has four manual settings and it will always combine nicely with a future stronger flash. One drawback is that mounting snoots etc is harder (impossible?) on a model without a separate head. Last edited by tomtor; 03-24-2009 at 12:08 PM.

03-24-2009, 12:10 PM	#8
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Originally posted by Venturi You should be able to get a "good enough" flash for no more than $120. If you can do without TTL you can get it for a lot less. I just sold an SB28 for $80 shipped, great strobist flash (as long as you have an external trigger).

03-24-2009, 07:20 PM	#9
SCguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Blackville, South Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	I was in your position a few days ago. Luckily, I gathered advice, and bought pretty much the list Venturi posted. I got a mint condition AF200T for $15 shipped on ebay, ordered the Pentax Remote F (embarassing, I went and bought a new battery from Radioshack because I thought the original was bad, I forgot to set drive mode to remote, doh!) for $9.95 shipped, ordered the Cactus triggers, and have a shoot through umbrella and mounting bracket on the way! RD

03-24-2009, 08:21 PM	#10
quiksilver Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 84 Original Poster	excellent, now to get myself some umbrellas, stands and mounts for the flashes. Let me know how it goes after you get the items and do some test shots.

03-25-2009, 05:50 AM	#12
jrforman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 202	Originally posted by monkeybear I got a 360 FGZ for $33 at circuit city a while ago. How well would it work with one of those kits at MPEX? The only problem when using a 360 off camera and using a radio trigger (like cactus) is that the flash will turn itself off in a relatively short duration (I think its like 2 minutes) if it is not used and you have to reset it (turn it off and on, adjust the settings). You can live with it (I do) but its a pain.

03-25-2009, 07:44 AM	#13
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540?

03-29-2009, 02:11 PM	#14
jrforman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 202	Originally posted by Venturi Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540? Nope. None that I know of.

03-29-2009, 02:22 PM	#15
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by Venturi Does the 360 not have a way of disabling the auto-shutdown like the 540? How do we disable the option on 540 ?

ebay lighting kits = need advice

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!