Studio Lighting with Rebel XT - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/04/2006 10:42:36 PM · #1

I need help!!! I want to set up a home studio and have no idea where to begin!! I read something about needing an adaptor (for the PC sync cord(s)?) of some sort to sync flashes/strobes. Can someone explain to me (or show me in a pic) how to do this in simplistic terms? I'm not that good when it comes to everything gets wired or synched together....LOL. Argggggggghhhhhh....it's all Greek to me!!! Thanks!

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

10/04/2006 10:51:40 PM · #2

relax. fisrt you need to know what to buy, the rebel canot triger the flash (strobe) with out a adator called "infred red thing" or something aourd that. but you can trigger the strobes with a hand flash also that is what i do.
sorry my bad english

rene

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

10/04/2006 10:56:10 PM · #3

You'll need a hotshoe-PC adapter to connect most strobes or handle flashes - Nikon makes one called the AS-15, whice I use. It'll work on any brand of camera as far as I know.

From there, you'll need a PC cord that goes from PC to whatever connection your strobes/flashes have. My Sunpak 555 has an AC connection, so I use a PC-AC cable with that. If it's a PC connection, get a PC-PC. There are some proprietary ones too...

edit: That's if you're going with a corded setup. Renefunk is talking about slave flashes that fire when they see a flash on your camera fire. Those are supposed to be reliable indoors, but if you shoot outside the light levels are higher and if you shoot somewhere where other photographers are, their flashes will make your flashes go off.

Pocket Wizards are really reliable wireless triggers - they're expensive but you get what you pay for. B&H and a lot of other places sell them.

Message edited by author 2006-10-04 22:59:20.

10/04/2006 11:06:29 PM · #4

There are many generic e-bay branded ones, but a Wein Safe Sync will ensure that the voltage is stepped down so as not to harm your camera (however unlikely)

Alternatively, you can buy radio slaves, which are much more freeing, and also cost a LOT more for good ones.

This is from Interfit Photographic, and is $85. Comes with hot-shoe adapter/transmitter that has a sync socket, and one reciever.

The range and build quality on a set of Pocket Wizards will satisfy you if you have the money and desire for the highest quality.

10/04/2006 11:08:24 PM · #5

Originally posted by renefunk:

but you can trigger the strobes with a hand flash also that is what i do.

If you do trigger using the flash, place the flash and camera on full manual. Power down the flash to the lowest setting, and you'll have to meter or play with the light until you get it right.

You need to do this because the TTL pre-flash will trigger the strobes too early.

Message edited by author 2006-10-04 23:09:04.

10/04/2006 11:40:03 PM · #6

Hmmmm....I think I'm starting to *get it*. What if I want to use more than one flash/strobe? Do I need more than one adaptor and cord??? (I'm such an idiot with this stuff...lol).

10/05/2006 12:37:02 AM · #7

Originally posted by amandak:

Hmmmm....I think I'm starting to *get it*. What if I want to use more than one flash/strobe? Do I need more than one adaptor and cord??? (I'm such an idiot with this stuff...lol).

Generally, the strobes you get now will sense the flash of any strobe. So if you have one synched, the others will fire off of it.

Message edited by author 2006-10-05 00:37:21.

bvoi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/05/2006 12:45:16 AM · #8

go here
//www.paramountcords.com/

They have everything you need for a rebel xt. You need two pocket wizards. Get the new transceivers that just came out for about $180 each. Then if you are using a canon flash, you need to get a hot shoe to mini type cord. to fire the flash. Buy two because they break easily $40 each. Don't get the infrared stuff from canon. Needing a sight line to fire the flash is craziness, plus two pocket wizards are not that much more than the canon trigger. I have a something that holds the flash on a light stand and then usually use another light-stand with a reflector holder that holds a big diffuser so the light is not so harsh.

bvoi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/05/2006 12:49:26 AM · #9

Another thing, you basically need pocket wizards to do anything with a rebel xt. One for the camera (no adapter necessary and one for each light source. Paramount cords does have cords that attach to the camera's hot shoe and then a flash, but just bite the bullet and buy the pocket wizards. I love them and I consistently score in the 6s when I do shots with them.

Yes, people are correct. You can fire other strobes that sense the light.

Message edited by author 2006-10-05 00:53:20.

10/05/2006 01:00:06 AM · #10

Thanks for the info. Now...can someone post a pic of their setup, and a list of equipment, with step by step instructions ("Studio Lighting Setup for Dummies" would be good :D)...

bvoi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/05/2006 01:03:01 AM · #11

All my equipment is at work, so I can't do it now. I have a big model shot on Saturday, so PM me to remind me and I'll take shots of the set up with the Point and Shoot.

10/05/2006 01:05:21 AM · #12

That would be great! Thanks so much!! (I'll send you a PM on Friday as a reminder).

10/05/2006 09:05:06 AM · #13

I have 2 old (but working) flash units - can I use them in my setup?

10/05/2006 12:36:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by amandak:

I have 2 old (but working) flash units - can I use them in my setup?

Yes, you can also get adapters that will hook up the Pocket Wizards to the flash units.

Try Strobist for some more info on how to effectively use a portable flash setup for almost any situation. It's a lot of reading, but all good and from a seasoned pro photojournalist.

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

10/05/2006 02:00:24 PM · #15

Great!! I'll definitely check out the link, too - thanks! (Now can somebody please tell me what the heck a 'pocket wizard' is???)

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

10/05/2006 02:08:08 PM · #16

Originally posted by amandak:

Great!! I'll definitely check out the link, too - thanks! (Now can somebody please tell me what the heck a 'pocket wizard' is???)

Pocket Wizards are radio units. One goes on the camera hotshoe, and one attaches to each strobe unit. When you trigger the shutter on the came a, its Pocket Wizard sends a signal to the ones on the flash units and sets them off in sync. All wireless, they work very well, but are rather pricey.

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

10/05/2006 10:10:55 PM · #17

Got it!!! LOL (God, sometimes I feel sooooo stupid!) Checked them out....YIKES - at $400 I don't think I'll be getting them any time soon, but they're definitely something for me to work towards. I also took a brief look at the Strobist site - looks like there's alot of good info there that will help me out...thanks for pointing me to it!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

10/05/2006 10:13:02 PM · #18

I skimmed through the Strobist site myself. There's some great stuff there, some of it a viable lower cost alternative to the Pocket Wizards. If you can afford them, get them. If not, take a look at the homemade PC link - looks pretty good.

10/05/2006 10:44:48 PM · #19

Originally posted by wavelength:

This is from Interfit Photographic, and is $85. Comes with hot-shoe adapter/transmitter that has a sync socket, and one reciever.