Speedlight/flash head/strobe/monobloc YIKES!

10/19/2006 01:19:17 AM · #1

Help with the next step in lighting.

There are so many threads about studio lights and all of the information in there is really great, butâ�¦ all of those threads sound a little like this:

Q: Should I get this kit?
A1: I only use Strobes and I got mine here.
A2: Those are a good place to start , nut you will want to eventually get a good self-contained monobloc so just skip the starter stuff and get this right away.
A3: I got these flash heads on eBay and they are great.
A4: What kind of battery pack do you use?
A5: These slave units are the best â�� they are the only ones I use.
A6: Your speedlight can be fitted with a transmitter or even a pc cord using the hotshoe adapter if you need a different solution.
A7: Better get that light meter too because â�¦

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anybody walk a complete lighting idiot through this step by step? I have a basement studio with a card table, two bottom of the barrel (Impact and Smith-Victor) tungsten lights that I burn the crap out of myself with or melt the top of my card table, a foam board for a reflector, and a piece of black velvet that has been hanging for a year and the creases from the way is was stored at the fabric store are just now starting to disappear.

So, if a person wanted to venture into flash or strobe, I guess, lighting, where to start and what does it all mean?

Speedlight â�� I guess that is a low budget flash that can go on the camera or can be used off camera with a pc cord, if your camera accepts one, or wireless if you have a transmitter or a Minolta? Your camera should be able to tell if you are using it and meter accordingly?

Monobloc/flash head/strobe â�� is it all the same thing? These have model lights so you can sort of get a feel for how your light is set up? You plug these in or use a batter pack? Are these fired the same way as the speedlight? Can you meter through the camera or is this why you need a light meter?

A simple â��hereâ��s what to get started with, how to hook it all up and meter it allâ�� would be REALLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

boysetsfire

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/19/2006 01:29:59 AM · #2

fellow lighting idiot watching closely ;)

DjFenzl

10/19/2006 01:39:51 AM · #3

I recommend you check out Strobist Lighting 101

There is some excellent information on off camera lighting.

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/19/2006 02:09:56 AM · #4

i remember once having some of the same questions... which were answered by the kind kevin Riggs. The thread is here

thread link

10/19/2006 02:31:21 AM · #5

You might check out StudioLighting.net. It has lots of free info that might help, such as Choosing the Right Studio Strobe

"StudioLighting.net is a 100% free online resource for people that are interested in Studio Lighting for Photography. Whether you are a brand new photographer, or a seasoned professional, into film or digital photography, we hope you'll find useful information here. We've packed the site with information on Studio Lighting Equipment, tips, setup, technique and tutorials for portrait photography. It is our hope to continually grow adding more value to this resource by providing fresh content each month. This site started as a personal collection of useful articles and information gathered from various skilled photographers. Now, in the spirit of information sharing, we're passing it on to you - Enjoy!"

10/19/2006 11:46:41 AM · #6

Thank you very much for the references - I have read through everything and feel much better about where I am headed.

It looks like starting with a flash is a good idea (from the Strobist article). I have an umbrella, stands and brackets to mount the flash on the stand. To begin, since I cannot afford pocket wizzards at this time, I might make that home-made pc cord. I do have two other questions:

I believe my Canon 350D only has a hot shoe so is there something that will allow a pc cord to a hotshoe?
I need to sell my awesome Minolta 3600 flash and get something for the Canon. The Canon speedlights are really pricy, but I have heard good things about the Sigma 500 DG Super. It looks like the Sigma might work as a wireless slave off the Canon's flash. However, it doesn't look like there is any way to cable into the flash. Is there another type of adapter for the falsh itself that would allow cabling?

