Adding to my lighting setup, looking for input

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

01/31/2013 07:48:59 PM · #1

Ok so I currently use 2 Alien Bees B800's with different diffusers and am looking to add to that. I often find myself wishing for at least one other light if not 2 so here is my dilemma. I know I will be getting a background light stand (this will give me 3 full size stands and one short one total) I will also be picking up an additional softbox and 2 grids so I will have 2 softboxes with grids in my setup. I also have a beauty dish and a large octabox and am thinking of a grid for the octabox as well. I mainly use the sync cable to fire one of the bees and have the other trip optically when in the studio, outdoors I use a radio popper setup although only one receiver works so I still use the slave on one of the strobes if I am using 2 strobes. So I think I may get a cybersync setup so that I can fire all of the strobes without worrying about the slave not tripping.

This setup takes a good amount of my budget and leaves enough for either two alien bee B800's or one Einstein. Having four strobes is sounding really good but I also like the idea of adding an einstein. My thoughts are that I can either get two new lights and be set for awhile as far as number of lights go and just add modifiers etc... Or, I can just get one light and make it the einstein and that would give me the ability to do high speed flash photography as well as give me a more powerful light for when I do outdoor sessions. Currently the majority of my work is indoors but I hope to do more outdoor sessions this year.

What would you do? Anything I am not thinking of? I will also be getting an additional light stand with a boom arm but that is separate.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

01/31/2013 08:03:50 PM · #2

I have this stuff

� Two Alien Bees B400 Flash Unit (black) - //www.paulcbuff.com/b400.php
� 35 in Umbrella (white and black interchangeable) - //www.paulcbuff.com/u48twb.php
� 35 in Foldable Octabox - //www.paulcbuff.com/fob.php
� Rotating Speedring - //www.paulcbuff.com/speedrings.php
� Honeycomb Grids x4 (10, 20, 30, 40 degree) - //www.paulcbuff.com/hgx4.php
� 13 foot Heavy duty stand - //www.paulcbuff.com/ls3900.php
� 10 foot General Duty stand - //www.paulcbuff.com/ls3050.php
� LiteMod Barndoors - //www.paulcbuff.com/lmbd4.php
� Sync cords - //www.paulcbuff.com/sc.php
�
� Paid over $890, will let the setup go for $660 plus shipping (30.5 lbs-already all back in original boxes)

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/01/2013 06:54:59 AM · #3

Thanks for the offer Tracy but the B400's are a bit small for what I want.

Anyone else have any input? I may message a couple of members latter if this thread dies.

Right now I am leaning towards the Einstein and am still debating on the cybersyncs (but it likely I will get those)

spiritualspatula

02/01/2013 07:05:07 AM · #4

Originally posted by MinsoPhoto:

I thought you said you had radiopoppers already? Why does one not work? I'd look to get a repair/warranty, and keep the same system unless you really hate it.

Message edited by author 2013-02-01 07:06:13.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/01/2013 07:34:02 AM · #5

I have one radio popper transmitter and two receivers but one receiver has not worked for some time, they are a few years old and I am really not that happy with them. The transmitter does not fit snugly on the hotshoe and when shooting in portrait orientation it often will not fire. Plus the batteries are a bit expensive for that system where the cybersyncs I would get would be the ac powered ones and buying a system for firing 3 units won't be much more then getting 2 additional radio poppers.

spiritualspatula

02/01/2013 08:35:01 AM · #6

Originally posted by MinsoPhoto:

Gotcha. Well, I use Cybersyncs and have been happy overall with them. Haven't used them as a repeater yet, but might at some point. Their customer service is absolutely top notch and a person answers very promptly to help you out.

So far as the lights... tough choice.

I'd ask if you absolutely needed the power variability of the einstein/pulse duration. If you don't, it doesn't make sense to get Einstein's instead of a b1600. I'd consider a PLM as well, though you do have an octa, so might be bit redundant.

02/01/2013 12:26:22 PM · #7

With my current available space I don't think I could use a plm, the octabox is difficult enough. As for the lights, I don't do any high speed flash photography but would likely get more into it if I had the Einstein. Still weighing my options as there is so much I would like to get, it is more about what is the best addition to what I have to start with.

02/01/2013 05:12:33 PM · #8

Bump, anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Nuno

Nikon D700

02/01/2013 07:42:00 PM · #9

Do you have a batery to use the AB outside?

If not could be a great add wi another modifier or one more AB800.

Do you have stripboxes? they are quite usefull.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/01/2013 08:35:10 PM · #10

I'd find it difficult to imagine that you would regret getting an Einstein and a vagabond mini. I love mine.

tanguera

Nikon D750

02/01/2013 08:50:15 PM · #11

Vagabond minis RULE

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/01/2013 08:54:25 PM · #12

Originally posted by tanguera:

Vagabond minis RULE

And tanguera rules, too, so vagabond minis must really really rule!

bohemka

Nikon D700

02/01/2013 10:50:11 PM · #13

Have you considered bubblewrap?

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/02/2013 12:37:21 AM · #14

Originally posted by tanguera:

Vagabond minis RULE

This is impossible to dispute. Hadn't even thought of it as a suggestion, but I love mine.

Message edited by author 2013-02-02 00:37:33.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/02/2013 06:40:09 AM · #15

I have the Vagabond II so no need for the mini now. I like the heft of the battery since it helps secure my light stand down.

Well I think I am settled on the Einstein with the few modifiers and cybersyncs. Once I get to where I am constantly wishing I had a 4th light I will add another light.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

02/02/2013 07:05:45 AM · #16

given your style of shooting, i'd recommend a 1600 + 2 strip boxes.

the cybersyncs rock. just be forewarned, the learning curve is a monster. there is nothing automatic about them and the documentation is terrible. however, once you get a handle on them, nothing beats adjusting your lights from your camera.

the only other downside to the cybersyncs is that they will NOT fire your camera. for that, i use my pocketwizards.

fwiw, i'm eyeing the einstein system, but haven't found the need to go there, yet.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

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

02/02/2013 07:56:00 AM · #17

Originally posted by bohemka:

Have you considered bubblewrap?

Teeheee...I strongly second that!

Now what on earth are Vagabond minis...mini wide slaves maybe...É

02/02/2013 09:52:13 AM · #18

Hey Skip, I do have one strip box and do use it, I was adding a second medium size softbox so that I would have two of those with grids, do you think two strip boxes with grids would be better for the hard rim lighting?

Right now I have

1 strip box
1 medium soft box
1 large octa box
1 beauty dish
two 20 degree grids for the 7" reflectors
1 large 3'x6' reflector
2 alien Bee B800's

Looking at adding 1 light (probably the einstein for high speed flash)
grids for the soft box and octa box
an additional soft box with grid.
Better triggers
boom arm

Later I will add barn doors, a snoot, gels etc... and likely another light.