What’s Your Preference?

sydneyns · #1 (**permalink**) 12-15-2011, 11:16 PM

Can I use off camera flash with this camera and how.

Can I use strobes or mono-lights and how.

Is this camera and two kit lenses worth keeping or should I dump it.

I have asked questions here and in different forums and I have never seen so many answers so far apart as I have with this camera and lenses and the use of any type of lights. It's like dropping a bomb in the lighting section of forums.

Asking about lighting and the d5000 is like poking a hole in a propane tank and lighting a match.

Wow does it ever make you feel like you wasted money.

Sorry but I had to type this so I could have a break from banging my head off the wall.

Putting it in the case and then in a dark cupboard and pick up the point and shoot before I point and shoot it...

inkista · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydneyns

Can I use off camera flash with this camera and how.

Yes. With triggers, sync cord, or on-camera CLS commander unit.

Quote:

Can I use strobes or mono-lights and how.

Yes. With triggers or sync cord.

Quote:

Is this camera and two kit lenses worth keeping or should I dump it.

Up to you. For many, it is. Others would say to upgrade your lenses.

Quote:

I have asked questions here and in different forums and I have never seen so many answers so far apart as I have with this camera and lenses and the use of any type of lights. It's like dropping a bomb in the lighting section of forums.

It's because you're not targeting. You're asking about 100 questions at the same time when you say, "how do I light with this camera?" Also, there are like a bazillion resources out there to teach you how to do this, and most folks have read at least one of them, if not many more and we all disagree with each other on what "the best" way is.

Quote:

... Wow does it ever make you feel like you wasted money.

There are always going to be yahoos insisting you need the most expensive gear in the land. Ignore 'em. They're probably pros who can write the stuff off on their taxes, or dentists/doctors with spare cash to splash around on every new camera. Learn what you've got. Most cameras outperform their owners. That was true back in the days of film, and is certainly true in the days of digital.

sydneyns · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2011, 12:03 AM

inkista...Thank you for your reply and the information you have provided. I just spent about 3 hrs reading and watching videos and everything went different ways so many times. I only ask one question at a time this time I was just adding them together because I was messed up after all the information I went over.

I would say we all hit a point where we go into information overload and start hitting our head against the wall.

Sorry I worded everything like I did and then someone like you sends a reply that is just like taking a pill to get rid of the headache.

Thank you once again now I have to slow back down and take it one step at a time again...

Thank you very much....

sydneyns · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2011, 12:08 AM

Now I just need to start again and fined out which is best for me and the best price...

inkista · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2011, 01:15 AM

Start with what you want to accomplish and your budget.

What kind of lighting do you want to do? Studio set-ups? On-location shooting? Or run'n'gun event shooting (e.g., weddings, parties). And how much money do you have to spend?

Those two answers can help you figure out whether you want to go with speedlights or studio strobes, and whether or not you want iTTL if you're going to go with speedlights.

The D5000 doesn't have a CLS commander in the pop-up or a PC sync port, but honestly, a $60 set of cheap radio triggers can overcome that, if you don't need iTTL.

If you want studio/location shooting and you're on a very very tight budget, and you only plan on doing off-camera, the usual recommendation is to get a couple of cheap all-manual flashes, like the LumoPro LP160 or the Yongnuo YN-560, some radio triggers (Cactus V5, or Yongnuo RF-603), with one unit for the camera, and one unit per flash, some lightstands, swivels, and umbrellas. This is a typical "Strobist" setup, without the lights.

If you want to do mostly studio work and rarely being on location, consider whether a monolight is going to better for you. Speedlights are power-limited. Monolights can blast a lot more: do that overpower the sun at noon thing, and like more max. aperture on a lens, more power on a flash means more versatility. But monolights also require an outlet or a battery pack, are going to be manual only, and cost more than a manual speedlight. Then again, if we're talking SB-900s, an AlienBee can cost a whole lot less.

If you're doing on-camera run'n'gun, you probably want speedlights with iTTL capability. The OEM Nikon SB-700 or SB-900 if you're flush with cash; if not, used SB-600 or SB-800. If you want to do this AND studio/location shooting, the OEM flashes are still going to be the best choice, because you can always put them into manual. If the Nikon SBs are still too rich for your blood, look at the Metz and Nissin offerings. And if that's still to rich, then the Yongnuo YN TTL-capable flashes might be worth a look, but you typically get what you pay for.

With lighting, my basic advice follows (and many disagree).

Be utterly comfortable shooting in M mode all the time before you start flash photography. Ambient doesn't take a long time to master, and when you start with flash lighting, you're going to have to balance the ambient against the flash. Better to have the basics safely tucked under your belt, first. Otherwise, it's gonna get really really confusing.

Learn to use a single flash on-camera, with bouncing and iTTL, first. I know, I know. Everybody else can't wait to rush you into a full on five-light Strobist setup with the massive cool stuff, but how the hell are you going to put together a five-light setup if you don't even know how ONE flash works? On-camera is basic, quick, simple, doesn't require you carry a lighting bag with you, and it can still vastly improve your images, by simply using flash for fill or bounce. The neilvn.com website is great for teaching you these techniques, and most of the basic flash features and terminology in a way the Strobist forgets to step-by-step break down for you.

Once you get really frustrated with the limitations of on-camera flash, THEN it's time to go off-camera, and time to hit the Strobist. But you really should learn to walk before you try to fly.

And you probably want to buy the book: Light: Science and Magic. It's the undisputed king of lighting textbooks.

scootermcq · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydneyns

Can I use off camera flash with this camera and how.

Can I use strobes or mono-lights and how.

Is this camera and two kit lenses worth keeping or should I dump it.

Shot this with the D60 (a predecessor to the D5000) and a kit lens..... 1 speedlight off camera in an umbrella and a reflector.

and it is still in my portfolio section of my website, even though I have "better" gear, I still like this shot. Lots of mistakes, I know, but I still just can't replace it for some reason.

sydneyns · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2011, 10:02 PM

I think you just gave me some of the best information I have received about the information I was seeking.

Thank you very much....

scootermcq

Thanks for the reply and great picture. But how did you fire the flash.