Please help me choose portable lighting....

05/31/2011 07:56:34 PM · #1

I am really at a loss as to the best choice for my situation.

Firstly, I am a total noob when it comes to lighting... now that being said, would you please give me some direction here?

I am going to take over sports photography for the school I work at... With the possibility of doing dances, outdoor senior pictures and various other events. I have a lot of learning to do over the summer and I need to order gear soon so I have time to practice and work out kinks.

Most of what I will be doing is outdoor team shots and individual shots for elementary through high school athletes.

I have been looking into the Qflash but it is so expensive for one single flash plus a battery pack (when all is said and done I'd probably have 1 complete light for $1300 or so). I went to Samy's Camera today and was told about the JTL 92607 kit for about $659. But this kit I am wary of because... well, made in China and I don't know anything about this brand.

And then there is the Alien Bee option... for somewhere in between cost-wise I can have a kit that is portable (if I buy the battery pack) and quality...

Someone please give me input...

I need to know the best way to go...

I will be forever grateful
Thank you!!

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

05/31/2011 09:44:20 PM · #2

The new Einstein by AB along with the Vagabond Mini should be a great combination -- the Einstein has an action mode and can easily freeze action, is as powerful as the AB1600, but can also go to much lower output if needed. You could score an Einstein, Vagabond mini lithium, light stand, and CST CSXCV trigger/rcvr combo for less than the qflash.

I have and use the Einsteins and their older brother vagabond, and those triggers, and had used ABs for years prior to that. I completely love them, and a new vagabond mini is on my list.

smardaz

05/31/2011 09:48:59 PM · #3

well I am no expert, but I do have this kit however i do not have portable power yet so i cannot speak to that. I would think it would be best for you to start with a couple speedlights with shoot thru umbrellas. once you learn those i would think you would be better equipped to choose some good strobes or something like that.

spiritualspatula

05/31/2011 10:33:44 PM · #4

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Holy crap how did I miss that Vagabond mini!???
Hmmm.... need to seriously consider picking up an Einstein+vagabond mini...

05/31/2011 11:10:28 PM · #5

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
The new Einstein by AB along with the Vagabond Mini should be a great combination -- the Einstein has an action mode and can easily freeze action, is as powerful as the AB1600, but can also go to much lower output if needed. You could score an Einstein, Vagabond mini lithium, light stand, and CST CSXCV trigger/rcvr combo for less than the qflash.

I have and use the Einsteins and their older brother vagabond, and those triggers, and had used ABs for years prior to that. I completely love them, and a new vagabond mini is on my list.

Holy crap how did I miss that Vagabond mini!???
Hmmm.... need to seriously consider picking up an Einstein+vagabond mini...

I know, right? I imagine one for each light, clamped to the stand, on location. No extension cords, wow. Plus, you can buy extra batteries for it.

Will probably start with one, though. I imagine bigger than my wallet can support most of the time :-)

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

05/31/2011 11:12:12 PM · #6

I was looking at the Einstein with the vagabond mini...

The problem with using just speedlights is that I'd have to spend $485 to get another one and with that money I can pay for an Einstein... And I *believe* there is no way I can compete with the sun and take pics of a team with a couple speedlights. I mean, if I had several speedlights, maybe but that is a pretty spendy option...

Can the triggers communicate with my speedlight? If not, how could I work that out?

spiritualspatula

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/31/2011 11:20:26 PM · #7

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
The new Einstein by AB along with the Vagabond Mini should be a great combination -- the Einstein has an action mode and can easily freeze action, is as powerful as the AB1600, but can also go to much lower output if needed. You could score an Einstein, Vagabond mini lithium, light stand, and CST CSXCV trigger/rcvr combo for less than the qflash.

I have and use the Einsteins and their older brother vagabond, and those triggers, and had used ABs for years prior to that. I completely love them, and a new vagabond mini is on my list.

Holy crap how did I miss that Vagabond mini!???
Hmmm.... need to seriously consider picking up an Einstein+vagabond mini...

I know, right? I imagine one for each light, clamped to the stand, on location. No extension cords, wow. Plus, you can buy extra batteries for it.

Will probably start with one, though. I imagine bigger than my wallet can support most of the time :-)

Have you ordered one already or what? I'd be curious to hear your impressions. And yes, the swappable battery really caught my eye, too. I'm interested in using it for downhill mountainbiking and other action sports where I'd likely have to haul the junk around, so this HUGE reduction in weight is big news in my book.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/31/2011 11:21:48 PM · #8

speedlites can compete with the sun, but a couple einsteins will give you a lot more options, especially with the vagabond mini.

this was shot with a 580ex and a 420ex using pocketwizards to fire the strobes.

05/31/2011 11:24:58 PM · #9

Originally posted by Skip:

speedlites can compete with the sun, but a couple einsteins will give you a lot more options, especially with the vagabond mini.

this was shot with a 580ex and a 420ex using pocketwizards to fire the strobes.

Awesome shot... I'd like to see a larger version...

The einsteins cost about as much as another speedlight... so the einsteins seem the way to go...

