I'm now a strobist

[pittbug]

I picked up a strobist pro kit from mpex.com the other day which includes two LP160s, pocket wizards, stands, umbrellas, etc.

Can't wait to start experimenting with off camera lighting

[chaminda.madawala]

Hey congratz on your new strobs. tell us more about it after experimenting

[lynweber]

Originally Posted by pittbug

I picked up a strobist pro kit from mpex.com the other day which includes two LP160s, pocket wizards, stands, umbrellas, etc.

Can't wait to start experimenting with off camera lighting

Can you share which kit I'm looking for some new lighting equipment for my studio.

[pittbug]

Hi Lynette

This is the kit I bought:
Strobist Pro PT3 - 2 Light Kit

After talking to the person there, he convinced me to substitute the umbrellas with ones that have black covers, so they can be used for bounce off with the cover, or shoot through without.

[lynweber]

Originally Posted by pittbug

Hi Lynette

This is the kit I bought:
Strobist Pro PT3 - 2 Light Kit

After talking to the person there, he convinced me to substitute the umbrellas with ones that have black covers, so they can be used for bounce off with the cover, or shoot through without.

Thank you so much that's a little out of my range currently. But I need some lighting as I have my own homemade continuous that I don't really like anymore. I don't get the whole strobist thing yet but perhaps after trying it I will understand more.

[bhursey]

Congrats you really dove in. I still don't even have PW's... I still have my trusty Cactus V4's.. A 2 flash setup is nice you can do some good stuff with it. Be sure to post your adventures and setup at Strobist: Show us how you took it?

This helps every one learn from each other.

[Eastree]

Originally Posted by lynweber

Thank you so much that's a little out of my range currently. But I need some lighting as I have my own homemade continuous that I don't really like anymore. I don't get the whole strobist thing yet but perhaps after trying it I will understand more.

The biggest pull for "strobist" (as in a shoe-mount flash being used in stead of studio flashes) is that it's (at least relatively) inexpensive, in some respects. On that note, you're also sacrificing power, as a miniature flash unit (compared) simply doesn't have the output of a large unit with much larger capacitors and strobes (meaning the part that actually produces the light when electricity is discharged through it). It also becomes a bit annoying to power, especially in a static studio area, as the shoe-mount strobes almost always use batteries, and the studio strobes can be powered via a wall outlet.

Any way .... If you're looking to get into it at all, there are much less expensive options out there. I'd also recommend a better umbrella, but this is something I see recommended on a somewhat regular basis (I'm not endorsing the products below; Ihave never used them):
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Strobist Kit Photography Photo Studio Flash Mount Umbrellas Kit: Electronics

And, of course, wireless triggers:
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes Other products by cowboystudio: Electronics

More receivers may be purchased if you wish to use more flash units. There are some relatively decent flash units available for much less than a camera-branded one. Granted, they are manual only, and may take a little longer to cycle. So at least beware of that. Don't expect to just toss all this together, click all the flashes to TTL, and shoot a fast-paced session. But what it will do (and it's why I'm considering this) is give experience with lighting set-ups.

[pittbug]

@bhursey I'll be sure to post any that are worth sharing, thanks for the link to the thread

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Eastree

The biggest pull for "strobist" (as in a shoe-mount flash being used in stead of studio flashes) is that it's (at least relatively) inexpensive, in some respects. On that note, you're also sacrificing power, as a miniature flash unit (compared) simply doesn't have the output of a large unit with much larger capacitors and strobes (meaning the part that actually produces the light when electricity is discharged through it). It also becomes a bit annoying to power, especially in a static studio area, as the shoe-mount strobes almost always use batteries, and the studio strobes can be powered via a wall outlet.

This is fine if you have a permanent studio set up: most of MY shooting is done on site, be it indoors or out. Having battery power and NO WIRES is considerably more important to me. I've also never had issues with power on my "miniature" flash units. Most of the time im shooting at f/8 and still powering flashes down to 1/16 or 1/32.

[Eastree]

Thus the voice of experience proves me wrong Thanks so much!