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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Strobe lights
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11/22/2012 05:35:26 PM · #1
I am trying to get back into semi-serious enthusiast photography on a limited budget. What would be a good used brand and/or model of speed lite to use with my newly aquired Canon 40D. I would like to get 2-3 units. I need ones that can have the power set at 3-4 different levels, and have optical slave capabilities. Could I use the on board flash on the 40D to trigger these? Looking to buy used on ebay or elsewhere. Do the 430EZ's fit this bill? I am totally ignorant to what gear is capable of what. TIA,
kj
11/22/2012 06:34:53 PM · #2
if you want non ttl get the yogun 506 of amazon they are £50 each or they do a 580 ex copy thats £99, ive got one of the 506 works great as a slave triggered optically or through a pocketwizard
11/24/2012 10:12:29 AM · #3
Thanx for the reply. I have been using this site for a week or so, have read the strobist articles elswhere and my mind is currently suffering overload. But oh my, have I learned a lot in a short while. A quick Q for anybody. In the strobist articles he talks about dialing down the power on the speedlights in manual mode and checking the results on the TFT screen. Does this mean snapping a photo and checking for proper exposure as you dial down?
As of now I am thinking the canon 430 EZ. I can get those pretty cheap used, for manual use only, with the ability to raise and lower power by 3 f/stops. So 3 of those for now with Yongnue slaves seem to be the best set up on a very limited budget. Then pretty much the set-up described by the strobist, a couple umbrellas with stands etc. Can anybody shoot holes in this? Is there something I am not considering? Is there a better suited flash close to as cheap? I still need a macro lens, a telephoto, and other odds and ends which all said will still total well over a thousand bucks, probably 2 if I get the quality I'd like. I just recently purchased a lightly used Canon 40D, building onto that. Any additional lenses will likely NOT be EF-S, just EF in hopes of upgrading to full frame.
11/24/2012 12:17:56 PM · #4
Its the approach I take. Set lights, snap, chimp. Repeat. I have some diagrams and markings that help me cut down on the setup on subsequent setups.

I use two Yong nuos and I'm about to get a third. A few flash stands and umbrellas cheap remote triggers and a reflector are all you need. Add other modifiers as you need and go.
11/24/2012 03:11:55 PM · #5
Thanx mike, that's the plan then. I wanted to go full frame, but camera and one lens, even used would have been close to 3X the cost of the 40D. Better to work a yr or so and trade up. I am so impressed with much of the work I have seen here. I can't believe what some are able to do in PS. Hoping to learn many of the same techniques.
11/24/2012 07:27:56 PM · #6
If you are serious about being serious, learn Lightroom over Photoshop.
11/25/2012 06:21:38 AM · #7
Originally posted by mike_311:

If you are serious about being serious, learn Lightroom over Photoshop.


Don't want to say you are wrong,but I do think that is a matter of opinion.

I think Photoshop and Bridge give much more scoop.

So perhaps research both beforehand.
11/25/2012 08:30:27 AM · #8
Good point.
11/25/2012 08:50:16 AM · #9
Originally posted by mike_311:

If you are serious about being serious, learn Lightroom over Photoshop.


That's like saying use Canon over Nikon.
11/25/2012 11:24:25 AM · #10
Originally posted by JamesA:

Originally posted by mike_311:

If you are serious about being serious, learn Lightroom over Photoshop.


That's like saying use Canon over Nikon.


not really. both are made by Adobe. one is a very powerful graphics and photo editing software the other is a photo management and very competent editor that drastically streamlines your workflow. If you have to process many photos from a shoot, you should not be using Photoshop.

I only use photoshop unless i messed something up or i'm doing some kind of special effect. otherwise its lightroom because it really saves a ton of time and time is money.
11/25/2012 11:47:42 AM · #11
Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by JamesA:

Originally posted by mike_311:

If you are serious about being serious, learn Lightroom over Photoshop.


That's like saying use Canon over Nikon.


not really. both are made by Adobe. one is a very powerful graphics and photo editing software the other is a photo management and very competent editor that drastically streamlines your workflow. If you have to process many photos from a shoot, you should not be using Photoshop.

I only use photoshop unless i messed something up or i'm doing some kind of special effect. otherwise its lightroom because it really saves a ton of time and time is money.


Why not use bridge to organise and process using photoshops adobe raw then onto its many other tools that Lightroom doesn't have?

I do see the benifits of a dedicated RAW software but never really liked lightroom, I mean it has tribal decals and post to Facebook features...
11/25/2012 01:06:03 PM · #12
I have a 430EZ, decent flash really, and damned cheap.

But for my money, the Yongnuo 560 and 565 (the 565 has ETTL) are FAR better values.

Throw in two sets of the Yongnuo radio triggers and you've got a potent package (along with several modifiers etc.)

See this thread, I listed some gear I bought and I'm pretty happy with all of it.
11/25/2012 03:21:36 PM · #13
Thanx for all the replies. I used to have photoshop some years ago on an older computer, never learned to use it to it's fullest. Never had the disc so it is lost forever now. Been using gimp because it's free, does a lot but not sure if it is on par with PS. I have read some that say it is close, some say not even. I have never had a digital capable of RAW so that is all new to me, buying software is secondary at this point. I have been browsing thru past challenges and OMG !!! I really want to learn how to do some of the editing that I have seen here, SPECTACULAR !!!!
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