Help me spend money. Backgrounds / Flash Meter / Triggers

[xpsentity]

Mornin folks.

I'm in the process of setting up a small in-home studio. For Christmas I'm getting the Busy Bee (http://www.alienbees.com/busy.html) package. The room is a typical extra bedroom in a Phoenix track home, so it's rather smallish but should work - I'll be clearing the garage for use as well, so space is not a terribly important issue.

On to the issues. I'm looking for advice on several things. I am on a budget, but it's flexible enough that I'd like 'decent' kit.

1) I need stands for backgrounds, and background paper / muslin, whatever. I don't have much of an idea where to start here. I've browsed around on B&H but I'd rather get advice from people in the know. Any suggestions on materials / stands / colors? What do you use?

2) How much do I need a flash meter? I've gathered that it's a great idea to have one - but will it benefit me that much? If so, which meter?

3) Triggers, the eternal dilemma. I'll have my Sigma 500, and 4 B800's. I don't think PW II's are in the budget at this point, so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to wirelessly trigger the flashes. How does the AB cheap trigger system stack up? I could pick up a transmitter and 5 receivers for something like 200 bucks. Any other options here?

4) What am I missing? I know I'm forgetting some important and no so important things - what are they?

Any and all responses are greatly appreciated. :lol:

[russellsnr2]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138912

[bobbyz]

1. I bought savage portastand. There are other options around $100. That way, I didn't mess anything in my living room. You can use paper or muslin. Right now I have paper but looking to buy some muslin.

2. Nice to have, IMHO. I bought L358

3. Right now I am using 1 sync chord to trigeer. Other ABs trigger via slave. You only need 1 transmitter and 1 receiver as other can trigger via build in slaves of the AB.

4. Why giant SB? How big if your space?

[Curtis N]

Backgrounds - The possibilities are endless. If you don't need portability then you can start with a pipe and a few closet rod hangers that screw to the wall. A roll of white seamless paper and a big piece of white muslin will get plenty of use, though you'll probably want more variety eventually.

Meter - Get one. It'll save you frustration and speed up the learning curve. Sekonic L-358.

Triggers - You don't need anything. Your Sigma Super has an optical slave and so do the Alienbees. Just use a sync cord to whatever light is closest. When budget allows, consider the Elinchrom El-Skyport Universal set. One receiver to start, maybe add more down the road to make it easier to meter lights separately.

What are you missing? Modifiers. Umbrellas, softboxes, barn doors, diffusion screens, reflectors, flags, etc. Don't ask me. I don't know that the hell to get either.

[xpsentity]

What are you missing? Modifiers. Umbrellas, softboxes, barn doors, diffusion screens, reflectors, flags, etc. Don't ask me. I don't know that the hell to get either.

Most of these things are part of the kit from AB ;)

How about this background support?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/437786-REG/Impact_3046_Background_Support_System_.html

[bobbyz]

I was looking to buy that impact bg support system. Didn't as I bought savage system but it should be more than enough for what you trying to do. Only difference, this one is cross bar is sectional while savage had telescoping bar.

[xpsentity]

(removed, figured out)

Also, while browsing through seamless paper... I've got white / black - any particular advice or just, go nuts, get whatever?

[bobbyz]

I like thunder gray. Looks good with gels. BTW - how big is your space?

[xpsentity]

I've got a spare bedroom, 14x14 or so, as well as an empty 2.5 car garage. And the rest of the house, really. Bachelor and all ;)

Ordered up an L-358, Impact 12' stand, roll of black+white. Going with wired triggering for now, have a wired 'remote' for all 4 lights I can use to control all settings with. I'll just sync one and slave the rest. Might pick up a better system down the line, depends on if I feel that I need it.