Nikon speedlight or Studio lighting?

[Algernonep]

I'm still consider myself new at photography. I'm thinking of getting some new gear. I'm not sure about Nikon speedlight or studio lighting. I don't shoot in a studio that often at all. But, I have been looking at some portable lighting. I already have one speedlight. It's an old speedlight but works fine. I was thinking of getting a new one for off camera flash. Having a little trouble making up my mind. Any suggestions?

[Jim Bryant]

I use four Canon 550 EX's that I fire with a Speedlight transmitter ST-E2. That's my portable studio, however I do have a Black line Speedatron 812 system with three lights umbrellas and softboxes. But, you can't beat the portability of a multiple speedlight system.

[m.c.adams]

I have 3 Speedlights myself and fire them sometimes with the IR unit built in one of the units or with Cactus V4's. With the huge variety of accessories available for the speedlights, softboxes, snoots, diffusers, ect. makes them very flexible.

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

But, you can't beat the portability of a multiple speedlight system.

Great point Jim!!! I am leaning towards speedlights...

[Michel.Paez]

Nothing beats the portability of hotshoe flashes. Personally, my camera bag always has two SB-600s in it, along with my Cactus triggers.

It's a helluvalot easier to lug around than my studio lighting gear, and I can shoot outdoors when I need to - without the need to find a power outlet or lug around a portable power supply.

If you don't shoot studio often, then getting two more speedlights to add to your existing one should do. Throw in a few light stands, umbrellas and softboxes/diffusers and you're golden!

Originally Posted by Algernonep

I'm still consider myself new at photography. I'm thinking of getting some new gear. I'm not sure about Nikon speedlight or studio lighting. I don't shoot in a studio that often at all. But, I have been looking at some portable lighting. I already have one speedlight. It's an old speedlight but works fine. I was thinking of getting a new one for off camera flash. Having a little trouble making up my mind. Any suggestions?

[candleman]

i use three speedlights.. so far.
as Jim said.. you cant beat portable studio.. go anywhere anytime.
all three with cactus V4's, camera, and 3 lenses fit in my bag.

super easy to get around.. up hills and whatnot


sorry.. couldnt help myself

if you have people spare.. get them to hold the flash instead of mucking around with stands.. then you cn get them to move around a little too without moving.. great when you only have a minute or two during a sunset

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by candleman

i use three speedlights.. so far.
as Jim said.. you cant beat portable studio.. go anywhere anytime.
all three with cactus V4's, camera, and 3 lenses fit in my bag.

super easy to get around.. up hills and whatnot


sorry.. couldnt help myself

if you have people spare.. get them to hold the flash instead of mucking around with stands.. then you cn get them to move around a little too without moving.. great when you only have a minute or two during a sunset

Nice photo!
Thanks for the advice...
I have one more question. I never heard of the cactus V4. Should I need it if I'm going to upgrade to D700. I thought the D700 had wireless capability...

[candleman]

Thanks
but whats built into the D700 is optical triggering (reads the preflash fom the body) (the D80 , D90 ,D300 all have it)

so it wont work in sunlight because the speedlight wont pick-up the flash from the camera.
the flash prettymuch has to be "line of sight" in a dim area, you'll be lucky to get it to work in an adjacent room when working indoors.

the beauty of radiotriggers is they work behind walls, bushes, under stuff, a hundred meters away... theres no issues.


Cactus & e-bay triggers will trigger the flash in manual power settings only..(1/1, 1/2, 1/4 etc etc etc) no TTL unless you get PocketWizards. thats why PW's ar so much mor expensive.

BUT.. you need to want to use TTL too.. i dont really like it.
i find manual flash power and manual camera mode easier to be honest.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Algernonep

I'm still consider myself new at photography. I'm thinking of getting some new gear. I'm not sure about Nikon speedlight or studio lighting. I don't shoot in a studio that often at all. But, I have been looking at some portable lighting. I already have one speedlight. It's an old speedlight but works fine. I was thinking of getting a new one for off camera flash. Having a little trouble making up my mind. Any suggestions?

What body do you have? This will influence, but not make/break the decision.

I use my speedlight off camera all the time and plan on getting one or two more. There's something to be said about having a bag the size of some studio lights that has your entire setup in it. That, and the fact that most of my shoots are on-scene, makes me more confident in my decision.

I've gotten my SB-800 to fire off-camera using the CLS system in sunlight, but it can be hit or miss. Most of my shooting ends up being on overcast days anyway