Another Sunpak 383 or something else? Please recommend

[..kimi..]

I just started getting into flash photography and had some great success this weekend...yah for me!

I currently have a Sunpak 383 and the RD616 wireless triggers using it with an Xti and the nifty fifty.

I also got a plain white muslin fabric from Joann's to use as a backdrop while I am learning this studio photography stuff.

What I did was bounce the flash on the ceiling, mostly at 90 degrees or 75 degrees pointed upwards and set about 45 degrees on the left side or right side of me. I'll post a picture later, since I don't have any uploaded from this weekend yet.

So finally, to my question:

I just ordered the Impact Digital Lightning Kit from www.bhphoto.com (which should be arriving tomorrow according to UPS!) and it comes with 2 umbrellas, stands, and adaptors.

Should I get another Sunpak 383 to use off camera in the second umbrella? I'll need to order this additional flash and another receiver before I can fully use the setup I purchased.

My main reasoning for getting this second flash is so I can blast any shadows from the background or the side.

Obviously, you can tell I'm a budget photographer since I am only doing this as a hobby :)

I still have college tuition to pay so I'm thinking about purchasing another cheap flash unit and make the best of it. I also plan on making a reflector to use with this setup.

Any comments, suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

[FlashZebra]

if you are mostly working inside, another 383 and an optical slave would be a good way to go. Cost should be about $100.00.

Enjoy! Lon

[Strayz]

^^^ has a lot of good advice and stuff..

[..kimi..]

I know flash is mostly used outside for fill flash which I think the sunpak can do if I ever needed to use it. Of course, my main options would only to be use it in manual mode mostly. I mostly will be using the flash for indoors since it is pretty much low-light inside. Why do you recommend using an optical slave instead of another ebay receiver?

[FlashZebra]

I know flash is mostly used outside for fill flash which I think the sunpak can do if I ever needed to use it. Of course, my main options would only to be use it in manual mode mostly. I mostly will be using the flash for indoors since it is pretty much low-light inside. Why do you recommend using an optical slave instead of another ebay receiver?
Well you mentioned cost as a major aspect to consider, and optical slaves are very inexpensive.

Also, if optical slaves are used within their design limitations, they are far more reliable that the inexpensive radio slaves.

Many users try to use optical slaves in conditions that they are not designed for, then complain about the reliability.

With optical slaves you should know in advance if they will work or not. The inexpensive radio slaves are not so predictable.

The inexpensive radio slaves potentially work in more situations, but also inexplicably do not work in those exact same conditions.

With optical slaves the results are much more consistent and directly related to the known prevailing conditions you are working under.

Enjoy! Lon

[Curtis N]

Ditto what Lon said.
Every studio monolight has a built-in optical slave. They are the absolute most reliable way to trigger a flash in close indoor quarters. Since they require no batteries and have no power button or channel selector, they are darn near idiot-proof. It's hard to beat simplicity and reliability in an inexpensive package.

[..kimi..]

I'm a little confuse now. I understand the concept of triggering the slaves but what will I use to trigger the optical slave on the 2nd sunpak? Or should I get 2 optical slaves for both sunpak unit? Thanks Lon and Curtis for the help!

[Curtis N]

Continue to trigger one of the flashes the same way you have been - either on the hotshoe or with the radio trigger set. Use an optical slave on the other one.

[slimninj4]

You know curtis I have been wondering how I was gonna get a multi light set up with out going with wireless triggers. You have been a great help in the last several months giving great information in this thread and all of the forum.