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/31/2011 11:36:37 PM · #10

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by chromeydome:
The new Einstein by AB along with the Vagabond Mini should be a great combination -- the Einstein has an action mode and can easily freeze action, is as powerful as the AB1600, but can also go to much lower output if needed. You could score an Einstein, Vagabond mini lithium, light stand, and CST CSXCV trigger/rcvr combo for less than the qflash.

I have and use the Einsteins and their older brother vagabond, and those triggers, and had used ABs for years prior to that. I completely love them, and a new vagabond mini is on my list.

Holy crap how did I miss that Vagabond mini!???
Hmmm.... need to seriously consider picking up an Einstein+vagabond mini...

I know, right? I imagine one for each light, clamped to the stand, on location. No extension cords, wow. Plus, you can buy extra batteries for it.

Will probably start with one, though. I imagine bigger than my wallet can support most of the time :-)

Have you ordered one already or what? I'd be curious to hear your impressions. And yes, the swappable battery really caught my eye, too. I'm interested in using it for downhill mountainbiking and other action sports where I'd likely have to haul the junk around, so this HUGE reduction in weight is big news in my book.

Not yet--I have the older VBII, so a battery unit is not on my list of essentials right now. But my birthday is coming up in a couple months :-)

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/31/2011 11:42:04 PM · #11

Originally posted by slickchik:

Awesome shot... I'd like to see a larger version...

thanks! pm'd ya.

Originally posted by slickchik:

The einsteins cost about as much as another speedlight... so the einsteins seem the way to go...

it will take some getting used to, especially getting efficient with the setup out in the field (make sure you keep lots of notes) (make sure you have a light meter [i use a sekonic L-358]) and you'll be rockin in no time. good luck!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/31/2011 11:53:44 PM · #12

Skip, thank you! I really like what you did with that team.

I do have a sekonic L-358 that I just purchased. How am I going to trigger the einstein with the sekonic? I am thinking I am stuck with buying pocket wizards if I want to do that...

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

05/31/2011 11:57:18 PM · #13

Originally posted by slickchik:

The problem with using just speedlights is that I'd have to spend $485 to get another one

Not really... That is for a name brand flash with eTTL/CLS I assume..... You can get a great Lumopro for @$160... similar power but NOT eTTL/CLS (neither are Einsteins).

Einsteins with mini give a LOT more power and options but clearly not at the same price point.

hawkeyefilms

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/01/2011 12:31:19 AM · #14

I just received my first Vagabond Mini and so far it's great. Paul C Buff is so open about the technology and even though it is back ordered for 2-3 weeks I still got in about 2 weeks with overnight shipping to Canada. It even has a USB port to charge phones etc. in a pinch. I have a older 900 watt second White Lighting plugged into it and it does the job. From tests I've shot the 900 WS can compete with the sun and definitely fills in the shadows on back lit outdoor shots at 15+ feet from subject. Those 300WS JTL's wouldn't cut it I don't think. Certainly not on larger group shots in full daylight. I am triggering with cheap $50 ebay triggers and shooting in full manual. I also have 3 Vivitar 285's. This weekend I will put all the strobes into full action for a wedding.

06/01/2011 12:44:30 AM · #15

I think I can use an adapter cable to connect the sekonic and one of the ab transmitters to remotely trigger the flash...

gosh, i think i am going to bite the bullet and buy this stuff in the next few days...

i gotta have light and this seems the best way to go...

not as portable as a speedlight but more versatile...

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

06/01/2011 03:44:06 AM · #16

so if you have the cst for the camera hotshoe, you can simply hold it in your hand when you meter, trigger the strobes that way. That's what I do. A cable is a hassle. Then you put the CST back on the camera when you are ready to shoot. Easy Peasy.

RamblinR

06/01/2011 05:18:23 AM · #17

You don't have to go with canon flashes. As long as you are happy to work with manual lighting (instead of ettl) you can purchase the Yonguo YN560 for around $80 each. Add some triggers, stands and modifiers and you're set.

06/01/2011 11:01:10 AM · #18

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Thank you... that is easy.

06/01/2011 11:07:28 AM · #19

You know, I would prefer to work with Canon flashes and lenses. I've never been completely satisfied with 3rd party products. I have a sigma 500dg super flash (i think that's what it's called) and it is nowhere near as nice as the 580ex ii I picked up recently...

i just think with my current goals and plans, the einstein is the better way to go over buying 2 more speedlights.

06/01/2011 04:39:14 PM · #20

oh geeze, i bought some stuff... kinda excited!! now i have to practice!!

06/01/2011 04:48:00 PM · #21

Originally posted by slickchik:

oh geeze, i bought some stuff... kinda excited!! now i have to practice!!

whaddya get whaddya get?!?!? :D

06/01/2011 05:08:15 PM · #22

8.5in High Output Reflector
Einstein E640 Studio Flash Unit
CyberSync Receiver (battery)
CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
CyberSync Transceiver Module
10-foot General Purpose Stand
Einstein/Alienbee Single Light Carrying Bag
PLM Front Diffuser Fabric, 64in White
Parabolic Umbrella Silver 64in
Parabolic Umbrella White 64in
Reflector Kit Mounting Arm
13-foot Air-Cushioned Stand

And the vagabond mini...

I have 60 days to play and if I don't like something, it's a no hassle return!!

Oh man, I can't wait!!

Message edited by author 2011-06-01 17:08:30.