Lighting Questions - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/18/2007 12:28:15 AM · #1

Sooo...I'm ready (I think) to make the jump into some strobe lights, external flash, lightsphere, etc. but I've got alot of (probably stupid) questions! However, I have faith that there are alot of people here with the answers! :)
1) I'm looking at Alien Bees. I've already got stands and umbrellas; just need the strobes. Specifically, I'm looking at the B400's or B800's. Is there some way to decide which is best for me to go with? My "studio" is in my basement and I'll be using it primarily for individual and family portraits (probably up to about 6 people). Will the 400s be enough for that? Will the supplied sync cord work with my 350D, or do I need some sort of special adaptor? If I need an adaptor, what do I get and where?

2) As I'm also starting to do some wedding work, I also need to purchase an external flash (probably getting the 580EX) and a lightsphere. I noticed that there is both a *clear* and *cloudy* lightsphere available...what, exactly, is the difference and is there a preference for one over the other?

3) I shoot most events in RAW format - is a light meter necessary for wedding work?

Thanks in advance for your help!

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

01/18/2007 12:42:57 AM · #2

I don't have AB's so I'll skip that part of the question, other than to say that, for your small studio, you won't need a lot of power. But if you plan to go on-site with your wedding photography (example, I use my strobes to shoot family portraits at the reception), then you may want to purchase higher powered strobes.

As for the lightsphere, I have the clear one. It spreads the light out enough already that it drains my batteries pretty quickly. I'd image the cloudy one only worsens that problem. I seldom use my lightsphere and instead just use bounce flash with the little white card (on the 580) pulled up to direct some of the flash forward. It works well except when the ceilings are too high. That's when I'm more likely to use the lightsphere.

I only use a light meter with my strobes. Too lazy to use it any other time, I guess. But it's indispensable with strobes as there's no other way to measure the light (other than using your histogram and I feel that the light meter gets me to where I want to be a lot quicker).

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/18/2007 12:48:43 AM · #3

Would the 400s be enough to do on-site family portraits at weddings? Is a lightsphere something that's recommended or just something "nice to have when you want it?" From what I gather based on your answer, a light meter is good for portraits, but not necessary for event shots.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

01/18/2007 12:53:21 AM · #4

Originally posted by amandak:

Again, I'll leave the AB question for someone who has them...

I dunno, some people swear by the LS. I feel it works good in some situations and not so good in others. I almost always use it when I don't have my flash bracket. But when I do, it's on about 25% of the time is all.

For event shots... I think things are happening so fast that you don't have time to think. Figure out what settings work best in the environment you're in, dial them in, and go for it. Shoot raw and you can recover the small oops here and there. But do take a look at your histogram from time to time, especially as you move around in and out of different lighting situations.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/18/2007 12:56:38 AM · #5

Thanks, David! Now let's hear from some of the folks here who have the Bees...

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

01/18/2007 02:30:39 AM · #6

I have 2 AB 400's and definitely have enough power where I shoot (20ft x 20ft room) and that is not even going to 1/2 the power. I have only went over when working on high key photos. I still want to (maybe) get another just for the background lighting with the little converter they have.
You can get a hotshoe adapter to trigger a light (or all with other hardware-This is under the Hardware section). I got this and let the other trigger from the first flash. Works well, but would like one of the RF transmitters (Under Renmote Controls) that allows you to adjust the lights power also, remotely. That would be cool!!