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11/28/2006 09:35:17 PM · #1 |
I want a big, bad portable (battery powered) flash/strobe system. Something that can put out the watts. But, I don't want to break the bank either.
I like the Quantums, but boy those things are expensive. Give me some options.
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11/28/2006 09:43:10 PM · #2 |
I think you might have to break the bank. But I don't know what breaking your bank entails.
If you are just doing smaller portrait set ups people really do great work with the canon or nikon speedlights and a few diffusion tools. You can use sunpak 544's or 555's for this too.
I was looking at white lightnings, they have a rechargeable battery unit you can plug 1-4 strobes in. Can't seem to find anything better or think of anything better for on location lighting.
I use lumedynes at work right now, they work well but are fragile, expensive, and I need a seperate pocketwizard for each head.
With the white lightnings if they are all plugged into the same power pack you can get away with one pocket wizard.
When I have the $$ I think that's what I'll spring for, if it's any help.
If you can find used lumedynes though, they do work great for me.
They are plenty powerful...I strobe basketball courts with them on their lowest (50) or 2nd lowest (100) power setting, and still get enough light to shoot Iso 400 at 2.8 when the heads are up in the stands. |
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11/28/2006 10:55:12 PM · #3 |
Actually I have considered the Sunpak 555s
Basically what I want is something ample to shoot through an umbrella and give me decent range and apertures with a fairly quick recycle time.
Darn those Quantums are tempting... LOL
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11/28/2006 11:00:54 PM · #4 |
Get strobes and a small honda generator. done deal.
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11/28/2006 11:17:42 PM · #5 |
While I would PREFER a better setup, I have been playing with my old 430EZ (Zed, as in only manual on digital Canon cameras%$#$#%$#) flash with the cheap eBay wireless setup Link Why - Well cause I spent a shed load of Pounds Sterling (no pound key on this machine) on it years ago (enough that the sting is still there) and damn-it I want to use it and I am still unhappy Canon didn't rig something to support old flashes on digi bodies - but I ain't bitter :-).
Do NOT try to use these on the new Canon flashes - some sort of radio interference so the flash just fires randomly by itself - They say you might stop this my wrapping the flash in tin foil :-//
You can get a single transmitter and multiple receivers to fire multiple flashes. The receiver has a tripod hole on the bottom and a flash hotshoe on the top. There is also a sync chord so you can use an on camera flash as well as the remotes.
These wireless things are cheap and nasty and will likely fall apart after a fair bit of use but they work and critically; They have that amazing redeming quality - Cheap. |
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11/29/2006 12:38:32 AM · #6 |
If you go the Quantum route, you're going to want a Turbo battery too, about $400 plus another $50 for the flash cable. I use one with my 580 and an umbrella and it gives me a decent amount of portable power. In this shot the flash was in manual mode dialed down to (I think) 1/16 power so recycle times were almost instantaneous:
The T5D is expensive, but if you're budget minded there's lots of used T-2 to T-4's around reasonably priced, and the bulbs are easily replaced not light a "normal" speedlight. |
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11/29/2006 05:03:43 PM · #7 |
| i know people who have used 555's to shoot through umbrellas and done corporate work with it, gotten pretty good results. Recycle times are just a pain...but sounds like that may be the way to go for ya . |
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11/29/2006 07:05:34 PM · #8 |
| Doesn't a 555 with a power pack recycle pretty fast? I think it can keep up with 3fps for like 10 frames when it's a few stops from full power, on just AA's. |
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11/29/2006 07:09:05 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by hsteg:
Get strobes and a small honda generator. done deal. |
Or a couple of motorcycle batterys and voltage converters ;-)
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11/29/2006 07:12:26 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by wavelength:
Originally posted by hsteg:
Get strobes and a small honda generator. done deal. |
Or a couple of motorcycle batterys and voltage converters ;-) |
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Whichever you prefer, but at least when you go down this route youll have a 'normal' strobe studio setup, not just wingin it with portable flashes like 555's.
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11/29/2006 07:16:44 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by hsteg:
Originally posted by wavelength:
Originally posted by hsteg:
Get strobes and a small honda generator. done deal. |
Or a couple of motorcycle batterys and voltage converters ;-) |
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Whichever you prefer, but at least when you go down this route youll have a 'normal' strobe studio setup, not just wingin it with portable flashes like 555's. |
Both are kinda hard to use at a wedding ... LOL. Got to stay at least a bit mobile.
Besides for one to two head set ups I'd probably get off cheaper buying the Quantums than the Honda Generator...
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11/29/2006 07:19:50 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by hsteg:
Originally posted by wavelength:
Originally posted by hsteg:
Get strobes and a small honda generator. done deal. |
Or a couple of motorcycle batterys and voltage converters ;-) |
\
Whichever you prefer, but at least when you go down this route youll have a 'normal' strobe studio setup, not just wingin it with portable flashes like 555's. |
Both are kinda hard to use at a wedding ... LOL. Got to stay at least a bit mobile.
Besides for one to two head set ups I'd probably get off cheaper buying the Quantums than the Honda Generator... |
If you're talking wedding shots and mobility, I'd point you to //strobist.blogspot.com once again dude. He does a LOT of umbrella shooting (bounce/thru) and all he ever uses are some SB-28s and pocket wizards.
I'd suggest PW's for wedding anyways, wires are butt to work with having people wandering around. (I should know, I have 3 kids :P )
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