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11/04/2010 12:05:38 PM · #1 |
OK so my lighting setup is currently one of 2 things (or a combination - but usually not):
A: A single Nikon sb600 with flash cable and sometimes a reflector filling in (in naturally light).
B: Two "always on" umbrella's studio lights â€Â¦ I believe it is this thing
For the most part these haven't gotten the job done but these are obviously not professional level items.
Obviously I'm not doing photo shoots of professional tennis players or things like that â€Â¦
but if I was wanting to go in that direction (action photography in an outdoor scenario using strobes), I;m looking for opinions on where to start. I have no pro-level remote triggers or anything yet.
Do I go Alien bees?
I would like something that will last and is relatively easy to work with without requiring too many additional purchases.
Anyone? Just looking for opinions. THanks. |
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11/04/2010 12:12:34 PM · #2 |
If you are working on the go like that, I'd think studio lights might be a hassle. I'd say get some inexpensive strobes and manual radio triggers. I have the Yongnou RF-602 triggers and a 430EX. I plan on adding another reciever and a Yongnou YN-468 strobe in the near future.
Disclaimer:This is advice from a lighting newb. Take the advice of more experienced strobists over myself.
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11/04/2010 12:57:18 PM · #3 |
it really depends on what you're going to be shooting and at what level. there's a huge difference between carrying around portable lighting stuff for dynamic portraits and lighting a venue for action photography. depending on the level of play (ncaa div i or pro), there may be venue/conference requirements so as to not interfere with television (the main thing along these lines is being able to control your lights).
probably more important than the lights is your power source. if you want to be truly portable, you have to have portable power. drop cables are a royal PITA. if you're sticking with hot-shoe strobes, you're still going to want to look into battery packs as opposed to doing everything with AA batteries.
lastly, equipment wise, if you're going to be outdoors, you'll want sandbags for your light stands and you might consider dishes instead of umbrellas (dishes, at least in my experience, seem to handle the wind a little better).
another thing you have to consider is liability insurance; many places won't let you bring your lights in the door unless you can prove that you are covered in the case something topples over or explodes (rare, but possible). |
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11/04/2010 02:16:50 PM · #4 |
Pro tennis players was probably a bad example.
I want to be able to trigger 1-3 strobes and will likely be on location. I keep an eye on what Joe McNally's doing, and he seems to use sb800s 900s for everything. These are a bit pricey when you start talking about 3 of them â€Â¦ especially when you add in a remote trigger.
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11/04/2010 02:33:30 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by tate:
I keep an eye on what Joe McNally's doing, and he seems to use sb800s 900s for everything. These are a bit pricey when you start talking about 3 of them â€Â¦ especially when you add in a remote trigger. |
Joe triggers them either with an SU-800 or an SB800/900 but you could also use the on-camera flash on your D300. I actually remember one post on Joe's blog where he triggered an SB900 150' away by setting it as a slave (he had an SB900 on the hotshoe for triggering) //www.joemcnally.com/blog/2010/10/13/one-small-flash-very-far-away/
Nothing fancy but it got the job done. Of course he had to telephone his assistant to make changes to power etc. :)
I also remember a post on the Strobist website where he was using pocket wizards and they wouldn't work from distances greater than 50'. //strobist.blogspot.com/2010/09/on-assignment-radio-silence.html
Of course that was because of radio interference.
I'm not saying that Pocket Wizards or other triggers aren't a good choice but you might have options right in front of you. |
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11/04/2010 03:59:31 PM · #6 |
Oh cool, thanks for the links â€Â¦ I think I need to dive into that book of his again as well.
Maybe I could start off with just adding an SB900 and use the SB600 to trigger or vise versa?
Originally posted by Citadel:
Joe triggers them either with an SU-800 |
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11/04/2010 05:31:13 PM · #7 |
Your d300 can actually act as a commander and trigger both flashes. I had a link somewhere describing how to setup the flash but I can't recall where. (on the SB600 its something like mode and - to get into the correct menu). The camera side is pretty simple. Again, a useful link would be helpful wouldn't it? (I think I just googled D90 SB600 wireless or something like that in my case).
I should be able to remember this and the camera and flash is right by me to check but unfortunately I am at work... :(
eta: Found a quick rundown of the steps on the flash
"with the SB-600. With the flash on, hold the Zoom and Minus buttons for 3 seconds, after which the Custom Settings display will appear.
Push the Mode button and turn on the Remote function. Push the on/off button and after the Remote display appears, select Channel 3, Group A. On both. "
Change your on camera flash from TTL to C (commander) and adjust your group and channel accordingly. Voila!
Message edited by author 2010-11-04 17:37:13. |
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