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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Flash - Alternatives to the usual suspects.
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 10/20/2008 05:55:53 PM · #1
I think the 2 main players in the flash world are Canon and Nikon but they come at a price. I am looking to buy at least 1 flash unit with a stand, umbrella and something along the lines of a pocket wizard to remotely control it.

I will, in time, purchase another flash and possibly a third as i would like to get involved in doing 'on location' shooting but need to wait until my skills improve.

I have been watching the 8 DVD boxset from The Strobist and David Hobby has really done a great job in convincing me to just get out there with what you can afford and make it work so am looking for alternatives to the big names.

I dont want to buy something that will need replacing sooner rather than later if i can help it but would like to keep costs down to a minimum.
 10/20/2008 06:50:56 PM · #2
You don't need a canon or a nikon if you are going strobist you are shooting all manual anyways so grab some vivitar 285hv flashes for 60-80 a piece used from B and H, like me! Oh and bite the bullet and get pocket wizards! I have the cactus triggers and have done every mod to them and can't get them reliable enough for my liking. so use the saved money from flashes on those. I got the impact lightin kit from b and h as well. soooooo

2 vivitar Flashes

Impact lighting kit including
2 Stands
2 umbrellas
2 flash brackets

cost me about $250 with shipping which is almost half of canon's best flash. Fair enough?

10/20/2008 07:27:54 PM · #3
Yes, I've heard the Vivitars are good. I have 2 Sunpak 383Supers. I think they are great. I've had no problems with them at all. The last shoot I was on, one stand got nocked over, and one of the flashes hit a cement garage floor, hard. I figured it was toast, especially since the head had 'popped' out. I picked it up, pushed the head back in, and it still works just fine! I used it for the rest of that shoot, and some piddlin around the house. If you look, occasionally you can find them used, or brand new is about $80.
 10/20/2008 07:35:30 PM · #4
Sunpaks are good too no complaints there. On a side note. make something to weigh down your stands Those umbrellas are sails. dispite feeling heavy when you carry them around attach a big umbrella in slight wind and they are going down!
 10/20/2008 07:48:09 PM · #5
I use Nikon SB-28 flashes. I have four of them, one SB-24, and a SunPak 522 AutoThyristor broomstick flash. I have 5 of the cactus receivers and 2 transmitters. One transmitter is modified with an external antenna for long range. I lopped off the 1/4" connectors on the RX units and replaced with Nikon screw type connector. This made my units 99.99 percent reliable. I've seen Canon flashes interfere with these units, especially when they are located close together. But.... the biggest problem I've seen is the non-screw type flash connectors. As the other poster indicated, if you're going Strobist you don't need to use Canon flashes as you'll be operating full manual. Unfortunately SB-28's are starting to become rare and go for over 100 bucks most of the time. You might find these cheaper on craigslist or local pawn shops.

While I heartily recommend the Cactus triggers, if you're a pro I'd recommend you get the Pocket Wizards or the Elinchrom triggers. The nice thing about Elinchrom units is that they enable remote control of Elinchrom flash units. This would be a great upgrade if you decide to get a couple of their lights. They are also cheaper than the PW's.

Just some thoughts.
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