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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Strobist Questions: Stand, Brackets, ST Umbrella
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Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
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06/06/2012 10:53:00 AM · #1
So I already have the cowboy studio triggers and Yongnuo YN560 II. I'm now trying to figure out the rest that is the best bang for your buck for a single shoot through umbrella setup <$100.

I was thinking the monfrotto nano stand and westcott 43" silk ST umbrella. Not sure about the bracket (and/or cold shoe?) so I was looking for suggestions, preferably on amazon. I'm feeling more committed to tackle lighting and strobing now. Thanks fellas and gals!

Message edited by author 2012-06-06 12:08:21.
06/06/2012 12:08:34 PM · #2
Added links...
06/06/2012 12:22:35 PM · #3
Personally I wouldn't be trying to improve the light on a single flash system I'd make my own cheap DIY soft boxes and use the money on a second flash gun - 2 lights are so much more flexible and offer greater opportunities for lighting a scene. Just my 2 cents.
06/06/2012 12:33:18 PM · #4
Originally posted by Mark-A:

Personally I wouldn't be trying to improve the light on a single flash system I'd make my own cheap DIY soft boxes and use the money on a second flash gun - 2 lights are so much more flexible and offer greater opportunities for lighting a scene. Just my 2 cents.


Oh totally agree. This is just the beginning, I just want a simple base to start with and a single setup is better than what I had before which was just on camera bouncing.
06/06/2012 12:37:59 PM · #5
Oh I wasn't saying don't do it mate I was suggesting spending the cash from the stand and umbrella on a second flash instead a good softbox is an easy DIY job and you get twice the light to control for your money. I'll get to my computer in a few minutes and post a link to a site I buy some of my stuff from its Chinese but I bought on recommendation and I'd happily give it my thumbs up.
06/06/2012 12:42:45 PM · #6
Originally posted by Mark-A:

Oh I wasn't saying don't do it mate I was suggesting spending the cash from the stand and umbrella on a second flash instead a good softbox is an easy DIY job and you get twice the light to control for your money. I'll get to my computer in a few minutes and post a link to a site I buy some of my stuff from its Chinese but I bought on recommendation and I'd happily give it my thumbs up.


No worries, I'm open to all options. I just have a shoot this weekend I was think about using it on us all.
06/06/2012 12:52:48 PM · #7
Here's a LINK to the place I buy my flash guns and triggers from.

Here's a LINK to the first DIY softbox I made, it's pretty simple and can be made for pretty much nothing if you use stuff from around the house - great results especially if you have been using unmodified flash light previously.

I bought the "Vivitar 285HV" flashes but I think they have basically changed the name of these to "Cactus KF36 Full Manual Adjustable Flash" awesome flashes really as long as you only want off camera flash ofcourse they cannot sit on your camera. These used to be quite a bit cheaper when I bought them I think I paid about $45 each. I also have the Cactus V4 triggers these are SOOOO much better than the V2 and V2s ones of which I have had and used both types.
06/06/2012 01:11:12 PM · #8
I also just recently got into off-camera flash photography.

For my $100 budget, I bought the following from B&H and only have good things to say about them:

Westcott 45" Umbrella $29.99

Impact Heavy Duty Light Stand $38.95

Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe $24.95

The umbrella is fantastic as both shoot-thru and bounce, and the heavy weight light-stand is heavy-duty -- withstood some serious winds on the beach a month back. Can save a few $ by going with a lighter stand if you intend to use indoors solely.

All these components have excellent reviews on B&H, so bought with confidence.

Message edited by author 2012-06-06 13:11:26.
06/06/2012 01:14:49 PM · #9
Originally posted by Mark-A:

Here's a LINK to the place I buy my flash guns and triggers from.

Here's a LINK to the first DIY softbox I made, it's pretty simple and can be made for pretty much nothing if you use stuff from around the house - great results especially if you have been using unmodified flash light previously.

I bought the "Vivitar 285HV" flashes but I think they have basically changed the name of these to "Cactus KF36 Full Manual Adjustable Flash" awesome flashes really as long as you only want off camera flash ofcourse they cannot sit on your camera. These used to be quite a bit cheaper when I bought them I think I paid about $45 each. I also have the Cactus V4 triggers these are SOOOO much better than the V2 and V2s ones of which I have had and used both types.


Thanks for the links! That looks intense! You made one of those? I am definitely not that caliber of a DIYer however but would love to do something along those lines down the road.
06/06/2012 01:18:57 PM · #10
Originally posted by goinskiing:

Thanks for the links! That looks intense! You made one of those? I am definitely not that caliber of a DIYer however but would love to do something along those lines down the road.


Yeah but I modified it quite a bit - made it simpler really, just used the idea for a basic design. Well worth the trouble though - now I just use my bowens softboxes can't even remember whether I bought the DIY box with me when I moved out the old marital home...

I did buy an Umbrella bracket from them that was pretty good and still use that for outside flash use occassionally.
06/06/2012 07:40:12 PM · #11
Originally posted by gcoulson:

I also just recently got into off-camera flash photography.

For my $100 budget, I bought the following from B&H and only have good things to say about them:

Westcott 45" Umbrella $29.99

Impact Heavy Duty Light Stand $38.95

Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe $24.95

The umbrella is fantastic as both shoot-thru and bounce, and the heavy weight light-stand is heavy-duty -- withstood some serious winds on the beach a month back. Can save a few $ by going with a lighter stand if you intend to use indoors solely.

All these components have excellent reviews on B&H, so bought with confidence.


Just bought this exact setup, thanks!
06/06/2012 08:27:57 PM · #12
Originally posted by goinskiing:


Just bought this exact setup, thanks!

Also have the YN-560 II flash, so we have almost the same setup :) I went with the RF-603 wireless triggers though which have worked a charm for me to date!

Next purchase, as Mark-A mentioned, is another flash (probably get the YN-560 for less and use as a slave) and set of triggers.
06/07/2012 12:06:25 AM · #13
Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by goinskiing:


Just bought this exact setup, thanks!

Also have the YN-560 II flash, so we have almost the same setup :) I went with the RF-603 wireless triggers though which have worked a charm for me to date!

Next purchase, as Mark-A mentioned, is another flash (probably get the YN-560 for less and use as a slave) and set of triggers.


Yep, I'll definitely get another flash in the next few months, also saving for a macro lens and ultra wide.
06/07/2012 03:33:13 AM · #14
I have a couple of these and they are easy to set up and pack up and they are made for a flash.

Softbox

You can also get them with a stand or try to pick one up separately. You wont need a bracket if you purchase one of the above but if you get a shoot through umbrella you will need one of these also: Bracket

Umbrella umbrella

Hope that helps
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