Prof_Fate

10/19/2006 01:00:54 PM · #7

Some more info...

speedlights refer to on-camera flash units. most these days can talk to the camera and output the correct light for the exposure automatically. You can put one on the hot shoe of course, but some have the ability to fire when they see another flash (optical trigger) and this is fine in a studio. some (paterson interfit stellar) will also fire with a IR signal - Interfit sells a $40 hot shoe IR trigger. Not all flash units 'see' this signal. Alen Bee has a wireless set up out now for $80. They have a better one that is PS compatible due next year, so I hear.

If your 350 does not have a PC socket you can get a hot-shoe to PC adapter ($10-$20, nikon make a good one). You can buy PC cords - the end that goes to the camera is standard. The other end can be had in PC (male or female) 1/8" mini plug. 1/4" or HH (household - an old style you won't see much of any more). there are adapters if you need them and companies that custom make cords (don't ask the cost)

Monolight - one 'box' with all the stuff in it. The most economical place to start. Alien Bees are popular, but I prefer Paterson Interfit Stellar - same features for less cost and the accessories are cheaper. B&H sells a kit of 2 300WS lights (like AB800) with stands, umblressas and PC cords and a carry bag for just under $500.

Get the book at amazon on studio lighting by christopher grey - under $20 and very helpful.

Light meter - you can't adjust what you can't measure. Lets say you have three lights - main, fill and background - and want the background to be a bit darker an dlow key, and you want the main and fill about 1 stop apart for nice shadowing - how do you set them? You need a flash meter to read each one - set the main at F5.6, the BG at F5.6 or perhaps 4 and the fill at F4 and then the overall expsoure is probably F8.

Message edited by author 2006-10-19 13:05:25.

10/20/2006 03:38:00 PM · #8

Thanks again to all. I have read everything you all have suggested. I feel like I might now have an actual plan in my head on how to approach this. I really like the Strobist stuff and will make my first jump into this type of lighting by trying to make use of an old existing flash and some DIY accessories. To make this happen, I just ordered a set of the triggers discussed in the following thread:

radio triggers

If anyone is interested I will keep you updated.

10/20/2006 05:12:29 PM · #9

Originally posted by tcmartin:

Is the "old existing flash" a shoe mount flash or a monolight?

10/21/2006 01:36:01 AM · #10

shoe mount flash - Maxxum 3600HS (D)

10/21/2006 05:02:19 AM · #11

Originally posted by tcmartin:

shoe mount flash - Maxxum 3600HS (D)

I thought that might be the case. I just wanted to point out that many shoe mount flash units do not have a PC socket. I've heard that some Nikon flashes do, but I don't know about Maxxum. If yours doesn't, then you'll need a hot shoe to PC adapter if you want to use the flash 'off camera'. You'll also need one if you want to connect it to the AlienBees radio flash trigger that you mentioned.

Also, the AlienBees radio flash trigger is designed to work with AC powered monolights. The receiver itself requires AC power, and it has a pass-through AC power cord to provide power the monolight.

I think it should still work to fire your flash, but you will have to plug the receiver into a wall socket. I'd ask the AlienBees people about the sync voltage first though.

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/21/2006 06:17:05 AM · #12

IMO read Lighting 101 by The Strobist. No article on DPC is as simple, to the point, and practical.

10/21/2006 10:57:46 AM · #13

The radio triggers I purchased are shoe mount. A transmitter goes on the camera hot shoe and the flash goes on a receiver shoe mount. No need for pc connection. That is why they looked perfect for my case. I was going to cable them using a hot shoe to pc and a pc to hot shoe set up like in the Strobist article mentioned here until I saw the other thread about these radio triggers.

I did read that Strobist Lighting 101 and it is great. Hence why I am starting with a flash gun and not trying monoblocs yet.

Again, thanks to all.

10/21/2006 02:04:07 PM · #14

Originally posted by tcmartin:

The radio triggers thread that you linked in your post is about the new radio flash triggers from AlienBees, which do not have shoe mounts. I guess you bought the trigger that someone in Hong Kong is selling on eBay for Â£9.99, right? Anyway, good luck.