10D and Studio Flash

[Circlesquare]

Hello all,

I've got my first portrait job on Friday, and I need some advice fast!

I'll be using my 10D and my G4 Mac, but I need a pointer on which studio flash to get. I think I'll manage with one head and umbrella / diffuser, plus I'll need a tasteful background.

I really don't want to spend more than £400.00, as it's early days, but I don't want to be lumbered with cheap kit either!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've got a rough idea of what's out there, but would much rather hear recommendations from personal experiences.

The portraits will be couples, and I think I'll just be doing head and shoulders shots.

TIA,
Andy.

[Derek Smith]

I have a set of Portaflash 336VM Studio lights.

So far they refuse to work in conjunction with my 550EX on ETTL mode.

They slave off from the 550EX trigger or from the 10D PC connection. They fire fine but have NO EFFECT on the final exposure.

Any ideas why anyone

[Dans_D60]

$600 (£400) should be enough to get a decent startup kit. I recommend a package that includes the 2 flash heads, umbrellas, and stands. I have experience with the Alien Bees flash units and found these products to be reliable and flexible. I don’t know if they are sold outside the United States. Here is the link http://www.alienbees.com/Packages.html Paper or muslin backgrounds are easily setup and can be purchased within your budget. I built a rail system in my garage that allows multiple backgrounds and done on the cheap.

Derek said: “I have a set of Portaflash 336VM Studio lights. So far they refuse to work in conjunction with my 550EX on ETTL mode. They slave off from the 550EX trigger or from the 10D PC connection. They fire fine but have NO EFFECT on the final exposure. Any ideas why anyone”


Derek: the 500EX (and built-in flash) is an E-TTL strobe unit. It will fire a “pre flash” and uses the camera to calculate the proper settings and then fires the main strobe flash. Your Portaflsh units are firing on the pre-flash. Set the 550 and camera to manual mode. No pre-flash is fired on manual. However, you will need to set the aperture and shutter speed manually.

Andy: Here is an example of a garage setup and rail system:
http://www.pettusphoto.com/studio-light.jpg

Good luck and have FUN!
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[jhankins]

Very Helpful! Thanks so much for putting this together!

[jd_D60]

Silghtly higher than your price bracket but Elinchrom and Prolinca do "Studio to Go" sets - although they are more more expensive there resale value if it doesn't work out your get a good price for them

I have the Elinchrom EL500 set for 2001, 2 heads (which I recommend for studio work). The only problem is acc. are expensive.

I did have the jessops 336Vm set, they were good but not long after I decided I wanted more control (ie valiable power, modeling light) - I think the 336VM is only full and half power and if your studio increases you might finf they are not powerful enough.

my 2 cents

[Circlesquare]

Thanks for all the help so far.

Is it worth me considering using fixed light, such as 3200k tungsten? It certainly would seem to me that it would me more comfortable to work with a fixed source over flash. Would the adjustable white point on the 10D make this a worthwhile alternative?

Also, anyone know where I can get hold of cardboard frames in the UK?

TIA
Andy.

[Circlesquare]

Hi,

Well, did the job last night and it was a success. In the end, I hired two Bowens Esprit monoblocs, and found them really easy to use. Kept the bulb low on both, and the results have a very natural light.

Took about twenty minutes of test shooting to get the light right, then we took nearly 200 portraits. Used Canon Remote Capture on the Mac with a 10D, and the chance to view images was a real hit.

I'd definately recommend the Bowens kit - I'll be buying two as soon as I can. In the meantime, if anybody is interested, you can hire them from Calumet for about £30.00 per day for two.

[TonyKInTexas]

This is a sample of one Alien Bee B400 with a softbox and reflector:

http://www.pbase.com/image/18361115.jpg

I also have a B800 and a large softbox. I think starting with a good sized flash, a light modifier (softbox probably) and a good sized reflector will let you get started. I would then add fill and hair lights as needed.

Take care,

Circlesquare wrote:
Hello all,

I've got my first portrait job on Friday, and I need some advice fast!

I'll be using my 10D and my G4 Mac, but I need a pointer on which studio flash to get. I think I'll manage with one head and umbrella / diffuser, plus I'll need a tasteful background.

I really don't want to spend more than £400.00, as it's early days, but I don't want to be lumbered with cheap kit either!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've got a rough idea of what's out there, but would much rather hear recommendations from personal experiences.

The portraits will be couples, and I think I'll just be doing head and shoulders shots.

TIA,
Andy.