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12/27/2007 11:01:07 PM · #1 |
I want to get a pair of lights for indoor work because London in the winter isn't the greatest photo opportunity (read: the light sucks and I'm never up early enough for the good stuff!). I want to enter things like the upcoming Ice challenge which is probably easy for anyone with snow right now but not so easy for the rest of us...soooooo...I need lights.
I have a crappy old 380ex speedlite that only really does the basics. I've ordered a remote ebay flash trigger but tbh a single light source isn't going to do me too many favours.
I'm a student with minimal cash (read: gonna have to squeeze this on a card) so I've got a budget of 200-300 GBP in mind at best. I'm torn between two options:
a) Get a semi decent flash, another transmitter and go with two off-the-camera flashes for around 250.
b) Get a starter flash kit from somewhere like Jessops for 220-250ish (either interfit or portaflash). I really don't know what I need though...I mean, if you spend more are you getting shorter recharge times and more powerful flash distance? (i.e. if I live in a small flat and don't need any kind of range it should be fine, right??!)
Portability isn't really an issue at the moment - I think I just want to be able to enter more challenges without having to hunt through grey ole London (some days it's the best place in the world, others the worst).
I'm pretty much set on strobe not continuous (have read various threads here), and have also read up on the strobist stuff for low cost and portable options...but I'm just not sure. Which would give me more flexibility in creative options? Or better output? (two $64,000 questions I realise..!)
Sorry for all the questions and many thanks in advance...!
N
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12/28/2007 04:51:27 AM · #2 |
Ah man, with that budget you have a lot of scope. First tip: buy from USA, that effectively doubles your budget.
I'd recommend going the strobist route- you don't need fancy TTL stuff if you have a basic understanding of balancing the lights. I have 2 Vivitar 285s and 1 Nikon Sb-20. I also have light stands and umbrellas for all these if need be- total price was $450 incl shipping. It's portable, light, damned efficient and works a treat. Throw in a wireless kit thing for $50 and you, my friend, are good to go.
I don't like continuous lights- i find them a ballache to setup and/or carry around and also they seem to make people's pupils contract, making them look like they're on drugs.
I wouldn't recommend the Jessops kits- they seem cheaply made to me and I doubt they will last any serious amount of time, or any decent amount of use, plus they look a lot more cumbersome than they need to me.
Basically, my vote goes with the strobist route and off camera flashes and a wireless setup. Check out B&H in New York- they have decent rates and ship anywhere in the world. |
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12/28/2007 05:37:38 AM · #3 |
| Got to agree with Tez for the most part. Dunno about buying from the states, but I picked up a Nikon SB-24 and an SB-26 for about £60 each on ebay, and I love them. That would leave you a fair amount of budget for light stands and umbrellas and things. |
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12/28/2007 05:49:13 AM · #4 |
I concur, I suggested buying from the states because there is far more choice and with the current exchange rate you can get a LOT more for your money.
Totally agree with the Nikon flashes though, they kick serious ass for the money and they seem to have incredibly fast recycle times. |
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12/28/2007 08:30:33 AM · #5 |
Thanks very much for the replies.... off the camera flashes it is...
I've got a friend studying at Columbia in NYC for a year so I can get him to send me the gear :)
I never considered using a non-Canon flash (e.g. the Nikons) but will head to eBay right now to check it out.
Thanks again,
N |
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12/28/2007 09:07:24 AM · #6 |
| Just don't stick it on the camera- they work at different voltages which wouldn't be nice for your camera. |
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