studio strobes in soft boxes - DPChallenge Forums

11/24/2004 06:16:54 PM · #1

HI,

I am shooting a large event next year and someone has recommended I use 2 studio strobes(or maybe stobes) in softboxes. Please tell me what this means and where I would get such a thing for a decent price in the UK.

Cheers,

F

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/24/2004 06:37:13 PM · #2

See if this helps on the "what is it" question.

link to tutorial

As to where you'd find strobes in the UK I'd say any photography store would be a good place to start.

The bigger question might be to figure out what you need. I wouldn't suggest buying lights just because someone said you ought to. What do you expect the layout of the event to be?

Kev

TLL061

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

11/24/2004 06:42:16 PM · #3

thanks kevin

11/24/2004 06:46:26 PM · #4

its a Hilton hotel and I will most likely be setting up in the lobby/bar area to try and shoot the guests during the pre dinner reception. I will have a dedicated area where they can come and will be using either a screen or an area already there that suits, maybe stairs or such like. I understand that the lights and softboxes will help to make the shots softer and more attractive but I wasn't expecting to have to pay a lot for this sort of equipment! I saw an 'on camera strobe and softbox from Photoflex' which looked ideal but its about Â£600 all in!

What do you think?

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/24/2004 08:51:06 PM · #5

Fiona,

You can have a flash unit that mounts to your camera (see the last photos in the tutorial) and you can put a diffuser over them but that will still give you slightly flat lighting. It'll be much better than the camera's flash unit (the little flash that pops outta the top of the camera body) but it will still be a light from almost directly over the lens and generally pretty close to the same height as the barrel of the lens. People often go for a hot shoe flash unit (which is what mounts to the top of your D70) and use either radio remotes or the wireless remote system that is made by the flash manufacurer. That way you can move the flash both above the level of the lens and you can move the flash slightly off to the side which will give the lighting and contours on the people's faces slightly more depth. Since you're talking about not spending a mint to get setup I looked up a couple of items that you might consider from a store like B&H (or lookup these products at a UK distributor; I figured at least it'd give you some ideas).

Metz 54MZ-4 hot shoe flash $ 349 USD
or
Metz 54AF-I hot shoe $ 269 USD

Either will work withSto-Fen OmniBouce for these Metz flashes $ 16.95 USD

Nikon SB-600 hot shoe flash $ 179 USD

or

Nikon's super nice SB-800 hot shoe flash $ 309 USD

Didn't see the Sto-Fen for either of those but I'm betting that you could find it.

What you'll notice about the difference in these flash units is a thing called the Guide Number. The GN is basically a measurement of the light that each flash unit puts out. That's not technically what the measurement is but its close enough for this post's purposes.

If $ 200 USD still seems too steep then I can just about assure you that monolights and softboxes will be waaay outta the price range. It really sounds like you're going to be moving around and shooting so I think a hot shoe flash with a modifier like the Sto-Fen OmniBounce or perhaps a LumiQuest ProMax flash kit would be best (and either of those flash modifying kits should run you less than $30 USD).

One final thing that I can think of to consider is a flash bracket. I use the one in the photo below

but I don't think you'd wanna buy it. I'd suggest a StroboFrame or something along those lines; perhaps an RRS (I think that's the name of it). What this little jewel does for you is (A) move the flash away from the lens a little more to help your lighting look more dynamic and also to keep red eye down to a minimum and (B) allow you to turn your camera for portrait photos while keeping the flash aligned over the camera where shadows will be down behind a person's body rather than on the wall beside them (if you turned your camera and the flash to the side and took a photo). I'm sure you can pickup one of the StroboFrames for less than $100 USD and it will make a noticeable improvement.

Hope this info helps you.

Kev

cbeller

Nikon D300

11/24/2004 09:01:01 PM · #6

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

...
Nikon SB-600 hot shoe flash $ 179 USD

or

Nikon's super nice SB-800 hot shoe flash $ 309 USD

Didn't see the Sto-Fen for either of those but I'm betting that you could find it...

The SB-800 comes with one of these. The one for the SB-600 can be ordered seperate.

The Stroboframe ProT is the flash braket I have and it is really nice.

11/24/2004 09:50:34 PM · #7

Originally posted by fee2404:

Adorama is selling their new Flashpoint series monolights at a decent price. The Flashpoint 620 Portrait Wedding Monolight Kit should have everything you need to get some decent shots. The kit comes with 2 lights, 2 stands, 2 umbrellas, and a case. Softboxes would give you somewhat better light than umbrellas, but they would cost a lot more too.

11/25/2004 04:47:45 PM · #8

wow I am blown away with your helpful attitude. On another forum (I won't mention which) the attitude is 'if you have to ask you shouldn't be doing it' but how do you ever learn? Anyway, thanks for all the tips. I was going to buy the SB800 anyway..possibly two but that wedding kit looks fabulous. I saw some decent softboxes on Alien Bees which might be suitable. I will investigate this all further. Thanks everyone. I will let you know my progress and shopping list as it grows.

Any other tips would be wonderful so keep them coming. One last thought...any ideas on quirky shots that might work. Just something a little different that will set me apart.

