Just bought lighting equipment, missing anything?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/08/2012 05:02:19 PM · #1

Ok, so here's the run down.

I have a Canon 430EZ speedlight - non-ttl, but it's a good flash
I have a Lumiquest softbox III for it, and the results have been impressive.
I have a 42 inch 4-in-1 reflector
I also have a box of Rosco/Strobist gels and a 1/4" grid.

---

Now, I just bought:
2x 2-Yongnuo RF-603 C3 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Wireless Shutter Release Transceiver Kits
1x Yongnuo YN560II Speedlight
1x Yongnuo YN565 ETTL Speedlight
1x Manfrotto 035RL Superclamp
1x 43 inch soft white diffusing umbrella
1x 43 inch black/white reflecting umbrella
2x 33 inch translucent shoot through umbrellas
1x Medium Lumiquest softbox
2x Cowboy Studio Flash holder/umbrella holders
2x Scary flimsy looking lightstands

Now, am I missing anything that I will need to make this thing work? I can't think of anything that I really missed, but if any DPC'ers with experience have some advice it would be great.

I intend to shoot people, probably occasionally just doing fill, but my real goal is to really start learning to sculpt the light to my desires. Some of my work will be indoors/studio, but most of my work seems to be on the go, so that's probably where most of this will get abused.

Message edited by author 2012-10-08 17:03:44.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

10/08/2012 09:41:41 PM · #2

Looks good (does that trigger wake up the 430EZ? - I loved that flash but the auto sleep that canot be disabeled is a PITA unless the triggers wake it up).....

I have good luck with the cheap impact air cushion stands - < $40 B&H Video Linkie

bhuge

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/08/2012 10:29:13 PM · #3

I wouldn't consider myself to have a lot of experience, you have more equipment than I do. That said, the one thing I wish I had was a boom stand. It is hard to get a center key light above someone for portraits with a normal light stand.

10/08/2012 10:59:10 PM · #4

Originally posted by robs:

No idea, but I'll try to answer when I get them tomorrow. ;)

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

10/08/2012 11:07:36 PM · #5

Originally posted by bhuge:

Boom stand. check. On list now.

ETA: Can't find a good deal on Amazon, any suggestions?

Message edited by author 2012-10-08 23:13:05.

bhuge

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/08/2012 11:51:29 PM · #6

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by bhuge:
I wouldn't consider myself to have a lot of experience, you have more equipment than I do. That said, the one thing I wish I had was a boom stand. It is hard to get a center key light above someone for portraits with a normal light stand.

Boom stand. check. On list now.

ETA: Can't find a good deal on Amazon, any suggestions?

I can't help you there, I haven't taken the plunge and purchased one yet. In fact I'm not positive it's the only way to get a light above the camera, but it's the only sane way I could think of.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/09/2012 12:46:32 AM · #7

Is there any particular reason why you only want two stands for three lights?

I'd personally say the lumiquest softboxes are a bit redundant together. I'd do one or the other, since they are only soft if you get them close in any case since they are a comparatively small diffuser. They'll be nice for if you're really worried about spill, but the distance you'll need to put them from your subject is going to make it so you could in many cases have used a shoot through super close which will give a softer light anyway and won't suffer that much from spill due to the inverse square law.

Next, I would caution against a cheap boom stand unless you have no interest in ever putting anything but a bare flash on one.

Lastly, with light stands that are that light, invest in some tent pegs and some paracord to guy out your stand, or get some of these at an outdoors store (you don't need them, but honestly, they're super handy and pretty cheap. You can change the lengths of them easier than tying knots IMO, so if you raise your stand it's worth your while). Your light stands probably won't take sandbags well, and your umbrellas will take to the air if a spider farts, so if you're going for location shooting, you need a solution for that unless you want to cross your fingers for dead calm muggy Miami.
ETA: You might as well try a weighted bag of some sort and see if your stands can take it, but I'd be careful and not hold too much hope. If they can take some weight, then you can either buy some sandbags you can empty or make your own. All you really need is some canvas or other rather heavy material and a bunch of velcro to keep them closed. Fill them on site with rocks or whatever is around then dump them out.

Make sure to invest in extra batteries, as well. Those test pops aren't free.

Message edited by author 2012-10-09 00:59:31.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

10/09/2012 01:03:18 AM · #8

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

As far as only two stands, these are cheap-ass stands. I figure I'll want something nicer soon, these are temporary. As for weight, I'm thinking that's a great suggestion... Perhaps a bit of heavy logging chain will do nicely, hopefully it doesn't break the stands.

Also, the flashes have "feet" and I picked up that super-clamp.. Hopefully that will at least give me some options.

I like the idea of guying out the stands, good idea!~

Why another Lumiquest softbox? Because the first one I bought is the giant Softbox III, and it blocks the AF assist light, and the ETTL stuff, so my new ETTL flash won't work well with it for event shooting. But, I am very happy with the lumiquest for compact diffusion.

I also just added in a hotshoe cord, and some gaffer's tape, figure I might do this too.

