I'm trying to go uber cheap :)

[SpiltPickle]

Reading strobist.com and looking for a way to get my flash off camera.

So far I've purchased a 6' light stand from ebay for $19.95 shipped, and a set of the radio triggers for $29.95 shipped. Now I just want to get a umbrella / hotshoe mount for the stand, and an umbrella. I think I can get em for about $40 before shipping, and luckily I already have my 580ex :)

Woo I can't wait. heh.

[goatee]

lol - that's exactly what I'm looking to do for Xmas / Chanuka / Season of Good Will (who is Will?). http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=50067&is=REG looks pretty good for the clamp / hotshoe mount.

[SpiltPickle]

lol - that's exactly what I'm looking to do for Xmas / Chanuka / Season of Good Will (who is Will?). http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=50067&is=REG looks pretty good for the clamp / hotshoe mount.

Oh that is a good price! The one I was looking at was at a place recommend by strobist, it was $20 and they don't list shipping on their site.

I'm just confused on umbrella sizes. Strobist's lighting 101 recommends a 43" wescott because it double folds. I'm more worried about $$ than portability, so don't know if 43" is the 'optimum' size, or what. Local store has a 45" wescott for $21. Comparing it to the 43" from that site, they'd be about the same after shipping and tax. 45" too big for a 580? Hmm...

[SpiltPickle]

I just ordered that adapter, and a 45" soft silver westcott umbrella.

Now just to wait. 15 days they say for the wireless triggers from hong-kong and 5-7 days for bh (maybe)

and not sure how long for my lightstand. total I spent more than I thought, heh sitting at roughly $90

[goatee]

:D But, it'll be a really nice starter setup - I have enough to learn about this kind of lighting without throwing in the expense and complication of a studio light - plus, this is portable, and can be used outdoors with no cumbersome battery packs.

[StealthLude]

I use the 60 inch alien bee brolly with my 580ex and it seems to just work great.

what radio slave are you buying from ebay?

[goatee]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wireless-Slave-Hot-Shoe-Flash-Flashgun-Trigger-4ch-T1E_W0QQitemZ200045898733QQihZ010QQcategoryZ64354Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - they do them priced in $US as well.

[cdifoto]

I use 32/33 inch umbrellas (or somewhere around there). The size depends on what you want to cover...3/4, 1/2, full body, or just headshots.

[Lightstream]

I can recommend the SP Systems/Impact flash bracket. I bought the Impact but to the best I can see, the two look identical so I just picked one and added it to my cart. Very useful, beats zip-tying the umbrella to the tripod head. I am so cheap I don't even use a lightstand, I re-purpose an old ultralight tripod (great for 350D, hopeless with 5D - too heavy for it) for the job. Those old tripods ain't gonna go away, you aren't going to sell them for much, might as well use them for what they can deliver.

I didn't succeed in going ULTRA cheap, because I looked at my setup, realized I had a 430EX, figured that the radio triggers are marginal with it, so I'd buy a *gasp* Nikon SB-28, which is now $110 on ebay thanks to Strobist, so I just plowed the cash into a ST-E2. As a bonus I retain E-TTL2, which is useful for Strobist's "strobe on a stick" or no stick at all (saw one PJ use the flash handheld with the ST-E2!)

I'm lazy that way... ;)

I ebayed an umbrella too, $9 delivered. White 32" shoot-thru or reflector depending on how I point it.

You'll love this setup. I've fallen in love with off camera lighting and my product shots have never been the same since.. I can place the light anywhere I want now, and not just on camera. I recently had to take a mugshot of myself (that is a pain, because I have no wireless SHUTTER trigger setup, and the timer insists on autofocusing BEFORE it counts down, so I can't sit down and then get AF to lock onto me), it was so much nicer to have proper light, even with just one umbrella, rather than the deer-in-headlights look.

TIP: If you REALLY MUST have a modelling light, get a VERY bright flashlight (I am not talking about the supermarket kind..) and align it with your flash. You will get something that sorta simulates a modelling light. I said powerful because it is subject to the same light loss as your flash and you may not be able to see it if ambient light is bright.

[snokid]

I'm trying to do the same thing but with a softbox, is there a bracket to mount a flash to a softbox that's not more than buying a strobe? worst case i'm going to bend up some metal myself.

Bob

[Lotto]

Chimera makes a speed ring for speedlites

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=3750&A=details&Q=&sku=179134&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[cdifoto]

Chimera makes a speed ring for speedlites

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=3750&A=details&Q=&sku=179134&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


Wow good catch. I didnt know about those. Added to wishlist. Thanks. :)

[goatee]

or this morris softbox which includes the speedring http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=90032&is=REG (found out by reading http://www.juliagreerphotography.com/sb-800-article.htm)