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11/18/2008 02:31:30 AM · #1 |
I've been booked for 2 weeks of Santa photography by a shopping centre, but I don't have adequate lighting for the job. I have two choices -
1. to purchase an SB 800 to go with my SB 600, plus stands, umbrellas and sync cable
2. To buy this kit.
The place that I'll be photographing in is like an atrium, with some natural light above and from the side, but not enough to get away without lights. I have no experience with either flash units, I've successfully avoided that need but really need the job, so am willing to learn very fast. I can't afford Bowens or Alien Bees at this stage, although I was hoping that I would be able to save for them - not so in this case. The price is not a factor between the two - in fact the SB800 plus stands, umbrellas and cable will set me back $870, while the proflash unit will set me back $799. The Aussie dollar is NOT doing well when it comes to camera gear!
Can anyone advise which one to get? |
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11/18/2008 03:21:10 AM · #2 |
Trish -
G'day from Melbourne.
I'm no expert, but I do have some good equipment, bought on a trip to USA when the AUD$ was strong!
By far, my recommendation to you is to stick with the Nikon flashes. I have SB800 and SB600 flashes, and practically the same lenses and camera as you, and they all work so seamlessly with one another, its just wonderful, a pleasure to use. I do group photos sometimes, and child photography, and moving around with the SB's is so easy, each on it's own independent stand, with umbrella and tilt stand. Exposure all just works, hassle free....no sync cable needed....just go to E3 in your custom menu on the D300, and dial the relative exposure from each flash, and voila! If you're interested in my setup, I'd be very happy to send along some photos to show you.
Apparently the SB800 has a higher guide number than the alien bee 400............check to confirm.....but it's a very strong flash.
Btw, I also have a strobe and stand kit, also from DragonImage, and I never use it. It was expensive, and is cumbersome, user unfriendly, and underpowered. Hey, if you can get it to Coffs', you're welcome to borrow it for your Santa stuff.
So...yes, my advice, by far, is get the SB800, with 2 stands and umbrellas. Maybe even look into getting it from BH Photo, like I do. This is the umbrella and stand kit I got from BH.
BH Photo double umbrella and stand kit
Message edited by author 2008-11-18 03:24:52.
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11/18/2008 03:31:33 AM · #3 |
Thanks Jeremy, thats what I was hoping for. Is BH Photo in the USA? Unfortunately I may not have time to wait, but I think dragon image have a decent stand/umbrella kit for around $198. Its GREAT to hear that you don't need the sync chord - must go hunting in that menu for that, and then practise of course!
Just in case I don't manage to get onto the SB800 in time, your offer to lend me the dragon image kit is VERY kind. When you say underpowered, what wattage is it? Do you think it would work in this setting, and would I be able to get used to it in less than 2 weeks? Maybe I could even buy it from you if I don't go with the SB800.....but in the meantime would definitely consider paying for it to be sent here, that would be amazing!
PS have you ever used a softbox with the SB600/800?
Message edited by author 2008-11-18 03:41:57. |
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11/18/2008 03:58:39 AM · #4 |
Trish -
Yep, BH Photo is in the US of A. They are wonderful...got onto them from DPC, and never looked back. Each year when I go on an American conference, I do an online order first, from them. Of course, we Aussies now have a negative currency issue, but still....
And seriously, I'm more than happy to put my 2 lights in the mail to you, for you to use for your Santa thing. I almost never use them, cos of my SB's. I have two monolights, with stands etc. One is from DragonImage here in Melbourne, and included a softbox too..was about AUD$300, from memory. And the other is from BH. I liked it cos it has Aussie voltage.
I'll go and check the wattage now, ..it's a Mettle 160. My problem with the DragonImage one is the softbox which I got to go with it, from ebay, is too big, and pulls the stand over, but if youre content with just the umbrella, its fine....has a modelling light, etc. They'd do a perfect job for your Santa gig.
The 2nd one, from BH is......BH Photo link to Impact 100 monolight kit, ...220Volts
But you'll see, in the long run, you'll come to the Nikon flashes......no powercables, no sync cords, perfect exposure every time, just dialled in from the D300 menu.
--Oh, and yes, we'd easily get it there in under 2 weeks, no worries.
--and I use the SB600 / 800 flashes with the umbrellas ( shoot through or bounce method ), rather than with a soft box...but it can easily be done...have a look at this link...how to use your SB600/800 with an umbrella or softbox..look at the Morris softbox, halfway down the page
...Hmm, I'm just thinking.....if I can convince you of the benefits of the Nikon flash system, you may just fall in love with your D300/700 again after all, and abandon your flirtation with the 5D!!
Message edited by author 2008-11-18 04:41:19.
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11/18/2008 04:06:41 AM · #5 |
If you want to save a couple bucks you can look for some older Vivitar 285's on E-bay. I have a SB600 and a few old Vivitars. Because I have a d50 I had to buy a radio remote for it (around $40 for sender and reciever), and I use an optical slave on the vivitar (around $20). I got lucky and a guy that works for me sold me all his old stuff, 4x Vivitars, sinc cable, 2 light stands, 2 backdrop stands, 2 rolls of paper backdrop, a couple high power lights (too damn hot to use for long), and 2 attachments for the vivitars to bounce them off of a nuetral grey card all for $100.00.
BTW, the older vivitars CAN NOT be placed on camera as they are not digital safe.
Message edited by author 2008-11-18 04:07:12. |
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11/18/2008 05:29:12 AM · #6 |
Hi Trish,
I use my SB 600 wirelessly all the time, and I just bought a light stand and umbrella kit from Dragon Image myself (actually I'm not allowed to open it until Christmas, lol). I second what Sinky says about Nikon CLS.
Now I need to get me a SB800 to go with my 600 :)
Best of photographing Santa - can you put a good word in for me?
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11/18/2008 08:50:19 AM · #7 |
See if you can find your area Paterson / Interfit brand - B&H sells them, they come out of England. The Stellar units are what I use and they are great - the 300ws kit (2 lights, stands, sofboxes, cords) run $568 from B&H. The umbrella kit is cheaper yet, and they offer a 150ws kit for a bit less.
These are the same power and features and I think quality too, as AB800 units for a lot less money.
The newer versions are Stellar X and XD and they are slightly less expensive.
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11/18/2008 08:25:51 PM · #8 |
The thot plickens....
I've just been talking to my local camera dealer, who says the SB800 has been discontinued and replaced by the SB900. He said the SB800 won't work with zoom on full frame cameras, which I'm about to upgrade to (yay, I've decided to go with D700 when I get there....) but the SB900 does.
Has anyone heard that? I can still access SB800's, at about $100 less than the SB900, but if its not going to work on the D700 it seems pointless. But what my camera guy says and what's true are sometimes very different things... |
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11/18/2008 09:14:37 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by jettyimages:
He said the SB800 won't work with zoom on full frame cameras...But what my camera guy says and what's true are sometimes very different things... |
This is one of those times. Check for yourself |
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