Message edited by author 2012-10-09 01:13:22.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/09/2012 01:16:57 AM · #9

Gaffer's tape is great, but I find myself usingball bungees more. Most home improvement stores have them, I got mine at Home Despot though. Those suckers can attach to everything. If your object is too wide, use two together. I've strapped flashes to trees, backpacks, all sorts of crap.

That's my on the fly rig that has sufficient speed to stop the wings on any flying insect for macro shots. I also use them to attach triggers to various things like the umbrella holders of my light stands. Well worth it.

Good thinking on the stands in that case, but don't hold out much hope for flash "stands." They're sorta silly. If you have a heavier gorillapod hanging around already, they work much much better. If you don't already have one, don't spend the money though, just folks often have one.

Super clamps are great for some things, but it has to be a pretty skinny object. There are also Justin Clamps but they're pricey and not as sturdy as I'd like. Single flash only and are sometimes sorta dicey at times. They're also bulky as all hell in your bag.

I see on the Lumiquest. Just know that the difference from one to the other isn't huge, that's all. And yeah, TTL cords are super useful. Put that thing in TTL and handhold it in your left hand camera left. With a grid you have an awesome spotlight. Try that out for sure.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/09/2012 01:25:37 AM · #10

If you're planning to "sculpt" light you'll need some grids, either a 7" reflector dish with a set of grids, and/or a beauty dish with both a difuser and grid.

If you go for a boom, you must absolutely not skimp on it. You will have a person under the light that may potentially fall on their head if the cheap one fails.

10/09/2012 01:29:13 AM · #11

Thanks Derek!

Clearly, I've got a lot to learn, but I think it's really time to embrace artificial lighting.

ETA: I just picked up a 25 pack of the ties. Great suggestion!

Message edited by author 2012-10-09 01:32:31.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/09/2012 01:29:41 AM · #12

Originally posted by tanguera:

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

-CB

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/09/2012 07:04:43 AM · #13

check out diy photography, you can make a lot of modifiers yourself if its only fooling around.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/09/2012 01:37:09 PM · #14

The two that come to mind are sand bags and gels.

Sandbags keep stands where you want them, and since I know you are familiar with guns I would suggest not filling them with sand but with buckshot, it is a bit more expensive but much neater since no fines will leak out and get dust on your floor or inside your bags.

I really like having a pack of gels that you can pop over the front of the speedlights to get color to sculpt the light better. Anything from Conklin brackets and a warming gel, to red saran wrap works depending on the desired result.

McNally's the hot shot diaries is a pretty good read on what you can do with all the toys, and then start figuring out how you can get the same light with out spending the bucks. My grid is a foil lined wine box with the dividers painted black. It looks horrible but the light is nice.

Message edited by author 2012-10-09 13:37:43.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/09/2012 02:38:38 PM · #15

you can also buy bags of rice fairly cheap. plus you can eat it if we ever have Armageddon.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/09/2012 02:52:43 PM · #16

Got a lightmeter? It is nice to have, especially for doing ratios with multiple lights.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/09/2012 03:36:59 PM · #17

Originally posted by MinsoPhoto:

Got a lightmeter? It is nice to have, especially for doing ratios with multiple lights.

Nope.. Any good recommendations?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

10/09/2012 05:06:19 PM · #18

Sekonic L-358

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/09/2012 05:39:01 PM · #19

Pretty much waht spork said. my local camera shop didn't have that one so I went with the Gossen Digipro. It's good but I would go with the other.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/09/2012 05:45:11 PM · #20

im after a sekonic but they are spenny, Â£200 - Â£400 over here sticking with trial and error at mo :)

super clamps are great :) ive got 3 of them, id like a boom stand going to find one now

Devinder

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/09/2012 08:49:25 PM · #21

More or less i think youve got all you need.. Here's what id say past that.

personally i ve got two speedlights, a single softbox, and umbrella, one small one big reflector, radio triggers, stands and a ringlight and they've been doin it well for most types of shots so far. I do intend to invest in Grids and a snazzier looking modifier than my foam flag for location work.

In my view you're set if you get some grids. I do my Light metering via camera+ by eye for now. The meter looks snazzy and takes away one test step but, i don't consider it a necessary expense yet - theres about 4 things that come before it for me.

theres some extras you can look into i spose...

But yea, Grids, or a DYI version, some sortof heavy placeholders, if you need em, a superclamp. I also use these coldshoe snaps by frio that i feel hold my flashes a bit more securely than just the cold shoe on my softbox stand. Might wanna keep a screwdriver around exclusively with your travel kit, good for the tighetening... HAIR BANDS YOU NEED HAIR BANDS, or bungee cords.

Maybe some black foam for flagging, a pringles box for some sexy round backlighting till you get the grids i guess. ild get a wide array of the gels, rather than just the ctos and ctrs. Some blues, some greens, some random colors to play with, some of those textury foggy kinds. Gaffers tape is nice, but painter's tape is a bit cleaner imo - less residue-y and doesn't fight coming off and just works better to put down that background paper.. i think strobist posted something about how he tapes flash + tight grid on his cameras for evening sports sometimes. when i m doing somethin similar, the painter stuff is just better imo. Exacto knife if youre gonna be cutting your own gels, or scissors i guess.

I hope something in that ramble is useful