Muchos gracias,

Fee

11/25/2004 09:31:55 PM · #9

Originally posted by fee2404:

I highly recommend AlienBees lighting equipment. Iâ��ve bought quite a bit of their stuff lately (approx. $1650.00 worth), and I was very pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the equipment. In fact, their Digi Bee Package for $599.00 is similar to the wedding kit that I mentioned earlier, and it is probably a better deal.

As for quirky shots, itâ��s hard to say since you havenâ��t told us what type of event youâ��re covering. Maybe if you tell us more about it I, or others here, might be able to suggest something.

11/26/2004 05:52:44 AM · #10

I have been on to Alien Bees and am not sure if they ship to Scotland. I will email them to find out. Also it might not be compatible in the UK for power etc. Thanks it looks great anyway.

The event is a charity event with approx 650 guests at 54 tables. There will be some celebs there (Robert Carlisle???) and some high profile business folk from Glasgow. It will be Black Tie and gowns I imagine. there is a champagne reception to start in the lobby then dinner, then speakers, then auction and then dancing to a band. The organiser has asked me to be very discreet and not distract anyone. She also wants me to project images onto large screen while band are on!!! No problem there and she wants me to donate an auction lot! (Thought about a 2 hour session in location of their choice with large framed print and album with say 20 prints in?)

The hotel is a Hilton so pretty standard layout and the organise is very flexible and willing to follow my lead.

Hope this helps.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/27/2004 01:37:46 AM · #11

Originally posted by fee2404:

They want you to be discreet and not distract anyone AND use softboxes for lighting? I donâ��t think that is possible. Softboxes are large bulky things, and even a small one is bound to attract attention. They are also not very portable. You wouldnâ��t want to try carrying them around in a crowd. They are normally used in a studio setting, either indoors or out, and are mounted on stands. I would only go this route if they will let you setup a mini-studio off in a corner or another room somewhere, and if the people that you want to photograph will come and pose for you. However, if you need to walk around and get shots on-the-fly, then big softboxes are pretty much out of the question.

There are several manufacturers that make â��on cameraâ�� softboxes, such as the Chimera Mini Softbox or the Lumiquest Softbox. Something like this could be carried around in a crowd, however, in a room full of people such as you describe, any type of flash is going to be at least a little distracting. They also will not give you light as nice as large softboxes will. If you canâ��t use real softboxes, then this may be your best bet.

How about this; pick a spot in the lobby that would be out of the way, yet still give you a nice background for your shots. Setup two medium softboxes for key light and fill light and maybe a backlight too. Then get the people to step over for a quick, impromptu photo session. You could use colored gels on the backlight for a little quirkiness (example). Later, after everyone is in the main room, you can use a hot-shoe flash, preferably mounted off-camera on a bracket, with or without one of those on-camera softboxes.

Anyway, it sounds to me like you have a fairly difficult assignment ahead of you. It would probably be a good idea to enlist the aid of a helper or two if you can. It might also be a good idea to go checkout the place in advance to get an idea of the layout, lighting, etc... Call ahead and speak to the manager and ask if they will show you around.

I hope some of this helps. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

11/27/2004 04:19:36 AM · #12

You can hire strobes and soft boxws from any professional photography dealer,.Prolly its cost effective doing this if vyou dont do a lot of this work.

11/27/2004 08:39:07 AM · #13

thanks so much for all the help. I think I should investigate hiring some light boxes and lights on this occassion...see how much money I make and then decide if I should invest, but the Alien Bees stuff is very tempting. Only problem is the power conversion issue for the UK.

The next thing is the lens issue. I have the kit lens (18-70) which I love love love but think I may need the 80-200 af-s vr (eek big bucks)for the candid shots so I don't need flash. I know the VR is handy to have to say the least but is it absolutely necessary and is there an equivalent 3rd party lens that would be cheaper?

I will definitely be doing a practise run soon so I know what I need to buy come January sale time!

Fee

11/27/2004 08:41:14 AM · #14

alien bees shipping abroad info "First, we offer a 220 V version of each AlienBees unit (models B400, B800 and B1600)." and only $10 charge!!hurrah hurrah, happy girl!

11/27/2004 01:03:26 PM · #15

Originally posted by fee2404:

Go with the AlienBees if you can. Their products are great, and so is their customer support. A while back I had a sync cable go bad on me, so I emailed them about it, and they overnighted me a new one free of charge, no questions asked.

If you're going to rent the lights and softboxes, why not rent a top-of-the-line lens too?

11/27/2004 06:51:47 PM · #16

this afternoon I went to the best photog shop in Glasgow to look at lenses and ask the question about renting equipment. Firstly nobody rents equipment in Glasgow or the vicinity so will have to rethink this. I may find one further afield or I may just buy!!

The 2nd thing was the lens. He didn't have the Nikkor in stock but he did have a Sigma 80-200 f2.8 ex ?? in the window. It was as new,boxed, with guarantee, filter, manual etc etc and he said he would give me it for Â£450 ($850). I put down a small deposit promising to return tomorrow. So I'm wondering if this is a good lens and a good buy?

Do you know?

Lastly, he said that Sigma do flashes that are half the price of the Nikon range, i.e SB800 will be Â£269 ($509) and a Sigma flash could be Â£99 ($187). Again, is this an option I should consider?

Thanks as usual,

f